Well we are nearly there the start of the world cup now i know Declan Kidney is going to announce a starting line up no one likes i thought i would name my own and the reasons why and compare to my fellow posters.
1.Healy
2.Flannery
3.Ross
4.O'Callaghan
5.O'Connel
6.O'Brien
7.Jennings
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan/Boss
10.Sexton
12.D'Arcy
13.O'Driscoll
11.Trimble
14.Bowe
15.Earls
16.Cronin
17.Court
18.Cullen
19.Ferris
20.Reddan/Boss
21.O'Gara
22.McFadden
Ok so my reasons why the front row picks themselves as its the most effective we have had in a long long time.
Second row the only reason i chose O'Callaghan over Cullen i personally think Cullen is a better player but to get the best out of O'Connell he needs O'Callaghan next to him.
Backrow i think we do need that natural 7 that Jennings provides and remember this is the backrow that won the Heiniken cup.With Ferris on the bench being perfect because he is a game changer and if there was an injury to say Heaslip O'Brien can go 8 or same if Jennings were to be injured so i think that is very well covered.
Half backs im undecided on the scrum half berth and think it should be played by ear and decide which of the two is more suited to the opposition we are playing say aginst England i really do think Boss is perfect to play aginst them and come Australia i think Reddan would be better suited.At out half Sexton picks himself but i think O'Gara is perfect for those games where we are in front and need to close the game out he is perfect to come on and keep pinging the ball into the corner or it being New Zealand if there is day where the rain is hammering down he would be more suited where its more likely to be a forwards game.
The midfield i personally think is our strongest but McFadden on the bench offers options.
The back 3 i really think Trimble has been consistent all season domestically and internationally.Tommy Bowe is one of the most dangerous wingers in the world.I was so impressed with Earls at full back against England in then 6 nations i would give him the nod.
On the bench it think Cronin offers more as an impact sub than Best who is consider just a steady player nothing special and i wont change a game.The prop replacement is just the best of a bad bunch really i just hope Healy and Ross can stay fit through out.As for McFadden i genuinely think he is the most exciting prospect for Ireland and if hes on the bench it means Paddys Wallace isnt because i think Paddy Wallace is the most average player ever that adds nothing.
Anyway im sure you will all disect and pick holes but thats my personnal judgement on what should happen as i said we all know Kidney will pick a boring average side but lets keep the faith.
World cup line up?
posted on 2/9/11
Nice article. They mentioned on rugby club that ferris could play 6 with SOB at 7, but I agree that having Jennings starting means there's more balance in the side.
I'm still not sure about earls either, is his defense good enough to be the last line of defense? Do you think he could have made that try saving tackle on tuilagi like Murphy did?
All in all you've probably named the best 15, but god help ireland if BOD or SOB get injured!
posted on 2/9/11
Thats the problem i think we could just about manage with SOB injured but BOD injured which is easily done we are done for makes you a bit fearful for the future but i think McFadden is the man as for Earls i understand where your coming from and i am a big big Murphy Fan and 2-3 years ago i would ahve said definately yes because he could create somthing from nothing but i think Earls has more potential to do that.