I have to say after our performance against the All Black's I'm really looking forward to this 6 Nations. A creative coach who wants to play an fast expansive game should help us I think and given Wales' injury woes and the fact England are looking solid but not spectacular and the French being piss poor this last few years should give us a decent chance.
Slightly worried about the Leinster bias in the squad for the first 2 games though... Surely Gilroy and Zebo were worth a shout even at the expense of Trimble!
Leinster: 18
Ulster: 8
Munster: 5
Connacht: 1
Racing Metro: 1
Cardiff Blues: 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25912352
Ireland's 34-man squad to play Scotland and Wales: Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*, Sean Cronin (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster)*, Jordi Murphy (Leinster)*, Paul O'Connell (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster).
Backs: Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), David Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
* denotes uncapped player
I'm surprised there's only 3 Munster forwards, and two backs. That one of the backs is Felix Jones is even more of a surprise. Still, I suppose it will keep them fresh. Zebo's just back from injury, and Keatley is obviously losing out to Jackson and Madigan, which is fair enough. Earls is hurt too, so the backs are probably fair enough.
I would have thought Kilcoyne, Archer, O'Donnell would have been closer, but even the forwards have injuries with Donnacha Ryan.
Could be wrong but I think France have won every 6 Nations following a Lions tour since the professional era.
Quote from: Walter Cronc on January 28, 2014, 11:32:51 AM
Could be wrong but I think France have won every 6 Nations following a Lions tour since the professional era.
Including 3 Grand Slams.
However England were dominant for a lot of them and their players were all bollixed. Wales is the closest comparison this year but with the RaboPro12 players can be managed a little better.
Still I'd expect France to challenge, along with England and ourselves.
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 10:18:22 AM
I'm surprised there's only 3 Munster forwards, and two backs. That one of the backs is Felix Jones is even more of a surprise. Still, I suppose it will keep them fresh. Zebo's just back from injury, and Keatley is obviously losing out to Jackson and Madigan, which is fair enough. Earls is hurt too, so the backs are probably fair enough.
I would have thought Kilcoyne, Archer, O'Donnell would have been closer, but even the forwards have injuries with Donnacha Ryan.
Jesus can we not let the Parochial shit go for once. O'Donnell is in the squad, Archer loses out to the form Irish tight-head and Kilcoyne was out of form and lost his place to Cronin and is only coming back now whereas McGrath in Healy's absence has been outstanding.
Piss off Dinny, not being parochial. Some of ye Leinster lads are very touchy. Mea culpa on o'donnell I thought I read a squad without him earlier.
Archer and Kilcoyne will feel hard done by, but I think I said that keatley and Zeno were fair enough. So stick parochial up your land rover driving hole :)
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 03:50:17 PM
Piss off Dinny, not being parochial. Some of ye Leinster lads are very touchy. Mea culpa on o'donnell I thought I read a squad without him earlier.
Archer and Kilcoyne will feel hard done by, but I think I said that keatley and Zeno were fair enough. So stick parochial up your land rover driving hole :)
No need to get all Burberry! ;D
Burberry?
I'm an Irish fan foremost ya turnip muncher and can't understand how anyone rates Archer as an International player.
Zebo needs to mature off the pitch and I reckon that's a factor in his omission.
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 03:53:19 PM
Burberry?
They design some Land Rover interiors as well as dressing most of the drivers. You would see many Burberry jackets in Twickenham. Not sure about Dinny though.
See:
(http://www.automobilesreview.com/img/carlex-design-range-rover-burberry/carlex-design-range-rover-burberry-07.jpg)
Nice!
For my sins I do have a sheepskin coat to my name.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 28, 2014, 04:00:23 PM
I'm an Irish fan foremost ya turnip muncher and can't understand how anyone rates Archer as an International player.
Zebo needs to mature off the pitch and I reckon that's a factor in his omission.
Be honest Dinny, you can't see any Munster player as an international unless he's 10 times better than his Leinster equivalent. You're so parochial :)
And if we are talking about off the pitch maturity there's about a million international rugby players who should not be capped.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 28, 2014, 04:05:32 PM
Nice!
For my sins I do have a sheepskin coat to my name.
I knew it!!!! And for the record, I hate turnip.
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 04:08:55 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 28, 2014, 04:05:32 PM
Nice!
For my sins I do have a sheepskin coat to my name.
I knew it!!!! And for the record, I hate turnip.
Of course you do you're a Leinster man after all, raised on foie gras.
I don't eat grass! How dare you?
Quote from: screenexile on January 28, 2014, 10:09:11 AM
Ireland's 34-man squad to play Scotland and Wales: Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*, Sean Cronin (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster)*, Jordi Murphy (Leinster)*, Paul O'Connell (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster).
Backs: Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), David Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
* denotes uncapped player
They've gotten the name format wrong for starters...J.P.R. Heaslip, P.J. O'Connell.
Do they not list the occupations of these players?
Which ones are the barristers and surgeons from D4 and which are the chimney sweeps and coal miners from Limerick?
Quote from: Bord na Mona man on January 28, 2014, 05:13:22 PM
Quote from: screenexile on January 28, 2014, 10:09:11 AM
Ireland's 34-man squad to play Scotland and Wales: Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*, Sean Cronin (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster)*, Jordi Murphy (Leinster)*, Paul O'Connell (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster).
Backs: Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), David Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).
* denotes uncapped player
They've gotten the name format wrong for starters...J.P.R. Heaslip, P.J. O'Connell.
Do they not list the occupations of these players?
Which ones are the barristers and surgeons from D4 and which are the chimney sweeps and coal miners from Limerick?
QuoteAnother day of county cricket was about to start (http://www.goalsandwickets.co.uk/cricket/cricket-editorial/your-scorecard-should-read-titmus-f-j-not-f-j-titmus-charles-williams-book-on-the-demise-of-crickets-amateur-professional-divide/).
The public address system clicked on and a voice informed the spectators that there was a change on their scorecards. The adjustment was not to replace one player with another on the Middlesex side but to change the way that Fred Titmus' name was printed there.
On the card, his name had been printed as F.J. Titmus. What could possible be wrong with this? Well, plenty, it seemed. Only amateurs had their initials printed before their surname. Titmus was a professional and his name should have been put on the scorecard surname first, followed by his initials. Titmus F.J. and not F.J. Titmus.
http://fantasyrugby.irishtimes.com/Index.aspx
anyone want to this again for the craic, missed out last year. will get league code if there is enough interest
Sure go on missed been runner up last year again
Go Hoof
Go for it hoof hearted. I'll give it a lash.
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 04:08:08 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 28, 2014, 04:00:23 PM
I'm an Irish fan foremost ya turnip muncher and can't understand how anyone rates Archer as an International player.
Zebo needs to mature off the pitch and I reckon that's a factor in his omission.
Be honest Dinny, you can't see any Munster player as an international unless he's 10 times better than his Leinster equivalent. You're so parochial :)
And if we are talking about off the pitch maturity there's about a million international rugby players who should not be capped.
Agreed, Dinny does his best to w**k on about every Leinster player at any opportunity and castigated Kidney for his pro-Munster bias, now that the shoe is on the other foot he can't see the wood for the trees.
I believe O'Driscoll or ROG didn't mature much of the pitch in their younger days so that's a load of shite. Cronin is a fella who could do with some maturing too so I've heard.
Quote from: trileacman on January 29, 2014, 06:20:12 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 04:08:08 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 28, 2014, 04:00:23 PM
I'm an Irish fan foremost ya turnip muncher and can't understand how anyone rates Archer as an International player.
Zebo needs to mature off the pitch and I reckon that's a factor in his omission.
Be honest Dinny, you can't see any Munster player as an international unless he's 10 times better than his Leinster equivalent. You're so parochial :)
And if we are talking about off the pitch maturity there's about a million international rugby players who should not be capped.
Agreed, Dinny does his best to w**k on about every Leinster player at any opportunity and castigated Kidney for his pro-Munster bias, now that the shoe is on the other foot he can't see the wood for the trees.
I believe O'Driscoll or ROG didn't mature much of the pitch in their younger days so that's a load of shite. Cronin is a fella who could do with some maturing too so I've heard.
read between the lines regarding Zebo
I'm not a provincial fan, I like the Munster team couldn't abide the liginds and passion shit their fans came out with and how every Munster player is better than his opposite number even John Kelly should have started ahead of BOD. I have a lot of time for Declan but he was so Munstercentric it was embarrassing . The new man is a Kiwi and his own man not ruled by the Cork Con Mafia, judge him in 2 years.
Quote from: muppet on January 28, 2014, 03:52:20 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 28, 2014, 03:50:17 PM
Piss off Dinny, not being parochial. Some of ye Leinster lads are very touchy. Mea culpa on o'donnell I thought I read a squad without him earlier.
Archer and Kilcoyne will feel hard done by, but I think I said that keatley and Zeno were fair enough. So stick parochial up your land rover driving hole :)
No need to get all Burberry! ;D
Burberry is for Zulu Warriors!!
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on January 28, 2014, 10:08:00 PM
http://fantasyrugby.irishtimes.com/Index.aspx
anyone want to this again for the craic, missed out last year. will get league code if there is enough interest
GAA Board
League PIN: 61944 (You must give this PIN to any managers that you want in your league)
Wales and France both have solid teams out for the first match, serious potential in the French side, if a slightly lightweight pack.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 29, 2014, 07:55:09 PM
read between the lines regarding Zebo
I'm not a provincial fan, I like the Munster team couldn't abide the liginds and passion shit their fans came out with and how every Munster player is better than his opposite number even John Kelly should have started ahead of BOD. I have a lot of time for Declan but he was so Munstercentric it was embarrassing . The new man is a Kiwi and his own man not ruled by the Cork Con Mafia, judge him in 2 years.
Well if Schmidt's Kiwi credentials imbue him some neutrality then as an Ulsterman, who has no beef with Munster or Leinster, I have to say you appear to have a chip on your shoulder when it comes to the boys in red. Why degrade them so with this "Cork Con Mafia" slur, we were just discussing the disposition towards Leinster players in the squad.
Quote from: trileacman on January 31, 2014, 12:34:57 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on January 29, 2014, 07:55:09 PM
read between the lines regarding Zebo
I'm not a provincial fan, I like the Munster team couldn't abide the liginds and passion shit their fans came out with and how every Munster player is better than his opposite number even John Kelly should have started ahead of BOD. I have a lot of time for Declan but he was so Munstercentric it was embarrassing . The new man is a Kiwi and his own man not ruled by the Cork Con Mafia, judge him in 2 years.
Well if Schmidt's Kiwi credentials imbue him some neutrality then as an Ulsterman, who has no beef with Munster or Leinster, I have to say you appear to have a chip on your shoulder when it comes to the boys in red. Why degrade them so with this "Cork Con Mafia" slur, we were just discussing the disposition towards Leinster players in the squad.
You obviously know nothing about Irish rugby politics and the struggles since turning professional. Cork Con are the single most powerful club in Ireland, the lack of a singular training centre has held Munster back and subsequently Ireland, why was that allowed to develop? Why was Garland let go? Why did we have to put up with 2 coaches who had over stayed their time?
Why so many Leinster players? Schmidt's coaching philosophy is centred on professionalism, accuracy and clarity, the Leinster players have a head start they know what the man expects, all players in the Irish squad will know where they stand with Schmidt period. When they leave the squad they will be given work-ons i.e. things to improve their game, he will make every player in his squads better, it's then up to the player to show his worth, no more favourites, no more perceived quotas. If the 15 best players all just happen to wear the red of Munster I couldn't care less because for the first time since Gatland Ireland will have the best 15 available.
As for the game Sunday which we should be talking about, I think Ireland Ireland will win and will win well. They should cover the spread.
I think they'll lose. Too many Leinster players.
I'm joking of course. Leinster and Ulster are currently the best two provinces in the country, and that's why they have the most players. Given that a significant number of Ulster's best players are not eligible, that further skews the balance Leinster's way. I do think there are a few marginal calls in there, but it's hardly any surprise that someone working with Leinster for the past couple of years feels more comfortable in tight calls with players he knows. No real issue with it. I'm sure when Donnacha Ryan, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo come back to full fitness, they'll make their way in. I also think lads like Kilcoyne and Archer will respond well to the challenge which will be good for Munster. Young Cronin and Casey are also coming through at loosehead and hooker as well, and I expect them to continue to develop.
Dinny, I'm not sure about the 'professionalism' of Munster, if that's supposed to be a dig at them, but I've not heard too many outrageous tales about their professionalism or lack thereof, so I'm not sure why you mention that. I think the biggest reason why Leinster are better today is because they have better players. Declan Kidney destroyed the Munster Academy by ignoring it, and it's only now that it's beginning to provide promising players again. Tony McGahan was a poor enough first team coach, but he has to take credit for realising the Academy was in trouble and trying to do something about it.
Also, as regards the Cork/Limerick thing, I'm not sure how it has held Munster back as it was the case when Munster were winning European Cups as well. Maybe things have moved on, and the arrangement needs to be looked at again, but it's a fact of life down here that there are two centres of population, and two centres of player pool. I don't think that's a huge factor. Although you are right about Cork Con.
If I look at the Munster squad for the last game at Thomond Park v Edinburgh, how many would I feel are good enough for a place on an Ireland squad at the moment, borderline, future prospects or not at that standard.
15 - Felix Jones (Not at that Standard)
14 - Keith Earls (Good Enough)
13 - Casey Laulala (N/A)
12 - James Downey (Not at that Standard)
11 - Johne Murphy (Not at that Standard)
10 - Ian Keatley (Not at that Standard)
9 - Conor Murray (Good Enough)
1 - David Kilcoyne (Borderline)
2 - Damien Varley (Not at that Standard)
3 - Stephen Archer (Borderline)
4 - David Foley (Future Prospect)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Good Enough)
6 - Peter O'Mahoney (Good Enough)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (Borderline)
8 - James Coughlan (Not at that Standard)
16 - Duncan Casey (Future Prospect)
17 - James Cronin (Future Prospect)
18 - BJ Botha (Not sure of BJs eligibility, but even so probably borderline at best)
19 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Not at that Standard any more)
20 - Paddy Butler (Future Prospect)
21 - Duncan Williams (Not at that Standard)
22 - JJ Hanrahan (Future Prospect)
23 - Simon Zebo (Good Enough)
Also
Donnacha Ryan is Good Enough,
Mike Sherry is Borderline,
Andrew Conway is a Future Prospect
Dave O'Callaghan is a Future Prospect
There's a couple of others that are borderline future prospects like Ronan O'Mahoney and Cathal Sheridan, but they are not 21 or 22, so they may be missing the boat.
As regards this game on Sunday, I'd always be nervous of the Scots in the first game. If they've had a few kickings already, then fair enough, but they can be sticky hoors if they still have fire in them. They've also got to be hoping the forecast for wind and rain is true, because that will stop Ireland moving it wide or through the hands at all really. I'm not sure there's one player I'd take over their Irish opposite number, but sometimes that doesn't matter a shite.
QuoteDinny, I'm not sure about the 'professionalism' of Munster, if that's supposed to be a dig at them, but I've not heard too many outrageous tales about their professionalism or lack thereof, so I'm not sure why you mention that
No, no. PM sent.
Not to me....
Irish team named.
15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
12 - Luke Marshall (Ulster)
11 Dave Kearaney (Leinster)
10 - Jonny Sexton (Racing)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Leinster)
4 - Devin Toner (Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster - Captain)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 31, 2014, 02:16:23 PM
Irish team named.
15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
12 - Luke Marshall (Ulster)
11 Dave Kearaney (Leinster)
10 - Jonny Sexton (Racing)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Leinster)
4 - Devin Toner (Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster - Captain)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Lots of UK journos reckon Joe Schmidt will bring a bit of je ne sais quoi to Ireland
Good timing Dinny. Sat down to read the Munster Friday supplement in the indo and the first headline is "single training facility at UL to open in 2015".
The second thing was "joe Schmidt gave me great feedback on what I need to do, and that's all you want from a coach" - David Kilcoyne.
Quote from: seafoid on January 31, 2014, 02:38:41 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 31, 2014, 02:16:23 PM
Irish team named.
15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
12 - Luke Marshall (Ulster)
11 Dave Kearaney (Leinster)
10 - Jonny Sexton (Racing)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Leinster)
4 - Devin Toner (Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster - Captain)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Lots of UK journos reckon Joe Schmidt will bring a bit of je ne sais quoi to Ireland
That's as disjointed a 15 that Ireland have named in a while. I'd be worried about us to be honest. Without the brilliance of Sexton at 10 and the work of O'Connell, Heaslip and Healy in the pack we would be as bad as Scotland or Italy. People seem to be building us up from the NZ performance but does anyone remember the shocking display against the Aussies were they tore us apart?
Quote from: trileacman on January 31, 2014, 06:48:58 PM
Quote from: seafoid on January 31, 2014, 02:38:41 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 31, 2014, 02:16:23 PM
Irish team named.
15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
12 - Luke Marshall (Ulster)
11 Dave Kearaney (Leinster)
10 - Jonny Sexton (Racing)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Leinster)
4 - Devin Toner (Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster - Captain)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Lots of UK journos reckon Joe Schmidt will bring a bit of je ne sais quoi to Ireland
That's as disjointed a 15 that Ireland have named in a while. I'd be worried about us to be honest. Without the brilliance of Sexton at 10 and the work of O'Connell, Heaslip and Healy in the pack we would be as bad as Scotland or Italy. People seem to be building us up from the NZ performance but does anyone remember the shocking display against the Aussies were they tore us apart?
Disjointed? Explain?
Quote from: Walter Cronc on January 31, 2014, 07:08:29 PM
Quote from: trileacman on January 31, 2014, 06:48:58 PM
Quote from: seafoid on January 31, 2014, 02:38:41 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on January 31, 2014, 02:16:23 PM
Irish team named.
15 - Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
12 - Luke Marshall (Ulster)
11 Dave Kearaney (Leinster)
10 - Jonny Sexton (Racing)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Leinster)
4 - Devin Toner (Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Munster - Captain)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Lots of UK journos reckon Joe Schmidt will bring a bit of je ne sais quoi to Ireland
That's as disjointed a 15 that Ireland have named in a while. I'd be worried about us to be honest. Without the brilliance of Sexton at 10 and the work of O'Connell, Heaslip and Healy in the pack we would be as bad as Scotland or Italy. People seem to be building us up from the NZ performance but does anyone remember the shocking display against the Aussies were they tore us apart?
Disjointed? Explain?
There is a Sexton, Marshall, BOD, Trimble axis there that'll take a while to settle. I've never been convinced by Trimble and don't think his recent performances warrant selection. Healy, Best and Ross are decent individuals but a poor scrummaging unit who the Aussies, the worst scrummaging unit in the Southern Hemisphere comfortably out-classed. O'Connell is ageing and you'd know it, the work just isn't in him and he won't last the championship pace. Toner is an odd 2nd row. Capable in the lineout but there's an awkwardness to his play in the loose that is un-nerving to watch. As pairing's go, they are not the well-augmented selection of O'Kelly/POC or DOC/POC, I think.
In fairness there is a balance to the selection in the back row that I haven't seen in years. Each player is suited well to his role and hopefully it will get the best out of all of them, especially Heaslip who drifts further and further towards a 6 style of play as his career goes on.
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on January 29, 2014, 08:49:11 PM
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on January 28, 2014, 10:08:00 PM
http://fantasyrugby.irishtimes.com/Index.aspx
anyone want to this again for the craic, missed out last year. will get league code if there is enough interest
GAA Board
League PIN: 61944 (You must give this PIN to any managers that you want in your league)
another few hours yet to enter if anyone interested - about 7/8 in so far
Not sure about disjointed. Seems a strange comment.
9 of that team have been en situ for the past 5 seasons.
Nobody has made a clear run for the no.4 jersey, while 6 and 7 are only available because of injury.
That leaves inside centre and the wings. Playing a recognised inside centre at 12 is hardly unbalanced, while two big and aggressive wingers is hardly a bizarre ploy.
By the way, for my money Trimble has been Ulster's outstanding winger for the past 3 years and this is long overdue. He doesn't have Bowe's swerve or Gilroy's sidestep, but he's superb in defence, can step in as a centre as required and knows how to finish.
So BOD's career will end where it began, springtime in Paris. It would be wonderful if the championship was up for grabs heading to Stade de France, it would be a story book ending for our greatest player.
Quote from: thewobbler on January 31, 2014, 08:57:43 PM
Not sure about disjointed. Seems a strange comment.
9 of that team have been en situ for the past 5 seasons.
Nobody has made a clear run for the no.4 jersey, while 6 and 7 are only available because of injury.
That leaves inside centre and the wings. Playing a recognised inside centre at 12 is hardly unbalanced, while two big and aggressive wingers is hardly a bizarre ploy.
By the way, for my money Trimble has been Ulster's outstanding winger for the past 3 years and this is long overdue. He doesn't have Bowe's swerve or Gilroy's sidestep, but he's superb in defence, can step in as a centre as required and knows how to finish.
Twelve tries in 50 appearances is a pretty reasonable return given the amount of stick he gets too. Compare this to Luke Fitzgerald who has two in 28 who never sees to have his selection questioned like Trimble does.
Quote from: thewobbler on January 31, 2014, 08:57:43 PM
Not sure about disjointed. Seems a strange comment.
9 of that team have been en situ for the past 5 seasons.
Nobody has made a clear run for the no.4 jersey, while 6 and 7 are only available because of injury.
That leaves inside centre and the wings. Playing a recognised inside centre at 12 is hardly unbalanced, while two big and aggressive wingers is hardly a bizarre ploy.
By the way, for my money Trimble has been Ulster's outstanding winger for the past 3 years and this is long overdue. He doesn't have Bowe's swerve or Gilroy's sidestep, but he's superb in defence, can step in as a centre as required and knows how to finish.
Would agree on the point on Trimble. Mark Anscombe has even moved Bowe to left wing to accommodate Trimble on the right, hope he has a good game on Sunday to prove doubters wrong.
Would have liked to see Tuohy and Moore start. Think Tuohy has been form second row this year and would compliment POC greatly. Just don't rate Toner and think he struggles badly in scrum. Moore has potential to be the tight head version of Healy and is now as good as Ross in the scrum and a lot lot better in the loose.
So what are your predictions for Ireland in this years championship?
I will be optimistic and suggest 4 wins for Ireland against Scotland, Wales, Italy and one of England and France.
