THE EURO 2012 draw takes place today, and out of all our potential opponents, Pot 2 arguably has the most interesting group of teams.
It unquestionably contains four top class international sides – England, Germany, Italy and Russia.
It’s also clearly the pot most likely to stir up debate over who Ireland’s ideal opponents would be.
In comparison, Pot 1 is pretty obvious in this context – Poland and Ukraine are the two poorest sides, and for logistical reasons, most Irish fans would undoubtedly prefer to draw Poland.
On the other hand, it’s more difficult to determine our ideal opponents in Pot 3. However, most people would likely choose either Sweden or Greece, given that they are arguably the two weakest teams – though Greece finished ahead of Croatia in the qualifying stages, so this assumption may not necessarily be true.
However, there is considerable doubt over who our opponents of choice would be in Pot 2, and a legitimate case could be made for each team.
Of the four sides, England probably possess the most similar playing style to Trap’s men, so facing them may suit us more than our other potential opponents.
And although Russia dominated Ireland the last time the two sides met, Ireland still managed to escape with a draw. Ireland would be far more confident playing Dick Advocaat’s side in a neutral venue, and the defensive vulnerabilities they displayed in the Dublin qualifier would also give Trap scope for optimism.Similarly, Ireland have played Italy on three occasions over the last few years – in two World Cup qualifiers and a friendly – and have emerged unbeaten each time. Thus, they would surely have little to fear should they come up against the Italians for a fourth time.
Finally, Germany would ostensibly be the team Ireland would most want to avoid, given that they are the highest ranked side out of the four. However, you could also argue that Ireland might as well get them out of the way early. Moreover, should we finish second to the Germans, we wouldn’t have to play them again until the final (at the risk of sounding arrogant/presumptuous).
So with all this in mind, who would you prefer Ireland to draw in Pot 2?
Poll Results:
TheScore.ie will be liveblogging the Euro 2012 draw from 5.30pm today.
Was the same when he came off the bench for Ireland. Threw a bad pass into touch and another one on the ground. Just didn’t look comfortable, probably a lack of game time as mentioned in the article. Was excellent at U20s and obviously has huge potential but to think he’s the 3rd best out half in Ireland right now is a huge insult to billy burns, carty, and Ben Healy who are all much better right now. Would have liked to see Healy rewarded with a call up to autumn squad as a young developing player but it wasn’t to be.
@guineon: waste of time! Why are we indulging this guy? Ross is a far superior player?
@guineon: he was brought into the irish squad because of his promise as a young player. Farrell knows what burns can do and had seen carty up close too during the world cup. Ben healy has just started to get game time and his club picks carbury ahead of him. So its not really an insult to anyone that a coach whos put time and effort into a very young player wants give him a chance.
If healy gets past carbury at club level he makes the irish squad. Carty has the chance to continue his clib form and if he does he’ll make the squad.
Burns dosent kick for his club so honestly needs to be much better thsn everyone else to make ireland and hes not.
@Chris Mc: Harry Byrne is not first choice for his club so why id he included if your using that logic? In fact his brother Is actually starting ahead of him is he not? He’s third choice 10 at Leinster and has done absolutely nothing in his senior career to justify an Irish cap. It’s a joke and it robs better players of caps
@guineon: i never said he should be in the squad. I just gave my opinion on why he’s there.
The better players you talk about burns? had a go and didnt take the shirt hes not an international outhalf, Ross the same and well attacking running rugby thats just not his game at all.
Carty is in great form in the league and if he continues he will force his way into the sqaud.
Healy is the very same as harry was 6 months ago, very young and has played very well in the limited time hes been given. But if hes to make the irish side he has to get past carbury.
I think Frawley is leinsters answer at 10 after sexton.
Farrells selection of both carbury and harry was to add on to the work he’d started in the summer internationals. This seems to be the reasoning to it.
@Chris Mc: I agree with the Frawley answer, he looks like a potential 10/12 in the vein of Owen Farrell, but he’s been very solid as a 10. Makes clever plays.
But I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Billy Burns, I think he’s still got feathers to his cap and could make it as international. I like what I’ve seen from Ben Healy so far, but with Carbury back he’ll have to be patient. Still plenty of big games ahead for him as Munster number 2.
@SPQH: the problem with burns is he doesnt kick for his club so to step up at international level would be some gamble.
Healy and frawley for me are the 2 we should be looking at.
I am not convinced by joey, hes always been more of a 15 for me. A top class goal kicker all the same.
Carty is playing the best of all of them and if he brings thst form into the next 3 or 4 weeks will make the irish squad.
Harry is young enough no question but he needs to start ahead of his brother or else he’ll fade away. I get why he was in the novwmber squad but Theres is no explanation for him in the squad for the 6 nations if hes not playing especially while sexton is out.
@Chris Mc: players need to be judged on European Cup games, it’s a higher standard than the league. Any player would look good when he comes on against a team when they are winning by 20+ points. Harry Byrne needs a run of games to settle in, as does a lot of other players. Parachuting players, especially young players, in and out of teams is hampering them.
@Patrick O Connell: the problem with setting europe as the standard is after sexton none have grest european form. Ross b played well v Exeter im not sure your suggesting he should play for ireland.
@Chris Mc: As an Ulster supporter I believe that Harry Byrne is the real deal. Just give the lad time. He’ll get there.
68 minutes of rugby. Says it all really. Least time is on his side.
Just a point of information. Burns has and does kick at goal for Ulster when Cooney is absent. He is actually an o.k. kicker. With the arrival of Doak also being a top level kicker Burns’ opportunities will be even fewer I suspect but he is decent enough. Ironically the best goal kicker in Ulster is Rob Lyttle. He is a phenomenal goal kicker.