eamodevalera
What would be your Irish match day 22 for the world cup in New Zealand? (Bryan Dunleavy)
Here is mine. In brackets is the order in which I selected the players whereby O'Driscoll(1) is the first and Buckley(22) the last. Due to injuries Ferris and D'arcy were not considered. The latter injury caused a massive selection headache.
1 Healy(6).
2 Flannery (15).
3 Ross (5).
4 O'Callaghan (10).
5 O'Connell (2).
6 O'Brien (7).
7 Wallace (17).
8 Heaslip (8).
9 Reddan (11).
10 Sexton(3).
11 Trimble (13).
12 Mc Fadden (20)
13 O'Driscoll(1).
14 Bowe (9)
15 Fitzgerald (19)
16 Cronin (16).
17 Buckley (22)
18 Cullen (21)
19 Leamy (18)
20 Boss (12).
21 O'Gara (4).
22 Earls (14)
Outside centre(1) picks itself, as does the second lock(2). Then I looked to the key decisions in key positions.
Sexton(3) is the only man capable of leading an Irish side into the latter stages, although there are few Irish rugby fans who would not like to see O'Gara(4) used tactically in the tight games if needed. I personally think Sexton has finally matured and his showing in the H.Cup final is proof of his big-game capability.
Traditionally a problem area for Ireland, the emergence of Mike Ross(5) has been a saving grace. His position is assured due to the fact that there is no real cover. The same goes for Cian Healy(6) at loosehead.
My seventh name on the list was Sean O'Brien. Much has been written about the competition in the Irish backrow. Yet, O'Brien has been his country's and province's stand-out performer this season. As well as that, he is able to cover all three positions. During the course of the tournament we are likely to see changes being made in the backrow positions with the depth that Kidney has at his disposal. However O'Brien will be ever-present.
Heaslip is the eight name on the list at No.8 and will be looking to further strengthen his reputation. It is hard to remember the last time he time he played poorly.
Bowe(9) is Ireland's best finisher. This call was never in doubt. Next we return to the second row where O'Callaghan(10) lines up beside his provincial team-mate. Bulk and tenacity influence the call. He has not been on form and needs to impress in the pool stages in order to retain his place.
Eoin Reddan (11) has played with Sexton all season. Therefore no better partnership can exist. The Irish media have overhyped the battle of the 5 scrum halves in the provisional squad. Let's be honest. Murray, despite having a good season for the men in red is way too inexperienced to travel, O'Leary unfortunately has played only two internationals in a frustrating season of injury, Stringer just misses out. The decision on whether or not the 98-time-capped veteran travels will depend on Kidney bringing a 17/13 or 16/14 forwards to backs split. That leaves the Kiwi Isaac Boss(12) as replacement scrumhalf. Joe Schmidt this year showed the advantages of having two very different number nines in the matchday squad.
Andrew Trimble's(13) try against Bath in the Heineken Cup was perhaps the greatest moment of individual brilliance by an Irish player this season. He has since backed up expectation with performance after performance including the 6 nations demolition of England. The unlucky winger to miss out is Earls(14) who must be content with the position of utility replacement back. Earls' ability to cover 5 positions will see him feature especially as there is uncertainty over the No. 15 jersey.
Jerry Flannery(15) has had a similar season to Tomàs O'Leary. Unlike O'Leary he hasn't as much competition. Cronin(16) on the back of a good season will provide a good option in the loose even though we may see Kidney revert to Best due to his lineout prowess.
David Wallace (17) is the best option at 7. A vintage wine flanker with vast experience. Don't be surprised if he is replaced at some stage by Leamy(18) who would then slot in at blindside with O'Brien moving to the other side.
The most troublesome decisions are to be made at inside centre and fullback. Are we to go with Fitzgerald's(19) electricity or Kearney's security? Kearney is always reliable if not spectacular. His rival is suspect under the high ball as well having struggled to unlock defences since Febuary. What about Geordan Murphy or Earls? Fitzgerald has the potential to be probably Ireland's best combination of attack and defence from the back. It will nevertheless be a contencious issue.
D'arcy has been Ireland's first choice inside centre since the 2004 6 nations. His loss is a hammer blow. None of the provinces have played any of his potential replacements in that position. Earls is a true winger who can play 13 and full back. Bowe is a winger. It has been said that Paddy Wallace is too small to play centre. McFadden(20) has been excellent this year when deputising for O'Driscoll. His boot provides another option for Sexton. He can kick goals and is familiar with his Leinster teammates who are likely to make up the entire backline Trimble and Bowe excluded. Saying that, bar England and Scotland, all the major rugby nations boast skillful and powerful inside centres. New Zealand have perhaps three world class "2nd 5's". This is extra responsibility for O'Driscoll.
Leinster captain Cullen(21) and versatile prop Tony Buckley(22) complete the 22. Cullen is a potential weapon come lineout time. Buckley's ability to play on both sides sees him selected before Court and John "The Bull" Hayes.