Quote from: Capt Pat on February 01, 2014, 01:13:41 AM
So what are your predictions for Ireland in this years championship?
I will be optimistic and suggest 4 wins for Ireland against Scotland, Wales, Italy and one of England and France.
Which might well be enough for the title if things go our way in other games. Lord knows we've had enough close calls going against us in this tournament.
Does it say something about the rate of squad development that this team, under new management and just over a year out from the World Cup, has only three players with fewer than ten caps? And it would have been only one (or two at most) but for injuries.
Quote from: Syferus on January 31, 2014, 10:04:45 PM
So BOD's career will end where it began, springtime in Paris. It would be wonderful if the championship was up for grabs heading to Stade de France, it would be a story book ending for our greatest player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtG3UAVSbs
I was listening to it on the way from Midleton to Dublin. Had to pull over in Cashel to watch the last bit in a pub. Unbelievable result at the time
Thats some anthem singing from the Italian team class!
Anyone have Campangaro?
Just watching RTE's coverage ... Has O'Gara fair loves alluding to his mates!!
Quote from: screenexile on February 01, 2014, 04:26:26 PM
Just watching RTE's coverage ... Has O'Gara fair loves alluding to his mates!!
Think ROG is a deadly bit of stuff as a panelist, breath of fresh air and some quality analysis.
This could be a good one. France a lot to prove here.
For anyone not watching, young French half-back pairing are tearing Engerland a new arse. 16-3
I think I'll go paint a wall so I can watch it dry.
Quote from: trileacman on February 01, 2014, 05:30:18 PM
For anyone not watching, young French half-back pairing are tearing Engerland a new arse. 16-3
Should have put that to bed but England still in it.
Quote from: laoislad on February 01, 2014, 05:33:23 PM
I think I'll go paint a wall so I can watch it dry.
Really enjoyable game, some wonderful (and stereotypical) French flair.
Quote from: Syferus on February 01, 2014, 05:54:48 PM
Quote from: laoislad on February 01, 2014, 05:33:23 PM
I think I'll go paint a wall so I can watch it dry.
Really enjoyable game, some wonderful (and stereotypical) French flair.
Great excitement here to. I've just proved a watched pot does actually boil.
Back to watching the paint now.
England won't go away and France will crumble as usual
swareski saved my hole there, French were very 2-dimensional, offered nil in the 2nd half until he straightened on the outside. Made that try, it was like watching a centre.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on February 01, 2014, 06:10:41 PM
England won't go away and France will crumble as usual
You called that one spot on
Well that was exciting, in the end, commentators would sicken your hole
Loved the physicality in that game, tough lesson for England but what a try to win it.
If Ireland go their looking a grandslam or championship it will be a tough ask especially as the French are now likely to be looking the same.
Quote from: whitegoodman on February 01, 2014, 07:02:08 PM
If Ireland go their looking a grandslam or championship it will be a tough ask especially as the French are now likely to be looking the same.
Wouldn't be at all confident of them beating Wales, even in this game France looked at sea for most of it. Consistency has never been their strong point. We take care of business at home the first two weeks and we can head to Twickenham ready to pile more pressure on England.
Quote from: trileacman on February 01, 2014, 06:52:14 PM
swareski saved my hole there, French were very 2-dimensional, offered nil in the 2nd half until he straightened on the outside. Made that try, it was like watching a centre.
Good play from the hooker there Doing something a lot of the centres in both games couldn't accomplish. If you have an overlap straighten up and pass the ball on instead of running sideways Killing the space.
We all have Forfana in our teams but he's not a good inside centre, similarly Bastereuad isnt a good outside centre. They just don't create or dictate the play, it's all smash smash smash. If the French yearn for the return of their glory years they need to find their new Jauzion. Think of how criminally underused Merdard and the full-back were in that game, can't remember them gaining a single yard. The ten looks capable and steady, not convinced by that scrum-half though, lots of room to improve.
Picamoles isn't all he's cracked up to be, England, the king of all the smash artist teams, have their equivalent Ben Morgan on the bench where he belongs. Nowhere near the player Harinodquay was, (and Hary had his faults too).
Quote from: trileacman on February 01, 2014, 11:38:27 PM
We all have Forfana in our teams but he's not a good inside centre, similarly Bastereuad isnt a good outside centre. They just don't create or dictate the play, it's all smash smash smash. If the French yearn for the return of their glory years they need to find their new Jauzion. Think of how criminally underused Merdard and the full-back were in that game, can't remember them gaining a single yard. The ten looks capable and steady, not convinced by that scrum-half though, lots of room to improve.
Picamoles isn't all he's cracked up to be, England, the king of all the smash artist teams, have their equivalent Ben Morgan on the bench where he belongs. Nowhere near the player Harinodquay was, (and Hary had his faults too).
Glad I changed my kicker from Farrell to Ha'penny this morning. Vunipola put in a decent shift for anyone that has him on their team.
I had Vunipola, I noticed he had two assists. Does anyone know who got man of the match in the England game?
Quote from: Capt Pat on February 02, 2014, 12:54:47 AM
I had Vunipola, I noticed he had two assists. Does anyone know who got man of the match in the England game?
Huget
O'Connell is out? Touhy is in.
Not confident. Flaky 3/4 line with 5th and 6th choice wingers. No confidence in that second row. And against our bogey team.
I thought France were our bogey team. Still its a big loss that we might struggle to overcome.
France are usually just better than us. For me, Scotland a bogey team because they beat us when they shouldn't.
How long is Sexton allowed to stand still before kicking a penalty?
Quote from: Orior on February 02, 2014, 03:49:37 PM
How long is Sexton allowed to stand still before kicking a penalty?
One minute.
Scotland don't seem to be up to it.
21-6 after 16 minutes of the second half. We are pulling away now after a tight first half.
I've given JH a bit of grief in the past on here, but he was immense today
Sat should be a tight encounter
Great to see Sexton play with so much confidence and flair in the Irish shirt .... before he hit the wrong side of 30.
What was that Brent Pope snigger and McGurk censorious intervention about, in the half time punditry rabble rousing event?
God I hate that crash, crash, crash, crash rugby from England, their RL coaching staff are showing very little invention from it otherwise, the Welsh are similar but offer slightly more thought, though not always as other than crashing down the Italians showed little sleight of hand or wit, is this coaching by numbers and stats gone mad?
After a jittery enough start yesterday I thought Ireland did pretty well, although the Scots were pretty poor.
Best got in some fine tackles on a few speedy backs in open play which is always good to see, Toner is there for lineouts, but with the ball in hand you just get the feeling he may lose the ball in the tackle, didn't yesterday but better opposition will do.
The much maligned Trimble had a great game and was assured under the high ball as were the Kearneys, a Scottish tactic which didn't reap much reward for them.
If anything the injury crisis last year was a blessing in disguise as there's now decent options and cover for most positions.
Now for Wales, is it in Cardiff??
Quote from: johnneycool on February 03, 2014, 10:53:48 AM
God I hate that crash, crash, crash, crash rugby from England, their RL coaching staff are showing very little invention from it otherwise, the Welsh are similar but offer slightly more thought, though not always as other than crashing down the Italians showed little sleight of hand or wit, is this coaching by numbers and stats gone mad?
After a jittery enough start yesterday I thought Ireland did pretty well, although the Scots were pretty poor.
Best got in some fine tackles on a few speedy backs in open play which is always good to see, Toner is there for lineouts, but with the ball in hand you just get the feeling he may lose the ball in the tackle, didn't yesterday but better opposition will do.
The much maligned Trimble had a great game and was assured under the high ball as were the Kearneys, a Scottish tactic which didn't reap much reward for them.
If anything the injury crisis last year was a blessing in disguise as there's now decent options and cover for most positions.
Now for Wales, is it in Cardiff??
Aviva, 1430, next saturday.
And I have a ticket! :D
Quote from: johnneycool on February 03, 2014, 10:53:48 AM
God I hate that crash, crash, crash, crash rugby from England, their RL coaching staff are showing very little invention from it otherwise, the Welsh are similar but offer slightly more thought, though not always as other than crashing down the Italians showed little sleight of hand or wit, is this coaching by numbers and stats gone mad?
After a jittery enough start yesterday I thought Ireland did pretty well, although the Scots were pretty poor.
Best got in some fine tackles on a few speedy backs in open play which is always good to see, Toner is there for lineouts, but with the ball in hand you just get the feeling he may lose the ball in the tackle, didn't yesterday but better opposition will do.
The much maligned Trimble had a great game and was assured under the high ball as were the Kearneys, a Scottish tactic which didn't reap much reward for them.
If anything the injury crisis last year was a blessing in disguise as there's now decent options and cover for most positions.
Now for Wales, is it in Cardiff??
We'll always be home to Scotland, Wales and Italy in the same season, away to the same 3 the following season. We'll be away to England and France this season and home the following season and around and around she goes
Quote from: muppet on February 03, 2014, 10:56:09 AM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 03, 2014, 10:53:48 AM
God I hate that crash, crash, crash, crash rugby from England, their RL coaching staff are showing very little invention from it otherwise, the Welsh are similar but offer slightly more thought, though not always as other than crashing down the Italians showed little sleight of hand or wit, is this coaching by numbers and stats gone mad?
After a jittery enough start yesterday I thought Ireland did pretty well, although the Scots were pretty poor.
Best got in some fine tackles on a few speedy backs in open play which is always good to see, Toner is there for lineouts, but with the ball in hand you just get the feeling he may lose the ball in the tackle, didn't yesterday but better opposition will do.
The much maligned Trimble had a great game and was assured under the high ball as were the Kearneys, a Scottish tactic which didn't reap much reward for them.
If anything the injury crisis last year was a blessing in disguise as there's now decent options and cover for most positions.
Now for Wales, is it in Cardiff??
Aviva, 1430, next saturday.
And I have a ticket! :D
Lucky man. Was at the game yesterday. It's the 2nd or 3rd time I've been at a Sunday match and while I enjoyed it, the atmosphere in Dublin is markedly quieter than for a Saturday game. Not as many on the train down from Belfast - quite a few I think must've decided to keep their powder dry for the Welsh match.
Quote from: Myles Na G. on February 03, 2014, 12:04:01 PM
Quote from: muppet on February 03, 2014, 10:56:09 AM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 03, 2014, 10:53:48 AM
God I hate that crash, crash, crash, crash rugby from England, their RL coaching staff are showing very little invention from it otherwise, the Welsh are similar but offer slightly more thought, though not always as other than crashing down the Italians showed little sleight of hand or wit, is this coaching by numbers and stats gone mad?
After a jittery enough start yesterday I thought Ireland did pretty well, although the Scots were pretty poor.
Best got in some fine tackles on a few speedy backs in open play which is always good to see, Toner is there for lineouts, but with the ball in hand you just get the feeling he may lose the ball in the tackle, didn't yesterday but better opposition will do.
The much maligned Trimble had a great game and was assured under the high ball as were the Kearneys, a Scottish tactic which didn't reap much reward for them.
If anything the injury crisis last year was a blessing in disguise as there's now decent options and cover for most positions.
Now for Wales, is it in Cardiff??
Aviva, 1430, next saturday.
And I have a ticket! :D
Lucky man. Was at the game yesterday. It's the 2nd or 3rd time I've been at a Sunday match and while I enjoyed it, the atmosphere in Dublin is markedly quieter than for a Saturday game. Not as many on the train down from Belfast - quite a few I think must've decided to keep their powder dry for the Welsh match.
It was the lords day after all........
You would have to say that Ireland were probably fared the best out of that weekend. A professional performance if not spectacular.
Compared to Wales who stuttered against Italy and the English and French not serving up anything to be afraid of I think we are in a great position! We've lads coming off the bench who give us real options as well which can only be a good thing I have to say I'm really looking forward to the Wales game. If we win that we are very well set up for a rattle at everything!
Fingers crossed no injuries!
Quote from: screenexile on February 03, 2014, 02:21:36 PM
You would have to say that Ireland were probably fared the best out of that weekend. A professional performance if not spectacular.
Compared to Wales who stuttered against Italy and the English and French not serving up anything to be afraid of I think we are in a great position! We've lads coming off the bench who give us real options as well which can only be a good thing I have to say I'm really looking forward to the Wales game. If we win that we are very well set up for a rattle at everything!
Fingers crossed no injuries!
I don't think any team put in a consistent performance over 2 halves so maybe too early to tell. Wales is obviously a big one.
Unrelated, but Munster have confirmed that Rob Penney and Simon Mannix are leaving at the end of the year. Whatever about Mannix, who did seem to be a bit unpopular with the team, I thought Penney had really turned the corner and was starting to merge his ideas with the traditional Munster approach, without throwing either out the window. I was hopeful going forward with him.
Disappointed now, and I hope it's not Axel Foley that gets the job.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 06, 2014, 03:20:33 PM
Unrelated, but Munster have confirmed that Rob Penney and Simon Mannix are leaving at the end of the year. Whatever about Mannix, who did seem to be a bit unpopular with the team, I thought Penney had really turned the corner and was starting to merge his ideas with the traditional Munster approach, without throwing either out the window. I was hopeful going forward with him.
Disappointed now, and I hope it's not Axel Foley that gets the job.
He was really starting to produce good players for Ireland as well. Big blow for Munster rugby, Foley is too ingrained in percentage rugby to bring Munster on imho.
This could all be as result of the ERC/Rabo/AP/Welsh Regions cluster fu*k though. Uncertainty means the IRFU can't commit beyond one year.
Radio One sports news gave the impression he got an offer from Japan that Munster couldn't match.
That's the line alright, but he also turned down a 'one year extension'. The question might be why was he not offered a 2 or 3 year deal? Obviously a 1 year extension, versus a multi year deal from Japan is an entirely different kettle of fish to a 3 year deal offer.
I'd say Japan's relative closeness to NZ made a difference as well. What's the problem with Axel lads? There was a lot of grumbling when Penney was appointed that they weren't giving him a chance. Has his stock fallen in thomond? Will they give O'Sullivan an interview this time?
Leaderboard after last week, only a couple of tries between top and bottom
David O'Connor - Capt Pat 71
Shane Gavin - Kick Ahead 70
Enda Finn - The Ruckin Lilies 70
Liam Connolly - Space Monkeys 66
Eamonn Reid - Try Hards 66
SHANE ONEILL - roofers 57
andoireabu worldbeaters - andoireabu 57
Niall Naughton - The elms 53
Gerard McErlean - Hoof Hearted 50
Arch Stanton - Dinny's Demise 49
Cathal Harkin - Only Amhran na bfhain 48
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 06, 2014, 03:30:12 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 06, 2014, 03:20:33 PM
Unrelated, but Munster have confirmed that Rob Penney and Simon Mannix are leaving at the end of the year. Whatever about Mannix, who did seem to be a bit unpopular with the team, I thought Penney had really turned the corner and was starting to merge his ideas with the traditional Munster approach, without throwing either out the window. I was hopeful going forward with him.
Disappointed now, and I hope it's not Axel Foley that gets the job.
He was really starting to produce good players for Ireland as well. Big blow for Munster rugby, Foley is too ingrained in percentage rugby to bring Munster on imho.
This could all be as result of the ERC/Rabo/AP/Welsh Regions cluster f**k though. Uncertainty means the IRFU can't commit beyond one year.
When has winning Munster rugby anything than other than that?
Foley has been groomed for the job for years and Penney was just a (decent) holding patern coach to guide Munster over the transition from the EC winning sides to the current team. Foley deserves his shot, Munster have went about giving him the time to develop as a coach in a way few organisations have the patience to do and it could pay dividends.
O Mahoney is a feckin animal :)
Part two of the farewell tour complete. Maybe, just maybe.
Welsh mauled.
Give me manna!
Ar fheabhas ar fad. Bring on the Tans.
Didn't see that coming... Everyone involved in that performance deserves credit!
Outstanding!!!!!
Quote from: screenexile on February 08, 2014, 04:38:34 PM
Didn't see that coming... Everyone involved in that performance deserves credit!
Outstanding!!!!!
Bigtime...what a performance from every man. The Welsh packed destroyed. Big Pauly off after 55 mins such was the dominance.
Coaching master class executed to a tee by the players O'Mahony coming of age but Sexton was my motm - the game control he exhibited was outstanding
A good performance from Ireland today. We need to bring that level of performance into the England game. They beat the Scots 20 to zero in murrayfield.
There were no injuries for us today at least but we will still be missing Bowe, O'Brien, Ryan and Ferris.
Quote from: Capt Pat on February 08, 2014, 07:18:37 PM
A good performance from Ireland today. We need to bring that level of performance into the England game. They beat the Scots 20 to zero in murrayfield.
There were no injuries for us today at least but we will still be missing Bowe, O'Brien, Ryan and Ferris.
To be fair Ferris is perennially injured so we've moved far past relying on him or expecting him to be fit. It's lads like Henry, O'Mahony, Trimble, Toner, Dave Kearney along with some very solid youngsters that come in as subs for the pack that have impressed me the most. Suddenly we've lots of options even with some big injuries. Bodes well for the future.
I've been critical of O'Mahony in the past but Jesus he was powerful today. Trimble also!
I remember Irish teams as far back Willie John and Mike Gibson and this display ranks as one of the great Ireland performances. We used always get an odd blood and guts performance - usually against England - but this was more structured and more encouraging.
Missing a few injured players. O Brien's ball carrying a loss but Chris Henry is a cracking player too and a more natural 7. Ferris a loss but O Mahoney is a man possessed.
Ulster s surge has added a lot. Trimble is now a top player. Best with his throwing sorted is world class. Henry is up there with McKinney, Carr, Matthews, Ferris as a backrower.
The half backs are arguably the best in the N Hemisphere. Rob Kearney is the best full back we ve ever produced imo.
The Slam is something this squad is going to burst themselves for now. It s very doable as long as injuries dont scupper us. We re now favourites to win the championship anyway.
This is a team we can be proud of.
I think the young lad on the left is a young O'Driscoll
(http://www.fennetec.com/Capture1.JPG)
The welsh men were saying last week that coming to Landsowne and was only a myth in terms of the hot reception you might get and that it was no big deal and sure what about it.
I think this morning the Welsh men might want to reconsider those ill judged comments.
They took an awful beating.
Quote from: moysider on February 09, 2014, 12:02:58 AM
I remember Irish teams as far back Willie John and Mike Gibson and this display ranks as one of the great Ireland performances. We used always get an odd blood and guts performance - usually against England - but this was more structured and more encouraging.
Missing a few injured players. O Brien's ball carrying a loss but Chris Henry is a cracking player too and a more natural 7. Ferris a loss but O Mahoney is a man possessed.
Ulster s surge has added a lot. Trimble is now a top player. Best with his throwing sorted is world class. Henry is up there with McKinney, Carr, Matthews, Ferris as a backrower.
The half backs are arguably the best in the N Hemisphere. Rob Kearney is the best full back we ve ever produced imo.
The Slam is something this squad is going to burst themselves for now. It s very doable as long as injuries dont scupper us. We re now favourites to win the championship anyway.
This is a team we can be proud of.
The quality in Ulster has been there for several seasons. Trimble, Henry, Tuohy, and others haven't suddenly become good payers over night. Their quality has taken Ulster to 4 successive HC quarter finals and one final appearance, plus one Pro 12 final. The fact is that they were overlooked by DK and the Ireland team was the poorer because of this.
Anyone else think ROG fell head first into a tub of black boot polish?? ;D
Not too bad yesterday - more of the same in 2 weeks please!!!
Anywhere you can watch highlights on t'internet?
Quote from: gawa316 on February 09, 2014, 03:22:36 PM
Anywhere you can watch highlights on t'internet?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/)
Is it just me or is the fact that Tom McGuirk is cutting everyone off annoying anyone else???
He must have done it to Horgan everytime he talked yesterday and at it with O'Gara today tooo
Quote from: andoireabu on February 09, 2014, 03:36:14 PM
Quote from: gawa316 on February 09, 2014, 03:22:36 PM
Anywhere you can watch highlights on t'internet?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/)
Cheers but I'm in the States and Iplayer doesn't work here
(http://media.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Phillips.jpg)
Not only did Mike Phillips throw the toys out of the pram, but now he wants to go into the pram and beat up a boyband.
Quote from: gawa316 on February 09, 2014, 04:04:53 PM
Quote from: andoireabu on February 09, 2014, 03:36:14 PM
Quote from: gawa316 on February 09, 2014, 03:22:36 PM
Anywhere you can watch highlights on t'internet?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03v2x9h/Six_Nations_Rugby_2014_Ireland_v_Wales/)
Cheers but I'm in the States and Iplayer doesn't work here
If you go to the official 6 nations website there is an embedded youtube player that should have highlights.
Quote from: muppet on February 09, 2014, 05:03:19 PM
(http://media.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Phillips.jpg)
Not only did Mike Phillips throw the toys out of the pram, but now he wants to go into the pram and beat up a boyband.
He has my full support.
Quote from: muppet on February 09, 2014, 05:03:19 PM
(http://media.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Phillips.jpg)
Not only did Mike Phillips throw the toys out of the pram, but now he wants to go into the pram and beat up a boyband.
The first tweet is missing. Niall was gloating and rubbing it in.
Quote from: ziggysego on February 09, 2014, 11:32:05 PM
Quote from: muppet on February 09, 2014, 05:03:19 PM
(http://media.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Phillips.jpg)
Not only did Mike Phillips throw the toys out of the pram, but now he wants to go into the pram and beat up a boyband.
The first tweet is missing. Niall was gloating and rubbing it in.
Still has a point, though. Rob Kearney has committed to back Nially up. No amount of hair gel will save Philips from the teenie boppers now.
Yet another magnificent display from Sexton, he is carrying the mantle of the pressure position with impressive authority.
Is that type of collision allowed in Rugby the one that winded O'Driscoll,just after he passed the ball?
I saw no attempt to tackle by the Welsh giant, just intent to clatter and take out O'Driscoll, leading with the shoulder straight into the chest, with the force of a 2 ton truck at a time when O'Driscoll was most vulnerable.
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 10:04:38 AM
Yet another magnificent display from Sexton, he is carrying the mantle of the pressure position with impressive authority.
Is that type of collision allowed in Rugby the one that winded O'Driscoll,just after he passed the ball?
I saw no attempt to tackle by the Welsh giant, just intent to clatter and take out O'Driscoll, leading with the shoulder straight into the chest, with the force of a 2 ton truck at a time when O'Driscoll was most vulnerable.
