Team for Irish on Sunday

[WiggoTiger]

My preferred team would be:

15: Murphy
14: Smith
13: Manu
12: 12T
11: Agulla
10: Ford
9: Youngs/Grindal

8: TTE
7: Croft
6: Mafi
5: Parling
4: Skivington
3: Mulipola
2: TYoungs
1. Ayerza

Reps:

Castro
Cole
Chutes
Kitchener
Salvi
Newby
Youngs/Grindal
Hamilton
Flood


Ideas??

[Tigerbeat]

Harrison is likely to be available. Youngs has had little game time during the Six Nations. I would expect to see them start with Youngs & Flood with Ford and Harrison on the bench.

Twelvetrees and Manu in the centres. Agulla and Hamilton or A Tuilagi on the wings.

[longlivethecrumbie]

Not sure I can see Crofty starting at 7. Most likely England's starters will be on the bench and Youngs to start ahead of Grinds

[TigerAlex]

I think Flood might get picked be ahead of Ford so that Ford has a bit of a break. I would expect Ford to be on the bench and I would hope he'd get a decent chunk of game time too.

I also think Mafi might be moved back to the second row for Skivington, Croft at 6 and Salvi at 7. Mafi may even be benched or dropped all together because I think he's been playing quite a lot of rugby recently, in which case I'd predict Slater to partner Parling in the second row (or be on the bench in place of Kitchener). I also have a sneaking suspicion that Chuter will be back in the starting XV.

[WhitecapTiger]

Not sure about Croft at 7, rather see Salvi in there from the start myself, but then it would come down to croft or mafi at 6? A somewhat nice but frustrating conundrum!

I think we'd have to go with Castro/Cole at TH and Ayerza/Mulipola at LH see how the rampaging samoan goes on the other side of the scrum, this might be the game to try it.

And is Alex T injured? Again I think for the notnots I'd go with him instead of Matt Smith, nothing personal to Matt, just think Alex would create more chaos (hopefully not in our own ranks )

[Daveyboy]

Ed Slater must be chomping at the bit!

I agree that Croft is not a 7 at all. He has never looked comfortable when he has played that role. I, too, would expect a Youngs/ Flood starting half back combination.

The way everyone else has been playing, it almost doesn't matter who gets selected!

[BJ.]

Why have two tightheads on the bench? I know Castro can cover both sides but if Boris is fit, I'd give him the bench spot. Also I would rest Logo and go with Dan & Castro; rest Skivs and bring in Slater and swap Croft for Salvi.

[PM76]

My side would be:

15. Murphy
14. Agulla
13. Manu
12. Twelvetrees (presumably AA is still out)
11. A. Tuilagi/ Hamilton (If Alex is fit he starts IMO)
10. Flood
9. Youngs
8. Waldrom
7. Salvi
6. Mafi
5. Kitchener
4. Slater
3. Cole
2. Chuter
1. Ayerza

16. T.Youngs
17. Mulipola (Covering LH, he will be needed there next season)
18. Castro
19. Parling
20. Croft
21. Harrison/ Young
22. Ford
23. Smith

IMO Mafi should not play in the second row, his lurking on the wing in the Croft mould is great but when both do it we struggle to retain enough ball and a typical 4 like Slater who hits rucks all day is needed. Kitchener has been playing just as well as Mafi and deserves a start too IMO. Bringing Parling, Croft, Ford, Youngs and Mulipola off the bench would allow us to take the game away from Irish. It always seems to be close down there but I do think we can pick up the win, 5 points would be nice, but unlikely.

[Nailsworthstiger]

If we start with Bill's cavalry, we can quickly get the 4 tries and then bring on the bench for the cavalry to rest up!

I note no one is mentioning Newby at 7. Is he a forgotten man?

[Daveyboy]

Playing Craig Newby at 8 and giving TTTE a well-earned rest wouldn't be such a bad idea.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Ayerza, Chuter, Castro, Kitchener, Skivington, Mafi, Newby, Salvi, Youngs, Flood, AT, 12T, Smith, Agulla, GM. Reps: Mulipola, Cole, Youngs, Croft, TTE, Harrison, Ford, Manu.

The above is presuming they are all fit & Slater is still injured.

[mightymouse]

The man I would give the break to would be Castro

he broke ribs and was rushed back for Italy too early and went off again - I would rest him and ensure he is fully fighting fit for the run in.

Stanko picked up a calf problem on Sunday - he also may not be fit.

That would leave Cole and Marcos starting and Julian and Loggo on the bench.

I might be tempted to start with Ford - he is such a sublime kicker of the ball he reminds me of and old fashioned 10 who keeps turning the opposition by putting the ball in the corner and finding touch (Hurrah at last!! - someone can do it) - and then his up and unders are an art form as they hang and allow for a great chase - and Billy like all good old fashoined Centres has got that off to a fine art also. In my nostalgic moments young Ford reminds me when kicking of the great John Rutherford - wonderful to watch - let Floody fight for that shirt!!

Marcos
Big George
Dan
Skivvers
Geoff
Crofty
TTTE
Salvers

Youngsy the younger
Little George

Bubbles
Billy TT
Manu
Horatio

Geordy

Bench
Julian
Youngsy the elder
Loggo
Kitch (maybe Slats if fit)
Maff (or possible rest and give Ben Woods a run out)
Grinders
Floody
Smiggy

Now that is a damn fine squad

and we still have Tait, Alex, Hawkins, Brookes, Deacs and a few more all unfit

[Smurphswillgetya]

I would go for the following:
1. Ayerza
2. Chuter
3. Cole
4. Slater(if fit)/Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Croft
7. Newby
8. TTE
9. B Youngs
10. Flood
11. AT(if fit)/Bubbles
12. Billy
13. Manu
14. Agulla
15. GM

Subs:
T Youngs
L Mulipola
Castro(if fit)/White
Ford
Harrison(if fit)/Steele
Mafi
Smith/Bubbles

I would give Castro more time to recover and Mafi deserves a rest.

[leybournetiger]

On his performance over the last three games I would start with Kitch in the second row with the returning Parling.
He should certainly start over Skivs on both form and development.

[tigerburnie]

I would be surprised to see any of the England team from last week start,except perhaps YBY and Toby,so I doubt Dan Cole will start.