Ireland Rugby

Following last year’s heroics in claiming the Grand Slam, most neutrals would consider Irish rugby to have suffered a major hangover this season.

The national side performed poorly in the Six Nations with consideration to the high standards they have set themselves with several recent Triple Crown successes.

They were outplayed and outmuscled by the French in Paris and were shell-shocked by a Dan Parks-inspired Scotland in the last ever international fixture to be played at temporary home, Croke Park.

However, the lack of success at national level this season appears to have only instilled more hunger into players at provincial level.

Leinster are enjoying another excellent season, as they currently top the Magners League table and are still on course in the hunt for European glory.

The current holders of the Heineken Cup just about squeezed through their clash with Clermont Auvergne by the minimum difference and have every chance of retaining their crown they captured for the first time in 2009.

Outright favourites, Toulouse, await the Dublin-based side at the Stadium Municipal Toulouse next weekend and will offer Brian O’Driscoll and company one of the toughest tests of their careers.

Meanwhile, for Ireland’s most well known and successful side, Munster, it's just business as usual with a usual high-lying position in the Magners, while still being in with a chance of European glory.

Like Leinster, they travel to France to take on Biarritz at the semi final stage in search of yet another Heineken Cup final appearance and are marginal favourites to progress.

They appear to be coming into form at the right time and will be quietly confident of making it to the final at least.

Ulster are the only Irish side without a chance of collecting silverware at this stage, but still have had some high points, with the home win over Stade Francais being such an example.

They narrowly failed to qualify from the group stage, but have since endured a worrying dip in form in the Magners League, which could cost the side dearly on and off the field.

The reasoning for this is simple.

The IRFU use the leagues as a basis to decide which three of its teams qualify for the Heineken Cup which, to date, has always been Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

But the fourth professional side have been gaining considerable ground on Ulster, leaving the northerners needing to pick up vital points sooner rather than later to secure qualification.

To be fair to Connacht, the traditional whipping boys in Irish rugby, they do not have the resources to compete at the level of the other three provinces.

But they have performed above expectations yet again, having reached the reached the semi-final stage of the Amlin Challenge Cup, where they will host a Jonny Wilkinson inspired Toulon outfit next weekend.

On paper, the current Top 14 leaders will provide an immense challenge for the Westerners and it is difficult to see the French side coming.

They are a credit to outgoing director of rugby, Michael Bradley, who has decided to move on at the end of the season after seven years in charge.

However, with recent and perhaps unfortunate narrow defeats to Munster and Leinster in the Magners League, they are certainly the two sides capable of turning over another French side.

Just ask Montpellier and Bourgoin, some of Connacht’s scalps along the way so far.

The only player to amass 1000 points in Heineken Cup history. Record points holder in the 6 nations. Ireland and Munster's highest ever points scorer. 2 Heineken cups, A Grand Slam, Magners League and Celtic Cup winner.

But is he really the best fly-half the northern hemisphere has to offer?, is he rightfully the favourite to start against South Africa?, and if he is, what does that say about the North's standard of fly-halves?

As an Ireland supporter, despite his Irish Sportsman of the Year award in 2004 I'm not sold one bit on Ronan O'Gara as even this country's current first choice fly-half.

The reasons are simple: There are too many glaring faults in his game.

Bad enough they be exposed in an Ireland shirt, worse again that they be exposed in a Lions Shirt.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -The man cannot tackle. Is that a cardboard cutout of O Gara being run over? After further replays and slow motion analysis it seems obvious that it is indeed the real O'Gara being steamrollered...This is an all to frequent occurrence in a typical Ronan O Gara performance. 

Of course, all is forgiven if his kicks go over, right?

Wrong. A team is only as strong as its weakest link. And World Champions South Africa have too many options with which to attack the Lions to have a liability on the field like O'Gara running around like a delirious schoolgirl in heat.

O'Gara's other glaring fault is when he is in possession. Or should I say for the 2 seconds he is in possession before he throws the ball into outer space or kicks the ball into oblivion.

What is O'Gara trying to do sometimes? Pundits never really pick up on it. Maybe because O'Gara does it so often anyway theres no point flagging it anymore.

In football its called 'trying the Hollywood ball'. That is the ambition and scope of what is being attempted is fit only for a cinema screen-not a real live action professional rugby game against heavyweights like Leinster, France and the occasion of the upcoming tests against South Africa.

It would be nice if someone could tell O'Gara that the chances of a grubber or kick to the wing are fairly low even with the best of vision and intentions as the bounce of the ball is not very predictable in rugby owing to the nature of the ball.

This is a hundred times truer when, like yesterday with a 3 v 2 situation on the right wing against the Sharks there was just no need to kick. Aside from his decision making, this gives rise to the question whether O'Gara actually feels comfortable running with the ball.

If he is unwilling afraid to go into contact with the ball, as a profesional rugby player, representing the best the Britain and Ireland have to offer, this is hugely dissappointing. Not to mention, it also makes him very predictable to the opponent.