No, he's supposed to wrap his arms around his opponent. The fact that he didn't probably contributed to him getting hurt.
I thought that Liam Williams' late hit on Jackson was a right dirty belt. I thought it was dirty at full speed, but when you could see in the replay that Williams was on his feet as Jackson touched down, it looks even worse. That could have been a concussion or a broken jaw.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 10, 2014, 12:00:30 PM
I thought that Liam Williams' late hit on Jackson was a right dirty belt. I thought it was dirty at full speed, but when you could see in the replay that Williams was on his feet as Jackson touched down, it looks even worse. That could have been a concussion or a broken jaw.
It was a nasty one alright. I think Jackson just saw it coming at the last second which probably saved it from being worse than it was.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 08, 2014, 04:58:25 PM
Coaching master class executed to a tee by the players O'Mahony coming of age but Sexton was my motm - the game control he exhibited was outstanding
Well put though I wouldn't argue about MOTM - both deserved it. I think that was easily Sexton's best game for Ireland. He was practically flawless. O'Mahoney was awesome though as were most of the team to be fair.
Feet need to be kept on the ground at only 2 steps of the 5 have been negotiated but we have a very good team with top quality replacements in all positions and they are being well coached and prepared.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 10, 2014, 12:00:30 PM
I thought that Liam Williams' late hit on Jackson was a right dirty belt. I thought it was dirty at full speed, but when you could see in the replay that Williams was on his feet as Jackson touched down, it looks even worse. That could have been a concussion or a broken jaw.
Will he get cited for that?
Don't know if he will/has, but he deserves to be.
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 03:18:11 PM
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
What did he intend to do? Jackson had easily grounded the ball, so why the need to slide in with the shoulder at Jacksons head?
Cheap shot which luckily didn't have the intended outcome.
Quote from: johnneycool on February 10, 2014, 03:26:41 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 03:18:11 PM
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
What did he intend to do? Jackson had easily grounded the ball, so why the need to slide in with the shoulder at Jacksons head?
Cheap shot which luckily didn't have the intended outcome.
It was Williams' elbow (not his shoulder) which made contact with Jackson's jaw.
Williams was trying to cut off a grounding.
Jackson going at full belt to ground the ball in one direction and Williams going at full belt directly against him. There was a collision.
Slow motion, looks as if Williams tried to put on the brakes and fell/slid into Jackson. What makes it look ugly, is the sharp end of Williams' elbow making contact with Jackson's face.
I'd say clumsy or reckless but not dirty or malicious as some are wont to perceive. Possibly the reason why Jackson's jaw remained intact was partly that Williams was not trying to do him.
He didn't get involved in any of the afters , put his hands up and went to Jackson to apologise.
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 05:16:55 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 10, 2014, 03:26:41 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 03:18:11 PM
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
What did he intend to do? Jackson had easily grounded the ball, so why the need to slide in with the shoulder at Jacksons head?
Cheap shot which luckily didn't have the intended outcome.
It was Williams' elbow (not his shoulder) which made contact with Jackson's jaw.
Williams was trying to cut off a grounding.
Jackson going at full belt to ground the ball in one direction and Williams going at full belt directly against him. There was a collision.
Slow motion, looks as if Williams tried to put on the brakes and fell/slid into Jackson. What makes it look ugly, is the sharp end of Williams' elbow making contact with Jackson's face.
I'd say clumsy or reckless but not dirty or malicious as some are wont to perceive. Possibly the reason why Jackson's jaw remained intact was partly that Williams was not trying to do him.
He didn't get involved in any of the afters , put his hands up and went to Jackson to apologise.
sorry MS, but he wasn't cutting off a grounding. He was on his feet when JAckson grounded the ball, and he left his feet in the slide after that. I think it was a cheap shot.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 10, 2014, 05:18:31 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 05:16:55 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 10, 2014, 03:26:41 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 03:18:11 PM
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
What did he intend to do? Jackson had easily grounded the ball, so why the need to slide in with the shoulder at Jacksons head?
Cheap shot which luckily didn't have the intended outcome.
It was Williams' elbow (not his shoulder) which made contact with Jackson's jaw.
Williams was trying to cut off a grounding.
Jackson going at full belt to ground the ball in one direction and Williams going at full belt directly against him. There was a collision.
Slow motion, looks as if Williams tried to put on the brakes and fell/slid into Jackson. What makes it look ugly, is the sharp end of Williams' elbow making contact with Jackson's face.
I'd say clumsy or reckless but not dirty or malicious as some are wont to perceive. Possibly the reason why Jackson's jaw remained intact was partly that Williams was not trying to do him.
He didn't get involved in any of the afters , put his hands up and went to Jackson to apologise.
sorry MS, but he wasn't cutting off a grounding. He was on his feet when JAckson grounded the ball, and he left his feet in the slide after that. I think it was a cheap shot.
was a fustrated cheap shot alright...low blow from Williams. Mike Phillips is a hoot
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 10, 2014, 05:18:31 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 05:16:55 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 10, 2014, 03:26:41 PM
Quote from: Main Street on February 10, 2014, 03:18:11 PM
I thought it looked more of a collision with no malicious intent, Jackson also dived in the direction of the onrushing Williams, and Williams did not make an extra movement to make contact with Jackson.
The hit on O'Driscoll had very nasty intent and could have easily done more damage.
What did he intend to do? Jackson had easily grounded the ball, so why the need to slide in with the shoulder at Jacksons head?
Cheap shot which luckily didn't have the intended outcome.
It was Williams' elbow (not his shoulder) which made contact with Jackson's jaw.
Williams was trying to cut off a grounding.
Jackson going at full belt to ground the ball in one direction and Williams going at full belt directly against him. There was a collision.
Slow motion, looks as if Williams tried to put on the brakes and fell/slid into Jackson. What makes it look ugly, is the sharp end of Williams' elbow making contact with Jackson's face.
I'd say clumsy or reckless but not dirty or malicious as some are wont to perceive. Possibly the reason why Jackson's jaw remained intact was partly that Williams was not trying to do him.
He didn't get involved in any of the afters , put his hands up and went to Jackson to apologise.
sorry MS, but he wasn't cutting off a grounding. He was on his feet when JAckson grounded the ball, and he left his feet in the slide after that. I think it was a cheap shot.
I presume he was going to all that effort to hinder in some way the grounding. He was willing to act desperately for a lost cause.
You think he went all that way to get in a cheap shot with his elbow?
Both players were flying towards each other at top speed, it was all over in the blink of an eye.
Maybe he should have jumped over Jackson after Jackson dived, instead putting on the brakes.
At that speed, I doubt if anyone could take proper evasive action in the .25 of a second between the Jackson dive and getting clattered.
But my point is he didn't leave his feet until Jackson was down. In soccer it would be called a late tackle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-XGWHmIVeo
I appreciate both players were going full tilt, but
having watched the clip its hard to see how it wasn't a cheap shot.
Quote from: grounded on February 10, 2014, 10:33:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-XGWHmIVeo
I appreciate both players were going full tilt, but
having watched the clip its hard to see how it wasn't a cheap shot.
Cheap shot.
Quote from: muppet on February 10, 2014, 11:06:17 PM
Quote from: grounded on February 10, 2014, 10:33:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-XGWHmIVeo
I appreciate both players were going full tilt, but
having watched the clip its hard to see how it wasn't a cheap shot.
Cheap shot.
Cheap shot.
I disagree, watching in real time you would feel there's an honest if slow attempt to prevent grounding, in slow mo it looks worse but as we all know from GAA it usually does look worse on slow mo. Watch it in real time, it's the only proper way to gauge if Williams reacts "late".
Williams is not a dirty player, this kind of play from Phillips would be a different thing entirely. He doesn't lead with his shoulder or elbow he's trying to lower his hands and turns away at the last minute, what we'd all do.
Quote from: muppet on February 10, 2014, 11:06:17 PM
Quote from: grounded on February 10, 2014, 10:33:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-XGWHmIVeo
I appreciate both players were going full tilt, but
having watched the clip its hard to see how it wasn't a cheap shot.
Cheap shot.
sc**bag shot. Coulda been much worse.
Quote from: trileacman on February 11, 2014, 12:27:51 AM
I disagree, watching in real time you would feel there's an honest if slow attempt to prevent grounding, in slow mo it looks worse but as we all know from GAA it usually does look worse on slow mo. Watch it in real time, it's the only proper way to gauge if Williams reacts "late".
Williams is not a dirty player, this kind of play from Phillips would be a different thing entirely. He doesn't lead with his shoulder or elbow he's trying to lower his hands and turns away at the last minute, what we'd all do.
How many games have you seen Liam Williams play to come to that conclusion? The odd Rabo game for Llanelli against Ulster? It was a complete dirty shot by a frustrated young player and thankfully Paddy Jackson didn't get seriously hurt. Mike Phillips might be a mouth but I can't recall him doing anything as nasty as that in his career!
Quote from: trileacman on February 11, 2014, 12:27:51 AM
I disagree, watching in real time you would feel there's an honest if slow attempt to prevent grounding, in slow mo it looks worse but as we all know from GAA it usually does look worse on slow mo. Watch it in real time, it's the only proper way to gauge if Williams reacts "late".
Williams is not a dirty player, this kind of play from Phillips would be a different thing entirely. He doesn't lead with his shoulder or elbow he's trying to lower his hands and turns away at the last minute, what we'd all do.
Is Joe Canning a dirty player? That was a filthy stroke he pulled against Na Piarsaigh at the weekend, so one must assume he is and view all his future actions accordingly. Although if we are to believe Brian Cody, it didn't happen because there's no dirt in hurling.
For me, the standard is not whether Williams went out to knock Jackson's block off, but whether he showed enough concern for his opponent's welfare. When Sam Warburton was sent off in the World Cup semi-final against France the defence of him centered on how he didn't mean to hurt his opponent, to which I say that if he had done he should never have taken to a rugby field again. The same principle applies to Williams. Touching down for a try involves a player putting their head down and if you are trying to stop a grounding, your knees and your hips should not be in the equation.
Ten of us heading to Paris for the France v Ireland game. Its my 30th that weekend and basically it will be a piss up all weekend. Can anyone suggest where we should go drinking, any good Irish bars etc?
You're in Paris and the first form of entertainment that occurs to you is an Irish bar?!?
That's what I was going to say, but then in fairness it is a Rugby game.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 14, 2014, 03:37:53 PM
That's what I was going to say, but then in fairness it is a Rugby game.
Real men go to the game: http://www.viagogo.ie/Sports-Tickets/Rugby-Union/RBS-Six-Nations-Tickets/E-561485
All weekend?
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 14, 2014, 03:43:55 PM
All weekend?
Was assuming he wanted an Irish bar to see the match away from the French because otherwise it'd be a strange choice to make to go aboard and trawl Irish bars.
Not really. If you are going to a match abroad, would you not like to meet up with fellow fans before or after the game?
There's a group of Welshmen who come to Tramore for every Ireland-Wales game and prop up the bar in my local. This is true even if the match is in Cardiff. Strange, but they're a cheerful bunch so no harm.
Yeah, I've seen that a lot actually. I know Welsh and Scots that travel to Limerick every year for the Ireland game, regardless of whether the game is in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin. I asked a bunch of them about it, and they said they just liked the atmosphere in Limerick when the Rugby was on (they were there before for HEC games), and had started to make an annual pilgrimage out of it on the weekend of the respective games.
Takes all sorts I suppose.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 14, 2014, 04:11:31 PM
Yeah, I've seen that a lot actually. I know Welsh and Scots that travel to Limerick every year for the Ireland game, regardless of whether the game is in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin. I asked a bunch of them about it, and they said they just liked the atmosphere in Limerick when the Rugby was on (they were there before for HEC games), and had started to make an annual pilgrimage out of it on the weekend of the respective games.
Makes more sense than Tramore. Not
much any rugby there.
I'm sure it started out as some sort of rational trip, and then they enjoyed it and made a pilgrimage of it.
Quote from: deiseach on February 14, 2014, 04:12:58 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 14, 2014, 04:11:31 PM
Yeah, I've seen that a lot actually. I know Welsh and Scots that travel to Limerick every year for the Ireland game, regardless of whether the game is in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin. I asked a bunch of them about it, and they said they just liked the atmosphere in Limerick when the Rugby was on (they were there before for HEC games), and had started to make an annual pilgrimage out of it on the weekend of the respective games.
Makes more sense than Tramore. Not much any rugby there.
I've seen them too in Tramore - about 20 years ago I reckon.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 14, 2014, 04:11:31 PM
Yeah, I've seen that a lot actually. I know Welsh and Scots that travel to Limerick every year for the Ireland game, regardless of whether the game is in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin. I asked a bunch of them about it, and they said they just liked the atmosphere in Limerick when the Rugby was on (they were there before for HEC games), and had started to make an annual pilgrimage out of it on the weekend of the respective games.
Takes all sorts I suppose.
There are often cheap seats around major sporting events. For example when Ireland play in Murrayfield the charters to Edinburgh would be packed, while there would be loads of empty seats the other way.
Ireland unchanged for the match on Saturday.
Ireland: Rob Kearney (Leinster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro), Conor Murray (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster) capt; Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: Sean Cronin (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster)
Wilson in for Cole
England: 15 Mike Brown (Harlequins); 14 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), 13 Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), 11 Jonny May (Gloucester); 10 Owen Farrell (Saracens), 9 Danny Care (Harlequins); 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins), 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), 3 David Wilson (Bath), 4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), 5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), 6 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), 7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), 8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), 17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens), 18 Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), 19 Dave Attwood (Bath), 20 Ben Morgan (Gloucester), 21 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), 22 George Ford (Bath), 23 Alex Goode (Saracens).
England are building well for the next World Cup. Lancaster isnt feard to give the younger bucks a place in the elite squad and a rattle at test rugby
Quote from: J OGorman on February 20, 2014, 03:58:57 PM
England are building well for the next World Cup. Lancaster isnt feard to give the younger bucks a place in the elite squad and a rattle at test rugby
There seems to be increasing backing to try Ford at 10 in the run up to the next WC.
Wales seem to be a different team tonight, though France always dangerous when they eventually get going
A win tomorrow and we have control of this Six Nations after tonight. Very exciting times for Ireland.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on February 21, 2014, 08:59:30 PM
Wales seem to be a different team tonight, though France always dangerous when they eventually get going
France just awful up to this point. Basic errors all over the park.
Quote from: Syferus on February 21, 2014, 09:09:08 PM
A win tomorrow and we have control of this Six Nations after tonight. Very exciting times for Ireland.
syf
Most years post 99 were also very exciting for the rugby.
Just one win over England in 03 for the Grand Slam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybqIA_hafFQ
You must have been following CBeebies.
At the time there were 2 big financial institutions called Permanent TSB and RBS.
Sacré bleu, zut alors!
Sometimes I half expect the French to give a collective shrug of the shoulders, say meh & walk off the pitch.
St. Andre out, there is a decent French side there. Basteraud, the starting 9, Pape, Picamoles all need to be threw on the scrap heap. A French team trying to be French with two centres who can't pass and a 9 who won't until ordered to by the ref. Pape is and always has been a shite player. That back 3 though is particularly potent and that doesn't even allow for Fickou. Bonneval has the pace, Huget the speed and Dulin has the vision. Dusatoir is such a loss, f**k it's unbelievable.
Quote from: Syferus on February 21, 2014, 09:09:08 PM
A win tomorrow and we have control of this Six Nations after tonight. Very exciting times for Ireland.
ROG said tonight in response to similar hyperbole "we haven't played an away match yet" and considering we going to England and France that's pretty f**king important.
Sy's just counting chickens.
What happened to the famous rugby discipline? The French were unreal mouthy to refs and linesmen.
Quote from: Main Street on February 21, 2014, 10:50:18 PM
Sy's just counting chickens.
Both of you missed a key if statement in my post in your rush to fall over each other to make comments.
Quote from: Syferus on February 22, 2014, 11:11:40 AM
Quote from: Main Street on February 21, 2014, 10:50:18 PM
Sy's just counting chickens.
Both of you missed a key if statement in my post in your rush to fall over each other to make comments.
I did indeed miss the "if statement" :)
"A win tomorrow and we have control of this Six Nations after tonight. Very exciting times for Ireland."Even if there was a visible if, it's still counting chickens, looking ahead to the glories which might lie ahead, glories which are usually hammered to pieces in Paris.
Quote from: trileacman on February 21, 2014, 10:20:43 PM
St. Andre out, there is a decent French side there. Basteraud, the starting 9, Pape, Picamoles all need to be threw on the scrap heap. A French team trying to be French with two centres who can't pass and a 9 who won't until ordered to by the ref. Pape is and always has been a shite player. That back 3 though is particularly potent and that doesn't even allow for Fickou. Bonneval has the pace, Huget the speed and Dulin has the vision. Dusatoir is such a loss, f**k
+1. If Doussain and Plisson are the best 9 and 10 in France then they're in for lean few years.
Great intro VT by RTE.
Quote from: AQMP on February 22, 2014, 11:42:44 AM
Quote from: trileacman on February 21, 2014, 10:20:43 PM
St. Andre out, there is a decent French side there. Basteraud, the starting 9, Pape, Picamoles all need to be threw on the scrap heap. A French team trying to be French with two centres who can't pass and a 9 who won't until ordered to by the ref. Pape is and always has been a shite player. That back 3 though is particularly potent and that doesn't even allow for Fickou. Bonneval has the pace, Huget the speed and Dulin has the vision. Dusatoir is such a loss, f**k
+1. If Doussain and Plisson are the best 9 and 10 in France then they're in for lean few years.
Basteraud is so far removed from what a French back should be. He is a akin to a modern English centre, all braun and no brain. Funny, when I typed Basteraud into the phone, predictive text offered 'battered' :-)
The first 10 mins at twickenham with both teams laying down their intentions will be fierce.
Quality try by the Italians there
Good second half here.
I wonder will Sexton and BOD last 80 mins unscatched.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on February 22, 2014, 03:10:57 PM
Good second half here.
I wonder will Sexton and BOD last 80 mins unscatched.
BODs last away to the old enemy. He will put in some shift. Hopefully doesn't bust himself putting in the huge hits. a try would be something as his journey nears the the end
Great finish to the Scotland game, cool head by Weir.
Quote from: rodney trotter on February 22, 2014, 03:21:06 PM
Great finish to the Scotland game, cool head by Weir.
Depends.
It looked a sad end to the Italy game. I'd even cheer on Italy against Ireland.
There was a half decent documentary which covered Ireland's whisker from a grand slam 2007 season. Eddie's dressing room pep talks amounted to mouthing out an assortment of standard Eddie cliches, in between curses.
Amazing match so far, intensity at a level rarely seen. Good position to be in only three down after England camping on our line more than a few times but then we had our chances too. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the game breaks down in the second half.
It might resemble rugby but is it a sport?
Next score wins the game.
Multiple missed tackles, flat passing, England having the majority of the ball and only 3 down. England can't keep this pass up. If we up our game, it'll be there for the taking in the last 20 mins
Have to say the rule changes in rugby have really taken away from the game. To the point that it has become very easy to defend with a rush defence and if you place a sweeper opposing the 10 then the chip is also negated. So at top level rugby it's really only the bash game that works out.
I despise rugby league with a passion but currently it's a better game to watch than this drivel. I mean two elephants running into each other is possibly quite exciting/interesting at first but you wouldn't watch it for 80 consecutive minutes.
Dream start to the second half for Ireland
England back in front 13-10.
Very tight match, BOD doing well.
Disappointing. But a decent points difference.
Hope sy didn't celebrate these "exciting times" too much.
Wonderful match. Grand Slam gone but with only a three point loss the championship is still there. Onwards.
Ah it was a tight match but not necessarily a good one. England's gameplan is f**king toxic, smash, smash, smash. Combined with their clubs attitude to European club rugby these lads will be the death of European rugby and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Great result ;D
Poor enough England team but home advantage counts for alot, we would have creamed this team in Dublin, We need a change at centre, the pace as gone there on both positions, England have reverted to an old style game of bosh bosh bosh back from the early 90`s, theres no way this style will win a world cup, South Africa and New Zealand can match this and add style in the play too, may be good enough for 6 nations but would count for much in 18months time. Some of the new players coming on for Ireland look fairly handed
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0222/506046-live-england-v-ireland/
Joe Schmidt: "England made it very difficult to play a constructive game. Their line speed was ferocious.
"There was some unbelievable fielding from Mike Brown (the man of the match). I think we got in behind them a few times. I think there was a goalkeeper save at one stage. I thought he did a fantastic job.
"We got lucky at one point in the game when Conor Murray did a last-ditch tackle.
"I felt we were pretty good for our lead at 10-3 and it's massively disappointing not to have been able to defend it.
"I thought it [our kicking game] was pretty sound.
"I didn't think we got a lot of luck off it.
"There was a couple of times when we got up to contest it and we didn't quite the desired result either.
"There was one in the first half with Andrew Trimble, there was no one in behind the receiver and if you get those you're in behind and you can potentially create something.
"We will review the kicking game but we don't separate it from our attacking plays or clearance plays.
"You can a get mixed bag from any game and we'll try to take the positives from this.
"I think there was a maul that we were going towards the line that they managed to get in the side. And we didn't get any result from that as we were going forward pretty well.
"At the end of the game you're just trying to construct that one opportunity. I thought we constructed a couple not too badly. of course we didn't finish them off and England did really well to stay in the fight. As I said Mike Brown did a great job in behind.
"We're still in a strong position and we've got to look forward to Italy. We've got to take some positives.
"I feel really sorry for the [Ireland] players because they put in a lot of effort. At the same time I have a lot of respect for what England did to deliver."
Not too despondent about that there was nothing in it really with both defences on top for the most part, a horrible game really.
Was in the pub so didn't hear any analysis but I would say Sexton had a horrible game with dropped passes and poor chips and the restart that led to the penalty but I think that's as good as England will get.
We need a bit of impetus in MF and maybe time to look at other oprions for the WC... When's Tommy Bowe back?
The title is ours if we want it. Flatten Italy and beat a poor French team and I can't see anyone troubling us!
Quote from: seafoid on February 22, 2014, 06:51:22 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0222/506046-live-england-v-ireland/
Joe Schmidt: "England made it very difficult to play a constructive game. Their line speed was ferocious.
