Must admit, from an Irish point of view I'm more than a little worried. The team, regardless of the individuals on the teamsheet just arent performing. We have had four warm up games to click but we still couldnt get a bonus point against what is effectively an amateur USA team.
The Irish team wont contain many surprises, though so many of them are out of form.
The front row selection will depend on whether Healy gets fit. Hes a hugely dynamic runner and tackler for us around the park. Hes a big loss if missing. Hopefully he'll be fit.
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
Second row are undroppable. Regardless of how bad O'Callaghan may play, he will never be dropped for Cullen. Having said that, O'Callaghan actuially played okay for once against the US.
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
The backrow is the one area of strength. We dont play a poacher so assuming all of them are fit (they are I believe), it'll be;
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
Half-backs are a huge issue for Ireland. Having persisted with Tomas O'Leary for the last two years, Kidney has finally worked out that hes shite. Murrays not ready so it'll be Reddan at 9, but the question is now whether he'll play Sexton or O'Gara at 10. History shows he hates playing Reddan and Sexton together. I think Sexton is the better option as he'll challenge the defense better. Kidney will pick O'Gara.
9. Reddan
10. O'Gara
The centres are a huge area of concern for us. Defensively they are small but solid, but offensively they have done nothing. Darcy in particular has been playing quite poor (O'Driscoll has been average at best). A lot of people would like to see McFadden give a run, but its probably too late to experiment. I can see Kidney going beyond;
12. Darcy
13. O'Driscoll
The back three will most likely be Earls and Bowe on the wings. Trimble has been the best wing in Irelands past 4 games but Kidney prefers Earls. After that, if Kearney is fit, he will probably go for him, if not Murphy.
11. Earls
14. Bowe
15. Kearney
On their day they could do a job, but they only see there day once every two or three years. I dont think we'll be able to do much to be honest. You guys should win by 2 clear scores.
The one selection that would make me optimistic would be the selection of Reddan and Sexton at 9 and 10. The last time these guys played together for Leinster we won the HEC, the last time they played together for Ireland we hockeyed (I mean absolutely hammered em) England in the 6 nations. Neither are particulatly awesome players, but on form they can do real damage.
The Irish team wont contain many surprises, though so many of them are out of form.
The front row selection will depend on whether Healy gets fit. Hes a hugely dynamic runner and tackler for us around the park. Hes a big loss if missing. Hopefully he'll be fit.
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
Second row are undroppable. Regardless of how bad O'Callaghan may play, he will never be dropped for Cullen. Having said that, O'Callaghan actuially played okay for once against the US.
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
The backrow is the one area of strength. We dont play a poacher so assuming all of them are fit (they are I believe), it'll be;
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
Half-backs are a huge issue for Ireland. Having persisted with Tomas O'Leary for the last two years, Kidney has finally worked out that hes shite. Murrays not ready so it'll be Reddan at 9, but the question is now whether he'll play Sexton or O'Gara at 10. History shows he hates playing Reddan and Sexton together. I think Sexton is the better option as he'll challenge the defense better. Kidney will pick O'Gara.
9. Reddan
10. O'Gara
The centres are a huge area of concern for us. Defensively they are small but solid, but offensively they have done nothing. Darcy in particular has been playing quite poor (O'Driscoll has been average at best). A lot of people would like to see McFadden give a run, but its probably too late to experiment. I can see Kidney going beyond;
12. Darcy
13. O'Driscoll
The back three will most likely be Earls and Bowe on the wings. Trimble has been the best wing in Irelands past 4 games but Kidney prefers Earls. After that, if Kearney is fit, he will probably go for him, if not Murphy.
11. Earls
14. Bowe
15. Kearney
On their day they could do a job, but they only see there day once every two or three years. I dont think we'll be able to do much to be honest. You guys should win by 2 clear scores.
The one selection that would make me optimistic would be the selection of Reddan and Sexton at 9 and 10. The last time these guys played together for Leinster we won the HEC, the last time they played together for Ireland we hockeyed (I mean absolutely hammered em) England in the 6 nations. Neither are particulatly awesome players, but on form they can do real damage.