If O'Gara plays and gives away possession so recklessly against a team like the Springboks, people will finally know exactly how annoying I found it when he did it against New Zealand for Ireland. But it will be a test too late.

O'Gara has many things in his locker. He's very consistent in things he is good at. he has proven experience and has toured with the Lions before. He is certainly up there with the best fly-halves in Northern rugby but for the love of Pete, James Hook must start against South Africa. 

Whether it should be O'Gara or Stephen Jones on standby, I leave you the reader to decide.  

Despite coming into the test match as 30 point underdogs, the USA Eagles put together a strong effort in the face of the long odds.

On the receiving end of 80 minutes of bruising play, Ireland found themselves lucky to escape with a 27-10 victory in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

While Irish fans will quickly note that the Ireland team was devoid of their best players, who are on tour with the British & Irish Lions, the same could also be said of the USA squad, which was missing a handful of key players including Todd Clever and Paul Emerick.

With the lion’s share of the second half possession, the Eagles found themselves unlucky to be down 20-0 midway through the second half. With a recent history of crumbling in the last 20 minutes of games, the USA kept strong and cut the lead to 20-10 before Ireland snuck in one last try by captain Rory Best in the closing minutes.

“They gave it their all for 80 minutes, so overall I’m pretty happy,” USA Eagles Coach Eddie O’Sullivan said. “They pushed us around in the rolling mauls, but our scrums were as good as could be. We made some mistakes, but what’s nice is that the mistakes we did make are fixable.”

Were it not for an atrocious kicking day by Eagle flyhalf Mike Hercus, it could have been a very different game. Hercus missed four penalty attempts, each one progressively easier, before being pulled in the 57th minute in favor of Ata Malifa.

A late hit penalty by Hercus on Ireland scrumhalf Peter Stringer in the 52nd minute directly led to an Ireland try. The rough outing for the long-time Eagle stalwart certainly changed the outcome of the game.

Ireland got on the board first when Mick O’Driscoll scored off of a driving maul from a lineout deep in the Eagle half in the 14th minute. With the updated laws in effect, the maul can no longer be pulled down and the Irish side used te rule well throughout the match.

In fact, it was their only real offensive weapon against the aggressive Eagles' defense.

The Eagles fared very well at the scrum, creating a good platform throughout the game. The other set piece, the lineout, was a mess for the entire first half.

New cap, Chris Biller, had a rough day throwing in the lineouts. After losing six straight, Biller was replaced early in the second half by Joe Welch, which shored up things as the Eagles went on to win four of their last five lineouts.

The lineout is a definite area of improvement for the Eagles as they repeatedly ruined good opportunities in the first half with botched lineouts.

Ireland extended their lead to 8-0 in the 23rd minute with a penalty kick from Ian Keatley.

Having played defense for most of the first half, USA began putting some pressure on Ireland , resulting in three penalty attempts in the next ten minutes of play.

All nine points were left adrift as Hercus missed on all three attempts.The first attempt was difficult, by any standard, but the other two should have been made. Instead Ireland was left with a 8-0 lead, which they extended to 13-0 just before halftime with a try from inside center Ian Whitten.

With the game slowly escaping them, the USA defense held strong and the big hits kept on coming.

The back row of Louis Stanfill, Peter Dahl, and Nic Johnson had an especially good day in defense and produced some very big hits. Johnson also put in plenty of hard yards with the ball as the USA used a very structured froward attack on offense that kept the ball away from Ireland throughout much of the second half. Mike MacDonald and nep cap Will Johnson were also a nice pairing in the front row and the locks were all active in the game, giving much hope for the future of the USA forward pack.

The Eagles had yet another chance to get on the scoreboard in the 48th minute with a penalty right in front of the goal posts. Sadly, another attempt just missed for Hercus and the score remained 13-0 in favor of Ireland.

Shortly after, Ireland extended their lead to 20-0 after a penalty try that came from another driving maul from a lineout deep in the USA half. The lineout was set up by a late hit penalty by Hercus, which rounded out his miserable day.

“If a couple of things would have gone just a bit differently, we would have seen a much closer scoreline,” O’Sullivan said. “But that’s the way things go, you don’t always get what you deserve. What is dangerous is when you make a couple mistakes and the wheels come off and the score begins to get out of control. I never got that feeling today, they just dug in there until the very end. They played their way out of some of their mistakes and that was very positive to see.”

The Eagle’s backs lacked a real attacking edge most of the afternoon, but that changed when Malifa came on at flyhalf for Hercus.

Within minutes of being on the pitch, Roland Suniula made a big break off of a turnover and took it deep into Ireland territory. Down 20 points, Malifa opted for a drop goal instead of trying to push in for a try. The successful attempt denied Ireland any chance of a shutout and buoyed the Eagle attack.

“It’s a psychological thing,” Malifa explained following the match. “You don’t want to look at the scoreboard and see a zero. It allowed us some go-forward.”