Ferocious because they frequently started from an offside position. Joubert didn't pull them up on it though. Saying that on the balance of things England deserved their victory.
Quote from: trileacman on February 22, 2014, 05:59:45 PM
Ah it was a tight match but not necessarily a good one. England's gameplan is f**king toxic, smash, smash, smash. Combined with their clubs attitude to European club rugby these lads will be the death of European rugby and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Agreed. Got angrier as that game went on. A league team masquerading as a union team
The rolling maul with about 10mins to go..how was the isolated English player who killed it not called for being a mile off side? The players questioned it.
Wonder will the rugby journalists call that spectacle from England for what it was
Anyways, the match in Paris is huge .
Quote from: J OGorman on February 22, 2014, 07:22:48 PM
Quote from: trileacman on February 22, 2014, 05:59:45 PM
Ah it was a tight match but not necessarily a good one. England's gameplan is f**king toxic, smash, smash, smash. Combined with their clubs attitude to European club rugby these lads will be the death of European rugby and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Agreed. Got angrier as that game went on. A league team masquerading as a union team
The rolling maul with about 10mins to go..how was the isolated English player who killed it not called for being a mile off side? The players questioned it.
Wonder will the rugby journalists call that spectacle from England for what it was
Anyways, the match in Paris is huge .
England won. Argument over.
Quote from: J OGorman on February 22, 2014, 07:22:48 PM
Quote from: trileacman on February 22, 2014, 05:59:45 PM
Ah it was a tight match but not necessarily a good one. England's gameplan is f**king toxic, smash, smash, smash. Combined with their clubs attitude to European club rugby these lads will be the death of European rugby and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Agreed. Got angrier as that game went on. A league team masquerading as a union team
The rolling maul with about 10mins to go..how was the isolated English player who killed it not called for being a mile off side? The players questioned it.
Wonder will the rugby journalists call that spectacle from England for what it was
Anyways, the match in Paris is huge .
I think the first scrum just before that was a much clearer call. England scrum was demolished and their prop had his arm on the ground which is a clear penalty. Ref only awarded Ireland a scrum. Allowing England to immediately replace their tight head who was being minced.
Probably would have got a draw out of the game alright with the subsequent kick but them's the breaks.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on February 22, 2014, 07:45:09 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on February 22, 2014, 07:22:48 PM
Quote from: trileacman on February 22, 2014, 05:59:45 PM
Ah it was a tight match but not necessarily a good one. England's gameplan is f**king toxic, smash, smash, smash. Combined with their clubs attitude to European club rugby these lads will be the death of European rugby and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Agreed. Got angrier as that game went on. A league team masquerading as a union team
The rolling maul with about 10mins to go..how was the isolated English player who killed it not called for being a mile off side? The players questioned it.
Wonder will the rugby journalists call that spectacle from England for what it was
Anyways, the match in Paris is huge .
England won. Argument over.
Fair enough tony. Ought worth watching the night?
Sexton fluffed a few kicks and the handling was a bit sloppy but they didn't get the usual Twickers losing margin.
Wales will be disappointed.
Did we win.?
I can understand kicking to touch for field position but is it ever a good idea to kicj away ball straight to an opponent. England were denied a try by inches and hit the upright with a penalty. Ireland had no such near misses
Thought Ireland were flatered by th margin. Sexton made some awful mistakes.
True it was a day made for O'Gara.
Does this mean only 80% rather than the usual 99% of the Sunday Times sport dedicated to rugby tomorrow?
Destroy Italy in Dublin and beat France in Paris by a few and job done ;D
Quote from: fearglasmor on February 22, 2014, 08:58:39 PM
I can understand kicking to touch for field position but is it ever a good idea to kicj away ball straight to an opponent. England were denied a try by inches and hit the upright with a penalty. Ireland had no such near misses
Thought Ireland were flatered by th margin. Sexton made some awful mistakes.
Sexton was clearly concussed after that hit he took ten minutes into the second half. You could see him trying to snap himself out of a stupor for ages afterwards and it clearly effected his decision-making and execution.
Quote from: Syferus on February 23, 2014, 01:28:25 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on February 22, 2014, 08:58:39 PM
I can understand kicking to touch for field position but is it ever a good idea to kicj away ball straight to an opponent. England were denied a try by inches and hit the upright with a penalty. Ireland had no such near misses
Thought Ireland were flatered by th margin. Sexton made some awful mistakes.
Sexton was clearly concussed after that hit he took ten minutes into the second half. You could see him trying to snap himself out of a stupor for ages afterwards and it clearly effected his decision-making and execution.
Don't think it takes a big hit to affect Sexton's decision-making; once again under great pressure he folded. BOD far from the worst but, Shefflin-like, it's hard to escape the feeling that this is a season too far for him. Zebo might be a bit of a guloot but he'd offer more danger than Trimble; can anyone tell me what D'Arcy contributes at this stage?
Quote from: mouview on February 23, 2014, 01:46:16 AM
Quote from: Syferus on February 23, 2014, 01:28:25 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on February 22, 2014, 08:58:39 PM
I can understand kicking to touch for field position but is it ever a good idea to kicj away ball straight to an opponent. England were denied a try by inches and hit the upright with a penalty. Ireland had no such near misses
Thought Ireland were flatered by th margin. Sexton made some awful mistakes.
Sexton was clearly concussed after that hit he took ten minutes into the second half. You could see him trying to snap himself out of a stupor for ages afterwards and it clearly effected his decision-making and execution.
Don't think it takes a big hit to affect Sexton's decision-making; once again under great pressure he folded. BOD far from the worst but, Shefflin-like, it's hard to escape the feeling that this is a season too far for him. Zebo might be a bit of a guloot but he'd offer more danger than Trimble; can anyone tell me what D'Arcy contributes at this stage?
Oh yeah, Sexton really wilts under pressure ::)
BOD looked very lively today in a game where there was quite literally zero space in the middle, that in itself is an achievement. Trimble was very composed and made a few breaks that nearly resulted in tries. Very hard to question the selections when we're on course for the Six Nations title.
Quote from: mouview on February 23, 2014, 01:46:16 AM
Quote from: Syferus on February 23, 2014, 01:28:25 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on February 22, 2014, 08:58:39 PM
I can understand kicking to touch for field position but is it ever a good idea to kicj away ball straight to an opponent. England were denied a try by inches and hit the upright with a penalty. Ireland had no such near misses
Thought Ireland were flatered by th margin. Sexton made some awful mistakes.
Sexton was clearly concussed after that hit he took ten minutes into the second half. You could see him trying to snap himself out of a stupor for ages afterwards and it clearly effected his decision-making and execution.
Don't think it takes a big hit to affect Sexton's decision-making; once again under great pressure he folded. BOD far from the worst but, Shefflin-like, it's hard to escape the feeling that this is a season too far for him. Zebo might be a bit of a guloot but he'd offer more danger than Trimble; can anyone tell me what D'Arcy contributes at this stage?
If BOD is Shefflin, France must be the Galway hurlers
I'd say England- Wales will be a cracker
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/feb/22/england-mike-brown-six-nations
That is a damn good England side and no shame in losing a tight game to them. I thought their line-speed in defence was excellent, pushed the off-side line and they flooded the rucks well nullifying our ability to turn-over ball and took O'Mahony out of the game. Sexton was poor in attack, nothing wrong with the ideas just the execution was poor but he was pretty physical in defence and is certainly no speed bump. Murray and Sexton though were completely outshone by their counter-parts and Care was my MOTM. Will come down to the last round of games and Ireland and France will head into the last game on the last day knowing exactly what is required to win it. Best championship in year.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 23, 2014, 09:07:32 AM
That is a damn good England side and no shame in losing a tight game to them. I thought their line-speed in defence was excellent, pushed the off-side line and they flooded the rucks well nullifying our ability to turn-over ball and took O'Mahony out of the game. Sexton was poor in attack, nothing wrong with the ideas just the execution was poor but he was pretty physical in defence and is certainly no speed bump. Murray and Sexton though were completely outshone by their counter-parts and Care was my MOTM. Will come down to the last round of games and Ireland and France will head into the last game on the last day knowing exactly what is required to win it. Best championship in year.
England had a few overlaps that they missed as well. Fellas out wide and poor communication.
Farrell was poor enough too.
Ireland are not that far off the pace . Maybe a few changes for the next day and they missed O'Brien.
Season 2 with Schmidt should be very interesting.
Quote from: seafoid on February 23, 2014, 09:47:11 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 23, 2014, 09:07:32 AM
That is a damn good England side and no shame in losing a tight game to them. I thought their line-speed in defence was excellent, pushed the off-side line and they flooded the rucks well nullifying our ability to turn-over ball and took O'Mahony out of the game. Sexton was poor in attack, nothing wrong with the ideas just the execution was poor but he was pretty physical in defence and is certainly no speed bump. Murray and Sexton though were completely outshone by their counter-parts and Care was my MOTM. Will come down to the last round of games and Ireland and France will head into the last game on the last day knowing exactly what is required to win it. Best championship in year.
England had a few overlaps that they missed as well. Fellas out wide and poor communication.
Farrell was poor enough too.
Ireland are not that far off the pace . Maybe a few changes for the next day and they missed O'Brien.
Season 2 with Schmidt should be very interesting.
O'Brien would have given us line-breaks it was pretty noticeable England picked and chose which of our rucks to compete on, it was easy as we just weren't getting over the gain-line, Marshall would have made a difference in that regard and would have put the English defence on more of a back foot. Expect to see him for the Italian game, plus we need a Zebo/Bowe as well. Trimble and Kearney too similar.
Not despondent and think we are still Championship favs even allowing for our record in Paris.
I was at the game and regarding the overlaps it was as if throwing the ball out wide was not part of the game plan. Almost like England have no confidence in the wingers. Jonny May only has one move and that was to cut inside every time. It was always going to be a mistake that decided the game and that was Sexton's drop out straight over the sideline. Still Ireland have a 20pts score difference that may come into the reckoning as well.
Betfair:
England 2.74
Ireland 3.05
Wales 5.7
France 6.8
Quote from: Hardy on February 23, 2014, 12:32:08 PM
Betfair:
England 2.74
Ireland 3.05
Wales 5.7
France 6.8
That's pretty tight on the exchanges, Ireland have Italy at home England have them away and we already have a 21 point advantage, it really must be Ireland's record in Paris that is putting doubts in the backers.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 23, 2014, 12:46:35 PM
Quote from: Hardy on February 23, 2014, 12:32:08 PM
Betfair:
England 2.74
Ireland 3.05
Wales 5.7
France 6.8
That's pretty tight on the exchanges, Ireland have Italy at home England have them away and we already have a 21 point advantage, it really must be Ireland's record in Paris that is putting doubts in the backers.
Woodward was on BBC saying England would kick on from the match and go into the stratosphere but I don't think they were so convincing. Wales to beat them. That betting may have the Cork problem when there is a wall of money in Cork on Cork and the prices come way down. The prices are inconsistent too with France so far out and Ireland worse than England.
I differ to what a few say on here, this is not a good England team, fairly poor in the scrummage without Sheridan, 2 immobile 2nd rowers, men at the back of the pack although bullish have not ball ability, Danny Care the best player they have, Farrell plays like old Johnny, cant link the backs up, abit of bosh bosh in the centres, 2 dodgy wingers and a really good fullback. Come world cup time they wont really count and wales style of play will be a bigger threat
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on February 23, 2014, 01:25:28 PM
I differ to what a few say on here, this is not a good England team, fairly poor in the scrummage without Sheridan, 2 immobile 2nd rowers, men at the back of the pack although bullish have not ball ability, Danny Care the best player they have, Farrell plays like old Johnny, cant link the backs up, abit of bosh bosh in the centres, 2 dodgy wingers and a really good fullback. Come world cup time they wont really count and wales style of play will be a bigger threat
Good summary.
Maybe Ireland could have won it with a slightly different team.
Quote from: seafoid on February 23, 2014, 01:09:54 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on February 23, 2014, 12:46:35 PM
Quote from: Hardy on February 23, 2014, 12:32:08 PM
Betfair:
England 2.74
Ireland 3.05
Wales 5.7
France 6.8
That's pretty tight on the exchanges, Ireland have Italy at home England have them away and we already have a 21 point advantage, it really must be Ireland's record in Paris that is putting doubts in the backers.
Woodward was on BBC saying England would kick on from the match and go into the stratosphere but I don't think they were so convincing. Wales to beat them. That betting may have the Cork problem when there is a wall of money in Cork on Cork and the prices come way down. The prices are inconsistent too with France so far out and Ireland worse than England.
Can't see much scope for improvement, even though they are a very tough side to play against at the moment. Not much creativity there if they want to go far from brute force rugby. Their find of the season Mike Brown will be 30 for the next World Cup, most of the rest are crash artists.
This is the 2nd year in a row that Ireland have lost to England by not being able to execute a slightly more ambitious game plan, whereas England have won by keeping it simple.
I also would have to strongly disagree with Dinny. England are hard to beat but that does not make them a good rugby side. They won by their superior physicality which has been allowed to flourish due to professionalism and the rules being tinkered with no realisation of what the consequences could be.
The Irish team were dead on there feet out there, with a few, notably Sexton suffering the results of heavy knocks to the head. I could see Healy and others at times nursing sore arms or dead legs. We have included some quite good technicians in our team whereas with England it's smash artists with smash artist subs (Morgan) to take their place. Off their own patch or unable to kick from distance with an injury to Farrell and these guys are very beatable, unlike previous French or Welsh sides who could play consistently away from home.
Farrell is not a great 10 either. Safe with the ball and a barely legal tackler (Shoulder charge on Sexton matched with some late tackles in last years competitions) his only world-class asset is his place-kicking, which to be fair is top drawer, his distribution is pretty poor and Care and Brown represent the true leaders and directors of that back-line.
Hard to know with Wales, will they kick on strongly as they did last year after we beat them? Hard to know. They will offer alot more potency in midfield where Ireland are now almost completely impotent. Watching Darcy with ball in hand is like looking at Sgarbi or Morrision who used to be with scotland, ie a 12 going nowhere. Really need to look at the Ulster options, the longer we leave it the harder it'll be to integrate them. It's funny after all the complaints of Eddie and Declan relying heavily on the old lads, Schmidt has been very poor, very poor at introducing fresh blood. The injury forced inclusions of O'Mahoney and Toner aside, Henry and Dave Kearney are the only new faces and Henry is by no means a spring chicken. It's funny how little criticism Schmidt takes for that.
Concussion is a much bigger risk in the 5/6 Nations than it was when Ollie Campbell was pinging them over. The size of the players of today and the ferociousness of the hits- I bet there are going to be consequences health wise for the current generation of players.
Ireland had Henderson, Moore, Jackson and J Murphy on the bench yesterday all 22. He has bedded in Toner, Henry and O'Mahony as first choices and has given starts to D Kearney and Marshall. He has also promoted Touhy and Jack McGrath to the squad. So 11 players who are far from spring chickens so maybe that's why Schmidt doesn't get any criticism and maybe the fact that he is only 6 games into his International coaching career.
The lack of respect England get astounds me, they are a physical side boo-hoo! last time I checked rugby was a physical game, they play to their strengths, shock and awe it's the way they have always played, even before professionalism, think Dean Richards. They dominated the collisions yesterday and apart from the scrums it's hard to think of any area they weren't superior to Ireland, their back 3 had something our back 3 didn't and that was pace in abundance.
England are also a lot younger than Ireland and are building for a World Cup on home soil, they're a likeable team with a likeable coach who are evolving, until BOD, POC and D'Arcy move on we won't be able to really start our evolution fully under Schmidt.
Love the symetry offered by the game in Paris; Saint Denis, where Henry thieved a nation's dreams, where we've known too many defeats, where O'Driscoll's legend began and will end. The papers today were lamenting that the Hollywood ending was off for O'Driscoll but was could be more Hollywood than a backs-to-the-wall final act?
Italy won't beat us and we should beat them by enough to make our only real concern in Paris be getting the victory by any means necessary.
Whilst the game wasn't a high scoring try fest, it was an intriguing enough contest with England having the lions share of possession and territory, yet Ireland hanging on, but making a decent enough bit of leeway when they did get the ball in the England half.
The game was all about defence and not making mistakes, Ireland got off with a five pointer when somehow the English winger failed to ground what should have been a gimme at this level, but a trimble catch and a pass which Rob Kearney couldn't take without losing momentum and the chance was lost.
Kearneys try will the first time I'd seen a lad hit a flatish pass at speed to break the line and there was no stopping him, the momentum was with Ireland, then the start off in the from Sexton was a disaster, straight out, missed tackles from the resultant scrum, Brown was away with Care on his shoulder and you knew it would be an uphill struggle from then on.
At the same time the Irish lads didn't fold and kept at it but didn't have that cutting edge to get the points to either draw or win, but it wasn't the depressingly poor performance some are making out..
As I've said before, I hate that crash bang wallop game England and Wales have now adopted thanks to a few south sea islanders, but it is effective and their line speed does stifle any creativity in the backs, so Schmitt will need to come up with something else come world cup time to counteract it, the chip/grubber kick through needs to be away from the sweeping outhalf, easier said than done though.
Ireland are reasonably placed to take the championship, a visit to a disjointed France will be the make and breaking of it, with Wales and England crashing into each other deciding who's going to be the main threat to that.
Its not all lost yet.
Quote from: johnneycool on February 24, 2014, 09:21:35 AMSchmitt will need to come up with something else come world cup time
I think we should stick with that thing where O'Connell holds on to the would-be tackler so that Kearney can run through the gap. That works well.
Quote from: Hardy on February 24, 2014, 10:48:10 AM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 24, 2014, 09:21:35 AMSchmitt will need to come up with something else come world cup time
I think we should stick with that thing where O'Connell holds on to the would-be tackler so that Kearney can run through the gap. That works well.
yip,
more of the same please ;D
Quote from: seafoid on February 23, 2014, 07:07:40 PM
Concussion is a much bigger risk in the 5/6 Nations than it was when Ollie Campbell was pinging them over. The size of the players of today and the ferociousness of the hits- I bet there are going to be consequences health wise for the current generation of players.
Is there any empirical evidence that this is so, either for increased incidence of concussion or that hits are more ferocious.
Quote from: Keyser soze on February 24, 2014, 11:17:16 AM
Quote from: seafoid on February 23, 2014, 07:07:40 PM
Concussion is a much bigger risk in the 5/6 Nations than it was when Ollie Campbell was pinging them over. The size of the players of today and the ferociousness of the hits- I bet there are going to be consequences health wise for the current generation of players.
Is there any empirical evidence that this is so, either for increased incidence of concussion or that hits are more ferocious.
It seems to be an issue . BOD has taken an awful lot of hits. I wonder if he'll have any problems later in life.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/07/rugby-union-legal-claims-concussion
Rugby union will face huge legal claims over concussion, says doctor
• Barry O'Driscoll claims lawyers 'are licking their lips'
• Authorities accused of being 'cavalier in the extreme'
The Guardian, Thursday 7 November 2013 22.14 GMT
A leading sports doctor has warned that rugby union should expect to face a series of legal claims from former players suffering with the aftereffects of concussion injuries. Barry O'Driscoll, a former Ireland international, says the sport will soon find itself in a similar situation to American football. The National Football League recently reached a $765m settlement with a group of more than 4,500 former players who claimed that it had concealed the risk of long-term brain damage.
O'Driscoll, a speaker at Thursday's Professional Rugby Concussion forum, claimed that rugby's authorities were "mad" and "cavalier in the extreme" in their approach towards concussion. His strong words came on the day that the Labour MP Chris Bryant, a rugby player himself, called for an urgent debate in parliament on concussion in sport.
"There is real evidence that people, when they are forced to play again after being concussed, can all too easily end up suffering," Bryant said.
The forum brought together players, coaches, and doctors in an effort to improve the collective understanding of issues around concussion. O'Driscoll, who resigned from the International Rugby Board's medical advisory board in protest at its handling of concussion injuries, was at the extreme end of the range of views represented.
He feels the IRB's new Pitch-side Concussion Assessment (PCSA), which means players who are suspected to be suffering with concussion have to leave the field for five minutes to undergo standardised tests, provides inadequate protection against the risk of serious injury.
He also argues that the suspicion of concussion alone should be reason enough to remove a player from a game. "I think the lawyers are licking their lips, I really do," he said. O'Driscoll added that players who have a PSCA and are allowed to go back on could, in five or 10 years, "start getting severely depressed or migrained".
The Rugby Football Union's head of sports medicine, Dr Simon Kemp, pointed out that since the PSCA was introduced, instances of players returning to the field while suffering concussion had fallen from 56% to 13% of all diagnosed cases.
Wesley Fofana ruled out of the rest of the 6nations,fractured rib. Good boost ahead of the trip to Paris.
Quote from: seafoid on February 24, 2014, 12:13:50 PM
Quote from: Keyser soze on February 24, 2014, 11:17:16 AM
Quote from: seafoid on February 23, 2014, 07:07:40 PM
Concussion is a much bigger risk in the 5/6 Nations than it was when Ollie Campbell was pinging them over. The size of the players of today and the ferociousness of the hits- I bet there are going to be consequences health wise for the current generation of players.
Is there any empirical evidence that this is so, either for increased incidence of concussion or that hits are more ferocious.
It seems to be an issue . BOD has taken an awful lot of hits. I wonder if he'll have any problems later in life.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/07/rugby-union-legal-claims-concussion
Rugby union will face huge legal claims over concussion, says doctor
• Barry O'Driscoll claims lawyers 'are licking their lips'
• Authorities accused of being 'cavalier in the extreme'
The Guardian, Thursday 7 November 2013 22.14 GMT
A leading sports doctor has warned that rugby union should expect to face a series of legal claims from former players suffering with the aftereffects of concussion injuries. Barry O'Driscoll, a former Ireland international, says the sport will soon find itself in a similar situation to American football. The National Football League recently reached a $765m settlement with a group of more than 4,500 former players who claimed that it had concealed the risk of long-term brain damage.
O'Driscoll, a speaker at Thursday's Professional Rugby Concussion forum, claimed that rugby's authorities were "mad" and "cavalier in the extreme" in their approach towards concussion. His strong words came on the day that the Labour MP Chris Bryant, a rugby player himself, called for an urgent debate in parliament on concussion in sport.
"There is real evidence that people, when they are forced to play again after being concussed, can all too easily end up suffering," Bryant said.
