6 Nations 2019
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As an initial stab, here’s my guess for Ireland squad with a couple of options in 2-3 positions - all coming from Connacht who have improved greatly this season.
With Luke McGrath definitely out, and a question mark over when Kieran Marmion can return, his understudy, Caolin Blade at Connacht should be a deserved shout. Blade and outhalf Jack Carty have been the best form halfback pairing of the Irish teams this season in my view. And if we lose a 10 between now and Japan, Carty is well-worth considering as a back-up. Ultan Dillane has recovered some of his earlier career form and could oust his Connacht team-mate Quinn Roux to get a lock spot. Ditto Finlay Bealham instead of Munster’s Kilcoyne. One other Connacht player who might be considered is midfielder, Tom Farrell, who partners Aki in the Westerners first team.
Hookers: Best, Cronin, Scannell.
LH: Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne/Bealham,
TH: Furlong, Porter, John Ryan.
Locks: James Ryan, Toner, Beirne, Henderson, Dillane/Roux.
Back-rowers: SOB, POM, Stander, vdF, Conan, Murphy, Leavy, Ruddock.
Scumhalves: Murray, Cooney, Marmion/Blade.
Outhalves: Sexton, Carbery, Byrne/Carty.
Centres: Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose, Chris Farrell/Tom Farrell
Back three: Conway, Stockdale, Earls, R Kearney, Larmour, Addison.@Derm-McCrum said in 6 Nations 2019:
As an initial stab, here’s my guess for Ireland squad with a couple of options in 2-3 positions - all coming from Connacht who have improved greatly this season.
With Luke McGrath definitely out, and a question mark over when Kieran Marmion can return, his understudy, Caolin Blade at Connacht should be a deserved shout. Blade and outhalf Jack Carty have been the best form halfback pairing of the Irish teams this season in my view. And if we lose a 10 between now and Japan, Carty is well-worth considering as a back-up. Ultan Dillane has recovered some of his earlier career form and could oust his Connacht team-mate Quinn Roux to get a lock spot. Ditto Finlay Bealham instead of Munster’s Kilcoyne. One other Connacht player who might be considered is midfielder, Tom Farrell, who partners Aki in the Westerners first team.
Hookers: Best, Cronin, Scannell.
LH: Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne/Bealham,
TH: Furlong, Porter, John Ryan.
Locks: James Ryan, Toner, Beirne, Henderson, Dillane/Roux.
Back-rowers: SOB, POM, Stander, vdF, Conan, Murphy, Leavy, Ruddock.
Scumhalves: Murray, Cooney, Marmion/Blade.
Outhalves: Sexton, Carbery, Byrne/Carty.
Centres: Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose, Chris Farrell/Tom Farrell
Back three: Conway, Stockdale, Earls, R Kearney, Larmour, Addison.Not a bad initial stab!
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@Derm-McCrum said in 6 Nations 2019:
As an initial stab, here’s my guess for Ireland squad with a couple of options in 2-3 positions - all coming from Connacht who have improved greatly this season.
With Luke McGrath definitely out, and a question mark over when Kieran Marmion can return, his understudy, Caolin Blade at Connacht should be a deserved shout. Blade and outhalf Jack Carty have been the best form halfback pairing of the Irish teams this season in my view. And if we lose a 10 between now and Japan, Carty is well-worth considering as a back-up. Ultan Dillane has recovered some of his earlier career form and could oust his Connacht team-mate Quinn Roux to get a lock spot. Ditto Finlay Bealham instead of Munster’s Kilcoyne. One other Connacht player who might be considered is midfielder, Tom Farrell, who partners Aki in the Westerners first team.
Hookers: Best, Cronin, Scannell.
LH: Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne/Bealham,
TH: Furlong, Porter, John Ryan.
Locks: James Ryan, Toner, Beirne, Henderson, Dillane/Roux.
Back-rowers: SOB, POM, Stander, vdF, Conan, Murphy, Leavy, Ruddock.
Scumhalves: Murray, Cooney, Marmion/Blade.
Outhalves: Sexton, Carbery, Byrne/Carty.
Centres: Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose, Chris Farrell/Tom Farrell
Back three: Conway, Stockdale, Earls, R Kearney, Larmour, Addison.Not a bad initial stab!
True - I've been shouting T Farrell's name since last season - partnering with Aki has done him a power of good, but he's really come into his own this season even with Aki out. Carty has been near faultless in his 16 appearances so far in 2018/19, and Blade and himself have a very good partnership. Whether Schmidt selects them is another matter, but I'd hope the Italian game at least might give them some time on the pitch.
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These seem like bloody massive squads. Is this typical? Do they get trimmed before the competition?
@Bones said in 6 Nations 2019:
These seem like bloody massive squads. Is this typical? Do they get trimmed before the competition?
Schmidt likes to involve new players in the squad camp environment even if they just have oppo roles to give them a taste. Some players are let back to provinces if there's a PRO14 game coming up and they're not in game plans so the provinces aren't short-handed unnecessarily. He may still lose one or two with a European final round this weekend, and another PRO14 game before the 6N starts.
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@Bones said in 6 Nations 2019:
These seem like bloody massive squads. Is this typical? Do they get trimmed before the competition?