The USA squad struck again in the 64th minute when the Eagles went quick on a penalty and pushed into the Ireland half of the field. Malifa made a nice break through the Irish line and offloaded to Suniula in support for the Eagles' first try of 2009. Malifa added the conversion to cut Ireland’s lead to 20-10.

Ireland added one last try in the dying moments of the game to push their lead to 27-10 and seal victory.

It was a loss for the Eagles, but the 80 minute effort did not go unnoticed. Even with plenty of new players in action, USA played with plenty of conviction and committment—ingredients that have sometimes been lacking in recent years, especially at the breakdown where the Eagles continually caused problems for Ireland.

For the first time in years, the Eagles actually looked like they had a defined style of play instead of simply living off of mistakes handed to them.

The forwards were well organized, played hard, and while the backs lacked punch, they looked dangerous late in the game. Malifa added spark and Suniula had a solid day in attack and on defense.

New cap, Kevin Swiryn also had a solid day on the wing, mostly in defense, but showed strength with the ball and made a couple nice solo tackles including one that saved a try.

Suprisingly, it was the two most experienced backs that had rough days in Hercus and fullback Chris Wyles who looked out of sorts at times during the match.

In all, it was a very encouraging effort out of the Eagles. Now comes the hard task of backing it up this weekend against Wales.

“This was a starting point and we will continue to improve upon our mistakes. There’s no doubt they will be better next week,” O’Sullivan added.

USA takes on Wales June 6 at Toyota Park in Chicago before turning around and traveling to Denver for its first Churchill Cup match June 10 against the Argentina Jaguars.

Ireland 27, USA 10

USA Try: Suniula
USA Conversion: Malifa
USA Drop Goal: Malifa
Ireland Tries: O’Driscoll, Whitten, Best
Ireland Conversions: Keatley 2
Ireland Penalties: Keatley

USA Lineup:
15 - Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)
14 - Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach RFC)*
13 - Junior Sifa (Middleton RFC)
12 - Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)*
11 - Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins RFC)
10 - Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
9 - Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) Captain
1 - Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)
2 - Chris Biller (California)*
3 - Will Johnson (Oxford University)*
4 - John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians RFC)
5 - Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)
6 - Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
7 - Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore RFC)*
8 - Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC)*

Replacements:
16 -Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
17 - Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
18 - Courtney Mackay (Counties Manukau)
19 - J.J. Gagiani (Univ. of Cape Town)
20 - Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)*
21 - Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)*
22 - Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)

Ireland Lineup:
15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12 - Ian Whitten (Ballymena/Ulster)
11 - Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)
10 - Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
1 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
3 - Mike Ross (Harlequins)
4 - Bob Casey (London Irish)
5 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
8 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
19 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (London Wasps)
21 - Niall O’Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
22 - Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)*

The USA Men’s National Team, the USA Eagles, and the Ireland National Team have named their starting lineups for the Setanta Challenge Cup on set to take place on Sunday, May 31 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The third annual Setanta Challenge Cup kicks off the Eagles international season as it faces the reigning RBS 6 Nations and Grand Slam Champions, Ireland, and marks former Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan’s first match at the helm of the USA Eagles.

“It is an honor to face Ireland in my first test as Eagles Head Coach. It will be a little strange to face off against a team that I know so well, but at the same time for me that will make the occasion even more special,” Eagles Head Coach Eddie O’Sullivan said.

The U.S. lineup has a fresh look and will see a total of eight new caps awarded, six of which will be in the starting 15. Led by the USA’s 2007 Rugby World Cup prop Mike MacDonald, the forward pack will see four players new to the Eagles squad, including a new hooker and tighthead prop in Chris Biller and Will Johnson, respectively.

John Van der Giessen, a member of the 2007 RWC team, will be joined by Hayden Smith in the second row, while 2007 RWC flanker Louis Stanfill is joined by flanker Peter Dahl and No. 8 Nic Johnson.

In the back line, the U.S. has a little more experience, as Kevin Swiryn and Roland Suniula are the only two uncapped players named to the starting lineup, even though they have both picked up quite a bit of international playing experience with the USA 7’s squad for nearly a year now.

With the start, Swiryn completes his meteoric rise into the USA  squad. Just a year removed from being a collegiate All-American, Swiryn worked his way onto the USA 7's team and quickly became one of the top players on the IRB 7's Series. His starting spot at center could be just the first of very many in a budding rugby career.

Anchoring the experience in the backline is veteran flyhalf, and All-Time USA points leader, Mike Hercus, while Mike Petri returns at scrumhalf and takes the reigns as captain of the side while Todd Clever is still playing with his professional club in South Africa.

Junior Sifa, Justin Boyd and Chris Wyles all return as well to give the back line a threatening edge.

“Despite the unavailability of a lot of our players, I believe we have still assembled a very competitive squad, with a good balance of youth and experience. The fact that we don’t have quite a few of our usual players, allows me the opportunity to get a good look at the depth of our squad,” O’Sullivan said.