The forum brought together players, coaches, and doctors in an effort to improve the collective understanding of issues around concussion. O'Driscoll, who resigned from the International Rugby Board's medical advisory board in protest at its handling of concussion injuries, was at the extreme end of the range of views represented.
He feels the IRB's new Pitch-side Concussion Assessment (PCSA), which means players who are suspected to be suffering with concussion have to leave the field for five minutes to undergo standardised tests, provides inadequate protection against the risk of serious injury.
He also argues that the suspicion of concussion alone should be reason enough to remove a player from a game. "I think the lawyers are licking their lips, I really do," he said. O'Driscoll added that players who have a PSCA and are allowed to go back on could, in five or 10 years, "start getting severely depressed or migrained".
The Rugby Football Union's head of sports medicine, Dr Simon Kemp, pointed out that since the PSCA was introduced, instances of players returning to the field while suffering concussion had fallen from 56% to 13% of all diagnosed cases.
Well this article is focussed on how the authorities failed to deal adequately with concussion injuries in the past. There is no information on whether its becoming more common or not. And no mention at all of the supposed increased ferocity of hits.
I'm not quibbling but there seems to be a prevailing attitude that the game is 'harder' than it used to be without any evidence being produced to back this up.
Personally I think most sports including rugby have become a lot more sanitised over the past decade. I have zero evidence either to support this viewpoint tbh ;)
Quote from: rodney trotter on February 24, 2014, 01:34:17 PM
Wesley Fofana ruled out of the rest of the 6nations,fractured rib. Good boost ahead of the trip to Paris.
Also
Philippe Saint Andre has left Louis Picamoles out of squad to face Scotland for his disrespectful attitude after getting sin-binned vs Wales.
I'd admire that from PSA, Picamoles was bang out of order and his reaction was very poor and he is such a quality player.
I guess that answers my question. Fair play to PSA, but I wonder is there a more down to earth reason for it? PSA seems to be struggling to hold that dressing room.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 24, 2014, 04:10:47 PM
I guess that answers my question. Fair play to PSA, but I wonder is there a more down to earth reason for it? PSA seems to be struggling to hold that dressing room.
Is this the same PSA finishing this ridiculously brilliant try against England?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3PHyrbUNM4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3PHyrbUNM4)
Ref concusions, it's hard to bemoan the sanitising of sport when stories like this are becoming more common:
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/duerson-suicide-brain-study/
There isn't YET evidence that this is happening more, but it stands to reason that as players get bigger, faster, and stronger, and collisions become more jarring the current players will face more problems in later life than those in the past.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 24, 2014, 04:10:47 PM
I guess that answers my question. Fair play to PSA, but I wonder is there a more down to earth reason for it? PSA seems to be struggling to hold that dressing room.
France lost 11 or 12 games last year. Before the ball was kicked in 2014, he would already have been on dodgy ground.
I'd worry Parra and Trinh Duc will be back to face us in Paris!
Quote from: mc_grens on February 25, 2014, 08:49:50 AM
Ref concusions, it's hard to bemoan the sanitising of sport when stories like this are becoming more common:
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/duerson-suicide-brain-study/
There isn't YET evidence that this is happening more, but it stands to reason that as players get bigger, faster, and stronger, and collisions become more jarring the current players will face more problems in later life than those in the past.
It's clear now that smoking kills people but it wasn't in the 1960s
Quote from: mc_grens on February 25, 2014, 08:49:50 AM
Ref concusions, it's hard to bemoan the sanitising of sport when stories like this are becoming more common:
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/duerson-suicide-brain-study/
There isn't YET evidence that this is happening more, but it stands to reason that as players get bigger, faster, and stronger, and collisions become more jarring the current players will face more problems in later life than those in the past.
Right so there is no evidence that more concussions are occurring, but there is evidence that they occurred very frequently in American football in the past!
Yes rugby players are getting bigger stronger faster in the professional era, maybe this will make them better able to withstand collisions better with fewer concussions as a result? Speculating on what may happen in the future is not evidence.
Sure maybe the harder surfaces rugby is played on now will have a bigger adverse effect on numbers affected by concussions, as many of the concussions which Ive seen in rugby result from players hitting there head on the ground or getting caught by an errant knee in a ruck/maul/tackle.
Quote from: Keyser soze on February 25, 2014, 05:11:19 PM
Quote from: mc_grens on February 25, 2014, 08:49:50 AM
Ref concusions, it's hard to bemoan the sanitising of sport when stories like this are becoming more common:
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/duerson-suicide-brain-study/
There isn't YET evidence that this is happening more, but it stands to reason that as players get bigger, faster, and stronger, and collisions become more jarring the current players will face more problems in later life than those in the past.
Right so there is no evidence that more concussions are occurring, but there is evidence that they occurred very frequently in American football in the past!
Yes rugby players are getting bigger stronger faster in the professional era, maybe this will make them better able to withstand collisions better with fewer concussions as a result? Speculating on what may happen in the future is not evidence.
Sure maybe the harder surfaces rugby is played on now will have a bigger adverse effect on numbers affected by concussions, as many of the concussions which Ive seen in rugby result from players hitting there head on the ground or getting caught by an errant knee in a ruck/maul/tackle.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/apr/26/climate-casino-exchange/
Some years ago I had a conversation with a layman about flying saucers.... I said, "I don't think there are flying saucers." So my antagonist said, "Is it impossible that there are flying saucers? Can you prove that it's impossible?"
"No," I said, "I can't prove it's impossible. It's just very unlikely." At that he said, "You are very unscientific. If you can't prove it impossible, then how can you say that it's unlikely?" But that is the way that is scientific. It is scientific only to say what is more likely and what less likely, and not to be proving all the time the possible and impossible.j
So maybe today's rugby is just as safe as rugby 30 years ago. But I wouldn't bet on it just because there is currently no definitive evidence
Oh Oh. From Midlands Sport. Is Jackson ready? Is Madigan?
QuoteRacing Metro say that Jonny Sexton could be facing up to six weeks out of action.
The French club has confirmed that the Ireland out-half picked-up a thumb ligament injury during last Saturday's defeat to England and Twickenham, but have been unable to put a firm time-frame on his recovery.
Racing coach Laurent Labit says that the 28-year-old could be sidelined for anything between 10 days and six weeks, which means that he's now likely to miss Ireland's next Six Nations outing against Italy.
Will anybody notice if he's missing?
http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2014/rugby/story/216365.html (http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2014/rugby/story/216365.html)
Quote from: muppet on February 24, 2014, 04:49:59 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 24, 2014, 04:10:47 PM
I guess that answers my question. Fair play to PSA, but I wonder is there a more down to earth reason for it? PSA seems to be struggling to hold that dressing room.
Is this the same PSA finishing this ridiculously brilliant try against England?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3PHyrbUNM4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3PHyrbUNM4)
Yes. That's him.
Quote from: mouview on February 27, 2014, 08:39:17 PM
Will anybody notice if he's missing?
The difference between a pat on the back and a kick up the arse is only a foot.
Quote from: mouview on February 27, 2014, 08:39:17 PM
Will anybody notice if he's missing?
Sexton, one of the best outhalfs in world rugby? Id say yes
Kidney was terrified of giving Paddy Jackson responsibility when he was forced to play him last year, Joe has his work cut out to build up the lad's confidence at international level if he's going to head to Saint Denis as the starting out-half.
Quote from: Syferus on February 28, 2014, 02:15:00 PM
Kidney was terrified of giving Paddy Jackson responsibility when he was forced to play him last year, Joe has his work cut out to build up the lad's confidence at international level if he's going to head to Saint Denis as the starting out-half.
Surely Madigan is a far better option than Jackson?? No??
Jackson looks like a terrified schoolboy except when hes singing on youtube!!
Quote from: Walter Cronc on February 28, 2014, 04:09:56 PM
Quote from: Syferus on February 28, 2014, 02:15:00 PM
Kidney was terrified of giving Paddy Jackson responsibility when he was forced to play him last year, Joe has his work cut out to build up the lad's confidence at international level if he's going to head to Saint Denis as the starting out-half.
Surely Madigan is a far better option than Jackson?? No??
Jackson looks like a terrified schoolboy except when hes singing on youtube!!
Given it's Jackson that has been spelling Sexton this year and last it'd be an amazing call if Joe un-iced Madigan, hell even Madigan has had his struggles this year being engaged in a battle for the Leinster out-half position.
Quote from: Walter Cronc on February 28, 2014, 04:09:56 PM
Quote from: Syferus on February 28, 2014, 02:15:00 PM
Kidney was terrified of giving Paddy Jackson responsibility when he was forced to play him last year, Joe has his work cut out to build up the lad's confidence at international level if he's going to head to Saint Denis as the starting out-half.
Surely Madigan is a far better option than Jackson?? No??
Jackson looks like a terrified schoolboy except when hes singing on youtube!!
Jackson's played well for Ulster this year - albeit not taking the kicks when Pienaar has been playing - while Madigan hasn't been able to unseat Gopperth. Plenty forget that after the Scotland match last year Jackson did rightly in the draw with France including nailing some difficult kicks
Quote from: Syferus on February 28, 2014, 04:15:08 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on February 28, 2014, 04:09:56 PM
Quote from: Syferus on February 28, 2014, 02:15:00 PM
Kidney was terrified of giving Paddy Jackson responsibility when he was forced to play him last year, Joe has his work cut out to build up the lad's confidence at international level if he's going to head to Saint Denis as the starting out-half.
Surely Madigan is a far better option than Jackson?? No??
Jackson looks like a terrified schoolboy except when hes singing on youtube!!
Given it's Jackson that has been spelling Sexton this year and last it'd be an amazing call if Joe un-iced Madigan, hell even Madigan has had his struggles this year being engaged in a battle for the Leinster out-half position.
I think that's as much down to O'Connor being a cautious coach and playing it safe with Gopparth. Madigan has his moments but he has an xfactor which he showed in Rome last year. Remember OConnor was part of a coaching set up that overlooked George Ford and Billy twelve trees at Leicester!!
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-direct-pro-12/2014/0228/507539-bowe-back-with-a-bang-in-ulster-victory/
Quote from: seafoid on February 28, 2014, 10:10:26 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-direct-pro-12/2014/0228/507539-bowe-back-with-a-bang-in-ulster-victory/
If Tommy's available he'll be a big boost on the wing.
Give Bowe some game time against Italy and then start him against France.
Quote from: muppet on February 28, 2014, 10:36:04 PM
Give Bowe some game time against Italy and then start him against France.
Two cracking tries at Ravers tonight.
Jackson kicked impeccably too.
Quote from: muppet on February 28, 2014, 10:36:04 PM
Give Bowe some game time against Italy and then start him against France.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VnPmRytfyM
I saw his clothing range on sale in Ballina last year. He must be good ;)
Quote from: Hardy on March 01, 2014, 11:48:07 AM
Jackson kicked impeccably too.
The Irish medics have rubbished Metro's shite, Sexton will be fit for Italy, nevermind France.
It's looking more and more likely that Johnny will want to return home in the summer.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/the-picture-the-irfu-didn-t-want-you-to-see-1.1708722
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0302/507794-zebo-back-but-no-bowe-for-ireland/
Disappointing news about Luke Marshall suffering yet another concussion. Apparently his 4th in this past year.
Any thoughts on potential sucessors to D'Arcy/BOD long term??
Fitzgerald/Earls/Henshaw/Payne (eligible next year) are the likely candidates.
How is Jordan Coughlan developing at Leinster? Did Schmidt switch him from blindside to centre following his excellent U20 JWC?
Quote from: seafoid on March 01, 2014, 03:24:14 PM
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/the-picture-the-irfu-didn-t-want-you-to-see-1.1708722
Gear grinders - didn't get past the first paragraph!!
QuoteSince beginning a series of columns for The Irish Times last month, Lynne Cantwell, Ireland's most capped women's rugby player, had nothing but triumphs to reflect on after a momentous 12 months for the national team, She has, though, also being giving a wonderful insight into the struggles the players have had to endure through the years to reach the level they have now attained.
Ireland: R Kearney; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell; I Henderson, C Henry, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, R Ruddock, J Murphy, E Reddan, P Jackson, F McFadden.
Zebo omitted again. McFadden is really the only cover that Ireland have in the backs.
Quote from: Estimator on March 06, 2014, 03:22:46 PM
Ireland: R Kearney; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell; I Henderson, C Henry, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, R Ruddock, J Murphy, E Reddan, P Jackson, F McFadden.
Zebo omitted again. McFadden is really the only cover that Ireland have in the backs.
Most teams only ever have one player covering the outside back positions.
McFadden covers centre and wings. Dave Kearney covers full back. Two injuries causes a problem, but that's the way it goes.
Zebo has edged closer this time, even if it took an injury to Felix Jones. Depending on how he did this week in training, he could still get a bench place next week (if DK, Kearney or McFadden disappoint).
Interesting that Ruddock got the bench spot ahead of Ryan and McCarthy. Suggests we'll see Henderson switched to lock at some stage during the game.
Iain Henderson starts for Ireland. You know you're getting old, when International Lock forwards look like childer.
http://www.joe.ie/rugby/six-nations/video-beautiful-tribute-to-bod-from-the-kids-at-temple-street/
#ForTheLoveOfBOD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKyzAruRMA&app=desktop
The Irish Times videos where Gerry Thornley analyses the games are very good, I think
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ireland-to-do-it-for-that-bloke-o-driscoll-1.1717023
I'm sick of this O'Driscoll shite, has everyone forgotten there is a match on or that we're playing for a championship. f**k me, he's a retiring rugby player he didn't invent the f**king wheel.
Quote from: trileacman on March 08, 2014, 02:10:17 PM
I'm sick of this O'Driscoll shite, has everyone forgotten there is a match on or that we're playing for a championship. f**k me, he's a retiring rugby player he didn't invent the f**king wheel.
You should tell Italy there's a match to be played too because they've clearly forgotten given their starting line-up.
Only interesting aspect of today is BOD. Back in your box.
Poor enough last 10 mins and Italy score a try.
they'll have to do better.
Italy not too shabby, Ireland poor. Big Baby-Face Henderson looks like he'll be a keeper.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 08, 2014, 03:10:34 PM
Italy not too shabby, Ireland poor. Big Baby-Face Henderson looks like he'll be a keeper.
BOD had 3 nice passes for the tries. 20 points isn't a bad difference if they can hold it.
England - Wales is going to be a belter.
Quote from: seafoid on March 08, 2014, 04:03:51 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 08, 2014, 03:10:34 PM
Italy not too shabby, Ireland poor. Big Baby-Face Henderson looks like he'll be a keeper.
BOD had 3 nice passes for the tries. 20 points isn't a bad difference if they can hold it.
England - Wales is going to be a belter.
Big turnaround in the second-half. Big one in Paris!
Not a bad day at the office.
+ 81 points difference
You can shove the triple crown where the sun don't shine if there's a championship to be won.
France are at 6's and 7's
The Scots are getting a lot of milage out of Gordon McQueen.
Quote from: Main Street on March 08, 2014, 06:34:04 PM
You can shove the triple crown where the sun don't shine if there's a championship to be won.
France are at 6's and 7's
The Scots are getting a lot of milage out of Gordon McQueen.
well said, as that hoor Ferguson always said
"the table doesn,t lie, whoever has the most points at the end of the season deserve to be champions because they are the best"
Points difference shouldn't matter now - unless England won by a bagful tomorrow, 3-0 will do next week
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 09:45:15 PM
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
They played shit and won against a shit side, though. If we turn them early and get the crowd on their backs it could end up being a landslide win. Forget about Paris.
Whilst the media will hype it up retiring on only a second 6 Nations win, this time without a Grand Slam, much less a Triple Crown wouldn't mean that much to Brian O'Driscoll I expect. Irish underachievement will overshadow his individual contribution to the green jersey over the past 15 years.
"We'll always have Paris"
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 09:45:15 PM
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
always is in Paris, but player for player were miles ahead, wont mean shit though unless we prove it
Quote from: Syferus on March 08, 2014, 09:53:41 PM
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 09:45:15 PM
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
They played shit and won against a shit side, though. If we turn them early and get the crowd on their backs it could end up being a landslide win. Forget about Paris.
Yeah right. landslide win, I'll eat my hat.
I don't care how bad they look, we have some form in coming up short when it counts and no team are better at spoiling a party than le bleus.
I think we have the better team but we've been here before.
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 10:16:55 PM
Quote from: Syferus on March 08, 2014, 09:53:41 PM
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 09:45:15 PM
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
They played shit and won against a shit side, though. If we turn them early and get the crowd on their backs it could end up being a landslide win. Forget about Paris.
Yeah right. landslide win, I'll eat my hat.
I don't care how bad they look, we have some form in coming up short when it counts and no team are better at spoiling a party than le bleus.
I think we have the better team but we've been here before.
True, but have we had a better coach?
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 04, 2014, 03:00:05 PM
Disappointing news about Luke Marshall suffering yet another concussion. Apparently his 4th in this past year.
Any thoughts on potential sucessors to D'Arcy/BOD long term??
Fitzgerald/Earls/Henshaw/Payne (eligible next year) are the likely candidates.
How is Jordan Coughlan developing at Leinster? Did Schmidt switch him from blindside to centre following his excellent U20 JWC?
I am hoping McFadden gets run at it now as I think he could be the answer with a long run in the team. Need to find a replacement for Darcy as well though. Great defensively but he has lost the knack of breaking the line.
From this day forward, I pronounce March 8th St. Brian O'Driscoll day.
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 10:16:55 PM
Quote from: Syferus on March 08, 2014, 09:53:41 PM
Quote from: thejuice on March 08, 2014, 09:45:15 PM
Yeah but it's France in Paris. As we saw today, they can play shit and still win. They did it against England as well this year. It'll be a tough one for us.
They played shit and won against a shit side, though. If we turn them early and get the crowd on their backs it could end up being a landslide win. Forget about Paris.
Yeah right. landslide win, I'll eat my hat.
I don't care how bad they look, we have some form in coming up short when it counts and no team are better at spoiling a party than le bleus.
I think we have the better team but we've been here before.
You better have some nice relish for your hat.
Quote from: mouview on March 08, 2014, 10:28:44 PM
From this day forward, I pronounce March 8th St. Brian O'Driscoll day.
Now houl' on, it is my birthday today!
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 08, 2014, 11:02:28 PM
Quote from: mouview on March 08, 2014, 10:28:44 PM
From this day forward, I pronounce March 8th St. Brian O'Driscoll day.
Now houl' on, it is my birthday today!
happy birthday tony
odriscoll, class act on and off the pitch. some of his passing today was sublime. will be sorely missed.
hope the nerves don't get the better of the team in Paris...will be some match
Quote from: trileacman on March 08, 2014, 02:10:17 PM
I'm sick of this O'Driscoll shite, has everyone forgotten there is a match on or that we're playing for a championship. f**k me, he's a retiring rugby player he didn't invent the f**king wheel.
Gobshite!
Decade before BOD:
1990 5N P4 W1 L4
1991 5N P4 W0 L3 D1 (Wooden spoon with Wales - Wales lower scoring diff)
1992 5N P4 W0 L4 (Wooden spoon - no points)
1993 5N P4 W2 L2
1994 5N P4 W1 L2 D1
1995 5N P4 W1 L3
1996 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with Wales - Ireland lower scoring diff)
1997 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with Wales/Scotland - Ireland lower scoring diff)
1998 5N P4 W0 L3 (Wooden spoon - no points)
1999 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with France - France lower scoring diff)
Total P40 W8 L30 D2
Enter BOD:
2000 6N P5 W3 L2
2001 6N P5 W4 L1
2002 6N P5 W3 L2
2003 6N P5 W4 L1
2004 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown)
2005 6N P5 W3 L2
2006 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
2007 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
2008 6N P5 W2 L3
2009 6N P5 W5 L0 (Grand Slam) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
Total P50 W36 L14
(Without Italy) P40 W26 L14
(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1947909_663311023731581_1656487713_n.jpg)
Great stats, Muppet.
Let's hope the French can do the business on Saturday so we don't have to listen to any more nauseating media bullshit about this deviant pursuit.
Quote from: Sidney on March 09, 2014, 12:48:06 PM
Let's hope the French can do the business on Saturday so we don't have to listen to any more nauseating media bullshit about this deviant pursuit.
Big Ireland fan
Wales are playing themselves out of it at the minute. Webb is having a absolute horror show at scrum half.
Poor stuff from Wales. Eng should be 15 ahead
Game over.
Quote from: AQMP on March 09, 2014, 04:12:56 PM
Game over.
Aye.
Has anyone else been simultaneously watching Gaelic, rugby and FA Cup. My head's spinning here! Deferred hurling now and I'm sure there's athletics and darts on somewhere! I love Sundays.
Quote from: muppet on March 09, 2014, 11:24:38 AM
Decade before BOD:
1990 5N P4 W1 L4
1991 5N P4 W0 L3 D1 (Wooden spoon with Wales - Wales lower scoring diff)
1992 5N P4 W0 L4 (Wooden spoon - no points)
1993 5N P4 W2 L2
1994 5N P4 W1 L2 D1
1995 5N P4 W1 L3
1996 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with Wales - Ireland lower scoring diff)
1997 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with Wales/Scotland - Ireland lower scoring diff)
1998 5N P4 W0 L3 (Wooden spoon - no points)
1999 5N P4 W1 L3 (Wooden spoon with France - France lower scoring diff)
Total P40 W8 L30 D2
Enter BOD:
2000 6N P5 W3 L2 Beat France in Paris
2001 6N P5 W4 L1
2002 6N P5 W3 L2
2003 6N P5 W4 L1
2004 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown)
2005 6N P5 W3 L2
2006 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
2007 6N P5 W4 L1 (Triple Crown) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
2008 6N P5 W2 L3
2009 6N P5 W5 L0 (Grand Slam) (O'Driscoll voted Player of the Championship)
Total P50 W36 L14
(Without Italy) P40 W26 L14
Swing low sweet chariot but they won't have enough points if Ireland beat France .
Ireland put 46 points on Italy yesterday, England could easily put 50+ on them next week.
England and The South Sea Islanders first triple crown since 2003...surprising statistic
Quote from: CD on March 09, 2014, 04:16:23 PM
Quote from: AQMP on March 09, 2014, 04:12:56 PM
Game over.
Aye.
Has anyone else been simultaneously watching Gaelic, rugby and FA Cup. My head's spinning here! Deferred hurling now and I'm sure there's athletics and darts on somewhere! I love Sundays.