Schmidt likes to involve new players in the squad camp environment even if they just have oppo roles to give them a taste. Some players are let back to provinces if there's a PRO14 game coming up and they're not in game plans so the provinces aren't short-handed unnecessarily. He may still lose one or two with a European final round this weekend, and another PRO14 game before the 6N starts.
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31) -
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31)@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31)No. Ireland beating Eng by over 15 still has them over a point behind NZ.
England can overtake Ireland with a 15+ win
If Ireland win all their games they may top the rankings but it is hard to calc that without guessing other outcomes.
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@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31)No. Ireland beating Eng by over 15 still has them over a point behind NZ.
England can overtake Ireland with a 15+ win
If Ireland win all their games they may top the rankings but it is hard to calc that without guessing other outcomes.
@Crucial said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31)No. Ireland beating Eng by over 15 still has them over a point behind NZ.
England can overtake Ireland with a 15+ win
If Ireland win all their games they may top the rankings but it is hard to calc that without guessing other outcomes.
Do I detect some nervousness amongst the Fern brethren?
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@Crucial said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum So if Ireland smash England, do they take top in the world rankings? Either way they'll have it by the end of the tournament
Edit. No where near, I thought incorrectly the opening game is in England.
1 New Zealand 92.54
2 Ireland 91.48 (+0.31)
3 Wales 87.24
4 England 85.91 (-0.31)No. Ireland beating Eng by over 15 still has them over a point behind NZ.
England can overtake Ireland with a 15+ win
If Ireland win all their games they may top the rankings but it is hard to calc that without guessing other outcomes.
Do I detect some nervousness amongst the Fern brethren?
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
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@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
Welcome to the Fern Mrs mariner4life. I hope you enjoy your stay.
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@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
Welcome to the Fern Mrs mariner4life. I hope you enjoy your stay.
@Virgil said in 6 Nations 2019:
@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
Welcome to the Fern Mrs mariner4life. I hope you enjoy your stay.
That's pretty good for you. Did your wife's boyfriend type it?
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@Virgil said in 6 Nations 2019:
@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
Welcome to the Fern Mrs mariner4life. I hope you enjoy your stay.
That's pretty good for you. Did your wife's boyfriend type it?
@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Virgil said in 6 Nations 2019:
@mariner4life said in 6 Nations 2019:
@Derm-McCrum I'm married, being on top in everything is getting boring. A change in position would be nice actually.
Welcome to the Fern Mrs mariner4life. I hope you enjoy your stay.
That's pretty good for you. Did your wife's boyfriend type it?
And he’s back..
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Uuum Eddie had been partying with Beale, I think
@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
Uuum Eddie had been partying with Beale, I think
Lancaster and Burgess must be having a right old chuckle.
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Interesting stats https://www.rugbypass.com/news/discarded-the-sobering-six-nations-4-year-attrition-rate-laid-bare
I'd love to see a rugby champ squads equivalent when they are announced
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Interesting stats https://www.rugbypass.com/news/discarded-the-sobering-six-nations-4-year-attrition-rate-laid-bare
I'd love to see a rugby champ squads equivalent when they are announced
@Machpants An amazing turnover in the squads which isn't all that surprising for such an attritional collision sport, but I wonder what the stats will be for the starting teams.
Just goes to highlight why there are so few centurions in the sport. Not playing test rugby must add a couple of years to your earning capacity.
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Interesting stats https://www.rugbypass.com/news/discarded-the-sobering-six-nations-4-year-attrition-rate-laid-bare
I'd love to see a rugby champ squads equivalent when they are announced
@Machpants said in 6 Nations 2019:
I'd love to see a rugby champ squads equivalent when they are announced
Haven't calc'd it but pretty sure the ABs 2014 to 2018 EOYT comparison would be similar.
Misleading stats IMO. They are taking reference points at key times in the RWC cycle when 'refreshing' is done.
Only very key standout players (relative to team strength) survive through multiple cycles. Look at the RWC record books and the names of those at the top of the appearance list. (McCaw, Mealamu, Leonard, Gregan, Burger....) -
I’d only comment on the Ireland selection but it’s skewed in that he used the wider 46-man squad which included players for a Wolfhounds match vs Saxons that was reduced to 38 for start of Six Nations.
As for players changed since 2015 well players like Ross, O’Connell, Reddan, Boss, White, Strauss, Ryan were all in their early 30s so they retired - certainly from test arena. Some weren’t good enough - Cave, Dom Ryan, Keatley - and some left - Madigan, Zebo, Moore.
It’s not exactly a picture of attrition.
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Good interview with Joe Schmidt on Ireland, playbooks, and a bit about his family/future.
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Anyone else pretty excited by the 6N starting this weekend? Shaping up as a good few weeks of rugby, with some important form lines being set for September.
Can the Irish cement their place as the world's number 1 team?
Has Eddie Jones "Eddie Jonesed" England and taken them as far as he can, and they are now backsliding, or are they bouncing back to their previous form?
How the fuck are Wales #3 in the world?
Can the Scots actually climb the table? (I understand they have a bunch of guys out though) or are they condemned to always scrapping with France & Italy for the spoon?
Are France still fucked?I had better check it is actually being shown in Aus, seeing as the country is trying hard to pretend rugby doesn't exist any more.
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Time to move the VPN to UK.