“With seven games ahead in as many weeks we will get to see everyone in our Eagles pool play and although Ireland is the start of this year’s campaign, our ultimate goal comes at the end of the summer and will be qualifying for the Rugby World Cup.

"Ireland is coming off a test against Canada, which gives them an advantage, but our players have to start somewhere and I’m confident they’ll give it their all in this first test of the season.”

In both team’s first match of the season, Ireland beat Canada, 25-6, just a week ago at the University of British Columbia. Although, that scoreline proved much closer than it had been previously, Ireland’s head coach, Declan Kidney, has only made one change to the lineup set to play the USA this Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Tight head prop Mike Ross comes into the front row to make his first start after coming off the bench last Saturday against Canada to win his first cap.

Ross’s inclusion means Tony Buckley moves from the right side of the scrum to loose head prop. The reshuffle sees Tom Court move to the replacements to fill the vacancy made by Ross’s elevation to the starting team.

The rest of the pack remains unchanged with Mick O’Driscoll named in the side despite picking up a slight wrist sprain during the game last week. As a precaution, Leinster second row Devin Toner has been called into the squad.

Toner, who was also named in the Churchill Cup squad, will join up with the team later today and will remain on with the other members of the senior squad who will be taking part in the Churchill Cup in Denver which begins in early June.

“We felt that after last weeks game against Canada that the players who started deserved another chance to improve on that performance,” Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said.

“We thought long and hard about making further changes to the side, but with only two full training sessions under their belts before the Canada game, we thought that it would be better to give an opportunity for the same players and combinations to find their feet a bit more with some more sessions to work off.”

Another addition to the squad is Alan Gaffney, who was involved with Leinster’s Heineken Cup win on Saturday but will be now working in his Ireland capacity as backs coach for the remainder of the tour and the Churchill Cup.

“We need to lift our levels from the Canada game if we want to put in a performance that can put us in a position to win. There was a little lack of cohesion in Vancouver which was possibly down to the number of new combinations and the eight new caps we had,” said Ireland Captain Rory Best.

“The game on Sunday gives us a chance to build on last week and will require another huge effort in work rate to allow us to compete with the USA team who will be a real challenge for us playing them at home. The conditions have intensified with the heat a big factor as well as the physical threat that the opposition bring to the game.”

The showdown between the USA and Ireland will begin at 1:00 p.m. (PST).

USA Eagles Lineup

15 - Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)
14 - Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach RFC)*
13 - Junior Sifa (Middleton RFC)
12 - Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)*
11 - Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins RFC)
10 - Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
9 - Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) Captain

1 - Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)
2 - Chris Biller (California)*
3 - Will Johnson (Oxford University)*
4 - John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians RFC)
5 - Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)
6 - Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
7 - Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore RFC)*
8 - Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC)*

Replacements
16 - Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
17 - Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
18 - Courtney Mackay (Counties Manukau)
19 - J.J. Gagiani (Univ. of Cape Town)
20 - Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)*
21 - Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)*
22 - Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)

Not considered due to injury: (5)

Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs) Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore RFC), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), Rikus Pretorius (Olympic Club Rugby)

Considered but unavailable: (13)

Todd Clever (Golden Lions), Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma), Troy Hall (Old Blue RFC), Brian Lemay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds RFC), Samu Mona (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic) Mike Palefau (Las Vegas RFC), Thretton Palamo (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC) Euan Sadden (Old Blue RFC), Kort Schubert (Olympic Club Rugby), Salesi Sika (Castres), Ben Weidemer (Belmont Shore RFC) Matt Wyatt (New York Athletic Club Rugby)

Ireland Lineup

15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12 - Ian Whitten (Ballymena/Ulster)
11 - Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)
10 - Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)

1 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
3 - Mike Ross (Harlequins)
4 - Bob Casey (London Irish)
5 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
8 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements

16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
19 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (London Wasps)
21 - Niall O’Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
22 - Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)*

*denotes uncapped player

USA Summer Schedule

USA v Ireland, Sunday, May 31, Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
USA v Wales, Saturday, June 6, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Churchill Cup

USA v Argentina Jaguars, Wednesday, June 10, Infinity Park, Glendale, CO
USA v England Saxons, Sunday, June 14, Infinity Park, Glendale, CO
Churchill Cup Finals, Sunday, June 21, Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO

2011 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers

USA v Canada, Saturday, July 4, Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, SC
USA v Canada, Saturday, July 11, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

USA and Ireland National Rugby teams have named their squads for the Setanta Challenge Cup set to take place on May 31 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

The third annual Setanta Challenge Cup kicks off the USA Eagles’ international season as they face the reigning RBS 6 Nations and Grand Slam champions, Ireland.

The match also marks former Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan’s first match at the helm of the USA.

“It is great to be back coaching at the international level again and I’m looking forward to the challenge immensely,” said O’Sullivan.

