The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Tony Baloney]

Probably. Both those performances tonight though might well have beaten Ireland today.

I'd say so. When the French can match defence to their jouer, like they did a couple of years ago, they'll be a force again soon.

[LeoMc]

Wales cheering trying not to get the wooden spoon, Italy had roasted their ass then stopped last 10mins when 17pts up.Shouldnt have give away that try in Injury time.

Wales didn't have their mind on the game, their princess is missing.

Stolen from Twitter.

[From the Bunker]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

[seafoid]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

It's the Joe McDonagh rugby championshio

[gallsman]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

The failure to implement promotion and relegation from the 6N will always limit the growth of the sport in this part of the world. Georgia famously won away in Wales as part of the autumn internationals a couple of years ago.

[From the Bunker]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

The failure to implement promotion and relegation from the 6N will always limit the growth of the sport in this part of the world. Georgia famously won away in Wales as part of the autumn internationals a couple of years ago.

Imagine if there was a promotion play-off between Wales and Georgia this year and Georgia won!
The first problem would be - there would be no Triple Crown.
Even if Wales evolved into total sh*te there is no way they could be kicked out of the 6N.

[screenexile]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

The failure to implement promotion and relegation from the 6N will always limit the growth of the sport in this part of the world. Georgia famously won away in Wales as part of the autumn internationals a couple of years ago.

Imagine if there was a promotion play-off between Wales and Georgia this year and Georgia won!
The first problem would be - there would be no Triple Crown.
Even if Wales evolved into total sh*te there is no way they could be kicked out of the 6N.

Wales/Italy/Scotland won't sign up to it as the loss of money for being relegated would probably be colossal.

There would have to be a guarantee of a certain percentage of the big cash for relegated teams but it'd be turkeys voting for Christmas why would they risk it?

[Tony Baloney]

Did not know this competition existed. Would be great if this got a bit more exposure.

The failure to implement promotion and relegation from the 6N will always limit the growth of the sport in this part of the world. Georgia famously won away in Wales as part of the autumn internationals a couple of years ago.

Imagine if there was a promotion play-off between Wales and Georgia this year and Georgia won!
The first problem would be - there would be no Triple Crown.
Even if Wales evolved into total sh*te there is no way they could be kicked out of the 6N.

Wales/Italy/Scotland won't sign up to it as the loss of money for being relegated would probably be colossal.

There would have to be a guarantee of a certain percentage of the big cash for relegated teams but it'd be turkeys voting for Christmas why would they risk it?

Wales would be buried with the loss of 6N revenue. They're already on their last legs at club level. You'd probably need 2 groups of 4 (including South Africa and Georgia) to make something work for everyone.

[thewobbler]

The 6N isn't a European championship. It's a private members competition. And an extremely successful one at that.

What could any of its members possibly gain from changing things up? I can't think is a single thing.

This concept of it growing the game is nonsense. Sports do not grow in popularity by providing a showcase for mismatches.

[Armagh18]

Some form of jeopardy do no harm. Italy have been woeful for years but seem to have got the finger out this year. Be a kick in the hole for all teams if nothing else.

[thewobbler]

It wouldn't be a kick in the hole. It would be a giant waste of everyone's time.

Had Wales been relegated at the weekend, they'd spend next season winning every game in the "b" by 80-100 points, whilst Georgia would suffer similar deficits in each of their "a" games. Italy's focus for that season would change from one of improvement to one in which having everyone fit and ready for Georgia is the key to their season.

Then the following season, when relegated, Italian rugby changes forever. Without 6N cash guaranteed, they have to cut costs everywhere.

So by the time they return to the A, they're further than ever away from the standard. And with absolutely no possibility of getting close ever again. 

[JoG2]

The 6N isn't a European championship. It's a private members competition. And an extremely successful one at that.

What could any of its members possibly gain from changing things up? I can't think is a single thing.

This concept of it growing the game is nonsense. Sports do not grow in popularity by providing a showcase for mismatches.

Like the Euro / WC qualifiers or the old All Ireland series?

[thewobbler]

The 6N isn't a European championship. It's a private members competition. And an extremely successful one at that.

What could any of its members possibly gain from changing things up? I can't think is a single thing.

This concept of it growing the game is nonsense. Sports do not grow in popularity by providing a showcase for mismatches.

Like the Euro / WC qualifiers or the old All Ireland series?

Seeded qualifiers were brought in to help ensure that the actual Finals stages of the WC and Euros remained competitive. The number of teams involved in the finals has expanded only as competition for those places improved. RWC could learn a lot from this.

Not sure what you mean about the old AI series. But I do know that in terms of public interest, tv coverage and attendance levels, the sport was reaching a nadir until the Ulster sides started to become competitive late 80s, early 90s. Which has nothing to do with a change of format or increased exposure to hidings

[Applesisapples]

Christ you would think that Irish teams of all codes are winning internationally recognised competitions year in year out to read some of the commentary on here. Can we not just enjoy the fact that at international level in Rugby we are in with a shout. The only other sport we come close in is boxing.

[johnnycool]

Christ you would think that Irish teams of all codes are winning internationally recognised competitions year in year out to read some of the commentary on here. Can we not just enjoy the fact that at international level in Rugby we are in with a shout. The only other sport we come close in is boxing.

O'Driscoll is right, rugby is fourth choice sport in Ireland, in the 00's I think he said Ireland only won 7 games for the whole decade, so enjoy it while it lasts.

John Barclay also mentioned that England has more registered referee's than Scotland has actual registered players.


6N championship won, new lads bled into the team so the Summer tours and Autumn internationals there's plenty of opportunity to bleed more lads into this environment.

Wales went full bore with almost a new team and they ended up with the wooden spoon.

England will be needing new front rows before the next 6N's, let alone a WC.

We're not in the worst of positions.