The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Tony Baloney]

Rugby is bizarre on one hand we are looking at our strongest squad in terms of depth ever on the other hand we have a couple of injuries and we are f#cked

Squad depth only on paper, the one dimensional backs being produced by Irish rugby are all inter changeable hence why the loss of Lowe has such an immediate impact. Tack on aging centres and front row and it's a side that needs major surgery, only the back row has proper strength. the Irish conveyor belt of talent built on building monsters in the Leinster school system will take a team so far, but they are identikit players with little individuality.


France excellent today albeit they got one or two key decisions and permitted to play havoc with offside line, Ireland had a lot of pressure but only Conan looked like breaking up the French defence.

Prendergast is talented but cant run the ball against aggressive line defence as he hasn't the bulk, as has been the case for 10 years with Ireland when plan A doesn't work there isn't really a plan b.

French fans in the stadium and around Dublin today in smashing form and a great atmosphere

Watch the u20s from last night and you'll see there is no conveyor belt. The monsters were on the French side. I think Ireland are in for a few lean years.

The French defensive effort today was immense, especially in the first 20 mins when Ireland threw everything at them. They were very disciplined and held their line.

[Brendan]

Non rugby fan here so wondering why Andy Farrell was allowed to piss off and take the Lions team instead of doing the job he's paid to do and manage Ireland through their biggest/only competition of the year?

[snoopdog]

Non rugby fan here so wondering why Andy Farrell was allowed to piss off and take the Lions team instead of doing the job he's paid to do and manage Ireland through their biggest/only competition of the year?

Same here. Strange decision but then rugby have some strange traditions.  Like 4 countries combining to play 1 as an example.

[marty34]

French are great to watch.

Only thing is you don't know what French team will show up. Consistency is their main issue. I suppose it's always been a problem with them.

But when good, they're hot.

Ireland coming in for some stick for deliberately targeting players. Never saw the game so I can't comment.

[gallsman]

If it wasn't Dupont there'd not be a sniff of a suggestion that it was intentional. France just having their usual cry. Beirne clears out and his leg is stuck there. Brutal accident, nothing more.

[pbat]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

[ardtole]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

[Armagh18]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

[gallsman]

If it wasn't Dupont there'd not be a sniff of a suggestion that it was intentional. France just having their usual cry. Beirne clears out and his leg is stuck there. Brutal accident, nothing more.

As expected, no case to answer. Galthie will make a thing of this for years.

[Captain Scarlet]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.
[/quot

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.

The fact the stadium was full of french fans tells me that some of the club's that get the tickets would rather cash in and sell their allocation than go themselves. Pretty sad to be honest but I guess for some clubs it's a big cash  injection

[Tony Baloney]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.
[/quot

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.

The fact the stadium was full of french fans tells me that some of the club's that get the tickets would rather cash in and sell their allocation than go themselves. Pretty sad to be honest but I guess for some clubs it's a big cash  injection

[johnnycool]

It was good while it lasted, we all partied.

This Ireland team has reached the end of the road, three more retiring next week coupled with Sexton going.

It's time for a rebuild, nothing new in that and it's part of the cycle.

The question is how far Ireland drop off as we won't be able to compete with the SA's, French or All blacks, but should still be able to compete with England, Scotland and the Aussies.

The French are the team of the championship, they made some balls of the England match, leaving three tries behind them in the first half alone. Scotland might make it interesting for a while before France overwhelm them

England are the luckiest shower going, both France and Scotland had the beatings of them in Twickenham but failed to do so and Ireland gifted them the losers bonus point.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Thats exactly my thoughts summed it in one. Still support the team but wouldnt be emotional whether they won or lost.

Back in 2009 when they won the grand slam I though it was the best thing in the world.

Residency rule has totally diluted the International game.

[Estimator]

I'd love to see some stats on teams 'held up over the line' in this years 6nations. Ireland seem to have two or three every single game.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2025/0313/1501977-irelands-tryline-woes-part-of-a-frustrating-trend/

Looks like someone did the research.