Tour to NZ 2022

[ronk]

This part of the thread clearly demonstrates how difficult it will be to be surprised by any selection for this Tour.

From my viewpoint only Alex Kendellan has really demanded a place by his performances. We need to have as close as possible a like-for-like replacement for JVdF and Kendellan fits the bill.

Kendellen is a prospect, I agree. I wouldn't have him ahead of Penny right now though. We're likely to get a good matchup this weekend.

Kendellen played loads this season but he's been behind JOD in the big games when they weren't both needed. He's also been behind Cloete and Hodnett for much of the season.

Also, I don't care for a like for like VdF (not that another one wouldn't be good). I'd take any style of openside as long as they're good. I'd choose a ball carrier over a breakdown specialist like Cloete. If Connors came back in form we could use him.

If any backrow was going to break into the Ireland setup it should probably be JOD.

[berliner]

Surely one or both of Prendergast and Kendellen has to go? Does POM need to be there? We don't need him like we need Johnny. Timoney looks like he's lost form, maybe he'll deliver tomorrow and in the coming weeks...

The debate around second row smacks of desperation. Treadwell never got me excited, Baird has had a middling season, and Tom Ahern has played very little senior rugby (600 mins since the U20s). I don't think the case for any of them forcing their way into a tour party is especially strong, but the shared sense that 'something' urgently needs to be done. Forget Treadwell, IMO, bring one of the young ones as a development player, ok. I think Thornbury has been unlucky in that his recovery from injury kept him out until very recently, otherwise he looks like the next cab on the rank to me.

[leinsterforever]

I would be surprised if McCarthy didn't make it. He's been in an Ireland camp, and impressed Farrell greatly by the sound of things while he was there. And he's now also making the strongest Leinster matchday squad (admittedly while Baird is working his way back to fitness).

[Oldschool]

I would be surprised if McCarthy didn't make it. He's been in an Ireland camp, and impressed Farrell greatly by the sound of things while he was there. And he's now also making the strongest Leinster matchday squad (admittedly while Baird is working his way back to fitness).

If you're making the strongest(available) Leinster 23 then you are definitely a contender or strong contender even.

[ronk]

I would be surprised if McCarthy didn't make it. He's been in an Ireland camp, and impressed Farrell greatly by the sound of things while he was there. And he's now also making the strongest Leinster matchday squad (admittedly while Baird is working his way back to fitness).

If you're making the strongest(available) Leinster 23 then you are definitely a contender or strong contender even.

Yes. And Ross Molony has been consistently ahead of both regardless of injury.

I think there's a stronger argument for Molony though. He got a lot of attention when his pass was highlighted but he actually was doing a lot of really great passing, including a moment earlier.

Having another player who can execute the passing game that well would really benefit Ireland and the way they play. He's been really good and he's been doing it to Leicester, Toulouse etc.

[Ruckedtobits]

The Ulster front-row provided one of the best Irish Provincial scrum performances against Sharks in the pivotal URC game in the Kingspan last night.

Tom O'Toole has promised a performance of this level for a couple of seasons but this was the real thing with opposition provided by three Springbok opponents. Sharks have dominated most opponents with their scrum and maul since January and this was a real challenge for the Ulster front five and they came through with flying colours.

Rob Herring proved again that he deserves his ranking in the top three Irish hookers. Andy Warwick has never been ranked as possible international material but perhaps that rating deserves revision. His performance last night against Sharks captain Du Toit was superb and apart from one slip and penalty, his technique was top rate.

O'Toole has certainly sent a message to Andy Farrell & John Fogarty. They'll be glad to receive it.

[Ruckedtobits]

A few more irons thrown in and outta the fire today. Saw Catty in Aviva, he'll have a few reports to make to the boss. However, lads out West must have though you only have to play 40 mins if you're looking for a bench slot. Terrible second half.

[wixfjord]

Hopefully Joe McCarthy doesn't have holiers booked.

Could be a RWC bolter at this rate.

[enby]

Treadwell only made the bench last night for Ulster. If they don't trust him to start a must-win match I would think that Farrell will say no thank you too. McCarthy and Moloney will be there.
Timoney is a far better player right now than Kendellen and I'd put him ahead of Penney.
I really hope Frawley is ok. He deserves to make the squad

[neiliog93]

The Ulster front-row provided one of the best Irish Provincial scrum performances against Sharks in the pivotal URC game in the Kingspan last night.

