Many visitors will already know this but there is a very good rugby podcast The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast in which some knowedgable but, more importantly, passionate rugby supporters discuss the current issues of the sport. As part of their off-season they've been choosing the best possible teams from the professional era. They're up to London Irish this week and, as we all know, nobody really knows anything about our team - we're so rarely reported! I thought it might be an idea to come up with our own team to help them out.
The Eggchasers have been picking teams for all the premiership sides in order that they finished last season and have picked some interesting teams for the clubs that finished above us. This week's was Gloucester, for example. The premise is simple: who are the best London Irish players in all positions who have donned the Irish shirt in the professional era.
Now, while I say that they'll have no idea about Irish, it's not entirely true since Tim Cocker is actually Nic Rouse's brother! He uses Cocker as his "name for radio" since he's a broadcaster - he used to be the Sale Sharks announcer. I suggest, though, that his knowledge of Irish before Nic arrived is possibly a little lacking..
So, who are your picks? We need:
Hooker:
Loosehead Prop:
Tighthead Prop:
Locks x2:
Blindside flanker:
Openside Flanker:
Number eight:
Scrum-half:
Fly-half:
Inside Centre:
Outside Centre:
Wings x2:
Full-back:
Cut and paste that into the thread below and give us your choices. Where there are two required the boys do make some effort to pick complementary pairs (well, ish). I'll work out a way to get our selections down to a single team and forward it to them before the podcast record (Sunday 2nd).
If you haven't listened to the podcast before I can heartily recommend it. It's a dose of mindful silliness about the sport we love, give it a go!
Delon was the best full back we have ever had. One of the most naturally talented players to have ever come through our academy. Conor was good, but he was no Delon !
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:27:08:43:51 by Clannad.
Should cover all three front row positions, second row / 6 (Garvey), Scrummy / Centre (Richards), Winger / Full Back (Armitage (D)), with Catt covering 10...
Thoughts?
[Edited to include Kevin Putt at 9]
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:27:12:17:36 by AlecW.
Lots of great players there but Kevin Putt was definitely the best scrum half I ever saw play for the club, particularly in tandem with Stephen Bachop. Also surprised nobody has mentioned Jarrod Cunningham as full back .... most exciting 15 to play for the club ... with respect to Conor and Delon.
no17 - DAMN - how did I forget Kevin Barry Putt...? You are entirely right about him and about him and Bachop. For some reason, I forgot him and remembered Niall Hogan, who was a great 9, but not quite in Putt's league...
Will edit team. That means (heresy! Burn the witch!) no place for Hodgson, as I want Pete Richards, cos he can cover centre at a pinch...
I thought carefully about Jarrod - very carefully indeed, especially as CO'S rated him so highly. I went for Delon because he could cover wing as well and because my memory (what's left of it!) tells me that he lacked Delon's speed...
Alex/Hugh - I agree a tough call to leave out both COS and Delon at 15.
PH was probably on a par attacking-wise with COS and Delon, but was not as defensively sound as them.
However, I pick PH because he's also the primary (if sometimes wobbly) goal-kicker - neither Bachop or Catty were really ever that good as kicker.
Fine player was Jake Boer - I didn't see much of him though, and Matt G has always been a fav of mine. He could also slip into the 2nd row if needed during the game.
Garvey is a fine young player who will become an excellent premiership player...but best blindside of the professional era, after a couple of seasons with us?
1 Clarke Dermody
2 David Paice
3 Fann Rautenbacch
4 Nick Kennedy
5 George Skivington
6 Declan Danaher
7 Steffon
8 George Stowers
9 Paul Hodgson
10 James O'Connor
11 Topsy Ojo
12 Mike Catt
13 Mapasua
14 Alex Lewington
15 Delon Armitage
Corbs
Naka
Faan
BBC
Nick the ball
Dec
Stef
Stowers
Dodge
JC
Tagi
Maps
Dr V
Anthony Watson (for what he will become)
Delon
I have left some of my absolute heroes on the Bench. Sacky, Conor, Kieron Dawson, Catty, Rob Hardwicke, Paicey Stowers, Trev, Hewatt etc, etc. But that is my team
Clannad 1 Clarke Dermody
2 David Paice
3 Fann Rautenbacch
4 Nick Kennedy
5 George Skivington
6 Declan Danaher
7 Steffon
8 George Stowers
9 Paul Hodgson
10 James O'Connor
11 Topsy Ojo
12 Mike Catt
13 Mapasua
14 Alex Lewington
15 Delon Armitage
Good team but all a bit recent!