“It is also an honor to face Ireland in my first test as Eagles head coach. It will be a little strange to face off against a team that I know so well, but at the same time for me that will make the occasion even more special.”

O’Sullivan named his squad off the heels of his first training camp with the domestic players last weekend (May 8-10). The US squad for this match and the subsequent test against Wales on June 6 includes a fairly even split of experience and youth in the forward pack.

Led by the USA’s 2007 Rugby World Cup props Mike MacDonald and Mate Moeakiola, the forwards include six new players to the Eagles side, while 2007 RWC players John van der Giessen and Louis Stanfill also return to lead the locks and loose forwards respectively.

Due to injury and unavailability, O’Sullivan has only been able to name one hooker and one scrumhalf in the pool. The second hooker and scrumhalf will be named early next week after reviewing this weekend’s Super League performances.

In the backline, the US has a little more experience with just four uncapped players with the Eagles XV side and five players who played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Namely Mike Hercus, Mike Petri, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Chris Wyles and Salesi Sika all return to give the Eagles’ backline a threatening edge.

“Despite the unavailability of 13 players, I believe we have still assembled a very competitive squad, with a good balance of youth and experience,” O’Sullivan added.

“With seven games ahead in as many weeks there is no doubt that the depth of our playing pool will be tested to the limit. Ireland is the first step on the road and judging by the energy and intensity displayed at our Denver training camp last weekend, the players are fired up for our first test of the season.”

The Ireland squad named for this upcoming match will be captained by Rory Best and also shows a mixture of youth in addition to a strong spine of experience. The Irish team will play two international matches on their tour to North America, one each against Canada and the USA.

With Leinster qualified for the Heineken Cup final on May 23, the same day as the test match against Canada, and 13 players travelling to South Africa with the British & Irish Lions, as well as any possible replacements being called up, the Ireland tour provides an opportunity for players to put themselves in the frame for next season, bringing 12 uncapped players along on tour.

“When we confirmed the tour back in January, we were always hopeful some of the provinces and players would be involved in the Heineken or Challenge Cup finals and we would also be without any players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour,” Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said.

“We felt that it would be a chance for the national management to work closely with a larger pool of players than we would normally do during the season and for players to come through at this level.

“We are continuing to try and build a squad and this tour is a real chance for players to stake a claim for the November games and next years championship.”

While several players are being rested for the tour, 12 capped players are also named in the travelling party with Peter Stringer, Bob Casey, Eoin Reddan, Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy among those lending their considerable experience for the tour.

The showdown between the USA and Ireland will begin at 1 p.m. (PST). Tickets start at just $10 and are on sale at www.tickets.com or 1-800-225-2277.

“One of our goals was to increase the number of international opponents in order to make our national teams more competitive,” USA Rugby’s CEO and President of Rugby, Nigel Melville said.

“This schedule is a very good step forward in many respects. We are playing stiff competition against top international sides, which is really the only way to gauge our development. And with the increased amount of matches across the US, as well as the number of games being broadcast, this is a great opportunity for fans to get behind the Eagles and create some momentum.”

US Eagles squad:
Forwards: Chris Biller (California), Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore), Pat Danahy (Dublin University FC), JJ Gagiano (Univ. Cape Town), Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians), Will Johnson (Oxford University), Scott Lavalla (Dublin University), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Courtney Mackay (Counties Manukau), Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis), Samu Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate), Shawn Pittman (Bayside), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Louis Stanfill (NYAC), John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)

Backs:
Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins), Gavin DeBortolo (Eastern Suburbs, Australia), Taivalu Enosa (Tempe), Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays), Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic), Mike Petri (NYAC), Salesi Sika (Sporting Agen), Lotomau Junior Sifa (Middleton), Roland Suniula (Pearl City), Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers), Chris Wyles (Saracens)

Not considered due to injury:
Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Alec Parker (Aspen), Rikus Pretorius (Olympic Club)

Considered but unavailable:
Todd Clever (Golden Lions), Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma), Troy Hall (Old Blue), Brian Lemay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Mike Palefau (Las Vegas), Thretton Palamo (San Francisco Golden Gate) Euan Sadden (Old Blue), Kort Schubert (Olympic Club), Matt Wyatt (NYAC)

Ireland squad:
Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) - Captain, Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht), Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster), Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster),Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht), John Muldoon (Buccanneers/Connacht), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Niall O’Connor (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster) Mike Ross (Harlequins), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)

There are a few players in the current Ireland crop that are creating headlines, a few are also capturing imaginations—Rob Kearney is doing both, and at the age of 23, it’s likely that he’ll be doing both for some time to come.

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 90kg

Date of Birth: Mar. 26th, 1986

Birthplace: Dundalk, Ireland

Kearney has showed huge amounts of promise from an early age—he played for Leinster at both schoolboy and U-19 level before going onto represent them as a senior, scoring a hat-trick of tries on his debut for Leinster in the preseason friendly win over Parma.