Tom O'Toole has promised a performance of this level for a couple of seasons but this was the real thing with opposition provided by three Springbok opponents. Sharks have dominated most opponents with their scrum and maul since January and this was a real challenge for the Ulster front five and they came through with flying colours.

Rob Herring proved again that he deserves his ranking in the top three Irish hookers. Andy Warwick has never been ranked as possible international material but perhaps that rating deserves revision. His performance last night against Sharks captain Du Toit was superb and apart from one slip and penalty, his technique was top rate.

O'Toole has certainly sent a message to Andy Farrell & John Fogarty. They'll be glad to receive it.

I like Tom O'Toole but the Ulster scrum did get buckled by the Sharks a few times and concede 2 or 3 scrum penalties. On other occasions, they did hold their own to be fair.

[Long time lurker]

O'Toole is a future th for Ireland. He's played a lot for Ulster in a short enough time. He stood up well this week and I think he must go to N.Z. Starting O'Toole versus the Maori would be ideal.
Ross Molony on form certainly is in pole position. He's been Leinsters best 2nd row. He's only 27! Surely his form can't be ignored?

[Experimental]

I think we'd be mad not to bring POM tbh, in fairness hes been playing some really good rugby, and has a habit of coming up with big plays vs NZ. I think its honestly a simple case of we need the leadership.

[dougie the flanker]

I would be surprised if McCarthy didn't make it. He's been in an Ireland camp, and impressed Farrell greatly by the sound of things while he was there. And he's now also making the strongest Leinster matchday squad (admittedly while Baird is working his way back to fitness).

I think a lot of it comes down to the kind of second row Ireland will want or need. Molony seems to work well as a sort of distributor second row. Like Munster had in Billy Holland or Connacht had in their title winning season with Aly Muldowney.

Though Ireland seem to have a lot of this type of player in the setup. I think a big physical player like Joe McCarthy, Tom Ahern or even the divisive Jean Kleyn would be a nice foil in the squad. Sort of fill the Devin Toner/Quinn Roux gap that we've missed.

[ronk]

I think we'd be mad not to bring POM tbh, in fairness hes been playing some really good rugby, and has a habit of coming up with big plays vs NZ. I think its honestly a simple case of we need the leadership.

Yeah, I'd bring him. The only reason I can think of not to would be for a longer preseason in a RWC year and to give other players a shot in case they bolt. Not sure who ticks that box though.

[dougie the flanker]

Is there a confirmed squad size? I think England took 46 players when they did 3 Tests + Crusaders match in 2014 but that seems an excessive amount.

Trying to figure out how many each position likely to go.

[riocard911]

Eden Park officially sold out - 48,300 capacity - for the first NZ vs IRL Test on July 2nd, according to a NZR press release from May 31.

[Ruckedtobits]

That display could well have played Billy Burns into the NZ Tour. He straightened the line, he found players in space, his defence was never found wanting, he passed superbly off both hands and his restarts and line kicks were exemplary. All in front of Faz and Paulie in a game that really counted.

Well done Billy Burns.

[riocard911]

Certainly, if I was in Faz mór's shoes, having watched that Munster performance in Ravenhill, I wouldn't be bringing either Carbery or Murray to NZ.

[king]

Munsters efforts last night should have earned a few players a nice long summer holiday.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Certainly, if I was in Faz mór's shoes, having watched that Munster performance in Ravenhill, I wouldn't be bringing either Carbery or Murray to NZ.

Absolutely. Both of them have just about done enough in green this season for Farrell to get away with picking them but surely that can’t continue after last night?

If Joey starts next season in better form under a new coach and with Casey as the starting nine then great he should be an option in November but for now it makes no sense to bring him to NZ.

At best Joey would be my 7th choice ten for Ireland right now. That isn’t an an exaggeration, I’d have all four Leinster tens ahead of him and then Carty and Burns. It’d be a toss up then with Healy. Murray would be my 9th choice at the moment. Again that’s not an exaggeration, none of JGP, Casey, Marmion, Blade, Luke, Cooney, Doak or even Nick McCarthy would have put in that kind of performance last night. You also have to factor in that it’s not just temporary form, Murray’s been poor since the tests in Australia four years ago, and Joey’s last promising signs as a ten were probably over three years ago. In Murray’s case you also factor in that his style of play doesn’t suit what Ireland are trying to do.