Mark Mostyn wrote:

pinky wrote:

Banm wrote: My bro in law is hearing rumours in Perth that Ireland will play Western Force on way home

Woohoo. Flashing goalposts and nine-point tries ...

$$$

Will it be Twentytwenty or 100 overs?

pinky wrote:

Banm wrote: My bro in law is hearing rumours in Perth that Ireland will play Western Force on way home

Woohoo. Flashing goalposts and nine-point tries ...

$$$

Banm wrote: My bro in law is hearing rumours in Perth that Ireland will play Western Force on way home

Woohoo. Flashing goalposts and nine-point tries ...

My bro in law is hearing rumours in Perth that Ireland will play Western Force on way home

theCulk wrote: what's an original opponent?

An opponent that isn't based entirely on the largest demographics in the city. I would guess..
They know that Irish & Italian Americans will put their well padded bums on seats to cheer on the Old /Vecchio sods..:whistle:

what's an original opponent?

I wonder will Germany sort out their player availability issues now that there is a two-legged tie with Samoa in the offing? If they stick with the squad they had this season, you'd imagine Portugal would be favourites (says he with almost zero knowledge of Portuguese rugby).
One presumes a royal stuffing at the hands of Samoa awaits the winners in any case, though there are potential availability issues for them to sort out due to the delay in the fixture, and sure after that, who knows who might get disqualified in the repêchage

Meanwhile the somewhat preposterous Ireland v Italy game in Soldier Field in November has been confirmed. I suppose there'll be a few quid in it, but you'd think they could have rounded up a more original opponent ...

Guess World Rugby needed to find something that could not be legally challenged. Interesting now on how they deal with Rugby Europe

In other Ireland related news, Russia will be our opponents now instead of Romania, with them Spain and Belgium more or less thrown out of the competition for fielding ineligible players, Germany go on to face Samoa to see who the other team will be. The whole debacle revolving around the European qualifying was really strange, and if the ref hadn't messed up in the Spain v Belgium game the ineligible players thing may have gone under the radar and the relevant teams may have gotten away with it.

Edit: I should note that this refers to RWC2019

Would agree with most or that but he'll bring 33-35 players so room for a few more. Also Joe always has three tight head locks, so if Henderson is out, Roux and even Thornbury would be ahead of Ultan. With Beirne a shoo-in, he'll probably only go if five locks are picked.

Thanks Mul. I would think something like the following squad going to Australia -
Props - Healy, McGrath, Furlong, Porter, Bealham.
Hookers - Best, Cronin, Delahunt.
Locks - Toner, Ryan, Beirne, Dillane.
Back Row - O'Mahony, Stander, Leavy, Conan, Jordi Murphy.
Scrum Halves - Murray, Marmion, Cooney.
Out Halves - Sexton, Carbery.
Centres - Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw.
Back 5 - R Kearney, Earls, Stockdale, Larmour, Conway.

Horsebox85 wrote: All depends on what Schmidt does with the Lions contingent, he could rest a few.
I don't see what advantage there is in bringing Best, Furlong, Sexton & Murray in particular.
They're guaranteed starters and have nothing to prove, a rest could do them the world of good.

Agree so much. That's why Delahunt should have an outside chance to go as 3rd choice. But I guess, again, Tracy/Scannell/Herring will be prefered.
Sexton should be rested but in the end he may well go, if he doesn't we could see Carty

All depends on what Schmidt does with the Lions contingent, he could rest a few.
I don't see what advantage there is in bringing Best, Furlong, Sexton & Murray in particular.
They're guaranteed starters and have nothing to prove, a rest could do them the world of good.
I definitely agree with the calls on Tom Farrell, Buckley & Bealham, all have outshone their competition for places this season,
i.e. Buckley vs Kilcoyne and Farrell vs Arnold, McCloskey & Scannell, Bealham vs Ryan
Schmidt will be unlikely to bring in anyone that hasn't been at least involved in some of the camps previously, so that will count against DB & TF

Hope you're right about Tom, but beidh na mweenies ag whingail if Scannell isn't picked, so if Henshaw recovers don't think he'll go.

Tom Farrell deserves it a lot, Buckley too. Doubt the 2nd will be considered, but with Henshaw/the other Farrell injured, I do think Tom has his chance, more convincing and promising than Arnold, McCloskley

Archer just had surgery on his pec I think. Also pretty sure Henshaw is done until next season.