IT FEELS LIKE we’ve been building up to tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier ever since the draw was made.
Scotland host Ireland in Celtic Park in the first competitive meeting between the neighbours in almost 28 years.
There has been a fiery undercurrent to the build-up all week, stirred by some ill-thought-out comments and the anticipation of a hostile reception for Aiden McGeady when he lines out against the country of his birth.
After all the talking there’s still a football match to be played and, despite the absence of some key men through injury, Martin O’Neill will hoping that Ireland can build on their unbeaten start in Group D.
The bookies make Scotland slight favourites but thousands of Irish fans are travelling with three points on their mind.
So we’re asking — who do you think will win tonight’s clash in Celtic Park?
Ideal game to throw Osbourne in. No point moaning about lack of depth if we aren’t willing to try someone new.
@Phil O’ Meara: yes…. Give a 22-year-old his test debut away against the Boks at fullback, despite having played just 7 professional games at fullback for his province. Huge risk. Hope it pays off.
@Brenda Collins: We stand to learn more than him coming on as a sub in the last 10 minutes against Canada at home in the Aviva.
@Phil O’ Meara: not sure that AF is the type of manager to “throw” a player in. I’m guessing that he has shown up better in training. In my humble opinion they have accepted that CF is too slow for FB, and that JO’B lacks the physicality for this assignment.
@Phil O’ Meara: Would agree, if not now then when! Strange about OBrien, must have done something to piss AF off. Maybe he’s another Coombs.
@Phil O’ Meara: I’m not for one second suggesting we give him 10 minutes against Canada. I’m saying giving him his test debut by starting him in a position where he hasn’t played much rugby at the top level while also in the backyard of the current world champions is a big, big ask. I wouldn’t have perceived it as particularly risky if they started him in the centre where he’s played most of his rugby for Leinster. But at fullback against a team we know will target him by kicking the leather off the ball…. Well. That’s more than throwing him in at the deep end. It’s no slight on him. He’s obviously talented and I truly hope he does well. It could just end up being a very tough debut.
@Brenda Collins: firstly we have a gap at full back because of hugo’s dream, we have 4 top class centres so I’m not sure how we could drop Aki or henshaw to start him.
@Brenda Collins: talk to France. How many caps and tries did their little winger have before that quarter final … At the end of the day it’s a summer international, test him and see what’s there, failing might delay him but it won’t stop him.
@chris mcdonnell: I think it’s silly to have the view that a player’s development should always hinge on the question of “who would you drop?”
That’s not how we should develop inexperienced players. We give them opportunities. I’m just surprised the opportunity on this occasion is not in his natural position, and also surprised they’ve not gone with JOB at fullback, who’s a lot more experienced there (and maybe a bit faster?).
@Ciaran Kennedy: hmm tell that to some of the other players who played and faltered and then were out in the cold afterwards….
If we stay with the tried and tested, people moan that we are not expanding the squad. He gives youth a chance in a game at a venue that only one international team ever won at, and now it’s deemed an unnecessary risk.
It doesn’t really matter if we lose these matches. They are just friendlies really with nothing at stake except bragging rights. It is much more important that we build depth in key positions and I think this is a good call for the future.
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: it still effects rankings. At the same time, you still need to experiment and find depth.
@Dave Kelly: Shouldn’t really affect the rankings much unless we get absolutely hammered in both tests. I know the Saffas are going crazy about these games but they don’t have real world implications for either team.
His kicking is very good. He rarely makes mistakes. Don’t see it as a big risk
@Tom Murphy: fielding high ball? Positional? Tackling?
There couldn’t be a harder place or team to face in your debut game at FB. This is a huge call from Farrell and makes little sense
Cometh he hour cometh the man! Farrell must have huge faith in Osborne’s ability and temperament to pitch him into a game that will be white hot in its intensity from start to finish.