The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Owen Brannigan]

World Rugby has announced today a trialing of a lower tackle height. To be trialed at the U20s World Champs starting next week. Tackles above the nipple line will be illegal in the trial.

I saw a lot of high tackles in last weeks Monaghan Tyrone game, no HIAs and poorly punished by the referee, Dessie Ward would have seen red under rugby rules for his clothes hanger on Conor Meyler. Lads whinge about concussion in rugby but at least rugby is proactive the GAA needs to get it's shit in order.

There's a difference in the two games though. Matty Donnelly gets clotheslined every match and wins a free from it. The vast majority of them are unrewarding of a red card.

What does that mean?

BTW it's Donnelly that more the offender than offended against as frustration get to him increasingly.

If you think every tackle with an arm over a shoulder should be a red card you're talking shit.

You're other suggestion is also complete bull.

If anyone is talking bull it is yourself.

Poor Mattie Donnelly finds himself being forced to play in a Harte system that doesn't suit him, one where talent is secondary to athleticism.  An extremely talented youngster, he finds himself in his prime, over conditioned and regularly frustrated in inter county games as he rarely reaches the heights to which he aspires given his immense talent as a youth.

He'd have reason to be frustrated if he was playing div 3 football and being humiliated on the field by Fermanagh.

This is a rugby thread and we were discussing high tackles and head injuries. If you want to use it as a platform to have a go at harte or Matty then go ahead, I really don't give a f**k.

Well don't bring Donnelly and the GAA into the topic.

[Owen Brannigan]

Olding secures a squad place for next season.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44279107

[Owen Brannigan]

Another Ulster & Ireland player calls it a day.  Let's hope his future isn't blighted by his last few injuries.......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44279099

[oakleaflad]

Joey Carbery is joining Munster

[Hardy]

Whither Keatley? I think he should have left Munster once the fans got on his back. It was always too much to try to regain his confidence with the threat of ridicule hanging over his every potential error. He's a good player and would probably prosper in England or somewhere.

[Walter Cronc]

Keatley going north to mentor McPhillips possibly??

Murray, Carberry, Arnold, Farrell, Conway and Earls is a serious attacking threat!!!

[magpie seanie]

Great move for Carbery and for Munster.

[screenexile]

Great move for Carbery and for Munster.

Ulster can hardly complain that Carbery has gone south. They're a shit show of their own making at Ravenhill but they need a world class 10 and soon!

[AZOffaly]

Penny for the thoughts of JJ Hanrahan.

[Dinny Breen]

Leinster not happy. Calling it forced migration.

[Walter Cronc]

Leinster not happy. Calling it forced migration.

Get over it Leinster. Ireland comes first!

They've Sexton, Byrne, Frawley and Harry Byrne coming through the ranks. They'll be fine.

Carbery will probably return after the 2 year stint is up.

[magpie seanie]

Leinster not happy. Calling it forced migration.

Boo hoo.

Henshaw.

[Dinny Breen]

Leinster not happy. Calling it forced migration.

Boo hoo.

Henshaw.

Henshaw was out of contract. Carberry had two years to run so hardly comparable. Plus Henshaw is from Leinster.

[Walter Cronc]

Dinny was this an official Leinster statement or more pedalling via OTB??

Ironically he might have been more suited to Ulsters style of play but sure the big bad north is a scary place according to Gilroy & McIntyre 

[Dinny Breen]

It's more their unofficial stance but forced migration is how they refer to it.

Yea Ulster play a closer brand but too much noise a lot of empty around Ulster. Will wait and see if Munster impose their style on Joey. He's a pretty poor tactical kicker so will be interesting.