The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Syferus]

ROG was world class, without a doubt. He wasn't great defensively but few out-halves in history have been. Sexton has the physical gifts ROG didn't have but mentally ROG was a class apart. It's a Roy Keane/Zidane sort of situation in my eyes. One has all the technical skills in the world but you know the one who you would rely on to kick a game-winning shot to with a championship.

It's what made him the leading scorer in Six Nations history.

Yeah, that Zidane fella was never directly responsible for winning anything. Show pony.

You're right.

His last act as a footballer was gifting Italy the World Cup.

ROG for all his flaws was world class. You don't need to be an all-rounder to be a world class player, you just need to be very good at a few things and he most certainly was. More durable than Wilkinson (himself a one trick pony for most of his career) and just a more reliable player than Jones ever was. Best 'Home Nations' out-half of his generation, that's some achievement coming from a country whose expectations used to be getting hockeyed by everyone. I'd almost go as far as saying best European out-half of his generation but France change their out-halves more often than their underpants so it's hard to properly rate them.

Himself, BOD and O'Connell were probably the three players who embodied the changed attitude in Irish rugby the most. It was a hell of a contribution from a 'limited' rugby player.

[seafoid]

ROG was world class, without a doubt. He wasn't great defensively but few out-halves in history have been. Sexton has the physical gifts ROG didn't have but mentally ROG was a class apart. It's a Roy Keane/Zidane sort of situation in my eyes. One has all the technical skills in the world but you know the one who you would rely on to kick a game-winning shot to with a championship.

It's what made him the leading scorer in Six Nations history.

Yeah, that Zidane fella was never directly responsible for winning anything. Show pony.

You're right. His last act as a footballer was gifting Italy the World Cup.

You weren't born in 1998 but France actually won the World Cup that year thanks to Zidane 

[Syferus]

Tellin' ya. Hedge Ireland's chances in this year's 6 Nations. A bet on them winning only 1 or only 2 matches is worth it, (it always is). Think their autumn series displays flattered them a bit.

Exactly how many times in Six Nations history have Ireland won one or two games?

[mouview]

Tellin' ya. Hedge Ireland's chances in this year's 6 Nations. A bet on them winning only 1 or only 2 matches is worth it, (it always is). Think their autumn series displays flattered them a bit.

Exactly how many times in Six Nations history have Ireland won one or two games?

Oh I don't know, but it always makes it more interesting! If Ireland win, good and well, if they lose you're closer to being in the money!  Win, win, n'est pas?

[gallsman]

ROG was world class, without a doubt. He wasn't great defensively but few out-halves in history have been. Sexton has the physical gifts ROG didn't have but mentally ROG was a class apart. It's a Roy Keane/Zidane sort of situation in my eyes. One has all the technical skills in the world but you know the one who you would rely on to kick a game-winning shot to with a championship.

It's what made him the leading scorer in Six Nations history.

Yeah, that Zidane fella was never directly responsible for winning anything. Show pony.

You're right.

His last act as a footballer was gifting Italy the World Cup.

For a start, he didn't gift to them. They won a shootout ffs. 1998 World Cup final. 2002 Champions League final. He delivered consistently on the biggest stage. Why not just admit your comparison was a complete nonsense rather than pursue it? Even the most ardent United fans on the board would be unlikely to agree with you.

[seafoid]

Tellin' ya. Hedge Ireland's chances in this year's 6 Nations. A bet on them winning only 1 or only 2 matches is worth it, (it always is). Think their autumn series displays flattered them a bit.

Exactly how many times in Six Nations history have Ireland won one or two games?

Before O'Driscoll, most years
After he came along, much less often

[oakleaflad]

Tellin' ya. Hedge Ireland's chances in this year's 6 Nations. A bet on them winning only 1 or only 2 matches is worth it, (it always is). Think their autumn series displays flattered them a bit.

Exactly how many times in Six Nations history have Ireland won one or two games?

Before O'Driscoll, most years
After he came along, much less often

Three times in recent years anyway, 2008, 2012 and 2013.

[beer baron]

Get your Cheltenham money today lads,England 2/1 to beat Wales  few injuries but still got a strong side and are very well drilled.expect them to win in a low scoring game.

[johnneycool]

Crash bang wallop rugby about to start,

[Tony Baloney]

Brutal second half for Wales.

[tyroneboi]

George North shouldn't be on that pitch! Poor from the Welsh medics!

[Tony Baloney]

George North shouldn't be on that pitch! Poor from the Welsh medics!

Bound to be an investigation. Was out before he hit the dirt.

[JoG2]

Get your Cheltenham money today lads,England 2/1 to beat Wales  few injuries but still got a strong side and are very well drilled.expect them to win in a low scoring game.

Half right! Christ, same old England, physical and not much beyond that. Wales v poor in the 2nd half

[screenexile]

England looking ominous that's huge for them away from home their tails will be up coming to the Aviva!!

[Syferus]

Sure they're the same every year. Bash bash bash bash bash. Schmidt can out-think the brawn of England. Would always prefer to be the more skillful team with the better coach. And by better coach I mean we probably have the best coach in world rugby right now.

Get the Italy game out of the way and we can concentrate on what will probably be the championship deciders against the big two.