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From: shanebyrne

Date: 29-Oct-2009

Are we seeing the end to a few of the names that have helped Irish rugby be at the top in the Northern hemisphere for the last couple of years?

Big Mal, Girv the Swerve, Quinny and to a lesser extent Jackman have been involved in some of the big moments of the last 10 years.

Great moments from great players
Who could forget Mal’s try saving tackle, driving Reagan into touch and helping us complete England’s welcome home, when they were world champions!

And while we’re at it Girvan’s excellent try in that game - a great moment. Or Quinny’s try against Argentina to keep us in the World Cup in ’03. He dislocated his shoulder scoring that, a trend of injuries that has plagued his career.

It’s been a hell of a turnaround for him, from Lions selection in the summer to this in about 6 months!

Declan picking for the future
We have seen all these guys make comebacks in recent times but with Declan’s squad, do you get the feeling that this is the way he is going to go for the future?

Unfortunately I do. Declan has publicly stated that he is going to build to the 2011 World Cup, hence this selection. Let’s face it, you guys have got it pretty right, barring a couple of exceptions, the starting XV will have a very familiar shape about it.

Most of the new guys in the squad are there to gain experience, play on the A team, getting used to a system that they will be part of for the foreseeable future.

I suppose rather than just naming who is there to learn, let’s go through a probable starting team for the first test.

Starting XV?
Loose head could be one of exceptions, Cian Healy has been the form prop this season and it could be a good time to blood him in.

Yes, Marcus has been one of the better forwards in a pack that isn’t firing yet but if Declan’s eye is to the future, why wait?

I was surprised to see Bernard not get the call up and in truth I had completely overlooked Cronin. If Flannery doesn’t get back to full fitness in time it would have to be, as the regular starter, Cronin to fill the gap.

Hayes will start at 3, nuf said! Who will partner Paul in the row is the next question, on form, Leo is ahead of Donners but he has been hit with injuries and is missing games.

Another thing to consider is the fact that Paul and Leo are very similar in many roles. Both leaders, both call the lineouts for their teams, etc..

In general play not a problem, runner vs. grafter work together but can their natural leadership qualities work for or hinder them. Be great for Ireland if they could.

Bob Casey out, madness
Nuts that Bob appears to have joined the Old Guard already!

The backrow picks itself, you couldn’t see past Wallace, Heaslip and Ferris. In fact I'm looking forward to seeing them back together again after the Lions!

In the backrow, how you can call any selection a form selection, without McLaughlin being involved is wrong.

I think Redden might start a 9, he getting into his stride in Leinster (a move he should have made a year ago!) while O’Leary is suffering behind his off-form pack.

First 2 games are trials for the 10s
Sexton will start one of the games but I can’t see it being the Aussie game. Yes, O’Gara not quite himself but experience will probably come to call on this one. The way the games fall they will be like trials for these two, after one game each, the best will start against South Africa.

Back 5 could go any way
In the back 5 it’s a bit fluid, other than 13 of course! Who plays inside centre, will effect who plays wing.

Gordon Darcy hasn’t really hit the form he needs to lock up the 12 shirt, so could see either Earls or Fitzgerald here. Kearney will start at 15, so then you have to ask has Shaggy played himself back into contention? But then what about Tommy Bowe?

Jasus!! I don’t know, I’ll have to take another week on that one, let me know what you think.