15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) (capt)
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
5. Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
6. Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
17. Michael Bent (Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht) *
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht) *
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
23. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster

connachtexile wrote:

anyone have any information on the open training session that the Ireland Senior team will be holding in Galway?

First I heard of it. Did you ring the branch?

Conor Murray's neck injury is looking more iffy by the day and Reddan looks he might miss the Italy game which means either Boss or Marmion might be the starter. No offence to Boss but I really hope it's Marmion.

It was on the Official Connacht Rugby news page last week...

"Ireland will host three ticketed open training sessions over the course the 6 Nations with the first taking place in the Aviva Stadium on Friday 30th January and further open sessions scheduled for Galway and Belfast"

looking at the schedule i'm guessing either Fri 20th Feb or Fri 6th Mar, in fact since Connacht have a match on the 6th Mar then the 20th Feb looks the most likely date.

McKeon called up into Wolfhounds squad.

anyone have any information on the open training session that the Ireland Senior team will be holding in Galway?

First I heard of it. Did you ring the branch?

Conor Murray's neck injury is looking more iffy by the day and Reddan looks he might miss the Italy game which means either Boss or Marmion might be the starter. No offence to Boss but I really hope it's Marmion.

anyone have any informtion on the open training session that the Ireland Senior team will be holding in Galway?

Dave Kearney probably going to miss most of the 6N after his fall yesterday. Reddan picked up a leg knock so the chances of Marmion making the bench are greatly increased and Heaslip aggravated his shoulder again. No idea how serious.

phatguerilla wrote: Just listening to second captains and one of the final points related to the rugby is that Schmidt often picks subs to offer criticism at half time to the team, rather than just saying it all himself. Reddan was name checked as a leader on the bench, which tells me that until Marmion can surpass him in this field, or develop significantly as a player, he will remain 3rd choice scrum half. Personally glad to know that there's at least a valid reason for reddans continued selection but doesn't look good for marmions chances to make multiple appearances in the World Cup?

There's still a 6N and some friendlies to get through before the RWC, there should be a few opportunities (including Dec 19th) to prove his superiority...

Just listening to second captains and one of the final points related to the rugby is that Schmidt often picks subs to offer criticism at half time to the team, rather than just saying it all himself. Reddan was name checked as a leader on the bench, which tells me that until Marmion can surpass him in this field, or develop significantly as a player, he will remain 3rd choice scrum half. Personally glad to know that there's at least a valid reason for reddans continued selection but doesn't look good for marmions chances to make multiple appearances in the World Cup?

RogueXV wrote:

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

No one told me the resolutions had to be new. I've been going with drink less, eat better and exercise more going on 25 years now. They'll stick one of these years.

Beat Munster!

Lol! Unlike the old reliables this one will envitably come through in some new year!

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

No one told me the resolutions had to be new. I've been going with drink less, eat better and exercise more going on 25 years now. They'll stick one of these years.

Beat Munster!

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

It's been so long, I can't remember; so its due. From a Connacht perspective it will really tell if we have turned the corner.

Munsterfans probably think our best chance is during an international window when they'll be missing 23 of their squad (so JJ misses out again!) :silly:

clanman wrote:

rossie wrote: He had a super game at fb on Friday night. Casey has excelled in every challenge he has faced to date in his career. He's a good scrummager and hooked on his own ball, extremely accurate out of touch, a good ball carrier and excellent at pick n go around the fringes.i thought best struggled on Saturday and cronin for all his athletic talent is a technically poor hooked imo. If casey got a chance I don't think he would be found wanting.

Christmas has come early

I have been impressed any time I've seen Casey too but playing the likes of Dragons and Australia are worlds apart. Cronin had to serve a long apprenticeship to get his break on the Irish squad. If Casey can continue to progress this season he'd be worth a look but to me we have to see how he holds up against Clermont or Saracens away for example before moving him any further up the pecking order.

As a matter of interest what channel was Dragons v Munster on the last night?

3 munster men and an Aussie on Against the Head, great balance as usual from RTE

Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

rossie wrote:

columoc wrote: And for "fun" news; over on Munsterfans, posters are calling for Duncan Casey as starting 2 for 6N and WC and wait for it.....JJ O'H as starting 12.

Honestly, you've almost got to admire them. We just have to stuff them at Christmas!

Which Christmas is that?

This Xmas. We play them in the sportsground.
Xmas = 12 days of Xmas. 25 th December to 5/6 January. Game is on 1st January. Hope that clears it up

rossie wrote: He had a super game at fb on Friday night. Casey has excelled in every challenge he has faced to date in his career. He's a good scrummager and hooked on his own ball, extremely accurate out of touch, a good ball carrier and excellent at pick n go around the fringes.i thought best struggled on Saturday and cronin for all his athletic talent is a technically poor hooked imo. If casey got a chance I don't think he would be found wanting.

Christmas has come early