Switched over to the rugby for a while after the Kerry match, amazing how much slower rugby is
Here is the Ireland U-20s inside centre tacking the Italy U-20s number 8:
http://balls.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20.gif (http://balls.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/20.gif)
Quote from: J OGorman on March 09, 2014, 04:54:59 PM
England and The South Sea Islanders first triple crown since 2003...surprising statistic
Calcutta Cup
Triple Crown
Six Nations
But it is not all about England, is it?
Quote from: Estimator on March 09, 2014, 04:51:56 PM
Ireland put 46 points on Italy yesterday, England could easily put 50+ on them next week.
They need to win by more than 50 points if Ireland beat France.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0309/601140-injured-halfpenny-out-for-rest-of-season/ (http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0309/601140-injured-halfpenny-out-for-rest-of-season/)
f**king real pity, he fought heart and soul for his side today. A better 10 and 13 and they might have won.
Quote from: trileacman on March 09, 2014, 09:57:39 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0309/601140-injured-halfpenny-out-for-rest-of-season/ (http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2014/0309/601140-injured-halfpenny-out-for-rest-of-season/)
f**king real pity, he fought heart and soul for his side today. A better 10 and 13 and they might have won.
Crash, bang, wallop, vrs Crash, bang, wallop, Englands Crash, bang, wallop is bigger hence the win. In saying that in Care and Brown they've the two best players on display this 6N's.
Fantastic kicking from both Farrell and Halfpenny from big distances, England a good outside bet for next years world cup if Hartley can get another few braincells to rub together and stop giving away penalties.
Quote from: Estimator on March 09, 2014, 04:51:56 PM
Ireland put 46 points on Italy yesterday, England could easily put 50+ on them next week.
Italy at home are harder to crack.
I wouldnt worry about a points difference just yet .
Irelands record in Paris would be a bigger worry.
What is D'Arcy doing there can somebody tell me? Anytime we had the ball with a bit of momentum on Saturday he killed it! We need him replaced as soon as possible because he can't be the answer for the WC next year.
Likewise after Saturday's performance surely BOD could keep going to the World Cup... I know it's not going to happen but I would be happy enough if it did. His performance on Saturday whilst against weak opposition was still excellent!
Anyway I can't see how we are going to lose this championship. Yes England will more than likely put 40+ points on Italy but it still won't be enough. Equally we could put 10 points on a poor French outfit and with the players and coaching staff we have in place there is no way we will lose to complacency. Really looking forward to Saturday it's great that there are at least 2 games that will decide the outcome!
I expect the game against France to be a determined and emotional display, much like the first Ireland vs England match at Croke Park, after playing with BOD for all these years the team are going to want to make sure BOD signs off with his second championship.
Quote from: Armaghgeddon on March 10, 2014, 11:02:10 AM
I expect the game against France to be a determined and emotional display, much like the first Ireland vs England match at Croke Park, after playing with BOD for all these years the team are going to want to make sure BOD signs off with his second championship.
2 championships would not be a lot considering the talent available since 2000.
Be better than 1.
Wales must have three or four in the same period..
Ireland have shit in the nest a few times with the championship in their grasp, here's hoping next weekend isn't another one of them.
Great interview with BOD and Shane Horgan on RTE.
Gives a great insight into the mindset of BOD when he hasnt even thought of lifting the 6N trophy as there are too many processes to go through in order to achieve that goal. I suppose thats what seperates professionals like Horgan ( a very decent one in his own right) with world class performers like BOD.
I thought that was a cliché answer. The same as the old 'one game at a time' response that is stock in trade. I can't believe that O'Driscoll hasn't thought it would be great to go out winning the 6N. And Paulie would lift it anyway, not BOD :D
Quote from: macdanger2 on March 09, 2014, 04:58:00 PM
Quote from: CD on March 09, 2014, 04:16:23 PM
Quote from: AQMP on March 09, 2014, 04:12:56 PM
Game over.
Aye.
Has anyone else been simultaneously watching Gaelic, rugby and FA Cup. My head's spinning here! Deferred hurling now and I'm sure there's athletics and darts on somewhere! I love Sundays.
Switched over to the rugby for a while after the Kerry match, amazing how much slower rugby is
Not that much difference if you were just focussing on Tyrone.
I can't really watch England play, the game shifts from being a hard physical sport to something else.
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 10, 2014, 12:49:43 PM
Be better than 1.
But even 2 would be a poor enough return IMO considering all the chances that went a-begging. France win an awful lot more jammy matches than Ireland ever do.
Quote from: seafoid on March 10, 2014, 03:12:27 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 10, 2014, 12:49:43 PM
Be better than 1.
But even 2 would be a poor enough return IMO considering all the chances that went a-begging. France win an awful lot more jammy matches than Ireland ever do.
Usually against Ireland
It may be a poor enough return, but it's the best we can get at this stage, so rather than saying we should have 5 or 6 won, why not just concentrate on winning the one in front of us?
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 10, 2014, 04:28:24 PM
It may be a poor enough return, but it's the best we can get at this stage, so rather than saying we should have 5 or 6 won, why not just concentrate on winning the one in front of us?
Now now AZ you should know better than to make sensible comments on here . . .
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 10, 2014, 04:28:24 PM
It may be a poor enough return, but it's the best we can get at this stage, so rather than saying we should have 5 or 6 won, why not just concentrate on winning the one in front of us?
It would be great to win in France but BOD should have won more than 2.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Forget the past, look to the future. Altogether now... Ommmmmmmmmm.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 10, 2014, 03:14:13 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 10, 2014, 03:12:27 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 10, 2014, 12:49:43 PM
Be better than 1.
But even 2 would be a poor enough return IMO considering all the chances that went a-begging. France win an awful lot more jammy matches than Ireland ever do.
Usually against Ireland
How many titles would we have if not for Vincent Clerc alone? The margins were razor thin.
No better time to make the French hurt.
Tommy Bowe playing for Ulster this weekend. So probably no real change to the match day squad apart from P O'M coming in. Speaking to a lot of English fans today, they reckon they have the title won already.
France are 11/10 to win the game in Paris. Much as I hope we win the game and the championship, that's too good for me to turn down.
Are Ireland actually favourites going into Paris?
Yep, 5/6 with Paddy Power anyway. Seems a bit off to me.
that must be a first time ever? I'd be very reluctant to call Ireland a favourite in a big game, away in Paris.
Quote from: Asal Mor on March 12, 2014, 04:09:53 PM
Yep, 5/6 with Paddy Power anyway. Seems a bit off to me.
You haven't watched France recently so!
Quote from: Syferus on March 12, 2014, 05:11:33 PM
Quote from: Asal Mor on March 12, 2014, 04:09:53 PM
Yep, 5/6 with Paddy Power anyway. Seems a bit off to me.
You haven't watched France recently so!
I haven't but I've heard they've been very poor. I still can't believe they're underdogs in Paris though. We'll find out on Saturday anyway. I still hope Ireland win but I don't believe it's more than 40% probable.
This is an interesting article
http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/ (http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/)
Murray Kinsella very good at breaking down and analysing technical aspects of a game / team.
Very good for someone like myself who has never played
Quote from: Never beat the deeler on March 13, 2014, 04:46:06 AM
This is an interesting article
http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/ (http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/)
Murray Kinsella very good at breaking down and analysing technical aspects of a game / team.
Very good for someone like myself who has never played
That's an impressive beard by D'arcy (picture in that article).
I'm wondering has it improved his game or is it that I just notice more what he does on the pitch?
Quote from: Main Street on March 13, 2014, 11:27:08 AM
Quote from: Never beat the deeler on March 13, 2014, 04:46:06 AM
This is an interesting article
http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/ (http://www.thescore.ie/analysis-ireland-france-defence-1355909-Mar2014/)
Murray Kinsella very good at breaking down and analysing technical aspects of a game / team.
Very good for someone like myself who has never played
That's an impressive beard by D'arcy (picture in that article).
I'm wondering has it improved his game or is it that I just notice more what he does on the pitch?
Beards seem to be coming back into fashion. Is D'Arcy more of a trend setter now than a line breaker ?
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
An English fella in work was laughing about England smashing Italy +60 and Ireland beating France by a couple. Not worth thinking about :'(
I see Ferris is starting on the bench for Ulster on Friday. . . We are going to have some serious strength in the back row for the World Cup! Jaysus what do you do when you have O'Mahony, Ferris, O'Brien, Henry, Heaslip, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Murphy all fighting for 3 places!
Realistically you're looking at 3 from 5 in with a shout at that stage but you would think the others will be knocking at the door come September next year!
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 01:59:53 PM
I see Ferris is starting on the bench for Ulster on Friday. . . We are going to have some serious strength in the back row for the World Cup! Jaysus what do you do when you have O'Mahony, Ferris, O'Brien, Henry, Heaslip, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Murphy all fighting for 3 places!
Realistically you're looking at 3 from 5 in with a shout at that stage but you would think the others will be knocking at the door come September next year!
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
Anyone suggest a few good bars in Paris for before the game?
I know Ferris has been out for a long time but he is still on 27, hardly past it. Before his injury he was outstanding and had cemented his place in the backrow for Ireland. If he got back to near that level, which I'm guessing is what you are questioning NAGI, then I would have him starting.
Quote from: NAG1 on March 13, 2014, 02:21:53 PM
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 01:59:53 PM
I see Ferris is starting on the bench for Ulster on Friday. . . We are going to have some serious strength in the back row for the World Cup! Jaysus what do you do when you have O'Mahony, Ferris, O'Brien, Henry, Heaslip, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Murphy all fighting for 3 places!
Realistically you're looking at 3 from 5 in with a shout at that stage but you would think the others will be knocking at the door come September next year!
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
Jaysus. . . Way to write a man off for absolutely no reason!!
I hope he does get back to form he would be some asset to have if he was back on top form!
Quote from: Estimator on March 13, 2014, 01:38:11 PM
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
I know D'Arcy is Leinster and Schmidt trained them and they have all the moves etc but would Zebo not be a better pick for this match ?
Zebo for D'Arcy?? ???
France have been poor but they are still very powerful in midfield. We will need D'Arcy's defensive presence to have any chance of winning in Paris
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 02:29:25 PM
Quote from: NAG1 on March 13, 2014, 02:21:53 PM
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 01:59:53 PM
I see Ferris is starting on the bench for Ulster on Friday. . . We are going to have some serious strength in the back row for the World Cup! Jaysus what do you do when you have O'Mahony, Ferris, O'Brien, Henry, Heaslip, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Murphy all fighting for 3 places!
Realistically you're looking at 3 from 5 in with a shout at that stage but you would think the others will be knocking at the door come September next year!
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
Jaysus. . . Way to write a man off for absolutely no reason!!
I hope he does get back to form he would be some asset to have if he was back on top form!
Injury Prone
Out since 2012
Lack of game time
not good enough reasons at international level?
Quote from: NAG1 on March 13, 2014, 02:41:15 PM
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 02:29:25 PM
Quote from: NAG1 on March 13, 2014, 02:21:53 PM
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 01:59:53 PM
I see Ferris is starting on the bench for Ulster on Friday. . . We are going to have some serious strength in the back row for the World Cup! Jaysus what do you do when you have O'Mahony, Ferris, O'Brien, Henry, Heaslip, Henderson, Ruddock, O'Donnell, Murphy all fighting for 3 places!
Realistically you're looking at 3 from 5 in with a shout at that stage but you would think the others will be knocking at the door come September next year!
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
Jaysus. . . Way to write a man off for absolutely no reason!!
I hope he does get back to form he would be some asset to have if he was back on top form!
Injury Prone
Out since 2012
Lack of game time
not good enough reasons at international level?
The World Cup is not for another 18 months!
Quote
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
You might be right. But if any back row forward in Ireland could afford to lose half a yard of pace through injury, and still be international standard, it's Ferris. I's be confident he'll be blindside again by the November series.
Quote from: seafoid on March 13, 2014, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Estimator on March 13, 2014, 01:38:11 PM
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
I know D'Arcy is Leinster and Schmidt trained them and they have all the moves etc but would Zebo not be a better pick for this match ?
D'Arcy is not in because he is a Leinster / Schmidt man, he is the best in the country in his position and is having a super championship. Bringing Zebo in for him in Paris would be a a crazy call imo. Keep the defence solid and win it ugly up front
Zebo cannot defend, like Earls its a huge gap, pun intended, in his game
Quote from: J OGorman on March 13, 2014, 04:32:05 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 13, 2014, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Estimator on March 13, 2014, 01:38:11 PM
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
I know D'Arcy is Leinster and Schmidt trained them and they have all the moves etc but would Zebo not be a better pick for this match ?
D'Arcy is not in because he is a Leinster / Schmidt man, he is the best in the country in his position and is having a super championship. Bringing Zebo in for him in Paris would be a a crazy call imo. Keep the defence solid and win it ugly up front
I think he was terrible that last match... every time we had momentum and he got the ball he was stopped in his tracks!!
Time to build for next year maybe Tommy Bowe? I imagine Payne will come in also when he's eligible. He's a serious player!
Quote from: thewobbler on March 13, 2014, 03:00:36 PM
Quote
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
You might be right. But if any back row forward in Ireland could afford to lose half a yard of pace through injury, and still be international standard, it's Ferris. I's be confident he'll be blindside again by the November series.
I can't see it. A back row of say SOB, Ferris and Heaslip wouldn't have the right ball carrying/winning turnover balance. POM has been excellent thus far.
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 13, 2014, 05:34:05 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on March 13, 2014, 03:00:36 PM
Quote
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
You might be right. But if any back row forward in Ireland could afford to lose half a yard of pace through injury, and still be international standard, it's Ferris. I's be confident he'll be blindside again by the November series.
I can't see it. A back row of say SOB, Ferris and Heaslip wouldn't have the right ball carrying/winning turnover balance. POM has been excellent thus far.
That back row didn't do Ireland any harm against Australia in the last World Cup. O'Mahony has been superb and the six shirt is his to lose but a fit Ferris will extremely difficult to leave out
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 05:24:55 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on March 13, 2014, 04:32:05 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 13, 2014, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Estimator on March 13, 2014, 01:38:11 PM
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
I know D'Arcy is Leinster and Schmidt trained them and they have all the moves etc but would Zebo not be a better pick for this match ?
D'Arcy is not in because he is a Leinster / Schmidt man, he is the best in the country in his position and is having a super championship. Bringing Zebo in for him in Paris would be a a crazy call imo. Keep the defence solid and win it ugly up front
I think he was terrible that last match... every time we had momentum and he got the ball he was stopped in his tracks!!
Time to build for next year maybe Tommy Bowe? I imagine Payne will come in also when he's eligible. He's a serious player!
Henshaw and Cave should get a go at 13 on the summer tour.
Payne is twice as good at Fb than he is at centre, shouldn't be shoehorned into midfield
Stuart Olding the player to look out at inside centre when he comes back from injury, will go ahead of Marshall next year at Ulster. Could be a bolter for world cup
Darcy is done
Ferris will only ever make an impact sub for Ireland at this stage, if that.
Quote from: Craigyhill Terror on March 13, 2014, 06:45:14 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 13, 2014, 05:34:05 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on March 13, 2014, 03:00:36 PM
Quote
Ferris well past it now at international level, be lucky to get back being a performer for Ulster.
You might be right. But if any back row forward in Ireland could afford to lose half a yard of pace through injury, and still be international standard, it's Ferris. I's be confident he'll be blindside again by the November series.
I can't see it. A back row of say SOB, Ferris and Heaslip wouldn't have the right ball carrying/winning turnover balance. POM has been excellent thus far.
That back row didn't do Ireland any harm against Australia in the last World Cup.
Aye, the Aussie without Pocock though. They got badly owned by the Welsh. O'Brien and Ferris chopped tackled onto their snouts. Heaslip going pushed over the touchline like a loaf of bread as Paidi would have put it.
Quote from: whitegoodman on March 13, 2014, 07:00:01 PM
Quote from: screenexile on March 13, 2014, 05:24:55 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on March 13, 2014, 04:32:05 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 13, 2014, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Estimator on March 13, 2014, 01:38:11 PM
Peter O'Mahony is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's crunch Six Nations game against France in Paris.
The flanker's return in place of Iain Henderson is the only change from the team that started against Italy.
With Henderson in the replacements, Rhys Ruddock drops out while Ian Madigan's versatility sees him edging out Paddy Jackson for a bench role.
Leinster utility back Madigan can play at full-back, centre and fly-half, and coach Joe Schmidt has opted to recall him to the squad while Jackson will play for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Murphy (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster)
I know D'Arcy is Leinster and Schmidt trained them and they have all the moves etc but would Zebo not be a better pick for this match ?
D'Arcy is not in because he is a Leinster / Schmidt man, he is the best in the country in his position and is having a super championship. Bringing Zebo in for him in Paris would be a a crazy call imo. Keep the defence solid and win it ugly up front
I think he was terrible that last match... every time we had momentum and he got the ball he was stopped in his tracks!!
Time to build for next year maybe Tommy Bowe? I imagine Payne will come in also when he's eligible. He's a serious player!
Henshaw and Cave should get a go at 13 on the summer tour.
Payne is twice as good at Fb than he is at centre, shouldn't be shoehorned into midfield
Stuart Olding the player to look out at inside centre when he comes back from injury, will go ahead of Marshall next year at Ulster. Could be a bolter for world cup
Darcy is done
Ferris will only ever make an impact sub for Ireland at this stage, if that.
Olding is quality. Hope he comes back the same player after cruciate injury.
3 Players that Ireland should be wary of on Saturday:
http://blog.fantasy5live.com/2014/03/13/ireland-v-france-3-players-ireland-should-be-wary-of/
Ferris made a cameo appearance in Ulster's victory tonight. His first hit was huge.
Is ferris to small heigth size at 6ft 41/2 to be converted to a line out jumper, O`connell would only be 2inch taller?
https://vine.co/v/MbtXJPQFUAL
Ferris hit
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 14, 2014, 11:54:41 PM
Is ferris to small heigth size at 6ft 41/2 to be converted to a line out jumper, O`connell would only be 2inch taller?
With the likes of Ryan, Henderson and (Jesus-Christ-I-can't-believe-I'm-saying-this) Toner there why would we be converting an injury prone back rower into a second rower?
Quote from: Estimator on March 14, 2014, 11:04:48 PM
Ferris made a cameo appearance in Ulster's victory tonight. His first hit was huge.
Great to see the big man back. As good as there is when fully fit. Heart of a lion
Quote from: Syferus on March 15, 2014, 01:16:44 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 14, 2014, 11:54:41 PM
Is ferris to small heigth size at 6ft 41/2 to be converted to a line out jumper, O`connell would only be 2inch taller?
With the likes of Ryan, Henderson and (Jesus-Christ-I-can't-believe-I'm-saying-this) Toner there why would we be converting an injury prone back rower into a second rower.
Was mick galway not just 6' 4" also?
France out to 11/8 now with PP. Must be a lot of money going on Ireland.
Eng piling on the pressure and Italy look to have given up.
Sarto you beauty.
Phew! A win'll be enough now.
Forgot to change my fantasy team this weekend :-[
Wales running riot with the Scots down to 14.
Anyone got a clip to Hoggs tackle? Actually here it is...ouch
https://t.co/zqfniiJLla
From BBC: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26577848 (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26577848)
Some unbelievable records set by BOD
Brian O'Driscoll's Six Nations record Stats: Opta. @OptaJonny (
Games 64 Overtook Ronan O'Gara's 63 v Italy
Tries 26 Shane Williams second with 22 (I think George North will be the man to beat this one)
Carries 492 Most by a back; Sergio Parisse top with 516
Metres made 2512 Chris Paterson second with 2393
Clean breaks 66 Shane Williams second with 50
Defenders beaten 161 Jason Robinson second with 85
Offloads 82 Nathan Hines second with 54
Try assists (final pass or kick) 16 Jonny Wilkinson & Ronan O'Gara top (17)
Tackles 451 Martyn Williams top with 467
Tackle % 88% Thierry Dusautoir & Dan Lydiate 98% (100+)
Turnovers Won 53 Malcolm O'Kelly second with 32
anyone know of a website to watch the match (outside of Ireland)? Thanks
In BoD we trust, one last time. It would be unthinkable to allow our GoAT end his career with anything less than another title.
Quote from: JBM on the 21 on March 15, 2014, 04:38:32 PM
anyone know of a website to watch the match (outside of Ireland)? Thanks
http://gofirstrow.eu/sport/rugby.html
Hopefully not relying on a late Sexton kick.
Steve Walsh. Oh dear :-\
Quote from: Syferus on March 15, 2014, 04:47:55 PM
In BoD we trust, one last time. It would be unthinkable to allow our GoAT end his career with anything less than another title.
Lots of unthinkables happen in sport. They need balls.
Walsh might go off injured. Hopefully!
Try!
C'mon Ireland.
Sexton got the shits again?
Feck, great try from France! :-\
French try a bit GAA like!
Outfuckingstanding ;D
The scrum has been amazing.
Sexton's misses are going to cost.
Bad miss by Sexton, hope it doesn't come back to haunt us.
Feck sake, Johnny.
Sexton is a sickener. 5 points in the toilet. I fear he will regret it.
Bad misses by Sexton could prove costly.
Brian Stafford or Trevor Giles would have scored that.
don't deserve anything missing easy penalties like those. >:(
Sexton's a class player but he does seem to have a problem with his kicking in the most important games!
Quote from: thejuice on March 15, 2014, 05:52:08 PM
Brian Stafford or Trevor Giles would have scored that.
And Joe Sheridan would have scored that try!
For someone with limited knowledge of rugby is this Sexton fella worth a place on the team if he chokes on big occasions like this?
5 huge points gone. Christ it's gonna be some second half. The French aren't looking too lively in the tunnel there coming out early for the 2nd half
Quote from: tyroneman on March 15, 2014, 05:58:48 PM
For someone with limited knowledge of rugby is this Sexton fella worth a place on the team if he chokes on big occasions like this?
Sexton will win it for us yet. I can see him scoring another try.
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 06:01:31 PM
Quote from: tyroneman on March 15, 2014, 05:58:48 PM
For someone with limited knowledge of rugby is this Sexton fella worth a place on the team if he chokes on big occasions like this?
Sexton will win it for us yet. I can see him scoring another try.
2 tries to 1 and it will probably come down to tries. Great match.
We need the ball!
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 06:01:31 PM
Quote from: tyroneman on March 15, 2014, 05:58:48 PM
For someone with limited knowledge of rugby is this Sexton fella worth a place on the team if he chokes on big occasions like this?
Sexton will win it for us yet. I can see him scoring another try.
;) and left himself with a makeable kick!
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 06:01:31 PM
Sexton will win it for us yet. I can see him scoring another try.
On the money so far..
Quote from: BennyHarp on March 15, 2014, 05:58:21 PM
Quote from: thejuice on March 15, 2014, 05:52:08 PM
Brian Stafford or Trevor Giles would have scored that.
And Joe Sheridan would have scored that try!
He'd have scored several. Nothing stops joe when there's a trophy to be won, not even the rules!
Hon the Sexton.
His lines for the 2 tries were O'Driscollesque.
Unfortunately so is his kicking.
O'Connell is some beast. He has had some storming games before but fewer better than today and he is leading this team over the line today.
Smidt's rejuvenation and re-selection of Trimble was inspired. I would never have picked him but he has had a great Championship.
Sexton has found his range. Looking good, another Irish try should win it.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on March 15, 2014, 06:17:08 PM
Sexton has found his range. Looking good, another Irish try should win it.
Yip if we score the next try it is ours.
France's big men are tiring and making mistake.
Trimble's having a beast of a game
That was a knock on.
Don't like the way this game is going! :(
10 mins...... c'mon on!
Forward!!!
Big scrum now.
Forward pass, need to hold on now!
Walsh could give a penalty against us here.
Some finish. Well done.
Boooo ye bitter french basterauds! ;D
Who was complaining about Walsh? Great way for O Driscoll to bow out.
Well done to the Irish great stuff!
F*ck that was tense. How many times have the French conjured up a try in that scenario.
Heroic defence and a bit of luck with the forward pass call but probably fair as Walsh missed the knock-on.
What terrible beauty that match was.
Incredible day for Ireland. The ending BOD deserved.
Despite Sexton's tries, he will be a very relieved man tonight.
O Driscoll is a legend, saying his MOTM was farcical. Irreplaceable.
I hope Sexton is ok. Despite the missed kicks he still won us the match.
brilliant performance, every one a hero. incredible drama.
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Excellent game, Walsh refereed it brilliantly, made a fantastic spectacle, dunno what you cribbing cnuts were on about. France were very, very good and I'll say they should have won it. Looking back at the matches when we were the better side during 2001-2008 I would have hoped the French would concede we were better.Though, today I think France were the better side.
As BOD's era ends Fickou's era could just start. He was excellent today.
Bastareaud was immense :o
(http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/512/media/images/73606000/jpg/_73606884_england.jpg)
Hard luck chaps.
Delighted our rugby won out over the bash artistry of the English hacks. Good enough for the shower.
6 nations best 15:
15: Mike Brown (Engerland)
14: Andrew Trimble (Northern Ireland) :P
13: Campangaro (Italy)
12: Jamie Roberts (Wales) Poor options here.
11: Huget (France)
10: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
9: Danny Care (Engerland)
8: ????? Vunipola? Faletau?
7: Chris Henry (Ireland)
6: Warburton (Wales)
5: ?????
4: Courtney Lawes (England)
3: Adam Jones (Wales)
2: Swarjeski (France)
1: ????? Jenkins? Healy?
Quote from: AQMP on March 15, 2014, 07:13:42 PM
Bastareaud was immense :o
He was, performance came out of nowhere. Fickou has a big future, you'd wonder though where you fit in Fofana to that French back line. Dulin very good too but susceptible under the high ball, Huget has been there most consistent performer.
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:05:51 PM
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Yawn! you clearly did not see the two earlier games! Borefest!!!!
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 15, 2014, 07:26:07 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:05:51 PM
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Yawn! you clearly did not see the two earlier games! Borefest!!!!
The first one had my teeth clattering for 68 minutes.
Quote from: trileacman on March 15, 2014, 07:24:46 PM
Quote from: AQMP on March 15, 2014, 07:13:42 PM
Bastareaud was immense :o
He was, performance came out of nowhere. Fickou has a big future, you'd wonder though where you fit in Fofana to that French back line. Dulin very good too but susceptible under the high ball, Huget has been there most consistent performer.
I actually thought that next to Brown, Dulin was the best 15 in the 6N. You might consider Picamoles for no 8 in your team??
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 15, 2014, 07:26:07 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:05:51 PM
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Yawn! you clearly did not see the two earlier games! Borefest!!!!
Quit yer whinging and get on the BODwagon for the last time ever.
Truly a scrotum shrinking last 10 minutes.
Great sporting drama and well done to Ireland. Trimble was MOM for me.
Trimble was immense...strong and courageous to a fault. Incredible defence from both teams. Sport doesn't get much better than that there this evening...
Drico, what an absolute legend. Enjoyed the french interviewer asking would he not consider another year. Gregan sends him a video he made to congratulate him on his cap count. Respected the rugby world over and the brave wee bastid was ours
Keep er lit
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:41:02 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 15, 2014, 07:26:07 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:05:51 PM
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Yawn! you clearly did not see the two earlier games! Borefest!!!!
Quit yer whinging and get on the BODwagon for the last time ever.
Ah, I'm not whinging! Delighted to see the Irish lads do it! And especially for Bod. But to say that the six nations is quality is hyperbole. Italy and Scotland have turned into whipping boys and in reality it was all about who hammered both these teams by the most to win the title!
Over the moon for BOD and the Irish team. Really tense nail biting stuff at the end, you just knew France were going to have that try opportunity. Definitely a forward pass though.
Roll on the world cup next year. ;D
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 15, 2014, 08:00:46 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:41:02 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on March 15, 2014, 07:26:07 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 15, 2014, 07:05:51 PM
To win the Championship playing in Paris is some going.
6N is really a great tournament. Quality not quantity. UEFA should take note.
Yawn! you clearly did not see the two earlier games! Borefest!!!!
Quit yer whinging and get on the BODwagon for the last time ever.
Ah, I'm not whinging! Delighted to see the Irish lads do it! And especially for Bod. But to say that the six nations is quality is hyperbole. Italy and Scotland have turned into whipping boys and in reality it was all about who hammered both these teams by the most to win the title!
Yea but 4 of the 6 teams are very competitive. Some great matches between them. All the matches between France, England and us were great entertainment.
That is the end of an era for Irish rugby. Fitting that O Driscoll goes out on a high.
Quote from: AQMP on March 15, 2014, 07:38:24 PM
Quote from: trileacman on March 15, 2014, 07:24:46 PM
Quote from: AQMP on March 15, 2014, 07:13:42 PM
Bastareaud was immense :o
He was, performance came out of nowhere. Fickou has a big future, you'd wonder though where you fit in Fofana to that French back line. Dulin very good too but susceptible under the high ball, Huget has been there most consistent performer.
I actually thought that next to Brown, Dulin was the best 15 in the 6N. You might consider Picamoles for no 8 in your team??
Aw he was pure shite against Wales and went missing v England. Showed well today and I understand the nomination but hard to say he outshone anyone. Denton/Faletau/Vunipola all had their moments. Maybe I should include a decent back-rower instead. In that category you'd have to say Robshaw was the best of the rest.
None of the 2nd rowers really shone. Gray/ Charteris/ POC/ Lawes/ Bortolami all operating on much the same levels. Most improved award would go to Toner without a doubt.
Jenkins was probably the best 1 in the competition but harsh yellow cards sully the record. Healy was solid and a good preformer.
Evenings like that are harsh on Jackson etc. who weighed in with points throughout the campaign.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 15, 2014, 08:22:09 PM
Evenings like that are harsh on Jackson etc. who weighed in with points throughout the campaign.
It's not like he could have kicked any worse than any of our backs today either.
Delighted to see BOD go out on a high like this. Fitting it happened in Paris as well 14 years on from when he announced himself.
One of the best ever, enjoy the retirement Brian!
Wonderful game to decide the title.
The players stood as a team and deservedly prevailed against a French onslaught.
Definite signs that this bunch are a team to fear. Prevailing in Paris under those circumstances is no mean feat.
Note to those board members in Paris to post images of Ireland players out on the lash...
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Well done Ireland.
Top of the tree which doesn't happen too often. Some debut season for the new coach and what a fairy tale ending for O'Driscoll.
Quote from: orangeman on March 15, 2014, 09:59:54 PM
Well done Ireland.
Top of the tree which doesn't happen too often. Some debut season for the new coach and what a fairy take ending for O'Driscoll.
Cheers, It's a real honour for me and there was alot of tough days. Just off the phone from Brian, he's delighted for me, bless him. ;)
Quote from: trileacman on March 15, 2014, 07:20:50 PM
Delighted our rugby won out over the bash artistry of the English hacks. Good enough for the shower.
6 nations best 15:
15: Mike Brown (Engerland)
14: Andrew Trimble (Northern Ireland) :P
13: Campangaro (Italy)
12: Jamie Roberts (Wales) Poor options here.
11: Huget (France)
10: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
9: Danny Care (Engerland)
8: ????? Vunipola? Faletau?
7: Chris Henry (Ireland)
6: Warburton (Wales)
5: ?????
4: Courtney Lawes (England)
3: Adam Jones (Wales)
2: Swarjeski (France)
1: ????? Jenkins? Healy?
15 Mike Brown
14 Yoann Huget
13 Brian O Driscoll
12 Jamie Roberts
11 George North
10 Johnny Sexton
9 Danny Care
8. Sergio Parisse
7 Chris Henry
6 Chris Robshaw
5 Courtney Lawes
4 Pascal Pape
3. Adam Jones
2 Rory Best
1 Cian Healy
Hope Trimble kicks on from this. He was the best player on the field.
We note on Chris Henry, what a brilliant player. Ball skills, positional play, speed and power. He has the lot. He put in some shift today.
Alert: Ulster love-in detected. ;)
POC did a mountain of work today. Probably the most essential player on the day. Kearney and Trimble had to deal with a massive number of balls raining down on them too.
Terrible day for just about every Irishman with the boot, our own poor kicking allowed the French to own the ball for the last 25 minutes and so much of the match before that.
Oh Jaysus, we'll never hear the end of this!
Quote from: Syferus on March 15, 2014, 10:55:42 PM
Alert: Ulster love-in detected. ;)
POC did a mountain of work today. Probably the most essential player on the day. Kearney and Trimble had to deal with a massive never of balls raining down on them too.
Terrible day for just about every Irishman with the boot, our own poor kicking allowed the French to own the ball for the last 25 minutes and so much of the match before that.
Aye most of the garryowens had snow on them but not much advantage gained.
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
Nice one Ireland, good win and not before time.
Celebrations done in a professional manner which tells a tale that the real focus with the group is the r w c.
Time now for the country to focus on the GAA for the next 6 months.
Would o driscoll, not have something to offer in the world cup
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:34:57 PM
Would o driscoll, not have something to offer in the world cup
I still think he has something to offer, but as he has said, he feels it more now. When you look at the frequency of games in a WC I don't think he would be fit enough. However, it is the right time for him to step down and let new players step up. Schmidt is already looking at Jared Payne as his replacement
Quote from: highorlow on March 15, 2014, 11:22:06 PM
Time now for the country to focus on the GAA for the next 6 months.
Yes, because we only watch Gaelic Games because there's no rugby on ::)
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:34:57 PM
Would o driscoll, not have something to offer in the world cup
That point was made today and the answer is yes of course he would have.
But I can't see him changing his mind.
Quote from: orangeman on March 15, 2014, 11:48:39 PM
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:34:57 PM
Would o driscoll, not have something to offer in the world cup
That point was made today and the answer is yes of course he would have.
But I can't see him changing his mind.
The ending is too perfect to ruin. Too many players leave it too late and can't end it on their terms. Of all the sports-people we've every called our own O'Driscoll deserves this to be how he goes out. I wouldn't be opposed to Leinster adding another European Cup to the roll of honour either.
Its easy to say now that he could play in the WC, but thats not until September 2015. He turned 35 in Januray. A serious player who will be a huge loss for Ireland and Leinster when he retires at the end of the season
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:21:44 PM
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
Should never have offloaded to BOD.
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:21:44 PM
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
My only gripe was I thought he could've committed the French defender better and give BOD a clear run in, other than that fantastic stuff.
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:21:44 PM
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
They are all Irishmen when they pull on the rugby Jersey to represent Ireland, feck nordies and southeners!
Quote from: stew on March 16, 2014, 04:48:14 AM
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:21:44 PM
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
They are all Irishmen when they pull on the rugby Jersey to represent Ireland, feck nordies and southeners!
Trimble restored the dignity of the family name.
Fair play to GAA and rugby for using the 32 county model.
Agreed but he is one of us.
Beating France in France requires an Irish team that is out of the ordinary, It happened in 1972 but Scotland and Wales refused to play in Dublin due to the situation in the north. So there was no slam.
Was that part of the IRA's sport policy at the time? Or was someone else threatening the celtic cousins?
Quote from: rrhf on March 15, 2014, 11:21:44 PM
Andrew tremble was the best player for his country today. Delighted for trimby. Has finally delivered what we in ulster knew he was capable of. Certainly was there when some of the more illustrious southerners went missing.
I thought he was outstanding as well. Hard a feckin nails chasing down those garryowens
Quote from: rodney trotter on March 16, 2014, 12:12:49 AM
Its easy to say now that he could play in the WC, but thats not until September 2015. He turned 35 in Januray. A serious player who will be a huge loss for Ireland and Leinster when he retires at the end of the season
Yeah 18 months is a long time when you are at the tail end of your career. Keith Woods said that when he decided to retire it was not due totally to form but the fear of chronic injuries getting worse.
In 2011 he said he would quit in 2013. In 2013 he said he would quit in 2014. After all the tributes, from famous and ordinary alike, he would look like a quare cretin if he reneged..
The Irish papers are one thing but to get a feeling for what it really means the Sunday Torygraph is your only man. 2 pages on England vs Italy, one on the Paris match and the headline "England's pride ... Ireland's title"
Vindaloo, vindaloo, we scored way more than you, na na na
Quote from: seafoid on March 16, 2014, 09:09:29 AM
Beating France in France requires an Irish team that is out of the ordinary, It happened in 1972 but Scotland and Wales refused to play in Dublin due to the situation in the north. So there was no slam.
Was that part of the IRA's sport policy at the time? Or was someone else threatening the celtic cousins?
There was no specific threat as far as I remember. It was a decision made by the Welsh and Scottish unions. It was a public statement that some Brits didn't feel it was safe to come to Dublin, which had ramifications beyond rugby and sport. The English were happy enough to come the following year when conditions were no different.
I've never understood why we didn't get walkovers for those games and win the grand slam.
I wouldn't be a big rugby fan but having watched yesterday's game I have to remark how fine the margins in sport are. The disallowed try being a perfect example. No doubt it was a forward pass but only for a couple of centimetres how different everything could be. It's amazing to think all the preparations and the training that goes into a game like yesterday, and all the previewing in the media, etc and yet things so small are what games are decided on.
The Sunday Times, UK edition The Sunday Times, Irish edition
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png.html) (http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png.html)
Quote from: Sea The Stars on March 16, 2014, 12:38:32 PM
I wouldn't be a big rugby fan but having watched yesterday's game I have to remark how fine the margins in sport are. The disallowed try being a perfect example. No doubt it was a forward pass but only for a couple of centimetres how different everything could be. It's amazing to think all the preparations and the training that goes into a game like yesterday, and all the previewing in the media, etc and yet things so small are what games are decided on.
The fine margins affected both teams in those last 10 minutes, though the French were affected more :)
Even the home crowd mistimed their rousing chorus of the Marseillaise to coincide with the minute or so that Ireland broke upfield.
Ireland were kicking the ball away, even losing a crucial scrum at the death, the French just gave the ball back again.
Both teams were out on their feet, rugby drunk.
At the end we had a 9, 10 , 12 & 13 of Reddan, Madigan, McFadden & a 35 year old BOD facing waves of French attacks and a scrum that was going backwards.
How we held on I'll never know, but the reaction shows me romantic Ireland is alive and well.
Quote from: Sea The Stars on March 16, 2014, 12:38:32 PM
I wouldn't be a big rugby fan but having watched yesterday's game I have to remark how fine the margins in sport are. The disallowed try being a perfect example. No doubt it was a forward pass but only for a couple of centimetres how different everything could be. It's amazing to think all the preparations and the training that goes into a game like yesterday, and all the previewing in the media, etc and yet things so small are what games are decided on.
It is like that in every sport. Losers always focus on mistakes and winners are feted. Mayo could have won last year with one more break. Winners need luck.
Quote from: Hardy on March 16, 2014, 01:17:11 PM
The Sunday Times, UK edition The Sunday Times, Irish edition
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png.html) (http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png.html)
I'm sorry but why is this a problem? English papers canvassing to English supporters tell the story that England miss out on the 6 nations. Irish paper says Ireland win the 6 nations. It's the same f**king story.
Can't help but think that when England beat us earlier in the year they'd be as small minded and petty to compare the Irish media's "Ireland lose" to the English one of "England win".
Quote from: trileacman on March 16, 2014, 04:11:56 PM
I'm sorry but why is this a problem? English papers canvassing to English supporters tell the story that England miss out on the 6 nations. Irish paper says Ireland win the 6 nations. It's the same f**king story.
Can't help but think that when England beat us earlier in the year they'd be as small minded and petty to compare the Irish media's "Ireland lose" to the English one of "England win".
What problem are you on about?
It's a humorous observation of one aspect of the world we live in.
If you don't find it funny, just move on.
Quote from: trileacman on March 16, 2014, 04:11:56 PM
Quote from: Hardy on March 16, 2014, 01:17:11 PM
The Sunday Times, UK edition The Sunday Times, Irish edition
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png.html) (http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png.html)
I'm sorry but why is this a problem? English papers canvassing to English supporters tell the story that England miss out on the 6 nations. Irish paper says Ireland win the 6 nations. It's the same f**king story.
Can't help but think that when England beat us earlier in the year they'd be as small minded and petty to compare the Irish media's "Ireland lose" to the English one of "England win".
Do you argue with everyone on this thread?? Trillick, the hotbed of rugby!
Aye. I never said it was a problem - just thought it was funny.
I like the fact that the Irish version has Ireland beating France while the English one has France throwing it away.
Quote from: Hardy on March 16, 2014, 04:49:22 PM
Aye. I never said it was a problem - just thought it was funny.
I like the fact that the Irish version has Ireland beating France while the English one has France throwing it away.
The middleclass english papers were obviously expecting, kerry 82 style,swing low to win the tournament. And 6pm was too late to dredge up fresh copy. So they went with brave England and wasn't it great to win the triple crown.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BizX0ouIEAEglYC.jpg)
Great to 'win' the 6n but England were still the best team in it.
They and the French are gearing towards the wc - we seem to be aiming at each tourn as it comes up with no long term vision or plan?
Some great players on the Irish fringes now and we need to clear out some of the older crew
Some strange marks given to Irish players in the papers for yesterday's game - you'd swear France had won reading them
Quote from: Hardy on March 16, 2014, 01:17:11 PM
The Sunday Times, UK edition The Sunday Times, Irish edition
(http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes1_zpsf9b8dd65.png.html) (http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu206/Hardyarse/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png) (http://s648.photobucket.com/user/Hardyarse/media/Sundaytimes2_zps20f607f6.png.html)
Norn Iron version different again.
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
Great to 'win' the 6n but England were still the best team in it.
They and the French are gearing towards the wc - we seem to be aiming at each tourn as it comes up with no long term vision or plan?
Some great players on the Irish fringes now and we need to clear out some of the older crew
Some strange marks given to Irish players in the papers for yesterday's game - you'd swear France had won reading them
No long term vision or plan?? We have blooded an entire front row, 3 young loose forwards in Henderson, Murphy and Ruddock and 2 out halfs. The aim of having two players in every position come 2015 is starting to take shape. Yes replacing BOD is an issue but even Southern Hemisphere sides would struggle to replace that kind of talent. I'm confident Henshaw/Cave/Payne will fill that position!
Good to see "David" Trimble, as the ITN sports reporter called him on the news on Saturday evening, having a good tournament. Had it not been BOD's last match, pretty sure he would have been awarded MOM yesterday.
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 16, 2014, 10:24:40 PM
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
Great to 'win' the 6n but England were still the best team in it.
They and the French are gearing towards the wc - we seem to be aiming at each tourn as it comes up with no long term vision or plan?
Some great players on the Irish fringes now and we need to clear out some of the older crew
Some strange marks given to Irish players in the papers for yesterday's game - you'd swear France had won reading them
No long term vision or plan?? We have blooded an entire front row, 3 young loose forwards in Henderson, Murphy and Ruddock and 2 out halfs. The aim of having two players in every position come 2015 is starting to take shape. Yes replacing BOD is an issue but even Southern Hemisphere sides would struggle to replace that kind of talent. I'm confident Henshaw/Cave/Payne will fill that position!
Blooding them is lovely but new potential stalwarts for the next wc need games, responsibility and cohesive time on the pitch with team mates to measure their capabilities for a wc cauldron !!!
What use are Darcy bod oconnell in the next wc?
I believe paddy Jackson is sextons understudy but the lad has had feck all
Players have been changed in the front row more to do with fatigue and appearance money than long term planning
IMO
Look at the string of changes Wales England and France made each round ( some enforced) in each 6n before wc years
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 11:07:00 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 16, 2014, 10:24:40 PM
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
Great to 'win' the 6n but England were still the best team in it.
They and the French are gearing towards the wc - we seem to be aiming at each tourn as it comes up with no long term vision or plan?
Some great players on the Irish fringes now and we need to clear out some of the older crew
Some strange marks given to Irish players in the papers for yesterday's game - you'd swear France had won reading them
No long term vision or plan?? We have blooded an entire front row, 3 young loose forwards in Henderson, Murphy and Ruddock and 2 out halfs. The aim of having two players in every position come 2015 is starting to take shape. Yes replacing BOD is an issue but even Southern Hemisphere sides would struggle to replace that kind of talent. I'm confident Henshaw/Cave/Payne will fill that position!
Blooding them is lovely but new potential stalwarts for the next wc need games, responsibility and cohesive time on the pitch with team mates to measure their capabilities for a wc cauldron !!!
What use are Darcy bod oconnell in the next wc?
