Ireland v Georgia

[KevinO]

Yes, that's right. Ireland have given a game to Georgia this year, will be really interesting to watch how they perform. After a big result against SA I would hope to see some players given a shot this week to rest players.

Those I don't want to see starting this week: O'Connell, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, Kearney and Bowe.

 

[RugbyReg]

was the last time they played that ridiculously close game v in 2007 RWC?

Ireland won by 14-10. Amazing game.

 

[KevinO]

was the last time they played that ridiculously close game v in 2007 RWC?

Ireland won by 14-10. Amazing game.

Please do not mention 2007 RWC again, yes it was close because we where crap that world cup. Didn't play one good game, was lucky to beat Namibia as well.

 

[JSRF10]

There was a World Cup in 2007? I've blocked that 4 weeks out of my memory.

Good to see Georgia getting a game against a tier 1 nation. Was getting a bit tired of Irelands schedule of one game versus an Islander team as the "other game".

I think we'll see some changes but not as many as some anticipate. Anyone who Schmidt wants to face Australia, that didn't feature against the Boks, should play. He'll counter that by leaving POC, Sexton and Murray out. Ross will play but probably only for 60 minutes max, ditto McGrath. Injury wise Payne will probably be out, hopefully Best and Henry will be back. I think we'll see a 23 of:

Kilcoyne, Best, Ross, Toner, Foley, Ruddock, Henry, Heaslip, Reddan, Madigan, Zebo, D'Arcy, Henshaw, Bowe, Kearney Strauss, McGrath, Ah Here, POC, POM, Marmion, Keatley, Jones.

I know we've debated changes on another thread to the back 3 but I think Kearney needs more time in his legs, and pairing him with Zebo and Bowe will give them more time to work on their partnership before a tough game for them as a unit against Australia.

 

[Ulrich]

I think teams like Georgia, Romania, Russia & the USA are fast becoming the new "Islander Teams". Particularly Georgia because of their strong performances and good crowds and the USA because of the growth opportunity around there.

Unfortunately Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are not based in Europe. Their economies simply are not as strong and as a result their local game suffers. Teams like Georgia can really grow and perhaps be included into a 7 nations in 10 years time or so.

Georgia are one of a few nations that have Rugby Union as their national sport. To my knowledge New Zealand, Wales and Madagascar are the only other nations with Union as the national sport. The Pacific Islanders probably have it as their national sport as well but I'm not sure.

Ireland will win comfortably, but I really hope Georgia put up a good fight. Ireland may give a bit of a watered down performance being massive favourites and after the euphoria so that may just give Georgia the chance to come within a respectable score.

 

[Pfitzy]

Unfortunately Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are not based in Europe.

Neither are USA

But yeah its tough for the little nations with zero growth potential, even if their players help fill rosters at a lot of Euro clubs.

 

[Bardon]

Would like to see about 11 changes to the match day 23 for this one. Ireland have a habit of underperforming after a big win when they go into the next game as clear favourites with a practically unchanged side.

New faces will bring impetus to the performance as players put their hands up for selection against Australia. Guys in the squad who probably aren't going to play against Aus should be put out for this one along with those coming back from injury who need the time on the park.

Hopefully we have a big enough lead by 55 minutes that Schmidt can makes any necessary changes to protect guys for Australia and give the guys on the bench a decent run out. This is a great opportunity to further build depth in the squad. If there's one thing gauranteed in rugby it's that we won't have a fully fit squad for the RWC.

I'd like to see Keatley and Madigan as the 10s for this one. They're most likely to be the guys backing up Sexton at the RWC with Paddy Jackson missing out. I don't think Jackson is mentally strong enough yet and he's someone that the opposition feel they can get at. I'd love to see Hanranhan picked as a bolter for the RWC but if that were going to happen I think he'd be involved in the squad now.

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Will be interesting. The biggest thing Ireland have had to cope with the last ten years is developing into a team that can often be favourites, a new mentality from teams of past decades. Schmidt has a challenge here in making Ireland comfortable as favourites and to go out and blow the Georgians away.

As a user on another board said, at Leinster Cheika made Leinster able to win as underdogs, and Schmidt made Leinster win as favourites. This game could subtly be an indicator of the Irish players mindsets.

 

[Blake]

There was a World Cup in 2007? I've blocked that 4 weeks out of my memory.

I can confirm there was no World Cup in 2007. There was one in 1987 then a long break followed by the 2011 WC.

I think it's bizzare that the IRB have only held the World Cup in NZ, will be interesting to see how the AB's go in there first WC outside of NZ.

 

[Blake]

Great stuff by Ireland.

 

[Bardon]

Here's the Ireland squad for this one. 13 Changes to the starting XV that beat the Boks.

Ireland: Felix Jones, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy, Simon Zebo, Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan, Dave Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Dave Foley, Mike McCarthy, Dominic Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Robbie Diack.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Rodney Ah You, Devin Toner, Robin Copeland, Kieran Marmion, Ian Keatley, Stuart Olding.

 

[Wales Fan]

Ireland are starting to show some real depth there. To make 13 changes and still have a quality side out is impressive.
Great to see Georgia getting a game in the autumn series - kudos to Ireland. I'd love to see some sides going over there to play in front of large crowds too

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Georgia getting a considerable amount of disrespect I find. I expect Ireland to win by about 40. If we played our first team and went our there to hammer them in a competitive match I would expect 60+.

But they're a notoriously gritty team, hard to get momentum against. Thats because they play to their strengths which is purely having solid forwards but very average backs. Even in the 07 RWC when Ireland won by four points, the Argies who were the second most impressive team in the tournament only beat them 33-3 in the pools. And that was a horrible game for the Argies. In that game two of the tries came in the last ten minutes, and they didn't score a single try in the first half.

If Ireland come out of this with a 40 point win, it would show magnificent depth. Any more would be a huge bonus. Its effectively the seventh best team in Europe, even if there is a bit of a drop off between 6th and 7th.

 

[JSRF10]

Interesting Diack got the nod at 8 I'd dread going into any kind of meaningful game with him there. Hopefully Olding gets a good run out as does Marmion both are future stalwarts IMO and need as much exposure to the set up as possible.

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[KevinO]

Interesting Diack got the nod at 8 I'd dread going into any kind of meaningful game with him there. Hopefully Olding gets a good run out as does Marmion both are future stalwarts IMO and need as much exposure to the set up as possible.

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Marmion as a future stalwart is a big call. Murray is only 25 and playing great rugby for both club and country, would take a while to replace him at the moment.

 

[Bardon]

I think Marmion will give us a real second option at 9 if he continues his development. Murray is going to be there for a long time but some genuine competition for his shirt won't do him any harm and certainly will bring Marmion along.

It might turn out to be an O'Gara and Sexton situation with the two keeping each other honest. At the very least a quality backup option at 9 will help us avoid the kind of situation Wales have where Philips plays no matter his form.

 

[JSRF10]

Re Marmion if the O'Sullivan era is to teach us anything it's that competition for places and depth are key. Marmion offers a real alternative to Murray if he keeps on his current trajectory

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[Omar Comin']

Georgia have a few of their best players out injured. At full strength I think they'd be capable of giving the team Ireland have picked a bit of a scare.

They did beat Samoa last year.

 

[KevinO]

Ireland win this and they are ranked 3rd in the World, there points actually won't change but with both Australia and England losing last night it's enough to move up the 2 places. Shows how tight they are at the moment.

Australia could be down to 5th by the end of November.

 

[Shelts89]

2 scrims in and Georgia have got a nudge on in both. They certainly breed them strong in Georgia