Absolute joke! Murray has shown absolutely nothing since his return from injury, he was distinctly average for Munster in the HC. McGrath is a good player but it's hard to see how he's gone from being behind Marmion and Cooney during the 6N to outright number 2. Good news for Connacht that we'll have Marms available but sickening for the poor fella. Must be pointed out that the omission of Jordi Murphy doesn't exactly do a lot for efforts to get players to move provinces. Better off staying as 3rd choice at Leinster....

Absolutely sickened for Marmion. Can't imagine how he's feeling.

Sol_ie wrote: It's official.

Silver lining: We have Marmion for the Pro14 games.

Absoutely gutted for him. He's done everything asked of him, he's in the form scrumhalf playing in Ireland at the moment.

Chuffed for Jack and Bundee. They'll do us proud in Japan.

I would say Blade has shown better from than him in the past year. Gutted for him all the same

Have to mention Finlay as well, who was in the 41 man squad. I reckon he knew the writing was on the wall, but still not a great day for him.

It's official.

Silver lining: We have Marmion for the Pro14 games.

Absoutely gutted for him. He's done everything asked of him, he's in the form scrumhalf playing in Ireland at the moment.

Chuffed for Jack and Bundee. They'll do us proud in Japan.

Announcement moved up to today.

Our friends in the other provinces seem to be scratching their head over Marmion too.

ShaneM wrote: If this is true it's a joke!!! Marmion is a far superior 9 over McGrath. Played way way better in the Irish jersey. Cannot understand why he'd go with McGrath over Marmion!!
Thought Marms had earned Joes trust!!! Hopefully it's just rumors!!!!

I'm probably drinking from a half full glass, but this has happened before with Marmion vs McGrath.
Joe has supported Marmion a lot over the years, and he has never been let down by him. I'm hoping that this is a case of the media making presumptions, and being wrong.

I do find it strange, that the squad gets submitted to World Rugby today, but it's not being announced until the weekend.

If this is true it's a joke!!! Marmion is a far superior 9 over McGrath. Played way way better in the Irish jersey. Cannot understand why he'd go with McGrath over Marmion!!
Thought Marms had earned Joes trust!!! Hopefully it's just rumors!!!!

I'd be seriously pi**ed off if I was Marmion.
Great news for Carty though

green13 wrote: Ruaidhrí O'Connor in today's Independent is saying that KM to be omitted. Find that hard to fathom.

Yeah, the 42.ie are reporting the same, and also that Toner is going to be staying home.

I really cannot see how Marmion is being left at home (if true). Mind boggling really. He's played so well in the chances he's been given, always under pressure and always preformed. I could see it if Cooney was going, but looks like McGrath and Murray getting the nod.

So strange. We'll just have to wait and see.

Ruaidhrí O'Connor in today's Independent is saying that KM to be omitted. Find that hard to fathom.

Our three lads did very very well today, I think. Marmion was sharp as anything, Bundee was a big bullying presence. MOTM award for Jack, and well deserved, he was getting in behind their line a good bit in the first half, really good steps and passed on. Very impressed.

Think our men have definately played themselves onto the plane (not that Bundee or KM were in much doubt, I think).

Still think overall preformance in the second half was a touch suspect. We seemed to creak when the 'first' team came on. Pratchell dragged them single handedly back into the match, to be fair.

G'wan Jack.

Pretty sure Bundee, Henshaw and Ringrose are certs for the squad. Farrell IMO is playing for a spot. It's 2 from Farrell, Addison, Larmour and Conway.

not sure what to make of farrell and bundee midfield. with henshaw still to come back how many centres do we think he'll bring?

If addison plays well then he's straight into the 31 for me, obvious utility option like that is gold dust in a world cup.

IRELAND TEAM: Will Addison; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; James Ryan, Iain Henderson; Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (capt), Jack Conan.

Replacements: Andrew Porter, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Garry Ringrose.

Interesting selection. Interesting to see if Addison can preform, first game in a few months. Three Connacht lads starting, great opportuinity for them all - but especially for Jack and Kieran to show some what they're like playing together. I think this is the first time they'll play serious minutes together for Ireland?