I'm extremely disappointed to see Tom Farrell miss out, what Rory Scannell has done to get in there I don't know, I'd have had Tom, McCloskey and Addison ahead of him, and the playing multiple positions is okay when there's very little to choose between players, Scannell is way off the others. The whole Munster 15 have made the squad, which baffles me, Haley has been bang average and I'd have had Mike Lowry ahead of him all day. As for Roux, this squad isn't due to meet up for another 3 weeks I think, and he nor Addison aren't down as injured, so I think they've both just missed out. The 6 nations squad had given me hope that things had changed but alas they have not. Connacht and Ulster players have to seriously outperform the others to have a sniff.

Bit of an over-reaction that. Scannell the hooker is there on merit, the other Scannell is there because he covers multiple positions, and the rest are only there because Roux, O'Brien, Leavy and Addison are all crocked.

Niall Scannell asides, they'd also need further injuries to make the 31, never mind a 23.

Niall Scannell, Rory Scannell, Kleyn, Haley, and Tommy O'Donnell. Is Joe Schmidt taking the piss? None of the above-mentioned five should get anywhere near a 23 during the WC, so what in God's name are they doing in a training squad of 44? Just shows the influence that the Munster Mafia still exert on selection!

I know Quinn isn't in the list of injured players but I'd worry the virus that was at him towards the end of the season hasn't cleared up.

Roux very unlucky to miss out. Did all that he was asked and more and now doesnt even make the squad.

Finlay, Ultan, Kieran, Jack and Bundee make the initial squad of 44.
www.irishrugby.ie/2019/05/28/ireland-tra...orld-cup-pre-season/

Just wondering if any if the Dublin based Clan are going to be watching the Irish match on Sunday in town?

MulMan wrote: twitter.com/WorldRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Et...p-4526962-Mar2019%2F
Interesting developments in the furture of the international game.

Ah, they made a video with background music and graphics of teams moving around the place. Everyone will surely get behind it now

twitter.com/WorldRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Et...p-4526962-Mar2019%2F
Interesting developments in the furture of the international game.

Didn't know where else to put this, but what are people's opinions on the new world league? I think the international game is fine as it Is, while world rugby may feel fans want more meaningful games I would say we are fine as we are. There are very few meaningless internationals as it stands. With the lesser games giving opportunities for others.

Then there is the can of worms that is the club game. How will it be impacted, I'd be very surprised if it was positive. There doesn't seem to be any answers as to what is going to happen in that regard. For a plan that seems in fairly advanced stages it is very worrying. Like when the restructure in the pro12/14 happened we were left in limbo as fans; and while I'd say it's not been as bad as first feared I wouldn't say it's been a success on any other level the a financial one. A quick job again could end up turning more fans away from the sport than bringing them in.

All in all I hope this gets brushed under the carpet but just interested to hear what others feel.
P.S. I was informed by somebody who claims to be in the know that there is a good chance that Carty may be in line to start against France, even if Sexton is fit, but that may change if Carbery is also fit. Don't know how reliably the source is, just food for thought.

Jack Carty interview on the Rugby Pod with Andy Goode & big Jim Hamilton if anyone's interested in some v light entertainment! aca.st/38cf87

Quinn and Ultan did huge work yesterday, I thought. Ultan knocked a ball on in a great spot, but that was about it for feet wrong, I think.

Ireland half back combo isn't hitting it at the moment. Neither Murray nor Sexton look to be fully in the game. They absoutely need game time, but surely the sensible thing to do at 60 would be to give JC and Cooney a chance. What does 3 minutes of game time for Jack show ANYONE?

Delighted for him - haters gonna hate and ainters gonna aint!!!

I know he was working the the Ireland kicking coach last summer and I'm told he had some sessions with a sports psychologist too. A lot of his kicking woes were between the ears. Great for him and for Connacht rugby.

Well done Jack.

Sean Cronin makes first Six Nations start while Joey Carbery ruled out of Ireland's trip to Rome

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-natio...o-rome-37843011.html

Delighted for Jack if someone told me this would happen 3 seasons ago I would have had them committed.

Carty's on the bench, brilliant stuff well deserved !!!

Evil_g wrote: Thornley:

IRELAND (possible v Italy): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; David Kilcoyne, Seán Cronin, Tadhg Furlong; Quinn Roux, Ultan Dillane; Peter O’Mahony (capt), Seán O’Brien, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: Rory Best, Jack McGrath, John Ryan, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway.

Never gonna make it.

I've been hoping all week that Jack would make the bench for this game. It would be so well deserved, and give him an extra boost of confidence going into the rest of the season. I'm not going to count any chickens yet, but the "possible" line ups are normally bang on. Fingers crossed.