Thursday, June 23, 2016

Wins for Ireland and the U20's! You read it here first!

 
 Tiernan O'Halloran

It’s all down to the wire for Ireland in South Africa this weekend, as we get the chance to wrap up a famous series win after letting it slip away last weekend. Already down a few players, we’re now down two stalwarts of the last few years as Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw have both out with injuries (Robbie injured already before he’s made his Leinster debut!). So in centre we have Olding and Marshall – they have played together but really I’d have preferred to see Stuart McCloskey there – he’s a beast and has a great understanding with Marshall. However In Joe We Trust! Then in the pack we get Jordi and CJ back, and at the back a debut for Tiernan O’Halloran – I hope he’s put in some tackling practise.

Warren Whiteley and Ruan Combrinck are staring for the Springboks this week, both performers last weekend.  Port Elizabeth is the venue, not one of the traditional touring venues, and at sea level.

I’m going to stick my neck out, I think our systems are better, and we’re going to take this match and the series!

And at 7 on Saturday the U20’s get to take on England, in their first ever final. England are a massive team, and they got a good track record in this tournament. But…have to go with Ireland, nearly looking forward to that as much the Springbok match!

Finally, I’m expecting both New Zealand and England to wrap up series whitewashes.

Ireland: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Stuart Olding, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Matt Healy

New Zealand v Wales     8:35 AM
Australia v England     11:00 AM
Argentina v France    7:10 PM
South Africa v Ireland     4:00 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment