Joey's versatility means that Joe S. has more options. My bet, is that there will be 3 10s including Joey as utility back, which means Ross Byrne would travel. Then three scrumhalves will be Murray, Marmion & McGrath. Cooney will only travel if there are injuries.

More interesting will be locks, with Ryan, Dev and Henderson shoe ins, Quinn's best hope is that Beirne is seen as a utility forward. Finlay has only an outside chance.

If Cooney takes the kicks today instead of Carbery, then I think he'll be going to Japan. Schmidt has already decided that Carbery is the 2nd choice fly-half, so Cooney's accuracy could book his flight.

Ireland also have a controlled style of play, Marmion has proven to the coaches that he can rein in his natural instincts to run everything in order to play the required style, Cooney naturally plays a more controlled game so he'll slot right in. I always thought that the difference in playing styles was why Cooney had to leave, he was and is too good a player to be second choice, but Marmion suited the running rugby Connacht were aiming for better.

greyingbeard wrote: The 3rd scrum half in the WC squad could come down to whether or not Joe wants a third out half in the squad. If Joe wants the best three out and out 9's then McGrath will probably edge Cooney, if Joe goes with just Sexton and Carbery as 10's then Cooney might sneak ahead as he can cover 10 in training or an emergency.

In a straight head to head as SH, I'd have Cooney ahead anyway.
Then add his kicking and versatility...

Now that he's in the setup, barring injury I'd expect him to pull ahead in Joe's reckoning...

The 3rd scrum half in the WC squad could come down to whether or not Joe wants a third out half in the squad. If Joe wants the best three out and out 9's then McGrath will probably edge Cooney, if Joe goes with just Sexton and Carbery as 10's then Cooney might sneak ahead as he can cover 10 in training or an emergency.

Sol_ie wrote: Yep, always highly rated Cooney (obviously). If he acquits himself well I've a funny feeling he might leapfrog McGrath for the No. 3 spot.

Don't tell gavin cummiskey that ...... you'll ruin his weekend

Yep, always highly rated Cooney (obviously). If he acquits himself well I've a funny feeling he might leapfrog McGrath for the No. 3 spot.

I'm looking forward to his reaction to Cooney's first start.

Hopefully this is a real opportunity for Bealham to impress and get a shot at the main team, not a match that will be ignored because it's only the US

So Marmion starting and playing with an injury was preferable to McGrath.

Any chance Mr Francis might take a break from stroking the big, blue phallus to notice this?

Spot on Bazzo regarding keeping a Leinster player out of the team and we'll get the same stuff when the Six Nations comes around and Endorsement is no longer carrying an injury and the chorus will start up that Bundee be dropped to reunite the Leinster pair in the centre!

Heaslip was at it on the commentary for channel 4 throughout the game, constantly singled Marmion out for criticism, particularly his box kicking - after almost every single box kick he said it was a poor kick, when overall they were actually fine and a huge improvement on where he was a couple of years ago. I've heard a lot of people saying he's an excellent commentator but Saturday was my first time watching a game with him co-commentating and after that crap I'm not overly impressed.

Anyway, Schmidt I'm sure can see Marmion's value, there's going to be loads of criticism regardless of how he plays because he's keeping a Leinster player out of the team.

I was at the game on Saturday, one of those where it felt a privilege to be there. Had a bit of an argument with a Leinster supporter before the game, he was giving out about Marmion being picked ahead of McGrath. I saw him again in the pub after the game and he had the good grace to say "I was wrong and Marmion was brilliant" which for me was the cherry on top of the icing on top of a cake made of Guinness.

I was Lucky enough to be at the game on Saturday night, and I'm still on a high after it. Very proud of Kieran & Bundee. Anyway here's my thoughts on Joe's current squad. Would you agree with my opinion that this side are our greatest ever? (see link attached for my article).

Any constructive criticism you might have is welcome as always!

www.sportsnewsireland.com/rugby/rugby_ir...d-has-ever-produced/

Magpie wrote: He picks out Marmion's box kicking, but fails to recall McGraths poor box kick with 90sec remaining, it resulted in NZ getting the ball and gaining 25 meters.

It was almost identical to Conor Murray giving away possession at the end of the 2013 game, except luckily this time it didn’t result in a draw.

connachta wrote: www.balls.ie/rugby/kieran-marmion-new-zealand-401085

Hmmm. Marmion is good at filling Murray's void...

Marmion named in team of the week from all international matches.
Delighted for him, with all the unfair criticism of him m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/internation...the-xv-37542199.html

I've seen more positives written about KM than any player except maybe POM (for obvious reasons). From the Guardian to the NZ Herald, they called out his composure in dealing with fact that NZ were, um, disruptive at the breakdown not to mention his defence rate.

I wouldn't worry too much about that lad has to say. Trolling for page views.