The IRISH RUGBY thread

[screenexile]

Someone mentioned before about us calling for D'Arcy's head all the time but the man really offers nothing going forward anymore. Yes his defensive play is good but surely Cave and Marshall are good defensively and can offer something going forward. (Earls does not offer us much defensively either)

[thewobbler]

How does Keith Earls still make this squad?

Ex - Lion, 35 caps, 12 tries (our top scorer in last world cup with 5) and offers cover to wing (easily his best position), outside centre and full back. Plus Tommy Bowe is missing. You'd swear he was useless. If Keith Earls played wing instead of either of Zebo or Gilroy we would not have noticed any difference.

He's definitely got value as a replacement in that he can step in competently anywhere from 11-15. This is something I've favoured since a Twickenham match a decade ago. Rob Henderson was the replacement for the three quarters, and when Murphy went off hurt, David Humphreys ended up playing full-back for 40 minutes, which among other things ended up with a one-on-one with Steve Thompson. Horrific stuff.

[GalwayBayBoy]

How does Keith Earls still make this squad?

He could actually make a very decent international wing but management and himself seem determined to turn him into BOD's long-term successor at 13. Not sure that will work out given the way he defends at times.

[trileacman]

How does Keith Earls still make this squad?

He could actually make a very decent international wing but management and himself seem determined to turn him into BOD's long-term successor at 13. Not sure that will work out given the way he defends at times.

Irish and province management have succeeded in the current dearth of quality centres by f**king about and throwing centres onto the wings and wings to centre. Trimble has been shuffled back and forward the same as Earls, leaving neither able to command either position. Meanwhile McFadden is shuffled around the back positions, leaving his long-term prospects at this level to exist only as utility back destined forever to warm benchs, the same could be said of Fitzgerald who's pace and passing could have developed him into a top class centre but was forced out to the wing as a young so as to accommodate his inclusion into Leinster sides. That leaves Ulster as the only side bothered to develop centres and that's were the future now lies. Munster/Leinster have indulged in the BOD/D'Arcy or a south pacific pairing and they are now paying the price for it.

[AFS]

Elephant in the Parlour time here................. but once again Ireland will run amok in a between World Cup cycle while other teams experiment and discard the old. Italy beating France.............would it happen in the WC or in a WC year?

Someone told me last year that Ireland have NEVER won a knockout game in the WC.

Yes.

[Declan]

Feckin Brits

[AQMP]

We'll claim anyone

[CorkMan]

Irish team to play England on Sunday:
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip (Capt.)

9. Conor Murray
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Simon Zebo
12. Gordon D'arcy
13. Brian O'Driscoll
14. Craig Gilroy
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin 17. Dave Kilcoyne 18. Declan Fitzpatrick 19. Donncha O'Cllaghan 20. Chris Henry 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Ronan O'Gara 23. Keith Earls


Unchanged team from the last match. Thank go D'arcy is fit. I was having nightmares about Earls startin in the centre.

[Wildweasel74]

Disgraceful tackle there in the U-20 game against England there, way worst that the the spear tackle on brian O`D against New Zealand, Straight red, no surprise!!

[Main Street]

Good overcomes evil in the end

Or are we allowed to express such things in the Rugby thread?

[ApresMatch]

Elephant in the Parlour time here................. but once again Ireland will run amok in a between World Cup cycle while other teams experiment and discard the old. Italy beating France.............would it happen in the WC or in a WC year?

Someone told me last year that Ireland have NEVER won a knockout game in the WC.

Never got as far as the semis. Very poor really.

Think Italy beat them two years ago in a World Cup year, but I may be wrong!!

[dec]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21341167

Women's Six Nations: England thrashed by Ireland

Reigning champions England suffered a surprise 25-0 defeat by Ireland in the women's Six Nations, their first loss in the competition since 2009.

Alison Millar scored three tries for Ireland, with a fourth by Niamh Briggs.

[Asal Mor]

Are Ireland a good bet today at even money?

[Dinny Breen]

Are Ireland a good bet today at even money?

Ireland are never a good bet under Kidney, too inconsistent.

This will get you in the mood..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibtTEpRG9hE&feature=player_embedded

[Milltown Row2]

Are Ireland a good bet today at even money?

Ireland are never a good bet under Kidney, too inconsistent.

This will get you in the mood..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibtTEpRG9hE&feature=player_embedded

Too tight to call, Ireland were great last week for 45 minutes, Wales were crap and for the last 35 mins they were great, they also blew France's chances of winning the 6 Nations and Scotland hammered Italy. This match decides the Triple Crown and the 6 Nations. If Ireland can produce the same game for 80 mins then they should win, the crowd needs to be vocal from the start (not they won't be)

Hard to take on Englands form from last week, Scotland haven't won in a few years against England away from Murrayfield and not in great form. England were on top all over the field but still managed to give away scores. I'll leave this one out of my acc today. Might back BOD to score try at anytime instead