Living in the Scottish Borders, used to support London Irish, now following Kelso (newly promoted to the Scottish Premiership)
hooray Henley Corbs
Naka
Faan
BBC
Nick the ball
Dec
Stef
Stowers
Dodge
JC
Tagi
Maps
Dr V
Anthony Watson (for what he will become)
Delon
I have left some of my absolute heroes on the Bench. Sacky, Conor, Kieron Dawson, Catty, Rob Hardwicke, Paicey Stowers, Trev, Hewatt etc, etc. But that is my team
JC was good but our best ever 10? Possibly in the back 3.
Living in the Scottish Borders, used to support London Irish, now following Kelso (newly promoted to the Scottish Premiership)
Is it my wistful memory or is Scott Staniforth greatly under represented in these teams? I remember him having a terrific try scoring record and always electric with ball in hand
This is ridiculously tough to do. Back three I want to go with the unit of Delon, Topsy and Losi, but also want Jarrod Cunningham in. Am tempted to shift Delon to 13 outside of Maps in the 12 jersey.
Also, if it's about what they achieved at London irish, the majority have to come from the 2002 Powergen Cup winning side and the 2005-2009 Brian Smith era.
Here's my stab...
Jarrod Cunningham
Topsy Ojo
Delon Armitage
Seilala Mapusua
Sailosi Tagicakibau
Barry Everitt
Paul Hodgson
Tonga Lea'aetoa
Naka Drotske
Rob Hardwick
Bob Casey
Nick Kennedy
Declan Danaher
Steffon Armitage
Chris Sheasby
Danie Coetzee, Clark Dermody, Faan Rautenbach, Ryan Strudwick, Chris Hala'ufia, Darren Edwards, Mike Catt, Justin Bishop.
Tough calls on a few I've left out, but that's me best stab at it.
1 Clarke Dermody
2 David Paice
3 Fann Rautenbacch
4 Nick Kennedy
5 Bob Casey
6 Jake Boer
7 Steffon Armitage
8 Chris Hala'Ufia
9 Paul Hodgson
10 Stephen Bachop
11 Sailosi Tagicakibau
12 Mike Catt
13 Seilala Mapasua
14 Topsy Ojo
15 Delon Armitage
Pretty heavy on the 06-09 vintage, but it's hard not to be. Mal O'Kelly, Zac Feau'nati and O'Shea were pretty tight calls. Dec Danaher is a great club man, but Boer really was immense for us in the good side we had in the late 90s.
It's interesting that only Ozzy has put Barry the boot at 10. He was unarguably the greatest 'club 10' we have ever had and certainly the best place kicker and points accumulator. Really the likes of Bachop (who was immense), Flutey, O'Connor and dare I say it even Catty really only had cameos at our club and played most of their best rugby elsewhere.
To me his position at 10 is irrefutable! (insert 'hiding behind sofa' smiley since none seem to be working!)
Living in the Scottish Borders, used to support London Irish, now following Kelso (newly promoted to the Scottish Premiership)
Thanks, Hugh. I'm a relative newcomer (started actively supporting in 2000-2002) and had forgotten how prolific Barry was. It was a great pleasure to meet him at the Farewell to Sunbury thing!
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Shropshire Hugh It's interesting that only Ozzy has put Barry the boot at 10. He was unarguably the greatest 'club 10' we have ever had and certainly the best place kicker and points accumulator. Really the likes of Bachop (who was immense), Flutey, O'Connor and dare I say it even Catty really only had cameos at our club and played most of their best rugby elsewhere.
To me his position at 10 is irrefutable! (insert 'hiding behind sofa' smiley since none seem to be working!)
All good debate and just impossible to pick really. Depends if you are picking on sentiment or who really was the best player and should make the team. Barry was a good player who was a great kicker, did he get lots of Irish international caps? I found 10 the hardest choice. JOC was just an amazing talent and was playing in an average team when he was here, had to put him in there. Mike Catt played way more than a cameo role for us mate, he was a brilliant player, the only change I might make is putting him 10 and Dr Brendan Venter at 12. Catt and Venter were two of the most influential players we ever had. I will stick with the selection.
