The IRISH RUGBY thread

[weareros]

Big gulf in class, in skill and physicality. Thought it would be closer. Great achievement all the same in getting there under some very sad circumstances.

[gawa316]

Any of these bucks a chance of a world cup call up?

[marty34]

French No. 5 is 6 ft 5" and over 22 stone.  Big unit.

Tualigi - nephew of the English lads.

[Capt Pat]

No I don't think so. (a chance of a world cup call up)

The last time Ireland were in the final of this competition Ireland got stuffed by England. They didn't start the game well either like they did today. However Ireland have done a lot better out of players from that final graduating to the senior team than England have. Ireland got James Ryan, Hugo Keenan and Andrew Porter on this years grand slam team and Stockdale starring on the 2018 grand slam team. England got no notable players from a winning effort in that 2016 game played in England.

From todays game Ireland could have the half backs Gunne and Prendergast coming through and centre Devine in the backs. Up front hooker Gus MacArthy or in the back row Munster men Gleeson and Quinn look good.

The French on the other hand while obviously very talented will face a tougher path to make it to the top. In the post match analysis Alan Quinlan was saying the French scrum half could make the French team. He ignored the fact that France have Dupont at scrum half who won't be dropped for a rookie any time soon.

[Tony Baloney]

Didn't see it. Much Ulster representation? McNabney start?

[Capt Pat]

McNabney started. Irvine came on in tge second half in the second row.

[Hound]

An interesting thing about the tournament was how mediocre NZ and Aus were. Ireland probably the best team in it, apart from France, but a distance behind France.

[seafoid]

Third in a row.

[Capt Pat]

Johnny Sexton could end up missing the world cup as he now faces a 24 week ban for intimidating the referee after the european cup final.

So Johnny ends up getting a 3 game ban which rules him out of the 3 warm up games for the world cup. No real harm done as he has tonnes of experience.

[keep her low this half]

Johnny Sexton could end up missing the world cup as he now faces a 24 week ban for intimidating the referee after the european cup final.

So Johnny ends up getting a 3 game ban which rules him out of the 3 warm up games for the world cup. No real harm done as he has tonnes of experience.

He is a somewhat lucky boy, Rugby really has no time for backchat to the ref, unlike the GAA or soccer

[johnnycool]

Johnny Sexton could end up missing the world cup as he now faces a 24 week ban for intimidating the referee after the european cup final.

So Johnny ends up getting a 3 game ban which rules him out of the 3 warm up games for the world cup. No real harm done as he has tonnes of experience.

He is a somewhat lucky boy, Rugby really has no time for backchat to the ref, unlike the GAA or soccer

And he wasn't even playing, giving lip to the ref well after the game was over!!!

[Applesisapples]

All Blacks looking like they are going to walk the World Cup.

[marty34]

Johnny Sexton could end up missing the world cup as he now faces a 24 week ban for intimidating the referee after the european cup final.

So Johnny ends up getting a 3 game ban which rules him out of the 3 warm up games for the world cup. No real harm done as he has tonnes of experience.

He is a somewhat lucky boy, Rugby really has no time for backchat to the ref, unlike the GAA or soccer

And he wasn't even playing, giving lip to the ref well after the game was over!!!

I'd say it was just a warning, pre World Cup.

They should have banned him for the first game which would have definately cut it out during the World Cup.

[JPGJOHNNYG]

A wins a win but that wasn't great. I know it was almost a B team but no fringe players sticking their hand up.

[Sportacus]

I watched NZ and Australia today.  They were fairly throwing it around.  Can't see Ireland reaching those levels of pace and quick hands. Mind you I was geoblocked for the Ireland game - the usual bullshit.