2012 6 Nations

[Bardon]

Qwerty from that squad and given the conservative selection policy I'd expect the 22 to look something like this:

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Connor Murray
10. Jonathan Seton
11. Keith Earls
12. Gordon D'Arcy
13. Fergus McFadden
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney
16. Tom Court
17. Sean Cronin
18. Donnacha Ryan
19. Shane Jennings
20. Eoin Reddan
21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Andrew Trimble

So very similar to Ireland squad v Aus & Wales in the WC

Of ROG and Sexton either could start and the other will get some game time. Over the whole 6Ns their total game time will be pretty similar with each starting a couple of games.

Myself I'd start Ryan instead of O'Callaghan because Ryan has been in better form this year and DOC's best performances this season have been off the bench. He's one of those rare players that can hit the ground running from the bench. I think Deccie will go with DOC to start just for the extra experience.

I think Jennings will get the nod ahead of Peter O'Mahony just to give the option of switching to a more balanced orthadox back row against Warburton. But I expect O'Mahony to see game time in a few games in the 6Ns.

I know the reason that Deccie will go with D'Arcy is to have an old head to guide McFadden through the game. Personally I'd go with O'Malley as a gamble for the future but I can't see Deccie taking that gamble.

Simon Zebo is one of the form wingers in Ireland at the moment and he owes the opportunity to Howlett's injury early in the season. I think he may get into the squad for Italy or Scotland but for now the wings pick themselves with a debate about who should start between Trimble and Earls.

Anytime one of the front row go down injured there will be a lot of worried Irish people as the depth just isn't there currently.

 

[Lee Grant]

Excellent post Bardon. Yeah DOC has been in good form from the bench for Munster and Deccie could take McGahan's cue.

Most teams have a lot of changes after a RWC, like England, but Ireland won't. The continuity and low injury toll will serve them well in 6N but they will have to play better than in their last game.

I thought they had a poor 6N last year except in the last game, against England and were poor in the RWC trials. Maybe they can get all their opponents to wear white; either that or get some consistency. Wallabies fans can relate to that.

But if they play like they did against England in 6N and against Oz they could win the lollies.

That, and winning in Paris.

 

[daz]

Once the team lists are fully released for this week's opening round of the 2012 RBS 6N Championship, it will be time to put the sweet-meats on the chopping block and offer some predictions.

For mine (home teams in bold):

February 4:
France v Italy (France by 15)
Scotland v England (Scotland by 3)

February 5:
Ireland v Wales (Ireland by 5)

 

[Manuel]

There's a couple of exotic Italian surnames in there like Van Zyl, Geldenhuys, Derbyshire, Burton, McLean.............

Actually, Paul Derbyshire was born in Livorno, Italy, and has played his entire career in Italy (except one season in France). Some other very italien-sounding names are actually from Argentina: Castrogiovanni, Canale, Orquera, Parisse (Parisse is actually an italian who is happenned to be born in Argentina). Van Zyl and Geldenhuys are South African and Burton and McLean are both Australian.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Excellent post Bardon. Yeah DOC has been in good form from the bench for Munster and Deccie could take McGahan's cue.

Most teams have a lot of changes after a RWC, like England, but Ireland won't. The continuity and low injury toll will serve them well in 6N but they will have to play better than in their last game.

I thought they had a poor 6N last year except in the last game, against England and were poor in the RWC trials. Maybe they can get all their opponents to wear white; either that or get some consistency. Wallabies fans can relate to that.

But if they play like they did against England in 6N and against Oz they could win the lollies.

That, and winning in Paris.

White jersey or Gold?!? If we play like we did for the first 50 minutes against England we will beat the French in Paris, something only achieved once in my lifetime and I am not a young man. I still maintain Ireland's performance against Aus was not that great and I have watched it many times as it tends to lighten the mood. Ireland's best performance at RWC was against Italy IMHO and it left the mark. But as you say LG consistency is the key and Mike Ross, the only specialist THP in the 32 man squad, staying fit. Going to be a fascinating tournament, 90/1 about England not winning a game is exceptional value IMO.

 

[Bardon]

Yes consistency is one of Ireland's biggest problems and has stoped a very talented group of players from relaising their potential. I just hope this year any poor winning performances aren't excused by the old building momentum line.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Yes consistency is one of Ireland's biggest problems and has stoped a very talented group of players from relaising their potential. I just hope this year any poor winning performances aren't excused by the old building momentum line.

If Ireland don't win the three home games and at least one of the away games I think DK could well lose his job. After picking such a conservative/ experienced side he can't be citing developement of players as an excuse for losses. However, I think we will win the GS again; in DK I trust!!!

 

[spooony]

Actually, Paul Derbyshire was born in Livorno, Italy, and has played his entire career in Italy (except one season in France). Some other very italien-sounding names are actually from Argentina: Castrogiovanni, Canale, Orquera, Parisse (Parisse is actually an italian who is happenned to be born in Argentina). Van Zyl and Geldenhuys are South African and Burton and McLean are both Australian.

