Healy for captain

[LondonMunster]

No BOD or Best, POC not fully fit, I can't believe that Sexton and Heaslip are being touted in elements of the Irish press as next in line to captain Ireland. Neither are in my mind guaranteed starters.

Cian Healy however is a guaranteed starter. He is also one of Ireland's few world class players currently. He is also a front grunt and I think the most successful teams are lead from the pack (of the captains that have lifted the Rugby World Cup only two weren't forwards, being David Kirk and Nick Farr-Jones, both scrum halves).

Before you point out that BOD isn't a forward and is a great captain, I agree with you. However BOD is an exception to the rule (or indeed generalisation). When I have raised this previously contributors have pointed out that Healy is a tearaway (or something less complimentary). Maybe he is, but he seems intelligent enough to mature into the role and I think, with all due respect to our own D. Kilcoyne, will be around for a good long while. There are not many in the current Ireland squad about whom I could currently make that statement.

Feel free to criticise the above view, let the debate begin . . . .

[McCloud]

Seems Healy has a shoulder problem so he may not be available.

[Bromance]

Would think that POM and DRyan would be ahead of him

[i_like_cake]

Would think that POM and DRyan would be ahead of him

Not a chance..... Healy is a nailed on starter....
POM does have the experience of Leadership, but not sure if he will be starting with the plethora of backrow riches we have...

Ferris, Henderson, POM
SOB, Henry, POM
Heaslip, Wilson, Butler, POM...

[Bromance]

Not a chance..... Healy is a nailed on starter....
POM does have the experience of Leadership, but not sure if he will be starting with the plethora of backrow riches we have...

Ferris, Henderson, POM
SOB, Henry, POM
Heaslip, Wilson, Butler, POM...

Nailed on starter doesn't make you captain material, decision making, staying in control and being a leader do! Think POM will be in at 7 either way

[jeepers]

Not a chance..... Healy is a nailed on starter....
POM does have the experience of Leadership, but not sure if he will be starting with the plethora of backrow riches we have...

Ferris, Henderson, POM
SOB, Henry, POM
Heaslip, Wilson, Butler, POM...

Is versatility not an ideal thing to have - that means you can nearly always get the most fit / in form player in without dropping your captain.

[taz]

Seems Healy has a shoulder problem so he may not be available.

Theres a debate killer right there

[i_like_cake]

Nailed on starter doesn't make you captain material, decision making, staying in control and being a leader do! Think POM will be in at 7 either way

I hear you, but i am not sure he will be starting.. Maybe at 7.

Ignoring the fact that Healy may be out, does anyone think that POMs over eagerness to join and start the argiebargie might prevent him from being our nations captain..?

[Thomond78]

I hear you, but i am not sure he will be starting.. Maybe at 7.

Ignoring the fact that Healy may be out, does anyone think that POMs over eagerness to join and start the argiebargie might prevent him from being our nations captain..?

Martin Johnson's disciplinary record wasn't exactly spotless.

For me, POM's inexperience would be more of a barrier.

[cornerboy]

I'll second POM for captain.....failing that I'd go for Murray and my third choice would be Zebo...........Have I missed anybody.

[Cowboy]

The Heasloid has captained Leinster in HEC games hasnt he? Thats a big asset to have, one that POM hasnt been close to just yet.

Movember will get it.

[LondonMunster]

I'll second POM for captain.....failing that I'd go for Murray and my third choice would be Zebo...........Have I missed anybody.

Neither POM nor Murray nor Zebo automatic starts for Ireland which I would suggest rules them out of the captaincy equation.

Didn't appreciate that Healy had a shoulder problem, if he is fit I would sooner have him over Heaslip who seems a bit hit and miss in terms of form, whereas Healy is more consistent.

If I had to pick a back other than BOD as skipper, it would be Bowe, but my preference is always for a forward to lead, even with the modern fanning out of players (Donners on the wing etc) I would still expect a forward skipper to be closer to a ref, hearing the ref's calls etc, getting a chance to maintain a respectful dialogue that doesn't involve haring 25 metres every pause in play for a chat. Game management is as much about working with the ref as it is managing your own team and the opposition.

[Huwie]

This is a tough call. Maybe its time for Kidney to make a phone call to Portugal!

[tedster]

I dont think there is any Munster candidates for captain, besides POC, heaslip I think wouldnt be a good enough national team captain, bit of a show boater. Tommy Bowe perhaps but they say you should not elect a winger as captain......

