Ireland 2021-22

[Dave Cahill]

Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad are set to play two Test matches in July against Japan and the USA at the Aviva Stadium.

As outlined by World Rugby today, on the 3rd July Ireland are scheduled to play Japan. The Brave Blossoms will play the British and Irish Lions the week before taking on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland last faced Japan at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 where Jamie Joseph’s side were deserved 19-12 winners at the Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka.

On Saturday 10th July Ireland are due to host the USA in Dublin. Ireland last faced the USA in the Aviva Stadium in November 2018 where Ireland ran out 57-14 winners.

The fixtures are subject to final agreement and further details will be announced in due course.

A strong revised programme of men’s test matches is set to take place in July after all unions and World Rugby agreed a revised schedule within the existing window. The revisions have been made recognising an ongoing and complex global COVID-19 picture while aiming to limit further impact.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented,

“We are delighted to be in a position to announce these two fixtures so soon after the disappointment of the Fiji tour cancellation. This is a very important window for the development of the group and we are grateful to both the Japan, the US and World Rugby for facilitating these games in July.”

Andy Farrell, Ireland Head Coach, said, “We now have two games at home to focus on which will be great for the group. There have been some strong individual performances in the Rainbow Cup over the past couple of weeks and there are plenty of opportunities for players to put themselves in the frame for selection for the international window in July.”

Ireland Fixtures July 2021
IRELAND v Japan
Saturday 3rd July, 2021
Aviva Stadium

IRELAND v USA
Saturday 10th July, 2021
Aviva Stadium

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/05/10/ir ... a-in-july/

[Dave Cahill]

Rugby's Six Nations championship will remain live on "free-to-air" TV in Ireland after a deal, in principle, between RTÉ, Virgin Media and Six Nations Rugby.

RTÉ lost the TV broadcast rights to the Guinness Six Nations in 2015, and since 2018 games have been shown live on Virgin Media.

But under an agreement announced this morning, some live games in the Guinness Six Nations will return to RTÉ Television in 2022, and Virgin Media will show games from both the Women’s Six Nations and Men’s Under 20s Championships for the first time.

While final terms have yet to be agreed, RTÉ’s Director-General Dee Forbes said the deal was a "win for the Irish public" with games available to the biggest possible audience in Ireland.

"As competition increases from global players in the sports rights market, we are delighted to work locally with Virgin Media Television, with the aim of serving Irish audiences with fantastic Six Nations action," she added.

RTÉ are set to retain exclusive Irish radio rights for the Six Nations, pending conclusion of negotiations.

Ben Morel, chief executive of Six Nations Rugby said: "I am delighted that we have agreed the principles of a unique three-party partnership with Virgin Media and RTÉ, and that they have chosen the Six Nations to build such a strong and compelling collaboration around all our competitions which will be to the benefit of our sport, our unions and of Rugby fans in Ireland."

Philip Browne, the IRFU CEO, said rugby in Ireland, as a participation sport, was striving to balance TV rights income with the need for continued exposure.

"It is a win-win for all involved to have the future of all three Championships move through the contact stages with partners that have a history of showcasing our game.

"How we, and our broadcast partners, present our game is important, not only for the here-and-now of the viewers sitting down together to watch a particular game, but for those who may be inspired to take up the ball and play in schools and clubs.

"We look forward to working with both Virgin Media and RTÉ on the promotion of our great game across men's and women’s rugby."

RTÉ previously broadcasted the Five/Six Nations on television up until the 2018 season.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2021/05 ... x-nations/

[Oldschool]

Will be interesting to see what kind of a "team" RTE because the VM team are on the front foot most of the time.

[Xanthippe]

Wow - even in a 50 man squad there’s no room for John Cooney

[Ruckedtobits]

Wow - even in a 50 man squad there’s no room for John Cooney

Nor for Zebo or for the uncapped players selected for the summer Squad including Dooley & Molony.

[ronk]

Ireland squad
Backs (23)
Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen) 5 caps
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) 1 cap
Billy Burns (Ulster) 7 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 2 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 15 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 5 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 35 caps

Forwards (27)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 5 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
Paul Boyle (Connacht/Buccaneers) 1 cap
Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps
Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 9 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 19 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 6 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
Eric O’Sullivan (Ulster/ Banbridge) 1 cap
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 27 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 24 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster) 1 cap

[ronk]

Wow - even in a 50 man squad there’s no room for John Cooney

No room for Luke McGrath or Kieran Marmion either.