Big Bob like Barry was a good player but not a great one, he got the best out of himself and was a good leader, but would not even be on my bench, Skivs is way better. Strudwick, Mal O'K also ahead. Kendo best second row we have had the pleasure of watching. Give Symons a few years he could pass them all out.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:30:19:38:39 by Clannad.
Don't think JOC ever played 10 for us. He turned out exclusively at 15 didn't he?
On reflection I may go with Dermody at loose head rather than Tonga.
Bazza was a wonderful servant and a super kicker from less than 45m out, but in truth he couldn't run or pass for toffees. He has only been chosen by 1 person for a reason...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:30:21:26:04 by Shawshank.
JOC played 12 down at Exeter I believe, but primarily was a 15 for us.
I guess selection comessage down to criteria really as if it's best players over their whole career who at some point pulled on the Irish jersey then my team would be different. I went on what they achieved at and gave to the club.
I won't post the team they picked on here in case anyone is planning on listening to the podcast, suffice to say their main points of argument were at hooker, outside half and the centres.
1. S. Armitage
2. S. Armitage
3. S. Armitage
4. S. Armitage
5. S. Armitage
6. S. Armitage
7. S. Armitage
8. S. Armitage
9. S. Armitage
10. S. Armitage
11. S. Armitage
12. S. Armitage
13. S. Armitage
14. S. Armitage
15. S. Armitage
Margin_Walker 1 Clarke Dermody
2 David Paice
3 Fann Rautenbacch
4 Nick Kennedy
5 Bob Casey
6 Jake Boer
7 Steffon Armitage
8 Chris Hala'Ufia
9 Paul Hodgson
10 Stephen Bachop
11 Sailosi Tagicakibau
12 Mike Catt
13 Seilala Mapasua
14 Topsy Ojo
15 Delon Armitage
Pretty heavy on the 06-09 vintage, but it's hard not to be. Mal O'Kelly, Zac Feau'nati and O'Shea were pretty tight calls. Dec Danaher is a great club man, but Boer really was immense for us in the good side we had in the late 90s.
it's slightly worrying. I would go with Riki Flutey at 10, mainly because I didn't catch much of Bachop, but, apart from that, agree. There's no goal kicker, but we'd score so many tries under the posts, Delon could kick them....hell, even Maps could kick them
Never even mentioned Bachop or Conor or Putt or Boer, think they're probably all too young!! Barry got bumped off so Catt moved to 10 in order to get in Dr V.
It all starts at 42 mins btw.
Living in the Scottish Borders, used to support London Irish, now following Kelso (newly promoted to the Scottish Premiership)
Margin_Walker 1 Clarke Dermody
2 David Paice
3 Fann Rautenbacch
4 Nick Kennedy
5 Bob Casey
6 Jake Boer
7 Steffon Armitage
8 Chris Hala'Ufia
9 Paul Hodgson
10 Stephen Bachop
11 Sailosi Tagicakibau
12 Mike Catt
13 Seilala Mapasua
14 Topsy Ojo
15 Delon Armitage
Pretty heavy on the 06-09 vintage, but it's hard not to be. Mal O'Kelly, Zac Feau'nati and O'Shea were pretty tight calls. Dec Danaher is a great club man, but Boer really was immense for us in the good side we had in the late 90s.
it's slightly worrying. I would go with Riki Flutey at 10, mainly because I didn't catch much of Bachop, but, apart from that, agree. There's no goal kicker, but we'd score so many tries under the posts, Delon could kick them....hell, even Maps could kick them
And you have the second-row, drop goal dynamo in there. Kendo has a 100% success record for that kind of kick
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Finally got round to listening on the way to work this morning. Quite happy with it, we got a fair bit of coverage (some of them have been quite muted, probably because there was better news to cover those weeks). Nice to see that our boys caused some difficult selections, not worried at all by the lack of a proper plug for our site (type "London Irish Fans Forum" into google and see where you end up ;-) )
Thanks for the suggestions folks, nice to talk a bit of rugby for a change eh?
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