How the Murray-ahead-of-Cooney selection went down with Irish fans
After weeks of campaigning from fans, John Cooney has been named in the Ireland squad to face Scotland this Saturday in the Six Nations.
The Ulster scrum-half is on the bench for the contest at the Aviva Stadium, which begins a new era under Andy Farrell in Ireland.
The 29-year-old has arguably been the form player in Europe this season (although Racing 92’s Virimi Vakatawa may have something to say about that), having bounced back from missing out on Ireland’s World Cup squad.
It would have been an absolute aberration had he not been selected for this match.
However, the fact that he has only made the bench in a side showing just two changes from the starting XV that beat Scotland at the World Cup has still surprised many.
https://twitter.com/_hoggy86_/status/1222149585520549890?s=20
Not including @JCooney09 is a big call given his form this season….
— Roy McComb (@RoyMcComb) January 28, 2020
Is the team not supposed to be picked on form?? Cooney should be the first name on the team sheet.Murray has done his https://t.co/Eo691SKcMd can’t build a team for the future around finished players. @UlsterRugby
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalsh82) January 28, 2020
Farrell has said that he will pick players based on form, which is more or less accurate when looking at the rest of the squad as it does reflect Leinster’s superiority at the moment.
While Conor Murray has held onto the Ireland nine shirt for most of the past decade, it would be absurd to suggest he is in better form than Cooney currently.
I like the team. Although I would have started Cooney, Murray's demise and Cooney's form have been exaggerated. I'm not so keen on the bench. Henshaw, O'Mahony and Toner seem weird bench selections. https://t.co/4U0WRTjXxD
— Colin McBride (@colin_a_mcbride) January 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/ChrisBrett1/status/1222148741312012289?s=20
I get that Murray has credit in the bank, but I think it's time for Cooney. https://t.co/64En9ocJ6Q
— Stephen Allen (@Elephantlens) January 28, 2020
The Munster scrum-half’s standard has dropped from the lofty heights of 2018, while his rival is both the Guinness PRO14’s and the Heineken Champions Cup’s top scorer, as well as the second top try-scorer in Europe’s elite competition.
Not a bad team. But I'm gutted for Cooney not to be starting, Murray is Ireland's greatest ever scrum half & at his best is world class, but he's nowhere near Cooney's level of form. Also baffled by Addison's ommison from the 23. POM seriously lucky to make the 23 aswell. https://t.co/jlNfu5qLBb
— Ruairi O'Cathain (@RoryOKane_Raz_) January 28, 2020
Give Murray 40 mins and give Cooney 40 mins. See who does better
— Archie (@archiehanna3) January 28, 2020
However, former Ireland international Tommy Bowe has noted that the experience of Murray may prove beneficial with Caelan Doris making his Test debut at No8.
Additionally, in a game that Farrell will be desperate to win, it is understandable that he has turned to the longstanding partnership between Murray and Jonathan Sexton.
Surprised John Cooney hasn’t been given the nod but understand with Doris winning his first cap at 8 and Farrell’s first game as boss the experience at 9&10 is vital. Strong team! https://t.co/alDvlDYhdQ
— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) January 28, 2020
With 83 Test caps for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, Murray has far more experience than Cooney, who only has eight Ireland caps and only one start.
But many are expecting Cooney to get a lot of game time against Scotland on Saturday, as he deserves to be given the chance to bring his searing club form into the Test arena.
WATCH: The Rugby Pod sets the scene ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and reflects on yet more Saracens fallout
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments