The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Walter Cronc]

Mike Gibson interview, a fabulous read

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/other-rugby/im-not-sure-id-have-wanted-to-be-a-professional-paul-kimmage-meets-rugby-legend-mike-gibson-34430028.html

Brilliant read!

[deiseach]

MG: No, people have asked about books but I wouldn't be interested in that.

I'm only that far in, and I think I'm in love. Apologies to Dan the Man and King Henry.

[Walter Cronc]

More superb analysis from Murray Kinsella and the guys at the42.ie

http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-defence-wales-six-nations-2016-2591653-Feb2016/

[AZOffaly]

Paul O'Connell has retired. Not really surprising I suppose, and I'm sad he never got to Toulon, for his own sake. For me, he's one of the best, and the best ever in Munster Red. A very nice man as well, and I hope he has a long, happy retirement with his young family.

[Declan]

That's a pity about Paulie alright. Irish rugby legend

[Walter Cronc]

What a player. What a man!

[highorlow]

Jack Carty is a big loss for us for the rest of the season. How the f**k did he manage to do that to himself!

[clowry13]

what way is SOB and rob Kearney for the weekend?

[clowry13]

if fit:
Mcgrath
Best
ross??
McCarthy
toner
SOB
CJ
heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Payne
Trimble
Kearney


Would love to see mccloskey given a run out in centre along with henshaw with paynje at full back. Cant see it though..,

[Bord na Mona man]

I wonder did the doping allegations surrounding Toulon make retirement a more palatable option?

[Dinny Breen]

Paul O'Connell has retired. Not really surprising I suppose, and I'm sad he never got to Toulon, for his own sake. For me, he's one of the best, and the best ever in Munster Red. A very nice man as well, and I hope he has a long, happy retirement with his young family.

Legend, one of the greats. A privilege to have been at his first game in Lansdowne Road and his last.

Will be a success, whatever he does next. Someone the IRFU should fast track into coaching via an overseas gig or two and away from Munster for his own benefit.

[Walter Cronc]

Is he interested in coaching Dinny?

[Dinny Breen]

Is he interested in coaching Dinny?

I don't know but unlike someone like O'Driscoll he strikes me as the coaching type. He used to do all the opposition analysis on line-outs for Munster and Leinster. Just a leader of men really.

[Walter Cronc]

A Super 15 side for a couple of years then back to Munster

[Dinny Breen]

A Super 15 side for a couple of years then back to Munster

If I was Tony McGahan, I'd be on the phone straight away. 2 year gig in Melbourne, partly funded by the IFRU, followed by a year or two in France. Then Munster 2 years as forwards coach and then head-coach. Fast track him but monitor his development. Foley is an example of why a coach needs to broaden his experience. Cullen the same but Cullen spent time in Leicester and that culture changed him for the better.