Looks like Zebo needs to earn his recall on the pitch rather than just show up.

Nice to see Connors back.

The really big omission is Ross Byrne. The missed opportunity to get a new player in is Scott Penny.

[Oldschool]

Wow - even in a 50 man squad there’s no room for John Cooney

No room for Luke McGrath or Kieran Marmion either.

Looks like Zebo needs to earn his recall on the pitch rather than just show up.

Nice to see Connors back.

The really big omission is Ross Byrne. The missed opportunity to get a new player in is Scott Penny.

Fair enough call on Zebo.
Penny for Connors is a missed opportunity.

[betty swallocks]

Gavin Thornbury must still be injured given Wycherley is in the squad.

[CiaranIrl]

Wow - even in a 50 man squad there’s no room for John Cooney

No room for Luke McGrath or Kieran Marmion either.

Looks like Zebo needs to earn his recall on the pitch rather than just show up.

Nice to see Connors back.

The really big omission is Ross Byrne. The missed opportunity to get a new player in is Scott Penny.

Fair enough call on Zebo.
Penny for Connors is a missed opportunity.

Replace Connors with Timony or Boyle and you might be on to something. Penny and Connons both have the potential to become Ireland stalwarts. Neither of Boyle or Timony do. It's tokenism to include them.

[betty swallocks]

No room for Luke McGrath or Kieran Marmion either.

Looks like Zebo needs to earn his recall on the pitch rather than just show up.

Nice to see Connors back.

The really big omission is Ross Byrne. The missed opportunity to get a new player in is Scott Penny.

Fair enough call on Zebo.
Penny for Connors is a missed opportunity.

Replace Connors with Timony or Boyle and you might be on to something. Penny and Connons both have the potential to become Ireland stalwarts. Neither of Boyle or Timony do. It's tokenism to include them.

Tokenism? Cannot agree with that. Both Boyle and Timoney deliver week-in, week-out with their teams to a high standard. Timoney will cede starts to Vermeulen at Ulster this season, but stretching it to suggest his or Boyle's selection is tokenism. Would Scott Penny get in a first choice Leinster back-row? Or even a second-choice one? That's the appropriate context in the discussion of potential international selection.

[ronk]

The appropriate context is the best use of national coaching teams resources to prepare the Ireland team.

Faz already picked Harry Byrne ahead of Ross Byrne but if there was a big Ireland game next week, who would he start? In the context that he wants to develop Harry Byrne as possibly better in future then is makes sense. Same explains why Marty Moore doesn't go but O'Toole does.

Penny has a brilliant age grade record breaking into the Leinster team remarkably early. He's clearly the option of the future and possibly is now. I'd be confident enough if I saw his name opposite theirs on a team sheet.

Boyle and Timoney are decent players entering the prime of their careers who are unlikely to make any major impact on the Irish team. Maybe Faz wants to kick their tires (and see if they jump a level) but there could be political dimensions.

Josh Murphy would be a more direct comparison. He's doing it for Leinster. He probably doesn't have the ceiling that suggests he should get prioritized for elite coaching.

I think most fans would expect Penny to be far ahead of them in 2-3 years. But Penny turned down a move. Timoney did the 7s when asked, Boyle getting picked does mean that fans won't see Connacht players as being ignored.

[betty swallocks]

The appropriate context is the best use of national coaching teams resources to prepare the Ireland team.

Faz already picked Harry Byrne ahead of Ross Byrne but if there was a big Ireland game next week, who would he start? In the context that he wants to develop Harry Byrne as possibly better in future then is makes sense. Same explains why Marty Moore doesn't go but O'Toole does.

Penny has a brilliant age grade record breaking into the Leinster team remarkably early. He's clearly the option of the future and possibly is now. I'd be confident enough if I saw his name opposite theirs on a team sheet.

Boyle and Timoney are decent players entering the prime of their careers who are unlikely to make any major impact on the Irish team. Maybe Faz wants to kick their tires (and see if they jump a level) but there could be political dimensions.

Josh Murphy would be a more direct comparison. He's doing it for Leinster. He probably doesn't have the ceiling that suggests he should get prioritized for elite coaching.

I think most fans would expect Penny to be far ahead of them in 2-3 years. But Penny turned down a move. Timoney did the 7s when asked, Boyle getting picked does mean that fans won't see Connacht players as being ignored.

