The IRISH RUGBY thread

[JoG2]

Sometimes I think some people want see Ireland lose, same in the soccer!

Not really. But when the goys bang on about how they are best on the world, schadenfreud does enter the conversation when the inevitible happens

So you're shaping your thoughts on our national rugby team on what a few people you don't know say... Got it, mature thinking

Basically, yes. If the rugby media insist on hyping them to that level, hard not to chuckle when they inevitably fall short.

Mad Ted

[trileacman]

Munster facing total humiliation here.

They've a shockingly poor squad. I can't remember the last time Munster fielded a really good team. They're now operating consistently at the level of Connacht and Ulster.

[johnnycool]

Another Irish scrum reversing at a serious rate here with Connaught v Ospreys....

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Exciting game here between Leinster and Connacht. That new stand at Connacht looks great. The gaa could learn a thing instead of some of the recent cow sheds that have been built and probably cost more too

[johnnycool]

Ireland kick off the 6N's tonight in Paris.

I'd not be hopeful in this game for a few reasons. Both first choice props are out, even if Porter has struggled against good scrums, the pack is greatly weakened by both his and Furlongs absence means that scrums must be kept to a minimum.

The backs barring Ringrose are a bit below this level and won't threaten France much if they do get the ball in good positions which I think will be at a premium tonight.

20+ point defeat tonight for me, you always hope for better but it's hard to see it.

O'Driscoll got a bit of stick on one of those Rugby roadshow things for saying Ireland would only finish 4th in the 6N's this year.
I don't think he'll be far wrong.

[Milltown Row2]

Ireland kick off the 6N's tonight in Paris.

I'd not be hopeful in this game for a few reasons. Both first choice props are out, even if Porter has struggled against good scrums, the pack is greatly weakened by both his and Furlongs absence means that scrums must be kept to a minimum.

The backs barring Ringrose are a bit below this level and won't threaten France much if they do get the ball in good positions which I think will be at a premium tonight.

20+ point defeat tonight for me, you always hope for better but it's hard to see it.

O'Driscoll got a bit of stick on one of those Rugby roadshow things for saying Ireland would only finish 4th in the 6N's this year.
I don't think he'll be far wrong.

The main positive to take is (outside of school night drinking) the manager is back, there will be a better performance but Ireland are way off this standard and for it being in France that's another 10 points.

Gone are the days France have a mare of a game when pushed, they have the squad to do what they want these years.

Bookies being generous with the 13 point handicap.. Think I'll have a go at that, which will pay for the pints!

[thewobbler]

I'm looking forward to it myself.

Irish rugby has, for all my adult life, been festered with the belief that the person in the starting jersey is always a stronger player than those on the sidelines.

Hence over the past decade or so we've had to watch the likes of Healy, Murray, Best, Earls, Stringer, Heaslip amass a well of caps long after their usefulness expired.

Will Ireland rue not having a few more experienced leaders in the field tonight? Perhaps. But there should also be a strong chance that some individuals might actually use this chance to get "promoted" into a starting jersey going forward, and not arrive at the next WC as complete greenhorns.

What's happening tonight should have happened immediately after the RWC. But as usual in IRFU land, a clearout is a coincidence, never a plan.

[Tony Baloney]

Also looking forward to this and going into it with low expectations. Should be fit for Wales and Italy but would not be surprised if they were the only 2 wins from 5. Low expectations will do nobody any harm given past history of heightened expectatjons going into a WC cycle based on 6N performances.

I'd put England as favourites due to the depth they have. I'm heading to Twickenham in a couple of weeks and I expect it will be a painful experience.

[Wildweasel74]

Serious amount of men missing away in France, could get Ugly, Suppose we need see what we have 18 months out from world cup, but thats a team for playing Italy, Wales etc, not a team that so difficult to beat at hone. Only England really have been sucessful in France.

[johnnycool]

Success this 6N's will be to find 3 or 4 quality newbies to kick on with

[Wildweasel74]

Stockdale should had him there,

[gallsman]

They don't even think that's worth looking at?!

Scarily loose on LBB early doors.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

In game ads. We're finally here 🥴🥴🥴

[JPGJOHNNYG]

They don't even think that's worth looking at?!

Scarily loose on LBB early doors.

France overwhelming favourites so why do the officials then let things like that go FFS it's not like they need the help. This is going to be a dicking and even more so with a bent ref

[Wildweasel74]

G lads show abit bite, too easy. And the mistakes