Its still exotic. Argentinians are use to play and live in Italy.

Treviso half-back Tobias Botes has been called up as cover to Italy's RBS 6 Nations squad with Luciano Orquera still struggling with injury ahead of the opener with France in Paris.

Qwerty from that squad and given the conservative selection policy I'd expect the 22 to look something like this:

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Connor Murray
10. Jonathan Seton
11. Keith Earls
12. Gordon D'Arcy
13. Fergus McFadden
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney
16. Tom Court
17. Sean Cronin
18. Donnacha Ryan
19. Shane Jennings
20. Eoin Reddan
21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Andrew Trimble

So very similar to Ireland squad v Aus & Wales in the WC

Of ROG and Sexton either could start and the other will get some game time. Over the whole 6Ns their total game time will be pretty similar with each starting a couple of games.

Myself I'd start Ryan instead of O'Callaghan because Ryan has been in better form this year and DOC's best performances this season have been off the bench. He's one of those rare players that can hit the ground running from the bench. I think Deccie will go with DOC to start just for the extra experience.

I think Jennings will get the nod ahead of Peter O'Mahony just to give the option of switching to a more balanced orthadox back row against Warburton. But I expect O'Mahony to see game time in a few games in the 6Ns.

I know the reason that Deccie will go with D'Arcy is to have an old head to guide McFadden through the game. Personally I'd go with O'Malley as a gamble for the future but I can't see Deccie taking that gamble.

Simon Zebo is one of the form wingers in Ireland at the moment and he owes the opportunity to Howlett's injury early in the season. I think he may get into the squad for Italy or Scotland but for now the wings pick themselves with a debate about who should start between Trimble and Earls.

Anytime one of the front row go down injured there will be a lot of worried Irish people as the depth just isn't there currently.

I would put Keith Earls on outside centre

Here is the Scotland squad

Scotland team: R Lamont (Glasgow Warriors); L Jones (Edinburgh), N De Luca (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Scarlets), M Evans (Castres); D Parks (Cardiff Blues), C Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (capt, Edinburgh), E Murray (Newcastle), R Gray (Glasgow Warriors), J Hamilton (Gloucester), A Strokosch (Gloucester), R Rennie (Edinburgh), D Denton (Edinburgh).

Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), G Cross (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), M Blair (Edinburgh), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors).

 

[daz]

Very good read here. Obviously, numbers can be manipulated to mean almost anything, but I do so enjoy an Englishman trashing his national rugby team.

For those who want some trivia ammo against the Poms for the next few months, fill yer boots.

If you are English and enjoy flogging yourself with a wet bootlace, this is the place for you!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyce/2012/01/why_scotland_are_better_than_e.html

 

[Lee Grant]

Very funny article - thanks for posting the link.

 

[qwerty51]

Ireland team named

Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Gordon D'Arcy, Andrew Trimble, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell (c), Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Fergus McFadden

The big point being Earls at 13, has he ever played there for Ireland?

 

[Lee Grant]

Starting? Yep, but only when BOD was injured or rested - in the 2011 RWC trials and one minnow game in the RWC = 3 games.

 

[Bardon]

I think the last time he played 13 for Ireland was the WC warm up game v England. He made if debut at FB and most of his recent caps have been on the wing simple due to the fact that BOD was always played injured or not. There's plenty of argument about where his best position is, some say wing because he's such a good finisher, others say he's a natural 13 and has the step to create a break.

I'm very excited to see how he goes in the game and if he'll get the whole game at 13. Very possible he'l either make way for McFadden or more likely be shifted to the wing when McFadden is brought on in the closing stages. Personally I'd rather see him get the full game at 13 as we already know what he can do for Ireland on the wing.

 

[Bardon]

Yep Lee's right he played 13 against Russia in the WC pool too.

 

[qwerty51]

Once the team lists are fully released for this week's opening round of the 2012 RBS 6N Championship, it will be time to put the sweet-meats on the chopping block and offer some predictions.

Seeing as just there's a 22 named for each game I'll do my predictions now

France 32 - Italy 13
Scotland 12 - England 8
Ireland 19 - Wales 13

 

[Hawko]

Starting? Yep, but only when BOD was injured or rested - in the 2011 RWC trials and one minnow game in the RWC = 3 games.

I can feel a Bruce Ross gem winging its way through the ether right now.

 

[Bardon]

France 40 Italy 10
Scotland 18 England 15
Ireland 26 Wales 16

 

[Bardon]

England Team:

Ben Foden; Chris Ashton; Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson; Ben Youngs; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Phil Dowson.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Mike Brown.

 

[p.Tah]

Is the 6N being televised in Australia?

 

[qwerty51]

ESPN