Included: Dave McSharry
Ireland coach Declan Kidney has announced a 33-man training squad ahead of the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Kidney has included 11 players from the Ireland Wolfhounds side that lost 14-10 to the England Saxons in Galway on Friday night.
Connacht centre Dave McSharry and Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson both picked up minor knocks in that game, but were declared fit enough to join up with the rest of the squad in Carton House on Sunday.
Ireland training squad: Michael Bent, Rory Best, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Declan Fitzpatrick, Craig Gilroy, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Paddy Jackson, Rob Kearney, David Kilcoyne, Conor Murray, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin, Fergus McFadden, Dave McSharry, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Peter O'Mahony, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, Mike Sherry, Devin Toner, Simon Zebo
Comments
irishzimbabwean says...
99call - quite right on Henry. If Henry doesn't start at no.7 then I assume Kidney does not select from either present provincial form or past International form (i.e. the autumn internationals). There again, O'Mahony does play for Munster at blindside - so sure Kidney could play him at Openside at international level of course.
Also agree that Zebo and Gilroy should start and Fitzgerald on the bench (too short on game time to start). But am sure Earls will make the bench, as his ubiqutiy is useful.
Totally agree that Downey will bring nothing to Ireland - the great shame is the injury to Luke Marshall at No.12.
ronanmeagher - dead right about Declan Fitzgerald. He also did fine in his debut against the All Blacks.
Anyone know when we have the dreaded Kidney announcement?
Posted 14:02 29th January 2013
99call says...
PatrickH
Downey is well passed his best if he cant break the line at club level he wont be doing it at international level and you can only pick a player on what he does at club level, had he been here 3 or 4 years ago when he was regularly terrorising oppo defences in the Premership then fine but lets be honest he was brought back to up the numbers of irish qualified players ahead of the new rules that come in in a year or so as was Roger Wilson, neither were brought back with the national side in mind.
Anyway not long until we see what old Kidney Stone has picked hoping for Gilroy and Zebo on the wings with Fitzy on the bench and I dont mind who plays 6 as long as Henry plays 7 he deserves his chance after the autumn
Posted 10:07 29th January 2013
PatrickH says...
99call..
Downey looks poor at Munster. If he was playing for Ireland his pure size would be enough to make extra space for O'Driscoll. I just think he would do well beside BOD, but then again most centers would!
Posted 20:27 28th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Sorry for the spelling im writing this on my phone ha
Posted 18:52 28th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Jackdon is average at best iv never seen him do anything note worthy where as when madigan playshe looks dangerous on the ball which attracts defenders meaning more space for strike runners. With jackson you get solid kicking witg 1 up pass or skip pass or inside ball thats it nothing to ve writing home about
Posted 18:51 28th January 2013
99call says...
BHHooker Jackson is young and will learn and develop into a good player he's still only 20ish but I think we need to get him involved along with Madigan and Keatley so we have a real alternative to Sexton if hes injured.
As for Earls he showed some glimpses of good form in the last couple of Hcups games, hes no starter but his ability to play anywhere from 11 to 15 means he has to be on the bench. Id love to see Gilroy and Zebo start but the lack of experience scares me a bit, maybe if it was in Dublin but Cardiff is an intimidating place to play even if youve been around the block
Unfortunately though with Rob back to full fitness and looking like hes never taken the 15 shirt off someone is going to miss out between Fitz, Gilroy and Zebo and I honestly dont know who it will be as theyre all playing well
Posted 16:35 28th January 2013
Stag91 says...
@ BHHooker Think it's harsh to label Jackson as poor yet, he's a young lad learning his trade. I've little doubt he's got the skill set to be a great 10, although his big match temperament just isn't there yet.
Posted 16:07 28th January 2013
BHHooker says...
@99call I'd have to agree with most of your points; especially the one where Downey is poor. I cant understand peoples infatuation with him. Good call on Henderson too.
I dont think Bent is good enough, and would prefer to see Fitzpatrick on the bench
I think its between Henry and O'Mahony on who starts not O'Brien though.
Divided on the ROG/Jackson argument, both are pretty poor.
I dont think Earls is up to it, and the back three should be Kearney with 2 of Fitz, Gilroy and Zebo with the other on the bench.
Posted 15:22 28th January 2013
99call says...
We're in a tranisition period when it comes to second rows, you can all say what you want but DOC has been playing as well as any 2nd row in Ireland and with the current injuries to POC and Dan Tuohy the 3 best locks are Ryan, McCarthy and DOC, Henderson will be a star and will go on to play in the 2nd row for Ireland for years but hes too young and a bit lightweight at this stage, hes played 2nd row for us a couple of times at Ulster and the scrum does struggle power wise so we need to give him a couple of years to fill out and build some real strength. Toner is a good lad who works hard but isnt good enough at this level so will get passed by.