I believe paddy Jackson is sextons understudy but the lad has had feck all
Players have been changed in the front row more to do with fatigue and appearance money than long term planning
IMO
Look at the string of changes Wales England and France made each round ( some enforced) in each 6n before wc years
The f**k?
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 11:07:00 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 16, 2014, 10:24:40 PM
Quote from: lynchbhoy on March 16, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
Great to 'win' the 6n but England were still the best team in it.
They and the French are gearing towards the wc - we seem to be aiming at each tourn as it comes up with no long term vision or plan?
Some great players on the Irish fringes now and we need to clear out some of the older crew
Some strange marks given to Irish players in the papers for yesterday's game - you'd swear France had won reading them
No long term vision or plan?? We have blooded an entire front row, 3 young loose forwards in Henderson, Murphy and Ruddock and 2 out halfs. The aim of having two players in every position come 2015 is starting to take shape. Yes replacing BOD is an issue but even Southern Hemisphere sides would struggle to replace that kind of talent. I'm confident Henshaw/Cave/Payne will fill that position!
Blooding them is lovely but new potential stalwarts for the next wc need games, responsibility and cohesive time on the pitch with team mates to measure their capabilities for a wc cauldron !!!
What use are Darcy bod oconnell in the next wc?
I believe paddy Jackson is sextons understudy but the lad has had feck all
Players have been changed in the front row more to do with fatigue and appearance money than long term planning
IMO
Look at the string of changes Wales England and France made each round ( some enforced) in each 6n before wc years
Jeez your worse on this than your Derry thread comments...
The English backline has remained the same throughout the tournament. That despite George Ford being a better player than Farrell. Their back row and second row also has remained unchanged. Joe Marker missed yesterday's game as his missus was having their baby.
The French set up is a shambles. Saint Andre doesn't pick the best players and chops and changes with no long term vision.
Joe Schmidt knows exactly what he's doing. It's not his fault Darcy and POC are in their 30s. Marshall would probably have got more time if he hadn't reviewed his 4th concussion in a year. He still has plenty to learn defensively as seen in the Australia game last November.
Appearance money.....Christ!!
We are infinitely better set up than the French for the WC. England are smash artists of the highest order, their general play is not superior to ours, we would probably have beat them at a neutral or home venue.
Is there not a summer tour of Argentina, autumn internationals and another 6N's before the world cup?
Surely theres enough games and competition to get a 13, maybe a 12 as well and other cover for Ross, POC etc, etc sorted..
Who was the French man that took out Sexton with the forearm smash? He was a tank of a man.
Anyway, during the second half (perhaps just before he hit Sexton) the ball was played back to him and he had to jump what seemed like two feet in the air to catch it. Fair play it was a terrific catch.
Quote from: Orior on March 17, 2014, 02:11:28 PM
Who was the French man that took out Sexton with the forearm smash? He was a tank of a man.
Anyway, during the second half (perhaps just before he hit Sexton) the ball was played back to him and he had to jump what seemed like two feet in the air to catch it. Fair play it was a terrific catch.
Bastareaud.
He is a good guy, he stopped playing to make sure Sexton was alright.
Quote from: Orior on March 17, 2014, 02:11:28 PM
Who was the French man that took out Sexton with the forearm smash? He was a tank of a man.
Anyway, during the second half (perhaps just before he hit Sexton) the ball was played back to him and he had to jump what seemed like two feet in the air to catch it. Fair play it was a terrific catch.
Bastareau (sic), brute of a centre, thankfully he can't pass for shit to compliment his undoubted power.
Whilst England are building well for the world cup in 2015 for some reason winning this championship will do more for Ireland in terms of confidence even if BOD and maybe one or two others exit the stage.
You hope winning something of merit, not some makey uppy triple crown or other will help the likes of Sexton, O'Mahony and a few others know that they can compete with some of the best and come out the other side victorious unlike the NZ game where playing well wasn't enough.
Quote from: johnneycool on March 17, 2014, 02:28:48 PM
Quote from: Orior on March 17, 2014, 02:11:28 PM
Who was the French man that took out Sexton with the forearm smash? He was a tank of a man.
Anyway, during the second half (perhaps just before he hit Sexton) the ball was played back to him and he had to jump what seemed like two feet in the air to catch it. Fair play it was a terrific catch.
Bastareau (sic), brute of a centre, thankfully he can't pass for shit to compliment his undoubted power.
Whilst England are building well for the world cup in 2015 for some reason winning this championship will do more for Ireland in terms of confidence even if BOD and maybe one or two others exit the stage.
You hope winning something of merit, not some makey uppy triple crown or other will help the likes of Sexton, O'Mahony and a few others know that they can compete with some of the best and come out the other side victorious unlike the NZ game where playing well wasn't enough.
It was great to beat France - good confidence boost and hopefully they can build on it . England are overrated, I think.
Quote from: seafoid on March 17, 2014, 02:54:10 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on March 17, 2014, 02:28:48 PM
Quote from: Orior on March 17, 2014, 02:11:28 PM
Who was the French man that took out Sexton with the forearm smash? He was a tank of a man.
Anyway, during the second half (perhaps just before he hit Sexton) the ball was played back to him and he had to jump what seemed like two feet in the air to catch it. Fair play it was a terrific catch.
Bastareau (sic), brute of a centre, thankfully he can't pass for shit to compliment his undoubted power.
Whilst England are building well for the world cup in 2015 for some reason winning this championship will do more for Ireland in terms of confidence even if BOD and maybe one or two others exit the stage.
You hope winning something of merit, not some makey uppy triple crown or other will help the likes of Sexton, O'Mahony and a few others know that they can compete with some of the best and come out the other side victorious unlike the NZ game where playing well wasn't enough.
It was great to beat France - good confidence boost and hopefully they can build on it . England are overrated, I think.
England are good at what they do, crash ball rugby. It isn't the most inspiring to watch but it'll get them near the southern hemisphere teams but come up short on creativity when it matters.
Ireland did well with the England lite versions of Wales and Frances Bastereau who crashed away on his own, but his inability to offload or see things around him must be frustrating for the lads around him who can do things with the ball and a bit of space.
Dricos centre replacement will need to be a good tackler first and that bit of something extra would be a bonus, but we've probably been spoiled the last 14 odd years.
It's hard to see Zebo or Gilroy get a starting berth due to the lack of physique which is something Schmit likes, not only to tackle humungus wingers but also challenge in the air for the re-invented garryowen's now put up quite a lot from the Irish kickers and fairly successfully on saturday evening.
Bastareaud is heavier than every member of the starting front row for France. Not the sort of stat you'd expect from a centre
He's aptly named.
Bastreaud has a place in the modern game though. How often was D'Arcy expected to get across the gain line with slow ball? He was chastised for his performance here but there wasn't much else he could do. Someone has to take it in eventually to build another line of attack, more often that not Gordon was smart enough to bite the bullet, commit and place the ball back. What France need is a passing centre, possibly Fickou, maybe with Bastereaud on the wing cutting in to play centre occasionally as Horgan used to do with us. Fofana and Bastreaud are useful talents but really hard to assimilate into the French style of attack. The French back 3 could slice through steel and they need centres (like Jauzion) who can get the ball to them.
Another great blog from the lads at Whiff of Cordite!
How appropriate that the winning act in Ireland's victorious Six Nations campaign was a turnover by Chris Henry and Devin Toner - previously unheralded guys who were given an opportunity by Joe Schmidt and swam at this level. Henry epitomises the new Ireland – where players sacrifice all for the team. Ireland won this championship because they were the best team – the Irish collective was built on the commitment to excellence of the new coaching ticket, and every player in the squad bought into it entirely.
It's becoming hackneyed to talk of Ireland's "unsung heroes" (how many times do you get sung before you can't be unsung any more?) and this usually refers to the consistent excellence of the likes of Devin Toner, Chris Henry, Dave Kearney and Andrew Trimble. They are the contingent who Schmidt brought into the first team from the fringes of the squad, often ahead of more championed alternatives, and generated much heat for doing so. Let's look at them:
■Toner has found himself the target of derision and doubt many times in his career. Despite accumulating 100+ Leinster caps, his elevation to the XV was perceived to be Leinster-centrism from Joe Schmidt. Yet he was the surprise package of the November series and he looked of international standard. In recent years, he has improved year on year and this is no different. Yet, the perception was (and is) that if Ryan and McCarthy were fully fit, Toner would be nowhere near the XV, but he ends as one of Ireland's players of the series. He has been a key man in adding grunt to a light pack, and will be hard to shift.
■Henry – soldiering away at Ulster and one of the most influential players at HEC level for a few years now. Yet he is 29 and plays in a position where we are stacked. But Schmidt saw something he liked (at Leinster, where he devised his HEC2012 final gameplan around nullifying Henry's influence) and he was in. He was the workhorse of the backrow trio, tackled himself to a standstill (we are too lazy to add up, but we expect him to be Ireland's #1 tackler over the series). It's easy to say he will make way for O'Brien and Ferris if and when they are back, but he has been one of Ireland's players of the series, for his consistency, and was especially effective in the away games
■Dave Kearney and, especially, Trimble – perceived as 5th and 6th best wingers at the start of the season (at best) – even now, most people would pick a fully fit Tommy Bowe over both, but they've done little wrong, and Trimble was Ireland's best player in their win in Paris. Sure, Simon Zebo is more electric, no doubt about it, but read the below from Trimble in November, when he was outside the circle (H/T the Mole) – does this describe Simon Zebo? What about Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls or Tommy Bowe? Hard to know, but Andrew Trimble, after 50 caps, looks here to stay:
"I'm more conscious now of the type of winger that Joe is looking for. He's looking for someone who is accurate, who is physically dominant, who knows their role inside out and performs a lot of small areas of the game very, very well ... He demands so much from his players. Joe isn't overly concerned about a winger that breaks a gain-line and scores tries from halfway. He looks for a winger who does the simple stuff very well, presents the ball at ruck time accurately all the time, accuracy in kick-chase and reception. Every little thing. He has to do everything to make the team tick."
This is the new Ireland – the players are selected on their ability to execute the coach's gameplan – and the team is paramount. No Ireland player was as explosive or as individually influential as Danny Care, Mike Brown or Joe Launchbury, but it isn't those guys who are champions. Ireland had few noticable weaknesses, unlike the other championship contenders. England struggled any time their backup scrum-half was on the pitch, and would surely have won the Grand Slam had hand-flapping Lee 'Rock Lobster' Dickson not been introduced in Paris, and their 10-12 axis managed to create the grand total of one try in five games for two flying wingers. Wales had a weak collection of half-backs and an inflexible gameplan, and France a court jester of a coach, poor backups and a generally unfit pack.
Casting your mind back to how low Ireland had sunk this time 12 months ago is illuminating – beaten up in Rome, with a coach long since past his sell-by date and with a distinctly un-fortress-like fortress. The new ticket has brought a unified direction and purpose, a commitment to being the best, confidence, and a newly-loved team with an atmospheric home ground. Miracle worker? Well, it's amazing what some strong leadership and a new direction will do – Ireland are a team that mirror their coach's personality on the field.
Think about who was Ireland's player of the championship, and there's no obvious choice. Every player, from 1-23, contributed something. After two games, we'd have picked O'Mahony, but he had quiet games in Twickers and Le Stade and missed Italy. Henry? Certainly up there for consistency. Trimble? As important as anyone. O'Connell? Manic, and another brilliant leader, but quiet in Twickenham. Sexton? Got the Bernhardt Langers with him kicks in Paris, but scored four tries, and at crucial moments. BOD? Rolled back the years. But Jamie Heaslip would be our choice because he was among the top performers in all five games and had a huge all-round impact and influence (see Workrate by Henry, C.) – but we wouldn't argue with any of the above. If anyone out there still doesn't see what Healsip's value to the team is, well, they're not worth listening to.
That consistency and collective drive was the most impressive turnaround. Ireland have a quite magnificent coach, a squad of intelligent and skillful young men, and some big guns to come back. There is no reason why, with the RWC15 draw we have, we shouldn't be putting ourselves up there with England as the main threat to BNZ and the Boks next autumn. And while Ireland didn't win a Grand Slam, there is a certain satisfaction to be derived from winning the championship on points difference. Ireland have finished level on points with the champions in the recent past, but always came out second best on this metric. Not this time, though, and the real differentiator between Ireland's and England's points differential was the thorough beating we handed out to Wales, which everyone can feel happy about. And the key reason England didn't thrash Wales as well was consistently giving away kickable penalties to keep Wales in the game - something we happily avoided all tournament. George Hook and others may lament the rules, but Ireland weren't top of the log by accident.
To briefly talk about the game itself, it was torture. France turned up in a big way – Maxime Machenaud was class, Picamoles, Bastareaud unstoppable and the back three threatened with every touch. Ireland were superb for the middle 40 minutes, but the final 20 were horrible. We eked out a 9 point lead after 55 minutes, but wilted under the pressure of the French desire and our own poor execution. Only a poor place kick from Doussain, prime butchery of a simple pass from Pape and a lucky scrum call right at the end got us over the line. It was the game was the best of the tournament and for pure bloody-mindedness, we just about deserved it. Some of the highlights:
■The Sexton try in the second half. A spectacular break from Trimble and a brilliant piece of play from BOD – realising he wasn't getting in, he plotted a path to recycle and we got in right under the posts. POC's super-fast pick and drive from the ruck was a classic example of a huge carry for small gain – it crucially kept the momentum going. And after seeing the way Sexton shanked the conversion, touching down under the posts was the winning of the game
■Mike Ross destroying Thomas Domingo – Ross had an average year up to the Six Nations but has been totemic. Perhaps he just needed a bit of time to get to grips with the new scrum dynamics. Seeing off a man like Domingo before halftime is one for the headstone. Poor old Rosser remains totally undervalued – by ourselves as much as anyone else. We wanted to see more of Marty Moore, but after the last ten minutes in Paris it's clear just how far the young man has to go to get to Ross' venerated level.
■Dreamboat getting pedantic with the TMO right at end about whether it was forward out of Pape's hands. With Super Forward Pass-a-Rama Rugby in his DNA, he really, really wanted to give the try. Triminjus, in his despair, said to no-one in particular "Come on man!"
■Brice Dulin. Despite us being on the receiving end, a vintage full-back display from the little Frenchman. With him and Willie le Roux, little guys at 15 are back in vogue
■Our favourite: the touching moment on the field after the game as Rog and Shaggy talked with Andrew Trimble about his journey from international outcast to golden boy. The delight of the two retirees to see the "real Andrew Trimble" was palpable and the honesty with which Trimble discussed his struggles was captivating. The obvious delight the Leinsterman and Munsterman had for the Ulsterman was a joy to watch – you sensed McGurk was about to interrupt and ruin the moment, but thankfully he didn't
However, it would be remiss not to point out that Ireland could still be an awful lot better at closing out tight, crucial matches. We certainly couldn't be accused of showing composure in the final ten minutes, and, in many ways, we were worse than in the BNZ game in November. Courage, determination, incredible will to win; we ticked all of that, but not composure. We've earned a tag of being chokers down the years and here, once again, we choked at least a little bit. In Paul O'Connell's pitch-side interview post-game, he was furious about how we finished and mentioned it more than once - this is another positive. In 2009 in Wales we stopped playing rugby in the final 20 minutes and lost our discipline, but somehow still won. Here we stopped playing rugby, repeatedly kicking the ball to the French back three who were comfortable in finding ways to return it for profit, but maintained our discipline, at least until our scrum collapsed. Maybe we're getting there by degrees. On this occasion it was enough to win. The curious thing is that the provinces are all good closer-outers, with Munster regarded as world beaters in clutch situations. But as we said in our pre-match post, the weight of history can be as hard to beat as the opponent.
Finally, what is there left to say about Brian O'Driscoll that hasn't already been said? The curious thing was that there was more BOD-related fanfare for his second-last match than his last, but that's because there was a championship on the line which was the main media focus, and that's exactly how he would have wanted it.
We are the champions, my friends. Enjoy it.
Lads, I meant to ask, who was it that went to tackle the last pass there, forcing the forward pass? That's the winning of the game right there. I nearly puked when Rob Kearney kicked the ball nearly behind him after the French missed touch. Then I cheered when we won the scrum. Then I think I did puke when we lost it against the head.
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 18, 2014, 03:26:07 PM
Lads, I meant to ask, who was it that went to tackle the last pass there, forcing the forward pass? That's the winning of the game right there. I nearly puked when Rob Kearney kicked the ball nearly behind him after the French missed touch. Then I cheered when we won the scrum. Then I think I did puke when we lost it against the head.
Think it was BOD that rushed in to force the forward pass!!
Ian Henderson made the choke tackle following the scrum we lost!
Was it O'Driscoll. If it was fair fecking play to him for still going at that stage. I couldn't believe Kearney's kick or the lost scrum. They were channeling poor Paddy Wallace at that stage.
edit.. Just watched a clip on t'internet there. It wasn't BOD actually, it was Dave Kearney.
Quote from: AZOffaly on March 18, 2014, 03:33:34 PM
Was it O'Driscoll. If it was fair fecking play to him for still going at that stage. I couldn't believe Kearney's kick or the lost scrum. They were channeling poor Paddy Wallace at that stage.
edit.. Just watched a clip on t'internet there. It wasn't BOD actually, it was Dave Kearney.
Fair play....takes balls to rush in like that. Proved to be the right call.
L'Equipe's team of the 6N.
Fair pay to Tommy O'Donnell, and out of position at that.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bi3hVDFIIAALRQu.jpg:large)
Who could have imagined three years ago that the entire front row of the Irish team would be making team of the tournament lists. Apart from losing that last scrum against the head our set plays were a thing of beauty this season.
Bastareaud makes it onto 'our team'.
He's our bastárd now.
I can't believe they've picked our entire front row, although I'd question the inclusion of Ross. Best has improved his line-out game to the point where he is the hooker he had the potential to be. His lineout game was his weak link, especially high pressure throws in the last 5 metres and the last 10 minutes. He's now a decent ground hog and a reliable thrower.
Fair fucks to Tommy O'Donnell, didn't get the game time his persona deserved but obviously his reputation preceeded him! ;)
Healy is a solid loosehead and aggressive in the open. I'd have picked Dan Cole's replacement at England or Adam Jones who had a couple of fine games in the face of Welsh defeats.
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 07:51:18 PM
I can't believe they've picked our entire front row, although I'd question the inclusion of Ross. Best has improved his line-out game to the point where he is the hooker he had the potential to be. His lineout game was his weak link, especially high pressure throws in the last 5 metres and the last 10 minutes. He's now a decent ground hog and a reliable thrower.
Fair f**ks to Tommy O'Donnell, didn't get the game time his persona deserved but obviously his reputation preceeded him! ;)
Healy is a solid loosehead and aggressive in the open. I'd have picked Dan Cole's replacement at England or Adam Jones who had a couple of fine games in the face of Welsh defeats.
It is some turnaround to have a foreign publication pick our entire front row for honours. But it was the best unit certainly.
Think scrum, line-out and maul and they had a great Championship.
Quote from: muppet on March 19, 2014, 08:23:07 PM
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 07:51:18 PM
I can't believe they've picked our entire front row, although I'd question the inclusion of Ross. Best has improved his line-out game to the point where he is the hooker he had the potential to be. His lineout game was his weak link, especially high pressure throws in the last 5 metres and the last 10 minutes. He's now a decent ground hog and a reliable thrower.
Fair f**ks to Tommy O'Donnell, didn't get the game time his persona deserved but obviously his reputation preceeded him! ;)
Healy is a solid loosehead and aggressive in the open. I'd have picked Dan Cole's replacement at England or Adam Jones who had a couple of fine games in the face of Welsh defeats.
It is some turnaround to have a foreign publication pick our entire front row for honours. But it was the best unit certainly.
Think scrum, line-out and maul and they had a great Championship.
Perhaps the best unit, but that doesn't make it the 3 best individuals. Englands front row are world class but that train wreck called Hartley just bombs them. Anyway it's all just media fawning, match performances are the real deal.
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 09:43:50 PM
Quote from: muppet on March 19, 2014, 08:23:07 PM
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 07:51:18 PM
I can't believe they've picked our entire front row, although I'd question the inclusion of Ross. Best has improved his line-out game to the point where he is the hooker he had the potential to be. His lineout game was his weak link, especially high pressure throws in the last 5 metres and the last 10 minutes. He's now a decent ground hog and a reliable thrower.
Fair f**ks to Tommy O'Donnell, didn't get the game time his persona deserved but obviously his reputation preceeded him! ;)
Healy is a solid loosehead and aggressive in the open. I'd have picked Dan Cole's replacement at England or Adam Jones who had a couple of fine games in the face of Welsh defeats.
It is some turnaround to have a foreign publication pick our entire front row for honours. But it was the best unit certainly.
Think scrum, line-out and maul and they had a great Championship.
Perhaps the best unit, but that doesn't make it the 3 best individuals. Englands front row are world class but that train wreck called Hartley just bombs them. Anyway it's all just media fawning, match performances are the real deal.
Why do they keep picking him?
His play outside the moments of madness is generally of a good standard. Plus the brits put it all down to the old "bulldog" character and lap that shite up. For the most parts the pundits seem oblivious to his discrepancies, often stating "that was a bad penalty for England to concede" or sometimes just ignoring it completely.
I suppose for years we let DOC off with it because in general they're both honest enough players (just stupid as f**k).
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 11:19:51 PM
His play outside the moments of madness is generally of a good standard. Plus the brits put it all down to the old "bulldog" character and lap that shite up. For the most parts the pundits seem oblivious to his discrepancies, often stating "that was a bad penalty for England to concede" or sometimes just ignoring it completely.
I suppose for years we let DOC off with it because in general they're both honest enough players (just stupid as f**k).
I watched the England Italy game there the other day and Italy gave away a penalty in opposition territory - the BBC commentator (Setanta get their feed from the Beeb) said something like "the penalties racking up now for Italy" and they showed the graphic at the bottom of the screen Penalties conceded England 4, Italy 3.
Quote from: trileacman on March 19, 2014, 11:19:51 PM
His play outside the moments of madness is generally of a good standard. Plus the brits put it all down to the old "bulldog" character and lap that shite up. For the most parts the pundits seem oblivious to his discrepancies, often stating "that was a bad penalty for England to concede" or sometimes just ignoring it completely.
I suppose for years we let DOC off with it because in general they're both honest enough players (just stupid as f**k).
Is Hartley not a Kiwi?