Earls I reckon

i'm thinking Hurley with Earls as back-up myself.

Earls I reckon

Apparently Rob Kearney shipped a major injury in the Connacht game and is gonna be out for 6-12 weeks which means he might miss the November series and with Geordan Murphy retired it will be interesting to see who get the the no. 15 jersey . Denis Hurley is suddenly in with a good chance!

Eh, Paddy Wallace, OBVIOUSLY!!!

Delighted to see Downey is at least on the radar at long last.

Argentina, South Africa and Fiji three of the most physically demanding teams in world rugby I am just scratching my head why he was not included originally. Kidney obviously sees McFadden as a winger so I would love to know who does he see challenging Darce for the 12 spot?

connachtexile wrote: Prop Ronan Loughney takes over from Declan Fitzpatrick

So Yoda had Loughs rested even though he had no intention of picking him (injuries asides). FFS.

Yeah kinda sad how transparent Kidney is though

I know it's because he's playing for Munster now, but I'm delighted for James Downey.

From RTE:

James Downey, Ian Madigan and Paul Marshall are amongst the additions to the Ireland training squad following first choice injuries over the weekend.

Gordon D’Arcy took a knock to his ribs and is unable to train, with uncapped Munster centre Downey called up to replace him.

Outhalf Ronan O’Gara has a dead leg so is replaced by Leinster back Madigan, also uncapped, while scrumhalf Marshall takes the place of Eoin Reddan who is carrying a leg injury.

Prop Ronan Loughney takes over from Declan Fitzpatrick, who is continuing rehab on a knee injury in Ulster.

Second row Mike McCarthy picked up a calf knock and is replaced by Leinster second row Devin Toner, while Simon Zebo, who turned an ankle and is unable to train, is covered by Craig Gilroy.

The Ireland training squad are meeting up in Carton house this week.

FORWARDS

Hookers: Best, Cronin, Varley

Props: Court, Healy, Ross, Loughney
Locks: O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Ryan, Tuohy, Henderson, Toner

Backrows: Ferris, Henry, McLaughlin, Dave O'Callaghan, O'Mahony, Heaslip

BACKS

Scrumhalves: Murray, Marshall

Flyhalves: Madigan, Sexton

Centres: Downey, Marshall, O'Driscoll, Cave, Earls, McFadden

Wingers: Gilroy, Trimble, Bowe

Fullback: Hurley

rossie wrote: swifty hurley has played really well at fullback for munster in first 3 games of this season. There are no players at connacht currently playing well enough to warrant inclusion with exception of loughney who is unlucky to lose out to fitzpatrick

That's not quite true, but playing in a team not winning games is not helping.

But Denis Hurley in an Irish jersey? Just can't wait for the next Autumn International block under Kidney, should be riveting...

swifty hurley has played really well at fullback for munster in first 3 games of this season. There are no players at connacht currently playing well enough to warrant inclusion with exception of loughney who is unlucky to lose out to fitzpatrick

It's a training squad but to be frank can anyone make an honest argument for anyone else in Connacht to be added to that squad on current form?

oh lord what an awful picked squad but id agree with ummm, save them for connacht.

mike mccarthy reminds me of paddy wallace, just picked so to seem they wouldnt leave ulster out.

hurley at fullback and earls at centre.

where did i store my boots,

Suits me, we won't be losing players for tackle bag duty under a coach who is coasting to the end of his contract.

Irish Training squad named by Kidney:

FORWARDS

Hookers: Best, Cronin, Varley

Props: Court, Healy, Ross, Fitzpatrick

Locks: O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Ryan, Tuohy, Henderson, McCarthy

Backrows: Ferris, Henry, McLaughlin, Dave O'Callaghan, O'Mahony, Heaslip

BACKS

Scrumhalves: Murray, Reddan

Flyhalves: O'Gara, Sexton

Centres: D'Arcy, Marshall, O'Driscoll, Cave, Earls, McFadden

Wingers: Zebo, Trimble, Bowe

Fullback: Hurley

i think most international managers like a settled partnership at 2nd row and to be fair eddie followed a similar policy. Donnacha was playing better rugby then admittedly but his performsnces for munster have improved dramatically since losing his place to ryan. That said i dont think he would have gotten his place back but for injury to ronan and leamy.

I expect deccie to go with paul and d ryan as starters and i think it will be doc on bench but tuohy could push him out. We arent blessed with international standard locks atm which allows deccie to remain conservative. There nothing between doc and tuohy atm exept the youth v experience argument and we kno deccies record there. Macca is viewed as being too small(both in height and weight) for int 2nd row imo and is viewed as a 6 for 1st team which is unfortunate for him. Toner is still considered too timid for international rugby and the rest are just at the potential stage.

Its difficult to blood youngsters when their clubs arent picking them. I guess deccie would argue that if they arent good enuf for club they r not good enuf for int rugby and he has a championship to try and win.