Here is mine. In brackets is the order in which I selected the players whereby O'Driscoll(1) is the first and Buckley(22) the last. Due to injuries Ferris and D'arcy were not considered. The latter injury caused a massive selection headache.
1 Healy(6).
2 Flannery (15).
3 Ross (5).
4 O'Callaghan (10).
5 O'Connell (2).
6 O'Brien (7).
7 Wallace (17).
8 Heaslip (8).
9 Reddan (11).
10 Sexton(3).
11 Trimble (13).
12 Mc Fadden (20)
13 O'Driscoll(1).
14 Bowe (9)
15 Fitzgerald (19)
16 Cronin (16).
17 Buckley (22)
18 Cullen (21)
19 Leamy (18)
20 Boss (12).
21 O'Gara (4).
22 Earls (14)
Outside centre(1) picks itself, as does the second lock(2). Then I looked to the key decisions in key positions.
Sexton(3) is the only man capable of leading an Irish side into the latter stages, although there are few Irish rugby fans who would not like to see O'Gara(4) used tactically in the tight games if needed. I personally think Sexton has finally matured and his showing in the H.Cup final is proof of his big-game capability.
Traditionally a problem area for Ireland, the emergence of Mike Ross(5) has been a saving grace. His position is assured due to the fact that there is no real cover. The same goes for Cian Healy(6) at loosehead.
My seventh name on the list was Sean O'Brien. Much has been written about the competition in the Irish backrow. Yet, O'Brien has been his country's and province's stand-out performer this season. As well as that, he is able to cover all three positions. During the course of the tournament we are likely to see changes being made in the backrow positions with the depth that Kidney has at his disposal. However O'Brien will be ever-present.
Heaslip is the eight name on the list at No.8 and will be looking to further strengthen his reputation. It is hard to remember the last time he time he played poorly.
Bowe(9) is Ireland's best finisher. This call was never in doubt. Next we return to the second row where O'Callaghan(10) lines up beside his provincial team-mate. Bulk and tenacity influence the call. He has not been on form and needs to impress in the pool stages in order to retain his place.
Eoin Reddan (11) has played with Sexton all season. Therefore no better partnership can exist. The Irish media have overhyped the battle of the 5 scrum halves in the provisional squad. Let's be honest. Murray, despite having a good season for the men in red is way too inexperienced to travel, O'Leary unfortunately has played only two internationals in a frustrating season of injury, Stringer just misses out. The decision on whether or not the 98-time-capped veteran travels will depend on Kidney bringing a 17/13 or 16/14 forwards to backs split. That leaves the Kiwi Isaac Boss(12) as replacement scrumhalf. Joe Schmidt this year showed the advantages of having two very different number nines in the matchday squad.
Andrew Trimble's(13) try against Bath in the Heineken Cup was perhaps the greatest moment of individual brilliance by an Irish player this season. He has since backed up expectation with performance after performance including the 6 nations demolition of England. The unlucky winger to miss out is Earls(14) who must be content with the position of utility replacement back. Earls' ability to cover 5 positions will see him feature especially as there is uncertainty over the No. 15 jersey.
Jerry Flannery(15) has had a similar season to Tomàs O'Leary. Unlike O'Leary he hasn't as much competition. Cronin(16) on the back of a good season will provide a good option in the loose even though we may see Kidney revert to Best due to his lineout prowess.
David Wallace (17) is the best option at 7. A vintage wine flanker with vast experience. Don't be surprised if he is replaced at some stage by Leamy(18) who would then slot in at blindside with O'Brien moving to the other side.
The most troublesome decisions are to be made at inside centre and fullback. Are we to go with Fitzgerald's(19) electricity or Kearney's security? Kearney is always reliable if not spectacular. His rival is suspect under the high ball as well having struggled to unlock defences since Febuary. What about Geordan Murphy or Earls? Fitzgerald has the potential to be probably Ireland's best combination of attack and defence from the back. It will nevertheless be a contencious issue.
D'arcy has been Ireland's first choice inside centre since the 2004 6 nations. His loss is a hammer blow. None of the provinces have played any of his potential replacements in that position. Earls is a true winger who can play 13 and full back. Bowe is a winger. It has been said that Paddy Wallace is too small to play centre. McFadden(20) has been excellent this year when deputising for O'Driscoll. His boot provides another option for Sexton. He can kick goals and is familiar with his Leinster teammates who are likely to make up the entire backline Trimble and Bowe excluded. Saying that, bar England and Scotland, all the major rugby nations boast skillful and powerful inside centres. New Zealand have perhaps three world class "2nd 5's". This is extra responsibility for O'Driscoll.
Leinster captain Cullen(21) and versatile prop Tony Buckley(22) complete the 22. Cullen is a potential weapon come lineout time. Buckley's ability to play on both sides sees him selected before Court and John "The Bull" Hayes.