He then made his Celtic League debut for Leinster in 2005 in a 22-20 defeat away to the Ospreys. He would go on to make 32 appearances in the competition, scoring eight tries, with three penalties during a period in September 2006, when usual place kicker Felipe Contepomi was injured.

Kearney then played in his first Heineken Cup game in a 19-22 defeat against Bath at the RDS later that same season. It was the first of 10 appearances scoring 4 tries in the process.

His early CV at international level also reads well representing Ireland at schoolboy, U-19 and A level before he was called up to the senior squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship. He was first called into the Irish training squad for 2005’s Autumn Internationals and toured with Ireland A in the summer playing in the Churchill Cup.

In April 2007, he was named in the Irish squad to tour Argentina in the summer – during which he made his debut. During the 2008 Six Nations Championship he scored 2 tries, one against Scotland and one against England, primarily playing on the wing.

Despite drawing rave reviews as Ireland’s established full-back, it’s easy to forget the bizarre early-season scenario which had Rob Kearney consistently out of position on the left wing.

After two superb turns at No 15 against New Zealand and Australia on Ireland’s summer tour—performances which earned lavish praise from a hard-to-impress Australian and New Zealand rugby media—it was widely expected Kearney would be locked in his preferred position for the foreseeable future.

However, Michael Cheika’s attempts to juggle his resources at Leinster meant Kearney was forced into the No 11 jersey as Girvan Dempsey and Isa Nacewa alternated at the back.

The upshot was that, when Declan Kidney was picking his team for the November series, the Louthman had no run of games in the position and was back on the touchline as the Ireland coach selected Keith Earls, Dempsey and Geordan Murphy at full-back on successive Saturdays.

It wasn’t until a run of games at fullback for Leinster in the New Year that Kearney had the chance to win back his preferred shirt. Fast forward a few months, and after assured displays against all teams in Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign, and Kearney is being touted as the Lions No 15 for this summer’s tour.

Can he fend off Lee Byrne to don the Test jersey?

In our latest series of player profiles on The Rugby Blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the candidates to wear the Lions jersey this summer. That way, when you are at the pub to watch the Tests, you can talk knowledgeably about players from every country and not just your own…

Jamie Heaslip, the Leinster and Ireland No.8, is fast becoming the "Superman" of Irish rugby and, if Ian McGeechan is listening to the clamoring from the rugby fraternity, could be the Superman of the Lions as well.

Born in Israel thanks to the wanderings of his father, retired Brigadier General Richard Heaslip who was there on duty with UNIFIL, Heaslip was late to arrive on the International and club scene despite impressive beginnings.

He starred in the 2004 U-21 World Cup in Scotland leading to a nomination for the IRB U-21 World Player of the Year award after Ireland finished as runners-up to New Zealand.

He didn’t make his debut for his provincial side, Leinster until March 2005. He has since gained 70 official senior games, scoring over 90 points, including two tries in the Heineken Cup.

After some strong performances in the Magners League, it wasn’t long until the young tyro was called into the Ireland set-up by then-coach Eddie O’Sullivan in 2005—first with Ireland ‘A’ then into the first team in 2006.

Heaslip’s astronomical rise to the top was attained in the Autumn tests in 2006 where he made his debut against the Pacific Islanders whilst also having the honour of being the 1000th Irish cap in the last international to be played at the old Lansdowne Road (Luke Fitzgerald became the 999th in the same match).

However, the consistent form of Dennis Leamy at No.8, Ireland’s steady progression prior to the World Cup, and, more specifically, Ireland’s back row meant that Heaslip was more of a squad player in the run-up to the World Cup, and then missed out on selection for the tournament altogether.

It wasn’t until the 2008 Six Nations, and some barnstorming performances in the Autumn Internationals in 2008—including a dynamic performance against the Barbarians at Kingsholm that Heaslip began to come to the forefront. The injury to Munsterman and No.8 incumbent, Dennis Leamy at the end of the 2007-08 season allowed Heaslip to announce himself on the International stage against New Zealand and the Springboks.

This step-up at the international level was mirrored with Leinster.

Heaslip was fast becoming a key member of the Leinster first XV, and was one of the new age of Irish players coming through the provinces’ youth systems (others include Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy).

His Six Nations appearances in the 2008 tournament were based on the Magners League form that both he and Leinster were showing on the way to claiming the title.

And Heaslip has kept up this form into the new season with Leinster, but most notably with Ireland. His super, side-step laden try against the French in the opening fixture of the 2009 Six Nations announced his talent to the rest of the European nations—a talent which Irish fans were all too familiar with.

It remains to be seen whether Ian McGeechan will opt for Heaslip as the backbone of his scrum in South Africa this summer, but with the performances he’s showing, the dynamism he’s playing with, and the confidence that he’s gained, Geech could do a lot worse!

By John White

• Guinness Premiership Predictions: Newcastle to beat Wasps? http://tinyurl.com/d4d6qj #
• Reminder: Caption Competition http://tinyurl.com/dgfvnv #
• Guinness Premiership: the race for the playoffs http://tinyurl.com/c4a7yv #
• James is desperate for a good week on superbru super 14. #
• Super 14 picks: Round 8 http://tinyurl.com/deznp4 #
• Rugby Nutrition: learn from the professionals http://tinyurl.com/dx8o6e #
• A diary of the Hong Kong Sevens 2009 http://tinyurl.com/dh7pv4 #
• Guinness Premiership Predictions for rearranged fixtures http://tinyurl.com/d96qet #
• IRB confirm new law experiments for next season http://tinyurl.com/df3u4x #
• Ireland Rugby lands new sponsorship deal with Puma http://tinyurl.com/d6aawn #
• Should Danny Cipriani tour with the Lions? http://tinyurl.com/d7xrye #
• Should the ELVs be abandoned? http://tinyurl.com/djxo42 #
• This week’s Twitter updates http://tinyurl.com/dkxg4p #

As if a first Grand Slam in 61 years was not enough, it has been announced today that all levels of rugby in Ireland will also benefit from a new sponsorship deal with Puma.

Luke Fitzgerald: nice kit

PUMA® and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced today a new partnership that sees the leading sportlifestyle brand become the official supplier and the official licensee of replica merchandise for Irish rugby.

The new deal will see PUMA supply team kit, replica kit, and training equipment for eight years starting from the beginning of the 2009/2010 season.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for PUMA and we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union, one of the world’s leading rugby teams,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA. “Their global reach, passion, heritage and dynamism match the PUMA brand perfectly. This long-term strategic partnership underlines PUMA’s reinforced commitment to further strengthen its position as one of the leading sportlifestyle brands.”

Philip Browne, CEO, Irish Rugby Football Union adds: “The IRFU is delighted to enter into this relationship with PUMA, an organisation, we feel, that not only understands rugby supporters but also has a proven track record in the sport.

"As a truly global iconic brand, PUMA is an ideal partner with the experience and ability to communicate with many consumer groups which we are confident will help us to secure the future of Irish rugby not only at the top level but right down into the grassroots of our game. With all of its proven technical experience, innovative product design and development and support systems, we are very excited about the future with PUMA and we look forward to a very successful partnership.”

A patchy but ultimately enthralling Six Nations campaign reached its breathless climax on Saturday, but already teams of the tournament have been put to bed and the focus shifts to the British and Irish Lions tour this summer.  

With half its teams tied on three wins each and even Grand Slam winners Ireland desperately narrow Six Nations campaign victors over England and Wales, the Six Nations has provided few dead certainties for the Lions team. Ian McGeechan and his coaching team will once again have the toughest selection job in rugby as they seek not simply to select the best fifteen players in the British Isles but to decide who will combine well with whom, how to blend flair with stability, and which players will gel as a team in the face of the most brutal defense in world rugby.

We start in the forwards, where the Lions will have to find the brawn to match the sheer bulk of the South African pack, the best line-out jumper in the world, and the beast that is Schalk Burger.  Man-mountain Andrew Sheridan has had a disappointing tournament and is likely to be warming the bench for the man who played all three tests four years ago, Gethin Jenkins.

Rock solid in the scrum and quick enough in the loose to tackle Hugo Southwell on the touchline, Jenkins' physical toughness was proved by the incredible 16 tackles he made against England in what both packs described as one of the most bruising matches they had ever played. He must start.

Only England's Phil Vickery made more that day, but he loses out in my XV despite a recent resurgence. Frequent treatment to his neck and recurrent poor discipline suggest there could be better options at loose-head. Adam Jones has had a good winter but may find the hard, running pitches and thin air of the Highveld too much. Euan Murray will hold the scrum steady and put in plenty of work with one of the others a useful option on the bench.

No man stands out at hooker: Lee Mears is busy without punching any holes and played his part in an unflappable English line-out, and Ross Ford has been solid for Scotland, but Rhys Jones’ throwing will hardly stand the Matfield test.  In the absence of an outstanding candidate the temptation is to choose Jerry Flannery in the hope he can reproduce the Munster and Ireland jumping chemistry with Paul O'Connell.

Lock Paul O'Connell has been totemic for Ireland this campaign and stands alongside fellow captaincy candidate O'Driscoll as a dead certainty for the Lions XV. His line-out prowess could shake even Victor Matfield and he is a warrior with and without ball in hand. This is one man who will not falter in the face of the Springbok pack.

The place alongside O'Connell is up for grabs. Alun Wyn Jones had the pundits purring early on, but faded, especially in the line-out. Team mate Ian Gough caught the eye with a couple of terrific big hits but also suffered at the line-out. English captain and line-out tactician Steve Borthwick only turned up for one game, while Scotland barely had a fit lock in their squad, ruining Jason White’s winter in the process.

