The IRISH RUGBY thread

[bennydorano]

The best attempt at breaking into a 'new' market by any sports is soccer in the USA, it looks like its eventually gaining a genuine foothold after numerous attempts going back to the 70s, but it's still far from being the top dog. The US has the obvious attraction of mucho money & a huge population - Portugal, Romania, Georgia and most other T2 nations have neither. I'd say the IRB would much rather see Germany make a real fist of it more than the more established T2 sides. But as has mentioned numerous times, culture is hugely important, Italy can't make the final push to be a Top T1 side because soccer rules the roost.

I don't see any genuine change coming in Rugby tbh, maybe Italy produce a once in a generation side that can win a 6 Nations title to get some genuine momentum but highly unlikely. Introducing D1 & D2 6 nations with the jeopardy of relegation / promotion has to be worth an experiment but won't happen either.

[Estimator]

Irish team for Saturday:

Changes from the SA match -
Henderson in for Ryan
Sheehan in for Kelleher.
McCloskey and Conan - on the bench

Ireland: Keenan; M Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey

[johnnycool]

Irish team for Saturday:

Changes from the SA match -
Henderson in for Ryan
Sheehan in for Kelleher.
McCloskey and Conan - on the bench

Ireland: Keenan; M Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey

Henshaw is slightly off form, but looks to be blighted by injury as well.

[square_ball]

Henshaw out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. They are going to wait and see whether to replace him.

[An Watcher]

McCloskey a good replacement to bring in if required? 

[gallsman]

McCloskey a good replacement to bring in if required? 

To bang against the Scots who have never been able to match the top teams' physicality the last 20 odd years? Absolutely.

[Capt Pat]

Why is Ryan on the bench? Has he picked up a knock.

[Tony Baloney]

Why is Ryan on the bench? Has he picked up a knock.

Wrist injury in RSA match.

[Wildweasel74]

All-Blacks be going into the quarter untested, hard judge against bad teams, never looked in it against France, their back 3 is exceptional but not great under the high ball.

[From the Bunker]

Not that i care, or that any of the Top tier countries care about a new nation emerging in the game. Just like No one in the Top Tier in Hurling cares. Who wants another country to worry about.

That said the USA (and Canada) if strong would offer big money tours.

[burdizzo]

All-Blacks be going into the quarter untested, hard judge against bad teams, never looked in it against France, their back 3 is exceptional but not great under the high ball.

I'm no expert, for sure - but I thought that McKenzie lad looked pretty good in the last two games, yet the commentators reckoned he'd be lucky to get a place on the bench?

[Wildweasel74]

McKenzie a lad I be glad if he was on the bench, he's very good.

[From the Bunker]

11th in the world ranked Italy look like they are going to have a long night.

You'd wonder what the TV audience in Italy is for this game?

The French Fans are not enhancing their reputation this evening.

[Wildweasel74]

French supporters coming across as blinkered plus unlikable to boot, there a quarter final to detest, them and, South Africa supporters both you like an put in their place .

[Wildweasel74]

Another Wash out, been the worst world cup in a long time, need be big stuff from quarters on. That nearly the worst Italian team at any World Cup,