The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Estimator]

Ireland:
H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, T Beirne; P O'Mahony (capt), J van def Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.

6/2 split on the bench as well, with zero from Ulster in the 23!

[screenexile]

Ireland:
H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, T Beirne; P O'Mahony (capt), J van def Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.

6/2 split on the bench as well, with zero from Ulster in the 23!

Harsh enough on McCloskey and Henderson!!

[Tony Baloney]

Ireland:
H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, T Beirne; P O'Mahony (capt), J van def Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.

6/2 split on the bench as well, with zero from Ulster in the 23!

Harsh enough on McCloskey and Henderson!!

Too many miles on the clock for Henderson and Aki was one of the best performers at the World Cup. It's the start of a new World Cup cycle so he has to start phasing boys out and getting new blood in.

[thewobbler]

Looks like planning for the next World Cup, will be next season's problem.

[Wildweasel74]

Only need plan for a world cup from 2yrs out.

[thewobbler]

Only need plan for a world cup from 2yrs out.

Not when the majority of your current squad will be over 34 at the next RWC.

That's when you've got to start things earlier.

[shark]

Only need plan for a world cup from 2yrs out.

Not when the majority of your current squad will be over 34 at the next RWC.

That's when you've got to start things earlier.

This time 4 years ago it looked like hooker was going to be a problem spot with Best retiring. By the time the WC came around we had 2 excellent hookers. 4 years is a hell of a long time. Incremental changes will work just fine.

[thewobbler]

Only need plan for a world cup from 2yrs out.

Not when the majority of your current squad will be over 34 at the next RWC.

That's when you've got to start things earlier.

This time 4 years ago it looked like hooker was going to be a problem spot with Best retiring. By the time the WC came around we had 2 excellent hookers. 4 years is a hell of a long time. Incremental changes will work just fine.

That's kind of my point.

Irish rugby people convince themselves that anybody who delivers 5-6 solid performances in a row is irreplaceable.

Which is why we continually arrive at world cups with players who are past their best, and absolutely no confidence in the players who might need to step in their shoes.

As a result, the World Cup becomes a swansong for all too many careers rather than the pinnacle thereof.

[dec]

France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Paul Gabrillagues, Paul Willemse; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Posolo Tuilagi, Cameron Woki, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Deffo winning next WC 😜

[Tony Baloney]

Deffo winning next WC 😜

Not until *we* beat South Africa in an Autumn international 2 years out.

[OakLeaf]

Willemse should have been Red carded the first time.

[Nanderson]

Lots of ill-discipline from Ireland allowing the French to build momentum in the last 5 minutes of this half. The French and New Zealand are probably the teams that don't mind being down to 14 men because their style of play isn't as structured

[JPGJOHNNYG]

How are we not about 25 points up. Playing really well but some poor game management

[Capt Pat]

Crowleys missed kick in front of the posts could yet prove to be crucial.