We dont have that many locks to choose from so until we get the likes of Henderson and Ian Nagle up to full strength we have make do with what we've got, as for the call from some of you to drop DOC yes that will happen but not now as we need to keep some form of experience in the team and hes playing well at the moment
As for the other heads that are being called for then yes i think its time for ROG to go but Darcy is playing well at the moment and with Luke Marshall being injured theres no one else and please dont mention that cart horse Downey as him and Laulala must be the 2 worst signings in Munster history.
we all like to call for new young players each new season but lets not throw the bath water out with the baby here if theres no one better at the time due to injuries etc we need to keep using what we've got
Posted 13:07 28th January 2013
melkdave says...
Have to say its a good squad ,but i echo others in saying that ROG,DOC and D'Arcy really shouldnt be there .Ireland have better players in their positions ,and better options in who plays where now.Ireland will be dangerous and could possibily finish 2nd ,but tbh i really see them comming 3rd .France imo will win the championship,and st the pace this year.
Posted 12:11 28th January 2013
ronanmeagher says...
@Irishzimbabwean - we all know O'Callaghan should have been dumped from the Irish panel a few years back, but currently, on form, he is the 3rd best second row in the counntry. You are right about Earls though, I think he will be either on the team or on the bench as he covers more positions than Fitzgerald.
@99call - I mostly agree, I can see Kidney picking O'Brien and O'Mahony, and leaving Henry on the bench. I can't see Fitzgerald getting into the match-day squad, even though his form probably deserves it - it'll be Earls or McFadden on the bench - and hopefully Gilroy and Zebo on the wings (excusing the fact that they are both left wingers).
One last general point, Declan Fitzpatrick deserves to be on the bench ahead of Bent as tighthead cover, he's short on game time but you could see the difference when he came on for the Wolfhounds.
Posted 10:44 28th January 2013
Irishzimbabwean says...
paddy91317 and shrimps - both absolutely right. We all know O'Gara and O'Callaghan are past it now, and are just blocking the youngsters. However, I am sure Kidney will still pick them, along with Earls.
Only 5 more Kidney team announcements to be in dread of......
Posted 09:36 28th January 2013
99call says...
Gleek....Im just glad that your opinion isnt the one that counts, firstly Henderson has shown that hes too lightweight for top level second row play at this time, he will get bigger and stronger as he gets older but the only place for him at this time is No.6.
Secondly in what dream did you come up with McFadden and Darc as the starting centres when BOD is fit and playing again, that has got to be the most laughable selection Ive ever seen and thankfully youll not be anywhere near the selection meeting so it doesnt matter that you dont have a clue.
Then theres the bench it will be Cronin instead of Sherry, Bent instead of Fitzpatrick, Earls will be on the bench as he can play centre, wing or fullback, this is how the team will probably look
1. Healy 2. Best 3. Ross 4. McCarthy 5.Ryan 6. OMahony/OBrien 7. Henry 8. Heaslip 9. Murray 10. Sexton 11. Fitzgerald 12. Darcy 13. BOD 14. Gilroy/Zebo 15. Kearney
16 Cronin 17 Court/Kilcoyne 18 Bent 19 OMahony/OBrien(depends on who starts) 20 O'Callaghan 21 Reddan 22 ROG(should be Jackson but Kidney will stick with the old man) 23 Earls
I can see that side turning over a welsh team that is very low on confidence and has the weight of the nation on their shoulders at the moment
Posted 09:12 28th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Second rows will be mc carthy and ryan. Hendserson will be on the banch as his ability to plsy second and back row is valuable...in my opinion fitzy should get the final sub spot but its kidney so his love child earls will get the nod ahead of him. The rest is obvious akthough i am worried about gilroy v north on the wing as he giving up about 3/4 stone to north.
Posted 07:27 28th January 2013
blue_n_green says...
Hopefull but nervous about Irelands chances this six nations! A solid start against Wales is a must! France are the team to set the pace , England dark horse, Wales already counted out but could click and be awsome, scotland/italy wooden spoon. My thoughts any how...
Posted 06:37 28th January 2013
gleek says...
So light in the 2nd row. I'd like to see us give Henderson a run but I imagine it will be McCarty, Ryan and McCarthy in the 22.
My 23 for Wales. A bit light weight but it is the best we've got IMO.
1. Heally, 2. Best, 3. Ross, 4. Henderson, 4. Ryan, 6. O'Brien, 7. Henry, 8. Heaslip, 9. Murray, 10. Sexton, 11. Fitzgerald, 12. McFadden, 13. D'Arcy, 14. Zebo, 15. Kearney
16. Sherry, 17. Kilcoyne, 18. Fitzpatrick, 19. O'Callaghan, 20. O'Mahoney, 21. Redan, 22. Jackson, 23. Gilroy
Posted 00:22 28th January 2013
redcoat2806 says...
no Trimble!
Hope Gilroy gets a start... nice wildcard for the old fantasy!
Posted 22:48 27th January 2013
Stag91 says...
No Marshall(s) or Cave? Disappointment to say the least
Posted 22:27 27th January 2013
norm says...
Glad to see Fitzgerald back in the mix. Still think that we have not seen the best of him yet
Posted 22:05 27th January 2013
Theshaw says...
Ian maddigan is Wayyyy better than Paddy Jackson no??!! Let alone how irrating is jacksons face :p
Posted 20:25 27th January 2013