The IRISH RUGBY thread

[gallsman]

O'Mahony lucky he got his contract a few weeks ago I think and the 6-2 worked against them this time.

[Aaron Boone]

Should be another Championship next week with the home win. 

Not to be sniffed at historically. 

[Bord na Mona man]

A valuable lesson for Ireland.
It's not that Ireland were complacent, they just need to better handle the underdog throwing everything at them.

I was thinking all week that this was a role reversal.
For a couple of decades when England were clearly the better team, Ireland would go at them like wolves. Making up for the lack of quality with sheer effort.

England nearly did the same to South Africa in October, but the difference was the Saffers squeaked it over the line.

[Wildweasel74]

No, not at all, England been poor enough all year but always picked it up against us, Normally we be the same but over half the team weren't firing and subs poor. Reality is. when u reading shit like Derek Foley in the Irish Star talking about Grand slams 2 matches out, says alot about the general mentality of the Irish/Dublin Press. Arrogrant f**kers, but hearing that shit all the time. Seeps down into the Irish set up.The all too common term, best team in the world, used all too often by the Dublin press.

[Sportacus]

Missed a couple of conversions, lost a couple of important lineouts and never hit the heights. A recipe for being pipped at the post.

[gallsman]

No, not at all, England been poor enough all year but always picked it up against us, Normally we be the same but over half the team weren't firing and subs poor. Reality is. when u reading shit like Derek Foley in the Irish Star talking about Grand slams 2 matches out, says alot about the general mentality of the Irish/Dublin Press. Arrogrant f**kers, but hearing that shit all the time. Seeps down into the Irish set up.The all too common term, best team in the world, used all too often by the Dublin press.

Absolutely zero evidence of this.

[Gael80]

Disappointing result but it's not surprising. Massive disrespect to England all week, talking about record winning margins etc.

6 Nation team are in transition except Ireland but when England focused and I suspect targeted this game Ireland fell short again. Irish rugby is in a good place, but this Number 1 in the World, winning WC's, guaranteed grand slams and winning margins etc is embarassing.

The reality is Ireland are not as good as the hype suggests.

[Nanderson]

England played well above the level expected from them and Ireland played well below the level expected from them and it still took a last minute drop kick to win it for England. It's probably the toughest place to go to and get a result against a team that didn't really have anything to lose. Some of the kicks from Crowley weren't up to the standard he has set in first 3 games but Ford also wasn't too hot either for England. Throw in a couple of HIA substitutions for your in form winger and his replacement it was always going to impact their game plan.

[Wildweasel74]

Oh I think they are good enough, but there seems to be a awful dose of over confidence. Until they put in a few yrs of not folding in a tight key game the jury always be out on them.In this game here, Ireland were poor but still in a position to win. What the f**k was Connor Murray thinking. Mr Box kick for years and we get f**k all out of it. Not blame players, but seriously, look no further than him.

[Itchy]

Will have to put the DVD on hold now ffs

[thewobbler]

Positives:

1. In all aspects and senses, being able to compete with England at rugby is a marvellous achievement for Ireland. A statistical anomaly.

2. The defeat might usher the Irish mgt into considering that when push comes to shove, having a squad falling down with old timers who've always fallen a little short when it matters, may not be more effective than making room for some fresh legs who only want to make their mark.

3. RTE won't make a documentary next year interviewing the great and the good of Irish rugby about a grand slam.

Negatives.

1. England won.

[JoG2]

Disappointing result but it's not surprising. Massive disrespect to England all week, talking about record winning margins etc.

6 Nation team are in transition except Ireland but when England focused and I suspect targeted this game Ireland fell short again. Irish rugby is in a good place, but this Number 1 in the World, winning WC's, guaranteed grand slams and winning margins etc is embarassing.

The reality is Ireland are not as good as the hype suggests.

Hype from who though, journalists / media? Just ignore it, they've column inches to fill. I'd say a good most of our big GAA WhatsApp group thought this game would go to the wire, some thought England would sneak it.
Ireland are and have been for a while one of the top 3 teams in the world, they are a very good team. Very good teams lose sometimes, that's the drama of sport

[JoG2]

Rugby baffles me.
We are a small nation and only a tiny percentage of our population are involved in rugby , often from a relatively privileged background . Despite this we are "the best team in the world".
Let's be honest , rugby is a minority sport, it carries a high risk of serious injury, including due unbelievable cynical  play. It's boring and one dimensional , especially this going through the phases garbage .

Tbf it is very well marketed, especially here , where the Dublin media ( many rugby school educated ) hype it up to an unbelievable extent.

This test match nonsense is an example of this hype . We never produce in the WC and  we've only won a handful of grand slams, yet apparently we're the best team
In the world . Catch a grip🤦🏻.


Having watched every Irish international for years, I hardly watch it anymore including today's nail biter against the "auld enemy "

You do realise rankings and form is fluid?

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Better team won, but why gift possession back to England with 90 seconds left?

[seafoid]

Positives:

1. In all aspects and senses, being able to compete with England at rugby is a marvellous achievement for Ireland. A statistical anomaly.

2. The defeat might usher the Irish mgt into considering that when push comes to shove, having a squad falling down with old timers who've always fallen a little short when it matters, may not be more effective than making room for some fresh legs who only want to make their mark.

3. RTE won't make a documentary next year interviewing the great and the good of Irish rugby about a grand slam.

Negatives.

1. England won.

It's not an anomaly. If the GAA ran the 6N, England and France would win everything
Competition is important to the alicadoos so the TV money is spread equally among the 6 unions.
Italy beating Scotland was helped by this policy.