Decent points Ronk and I don't disagree with you on Boyle and Timoney. I'm not sure Penny's ceiling is as high as you think which may be Farrell's view at the moment too.

[ronk]

Maybe. Obviously the lack of HC action is a factor for international but I'd see that as a reason to evaluate him in camp.

He's rising fast and already has 16 tries from 29 appearances, as an openside.

James Davies had a similar issue to Penny. Highly effective on the pitch but there were questions over his size and it held him back for a while until he forced his way in anyway. But it hurt Wales that he was ignored for so long. As an aside, it was his partnership with Beirne that was decisive (for both of them), it's simple enough to play around one nuisance player. Two is a lot harder.

Also I actually Timoney has a higher ceiling than he is credited for. He's very quick, and if there are ways to leverage that the same way it was possible with Beirne then it could be very effective.

[Ruckedtobits]

Maybe. Obviously the lack of HC action is a factor for international but I'd see that as a reason to evaluate him in camp.

He's rising fast and already has 16 tries from 29 appearances, as an openside.

James Davies had a similar issue to Penny. Highly effective on the pitch but there were questions over his size and it held him back for a while until he forced his way in anyway. But it hurt Wales that he was ignored for so long. As an aside, it was his partnership with Beirne that was decisive (for both of them), it's simple enough to play around one nuisance player. Two is a lot harder.

Also I actually Timoney has a higher ceiling than he is credited for. He's very quick, and if there are ways to leverage that the same way it was possible with Beirne then it could be very effective.

+1.
Anybody who under-rates Timoney or Boyle (as an opponent) may live to regret it.

[CiaranIrl]

Maybe. Obviously the lack of HC action is a factor for international but I'd see that as a reason to evaluate him in camp.

He's rising fast and already has 16 tries from 29 appearances, as an openside.

James Davies had a similar issue to Penny. Highly effective on the pitch but there were questions over his size and it held him back for a while until he forced his way in anyway. But it hurt Wales that he was ignored for so long. As an aside, it was his partnership with Beirne that was decisive (for both of them), it's simple enough to play around one nuisance player. Two is a lot harder.

Also I actually Timoney has a higher ceiling than he is credited for. He's very quick, and if there are ways to leverage that the same way it was possible with Beirne then it could be very effective.

+1.
Anybody who under-rates Timoney or Boyle (as an opponent) may live to regret it.

I don't underrate them as opponent players. They're excellent at club level. But they simply don't have the ability to make it at international level. Penny has that. It's daft to include them and not Penny. Time will prove me right.

[neill_m]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... M&mode=amp

USA v Ireland set to be cancelled. Seems they were banking on a good number of Irish fans to travel to Vegas, but the game falls a couple of days before USA opens its borders etc.

[Fan with smartphone]

https://www.the42.ie/ireland-a-team-far ... 7-Nov2021/

[Ruckedtobits]

Ireland have a further 8 games during the course of this 2021-22 season with five 6N games and a three test tour of NZ. If Farrell can identify one player in each of those games who can be a part of his 2023 RWC Squad, he will have the entire 2022-23 season to hone that Squad during the 8 games and, possibly, two pre-RWC fixtures, before he takes his Squad to France.

That places him in a very good position to copperfasten and develop the style of play which has emerged over the past three months. Certainly he will expect that other countries will be evolving tactics to restrict or counteract the Irish style and that is why it is essential that Ireland must continue to evolve the way we play.

Perhaps the most critical element we must transform is how we use ball within 5/10m of the opponent's line. I calculate that we have a scoring ratio of less than 1/10 from such opportunities at present. Leinster appear to be slightly more successful at something like 1/6 but even this ratio of success is not good enough and doesn't justify the pick-and-jamb tactic which has prevailed for the past four seasons or more at Provincial and international level.

No doubt, the backroom analysts have researched what other teams are doing in these positions and what moves / principles are most successful. Equally, if they have identified alternatives that may work, Farrell will then have decide just when he should unveil such moves. It's worth noting that Rugby League, where it is impossible under the rules to pick-and-jam, may well provide the richest seam of close in try-scoring options and this is territory very familiar to Farrell.

There is a lot of potential development in the Irish Squad. Certainly, the search for a back-up / replacement for Sexton is top of the list but there is no reason it should become an obsession.

[ronk]

Chipping through gives up a goal line drop out instead of a 22 if it's short. That's one tactic. Drop goals another.