Looks like Jack and Marmion to start this weekend, Sexton on the bench, with Sexton starting the game the week after.

Real chance for Jack and Kieran to put their hand up - got to think that the 2nd choice half back pairing will start at least some of the pool games, don't think they;ll want to risk Murray and Sexton (defo not Sexton) against Russia or Samoa.

Bundee had one or two poor defensive reads (who didn't)

Of course he's one of the first names people are calling for to be dropped despite being one of the very few players to show anything going forward

Really hard game to watch, and really hard game to look back on. Record score, both against England and under Joe.

See a lot of articles and talk about Rory being the root cause of the lineout troubles, which I'm not sure I can agree with. Someone more versed in the technacaliteis of lineouts can correct me, but looked as if there was a combination of bad throws, bad moves in the lineout, and bad luck in some marginal lineouts. Cronin didn't improve things when he came on, and while I think SC can probably add more physicality to the game, you can't discount Rorys role as a leader of the team.

Stockdale was a defensive liability, very disappointed. He adds so much to the game from attack, but I'd count three tries that came from him being out of position.

Think Jack did ok when he came on, very hard to excel when you're coming into that athmosphere. His kicking percentages won't help him, one of the kicks was straightforward enough, but he was definately better from play than Byrne.

Murray was decent in the first half, can't disagree with decision to take him off (read that Joe didn't want him to go back on after the HIA, but there was a miscommunication). You'd think KM would've brought a bit of pace back into the game, but who knows in a game like that?

Bundee was good. Great try from him, really shows what he can do. You've got to think that Joe is going to go with himself and Robbie at centre?

Looks like Cian Healy only has a minor sprain, which is great. Would hate to lose him for the WC, and would be gutting for him to go out injuried again.

Overall team was shocking defensively. Slipped off some insane tackles, but even worse were the holes left in defence. Doesn't help that England were very obviously up to this and hitting their stride after the Welsh games, while we are still knocking some rust off.

Has to get better from this. Sure can't get much lower!!

Carty thanking his lucky stars he didn't get the start today I'd say, can't imagine Beirne has done anything but move himself further down the ladder there.

Sol_ie wrote: You'd think that Cooneys kicking game would've given him the edge over McGrath allright, it's not like we've a hugely long list of top quality kickers. From the way things are looking cooney might not even be going on the plane! It's a good complaint to have, 4 international quality scrum halfs in each province, I suppose.

Cooney has already been released back yo ulster so he definitely wont be on the plane unless Marmion and McGrath are injured.

You'd think that Cooneys kicking game would've given him the edge over McGrath allright, it's not like we've a hugely long list of top quality kickers. From the way things are looking cooney might not even be going on the plane! It's a good complaint to have, 4 international quality scrum halfs in each province, I suppose.

Wonder what two centres Joe is going to make first choice. Would like to think that Marmion is still ahead of McGrath. Cooney should be ahead of him too, can't understand why he isn't...

Team named for Saturdays game:

Ireland team to face England

15. Rob Kearney

14. Jordan Larmour

13. Garry Ringrose

12. Bundee Aki

11. Jacob Stockdale

10. Ross Byrne

9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy

2. Rory Best (C)

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Iain Henderson

5. Jean Kleyn

6. Peter O'Mahony

7. Josh van der Flier

8. CJ Stander



Replacements

16. Sean Cronin

17. Jack McGrath

18. Andrew Porter

19. Devin Toner

20. Tadhg Beirne

21. Luke McGrath

22. Jack Carty

23. Andrew Conway

You'd have to think that Jack is unlucky not to be starting this one. KM too, but maybe Joe & Co consider him a known quantity and want to give McGratha run? Fairly strong team up front, missing some key names in the back 5 (you'd have to think that Robbie and Earls are going to be first choice). Should be a great match!

Ryan's performances have improved over the last year, while I think Porter is also just ahead of Finlay, he's been unlucky but I wouldn't have too many arguments, think he was still worth a run out in one of the warmups. Cooney is very unlucky, I thought that McGrath was bang average at the weekend and Cooney would have been a bit of extra cover if Carbery is looking doubtful for the start of the RWC, even if it was just to take the kicks in some of the lesser games if Carbery isn't 100%.

Finlay Bealham has been released from the RWC squad. Baffling decision to take either of John Ryan or Porter before him to be honest. Porter in particular is ordinary and can count himself very lucky to still be there, but hey no Leinstermen within the first five to be cut while Ross Byrne, Dave Kearney, and Luke McGrath remain in the squad.

Joe has had a habit of locking down foreign players for Ireland with caps as soon as their available imo. Plus tbf Kleyn is a huge unit, like a DOC type on ...

Ultan was in a straight run-off with Beirne for a spot given they were the two lads who don't scrummage behind the tight head and don't call lineouts.

Roux must be gutted about missing the end of last season when he sees Kleyn one injury away from the plane.

Disappointing to see Dillane has been released from the Ireland squad prior to the Italy game. Rory Scannell has also been let go. It's good news I suppose for us but it's always nice to see Connacht players involved with the national squad.

I really feel that Kleyn is overrated and not any improvement on Dillane or Roux so I don't understand why he's been catapulted straight into the squad for the RWC having never been involved before. I know it's still most likely that Ryan/Toner/Henderson/Beirne will be the 4 going to Japan, but just gutted for Ultan.

I was kinda working on the assumption that Carbery would start at 15 against Russia and cover 10 from there, while Jack gets the start, leaving space for two back five replacements. But I suppose any number of injuries could happen between now and then.

quality of opposition in the world cup is frequently lower than the six nations, in the group stage at least. No reason why Scannell couldn't provide 10 cover against Russia for instance, and even Samoa. I'm disappointed for Farrell too but Joe has had a look at him in six nations training in fairness, and he only covers centre positions, whereas you really need to be a true utility player to get a look in for those last spots. In any case sometimes its better not to be in these early squad, particularly if being asked to play for a place in the warm ups, we all know some guys are going to go down injured during those games (England, and Wales twice?? ridiculous decision) and someone will get a late call up.

Don’t get the whole scannell covers 10, I won’t trust him there in a 6 nations match never mind the World Cup. Mcloskey is by far a better 12 and Tom farrell is a better center who’s able to cover 12/13.

Tommy o donnell is really baffling. I know there’s a few injuries at 7 but the guy has barely played at all this season and knowing his luck with injuries I highly doubt he’ll make it through the whole work cup warm up period. Deegan who has played 7 recently and also covers 6/8 would be a better choice which also would take the long term into account too.

I’d expect if it wasn’t far injury/illness Addison/ Roux would be in for Haley/ klyen