[deadlyBuzz]

POM for me.
A wise man once told me, the captain should not be in the front 5. How can he see what's going on around the pitch when his head's shoved up someone's a**e in the middle of a Scrum / Ruck / Maul?
POM has captained the U21s Munster and is a leader on the Pitch.
His temprament is improving but he still has enough rat b****rd in him to instill the fight into the team when needed.

[Balla Boy]

Is Ferris in? He'd be my call.

Failing that, I'd be half tempted by Bowe. You can skipper from the back three if you've a good pack leader.

[fullback15]

I'd go for Ferris too. I don't think it would do POM any favours to be given the national captaincy right now. And this is assuming he starts even. I wouldn't be surprised to see Henry at 7.

Ps that's only if POC is out. If he starts, even if not 100% fit, he starts as captain for me

[tickettout]

POM wouldnt be starting but for injuries. Henry could also be in ahead of him at 7. If Poc is out I'd go with Sexton. Reckon it will be Heaslip though.

[the plastic paddy]

Ferris is too much of a loon for me, in a good way I hasten to add before big Al comes after me!!!???!!!

[Thomond78]

POM for me.
A wise man once told me, the captain should not be in the front 5. How can he see what's going on around the pitch when his head's shoved up someone's a**e in the middle of a Scrum / Ruck / Maul?
POM has captained the U21s Munster and is a leader on the Pitch.
His temprament is improving but he still has enough rat b****rd in him to instill the fight into the team when needed.

John Eales. Sean Fitzpatrick. Martin Johnson. John Smit. POC. Colin Meads. Wilson Whineray. Willie John McBride. All seemed to go okay as front-five captains.

[deadlyBuzz]

I'd go for Ferris too. I don't think it would do POM any favours to be given the national captaincy right now. And this is assuming he starts even. I wouldn't be surprised to see Henry at 7.

I don't think it's the national captaincy we're discussing here though? BOD is the Captain, Failing that it's POC.
This discussion is for the game by game basis in which both are missing in which I agree, it really depends on who's starting.
I think POM deserves to feature at some point (fair enough, instead of who?) but in the event that he starts, he has what it takes to lead the field... and if the start of last year is anything to go by, needs very little time in the side to excel at it!

[deadlyBuzz]

John Eales. Sean Fitzpatrick. Martin Johnson. John Smit. POC. Colin Meads. Wilson Whineray. Willie John McBride. All seemed to go okay as front-five captains.

Fair enough, and I'd agree wioth all, particularly when there is no real contender. With POC Fit, for me he's a shoe in. His leadership abilities are head and shoulders above everyione else which is why he gets the nod...
But if you can avoid it...

[Balla Boy]

Ferris is too much of a loon for me, in a good way I hasten to add before big Al comes after me!!!???!!!

You can't be too much of a loon playing the Boks.

You know Ferris will be first into the breach at every turn, and that's what you need - a skipper who is visibly busting heads in full view of anyone who might tremble.

[the plastic paddy]

You can't be too much of a loon playing the Boks.

You know Ferris will be first into the breach at every turn, and that's what you need - a skipper who is visibly busting heads in full view of anyone who might tremble.

Would not disagree with any of that BB but don't think ferris is the man to skipper against SA and the Argies (we have to win both!!!).

[NotreDameRFC]

Seems Healy has a shoulder problem so he may not be available.

I need glasses...i thought you said Seamus Heaney :-)

[Pony]

Feel free to criticise the above view, let the debate begin . . . .

Begin! Where would it end?

Whatever talent the lad has, brains and leadership are not among them. I actually cannot think of a worse potential Irish captain in the entire squad. Has he ever captained ANY team?

[Pony]

[Pony]

can we close this thread now? I think the glass of red wine at a party is the greatest offence!

[John Cooper Clarke]

Jebus that's nasty.

p.s. Who are the two gimps all in blue?

[The Outlaw]

Neither POM nor Murray nor Zebo automatic starts for Ireland which I would suggest rules them out of the captaincy equation.

Didn't appreciate that Healy had a shoulder problem, if he is fit I would sooner have him over Heaslip who seems a bit hit and miss in terms of form, whereas Healy is more consistent.

If I had to pick a back other than BOD as skipper, it would be Bowe, but my preference is always for a forward to lead, even with the modern fanning out of players (Donners on the wing etc) I would still expect a forward skipper to be closer to a ref, hearing the ref's calls etc, getting a chance to maintain a respectful dialogue that doesn't involve haring 25 metres every pause in play for a chat. Game management is as much about working with the ref as it is managing your own team and the opposition.

POM? I mean is that a serious suggestion? Strewth. Starts rows in a phone-box on his own. Very similar to Healy. Absolute no-no for both.

Heaslip - scraping the barrel but thats all we've left. Will Ferris even be fit?