Donncha O'Callaghan did not look out of place alongside O'Connell for Ireland and would be a safe choice, with Wyn Jones' athleticism perfect for an impact substitution to ease him into the leonine fray.

Competition in the back row is ferocious. Ireland's David Wallace has by common consensus been the star in the loose, but even then his position is open to debate—should he play at blind-side to accommodate the veteran scavenger Martyn Williams of Wales? I feel a pack with two men weighing in at a ‘mere’ 100kg could be overpowered by Schalk Burger et al.  

Tom Croft and James Haskell both gave dynamic performances for England, while Ryan Jones’ leadership would be a significant asset at six or eight.  Dennis Leamy would roar too, given the chance, and some pundits are backing an emerald-green trio to round off the pack.

I would pick Jones on the blindside and give Jamie Heaslip of Ireland his head at number eight—he gives physical presence and running power and has outperformed Wales’ Andy Powell.

Scrum half was one position that looked extremely well stocked back in January, but the contenders have fallen back into the pack.  Mike Blair was ordinary, perhaps crushed by the expectations and reality of a disappointing Scottish campaign, while Mike Phillips’ delivery looked a little sluggish and he could have lost his place to Dwayne Peel.

The ever-eager Harry Ellis made the most of his chance with some typically combative games for England without shutting the door on Danny Care. Thomas O’Leary was strong and kicked well for Ireland but Peter Stringer’s faster service and sharp running have their fans too.  

In the end Mike Phillips’ size and strength make him the prime candidate—just witness his late break against Ireland when he strode through a series of tackles.  The next week for the Ospreys he even acted as a back row runner might, giving his forwards a target by running from the base of the scrum.  However, Peel or Blair’s swifter pass could see one of them playing a role at some point in South Africa.

The fly-half position has been symptomatic of the tournament as a whole. No team or player took the Six Nations by the scruff of the neck: Goddard was as forgettable as much of Scotland’s play until the Evans brothers sparked into life; Flood was tidy and was able to glide through the odd space without silencing the incipient sibilance of wistful whispers for a Cipriani firing on all cylinders. 

Of the number tens who contested the championship decider in Cardiff, Stephen Jones is holding James Hook at bay without launching the Welsh back line as consistently as he would have liked; meanwhile Ronan O’Gara’s kicking from hand was surprisingly poor for a man accustomed to driving his team down field with such power and accuracy. In the first half of the final game he was clearly rattled by the giant dragons Wales sent thundering his way, repeatedly crashing backwards as his team mates came to the rescue.  

However, both men showed exceptional strength under pressure as they traded match-winning drop goals at the death. Stephen Jones’ solidity means he has to start against South Africa, with O’Gara a worthy replacement and a cool tactical head for the closing stages.

Riki Flutey began the winter as a man of potential untapped—potential to become the new Andy Farrell according to some—and ended it as a devastating attacking force.   His stepping off either foot sometimes beats two men, flummoxing the player inside his marker as well, and his timing of a pass and support lines have also drawn praise. A more dominant presence with every game, he is the man to unlock space outside or break the line himself.

Rumours of Brian O’Driscoll’s demise have been very much exaggerated. The Irish captain is one of the few men in world sport whose sheer genius can make everyday excellence appear mediocre.  He broke the line and swerved home to open a lead on a well fancied French team before turning loose forward to smash and burrow his way to the line in desperately close contests with England and Wales.  

Every time Ireland faltered the hand, heart and striving legs of BOD drove them on again.

On the wing, Shane Williams rarely looked the 2008 IRB player of the year, but may have been hampered by the ankle injury he sustained early in the tournament as much as Wales’ inability to summon the ‘go forward’ to release his talents. However, with his irrepressible energy and desire to look for openings at scrum half and in midfield he remains the outstanding flyer in world rugby.  

Tommy Bowe was a surprise winger of the tournament, not least for his chase, catch and sprint for the line ahead of Henson and Williams in Cardiff. He must be given the chance to carry this form to South Africa—like Flutey his star is on the up and opponents have not yet had time to work him out. Behind these two a pack of chasers includes a resurgent Mark Cueto, one-match wonder Monye, the electric Evans brothers and Leigh Halfpenny’s lightning acceleration.

As with Shane Williams, and Wales in general, Lee Byrne was not on top form throughout, but he still hit the line at superb angles and has been touted as the best player in the world this winter. His siege gun boot, brave defence, especially under the high ball, and physical strength will also be needed against the Boks. The more mercurial and elusive broken field running of Armitage and Kearney will be best utilized as the game starts to fray later on.

So:  Byrne, Bowe, O’Driscoll, Flutey, Williams; Jones, Phillips; Jenkins, Flannery, Murray, O’Connell, Callaghan, Jones, Wallace, Heaslip. It is hardly controversial, but then the Lions could name two teams without either surprising. My choice is a dazzling back division that will not yield in midfield and a powerful engine room with leadership throughout. 

What say you?