CupWatch #2 - Ireland

[adamkungl]

Over the next few weeks/months will go through each team to get a better idea what they face at the Cup

#1 is here, England https://forums.leagueunlimited.com/threads/england-watch-2020.479099/

Ireland

Current best squad?

1 Grix (Halifax)
2 Chamberlain (Salford)
3 Ryan (Hull KR)
4 Bentley (Leigh)
5 Kay (Toronto)
6 McNally (Leigh)
7 Keyes (Hull KR)
8 Mullally (Toronto)
9 McIlorum (Catalans)
10 Philbin (Warrington)
11 McCarthy (Salford)
12 Roberts (Huddersfield)
13 King (Wakefield)

14 McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St Helens)
15 Amor (St Helens)
16 Singleton (Toronto)
17 Beswick (Newcastle Thunder)

Put together from a mix of 2017 and 2019 squads
Is anyone new coming through to top grades likely to commit?
Also expect some domestic players in there, with the current board publicly committing to supporting local rugby.

As things stand, a real strong forward pack with some genuine top tier talent and some experienced old heads who have been there before.
The backline is a weak point, with very limited first grade experience from 7 down.
Unearthing 1-2 quality players in the halves and backs could be the difference they need to give the tournament a solid shake.

Ireland were unlucky in 2017 to not advance, disadvantaged by the Super Pool setup.
In 2018 they had a comfortable win over Scotland but couldn't handle Wales.
In 2019 they made up for it with strong performances against Spain and Italy.

In 2020 they are expected to compete in some version of the European Cup, and will be hoping to attract their best talent to start building for the RLWC.
Would love a full test vs England before October 2021 to give their players a serious audition.

Predicted finish: Quarter finals
Crucial game: Pool game vs Lebanon. The winner of this is in pole position to go through to the next stage.

Opponents:
New Zealand
Lebanon
Jamaica

 

[Springs09]

Grix and Beswick are 36 this year so I don't think they'll be playing. If they could possibly get Gareth O'Brien and Marc Sneyd to commit they'll look a lot better. Toby King would have the backline looking a bit better too.
Isaac Luke is an outside chance as he's unlikely to play for NZ again

 

[adamkungl]

Grix and Beswick are 36 this year so I don't think they'll be playing. If they could possibly get Gareth O'Brien and Marc Sneyd to commit they'll look a lot better. Toby King would have the backline looking a bit better too.
Isaac Luke is an outside chance as he's unlikely to play for NZ again

All good options. Sneyd in particular would be a big boost.

 

[deluded pom?]

Grix and Beswick are 36 this year so I don't think they'll be playing. If they could possibly get Gareth O'Brien and Marc Sneyd to commit they'll look a lot better. Toby King would have the backline looking a bit better too.
Isaac Luke is an outside chance as he's unlikely to play for NZ again

Sneyd doesn’t look like he’s on the radar for England so this might be his only chance to play in a WC. I hope he takes it.

 

[Coastbloke]

I assume Ronan Michael who is joining Canberra's development squad will be in the mix. He'll be 20 in late 2021..

 

[adamkungl]

A lot will depend on injuries and who makes themselves available.

If they are lucky enough to go out with a starting 13 of all-Super League players they should comfortable take care of Lebanon and Jamaica and even give NZ a solid scare.

But as we saw with Scotland 2016-17, with these teams the difference between their best and worst is potentially enormous.

 

[deluded pom?]

A lot will depend on injuries and who makes themselves available.

If they are lucky enough to go out with a starting 13 of all-Super League players they should comfortable take care of Lebanon and Jamaica and even give NZ a solid scare.

But as we saw with Scotland 2016-17, with these teams the difference between their best and worst is potentially enormous.

I wouldn’t discount Jamaica so easily. There will be plenty of decent SL/Championship players of Jamaican heritage available to give Ireland and Lebanon a game IMO.

 

[adamkungl]

I wouldn’t discount Jamaica so easily. There will be plenty of decent SL/Championship players of Jamaican heritage available to give Ireland and Lebanon a game IMO.

You'd have to assume all things even, a full strength Ireland would go in as favourites over a full strength Jamaica.
Mind you, if Lebanon get their NRL players on board they certainly won't roll over easily.

 

[deluded pom?]

You'd have to assume all things even, a full strength Ireland would go in as favourites over a full strength Jamaica.
Mind you, if Lebanon get their NRL players on board they certainly won't roll over easily.

Hopefully that’s the case and we see some close and interesting matches.

 

[Springs09]

You'd have to assume all things even, a full strength Ireland would go in as favourites over a full strength Jamaica.
Mind you, if Lebanon get their NRL players on board they certainly won't roll over easily.

How many NRL players could Lebanon have? They will rely on Moses a lot, but other than that - Twal, Doueihi, Mansour, Miski, Lichaa?

 

[adamkungl]

How many NRL players could Lebanon have? They will rely on Moses a lot, but other than that - Twal, Doueihi, Mansour, Miski, Lichaa?

Moses in the halves,
Doueihi at fullback,
Lichaa at hooker,
Mansour and Miski on the wings,
Twal at lock

Certainly the backbone of a good team there. Pad out the starting 13 with 2nd tier comp players and the bench with the best domestic talent. Less first graders than Ireland but some bigger names. Moses is a big deal if they get him.
Also really depends who they get as coach. No doubt Fittler burnt his bridges by siding with Farah.

 

[adamkungl]

Bentley starting for St Helens is a big win for Ireland if they can keep him on board. No better environment in Super League to be developing.

With some of the names suggested above, Ireland are frustratingly close to being able to name an all-first grade 17.

 

[Coastbloke]

Luke Keary downs a Guinness. Now Irish.

Source: The West Australian