Agree with ummm on this.

The reality is that, if everyone is fit and available, neither tol or marshall are likely to start for their Province in the Hec qtr final and yet people are arguing about ireland!

Not sure, family matter or something. I don't have the details so don't want to speculate.

ummm, wrote: Boss is in NZ.

Why is our 3rd choice scrumhalf on the wrong side of the world?

Murray is out, Reddan will start, Boss is in NZ. What we have here is a debate about which of TOL and Marshall are the 4th choice SH in Ireland.

A joke about bald men fighting over a comb comes to mind.

Deccie's playing favourites.... blah blah blah. He left his 4th choice out of the RWC. Not exactly favouritism. But for Murray's injury this wouldn't even be a discussion.

I don't want TOL in the squad and Deccie has plenty of faults, but sometimes it seems like people are queuing up to have a go.

I imagine Kidney's logic is with the 6 day turnaround, bringing in someone like O'Leary who knows the system will allow an easy transition. Redden looks set to play the bulk of both games (injury permitting). Its a shame though as Marshell has looked sharp for Ulster.

connachtexile wrote:

As pleased as I am with Mecca getting the callup I'd like to say am astounded at O'Leary getting the shout for Murray, a dreadful decision. Paul Marshall must be wondering how badly O'Leary has to play in green to drop out of rankings

The reasoning is O'Leary slots in as a sweeper at 9 so he doesn't have to change the defensive system I'm not saying I agree with it but that's the rationale.

I'd like to see Marchall as well called up but his size works against him unfortunately. That said its Scotland you'd hope we'd be attacking for most of the game rather than defending which in that case a SH like Marshall would be the man for the job. Kidney's probably having nightmare's about the last time we played them in the 6 nations when he f*cked up the tactics and cost us the game.

Pointless focusing on the defence aspect of your scrumhalf if he cannot do the simple basics of getting the ball out to his outside backs quickly (fail) & accurately (massive fail)...

Without good and quick ball, our backs are doomed. With O'Leary when he's standing at the base of a ruck you can actually see the cogs working (very slowly) in his mind. He is not an instinctual scrumhalf like a Stringer, or indeed a Marshall who definately is in every fibre of his being....

As pleased as I am with Mecca getting the callup I'd like to say am astounded at O'Leary getting the shout for Murray, a dreadful decision. Paul Marshall must be wondering how badly O'Leary has to play in green to drop out of rankings

The reasoning is O'Leary slots in as a sweeper at 9 so he doesn't have to change the defensive system I'm not saying I agree with it but that's the rationale.

I'd like to see Marchall as well called up but his size works against him unfortunately. That said its Scotland you'd hope we'd be attacking for most of the game rather than defending which in that case a SH like Marshall would be the man for the job. Kidney's probably having nightmare's about the last time we played them in the 6 nations when he f*cked up the tactics and cost us the game.

sea_point wrote: As pleased as I am with Mecca getting the callup I'd like to say am astounded at O'Leary getting the shout for Murray, a dreadful decision. Paul Marshall must be wondering how badly O'Leary has to play in green to drop out of rankings ...

I agree, Kidney reverting to type, again..

As pleased as I am with Mecca getting the callup I'd like to say am astounded at O'Leary getting the shout for Murray, a dreadful decision. Paul Marshall must be wondering how badly O'Leary has to play in green to drop out of rankings ...

they were defending with their lives for most of it, very iteresting stat!

Guess how many tackles DR made in the 20 mins he was on the pitch... 8

on the tackle count of 8/0 for doc you must take into consideration that he only played 58 min of game and was first forward subbed. thought he had a good 60 myself.

delighted for macca and hope that poc will be ok for ulster game.

Great news for Mike McCarthy. A well-deserved call up. I'd start him and Ryan against the Scots, although I think he'll start on the bench and replace DOC around the hour mark.

Back on topic anyway and Mike Mc Carthy has been called up according to irishrugby website.

Thoroughly deserved!!

Murray also ruled out for the rest of the six nations so O'Leary gets called in. Best of luck to Macca - hopefully he gets some game time because I'm sure he'd do us proud.

IRFU have confirmed POC is out. And Macca has been called up.