Rugby 2017 Discussion
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@JPRouve , what was your take on the match today? The commentators here were talking a lot about how the French team seemed to have a good relationship with each other, but it seems like they got really tired even before the end of the first half.
I guess everyone expects that, and that is where you get bitten, players as well as supportersFear for Italy. Some of my Italian students are going, it's hard to know why
Could easily see it being a closer game than expectations - with England as they have done kicking on with the replacement bench - be even more critical tomorrow, as Italy have even less depth than France and Wales
Well, Schmidt is renowned as being the most tactically astute of all the Internationals Head Coaches and moreover, he tends to be very pragmatic with regards to game-planning (Horses for courses if you will). However, what worries me is that this uber-pragmatism, whilst beneficial in terms of results in the short-term, may prove to be more detrimental with regards to performances in the long-term. If we don't consistently play an expansive game (Which I think we should do), we're not going to be able to turn up and play an expansive game at RWC 2019. Personally, I feel that the expansive game of the likes of NZ allows them to thrive, whereas if the All Blacks adopted a more consistently pragmatic approach, their performances would decline and so would results. Mind you, that's just me and my views may have been heavily shaped by how Argentina ran riot against us at the last World Cup.
*Argentina shivers....
Can't argue with that. The likes of Scotland's second try today was magic (was it the second?). I'm in Connacht and while the way they play can be infuriating sometimes when it goes wrong, when it goes right it's magic. And of course, Henshaw was a part of that last season. Ireland can do it too - they showed it against Italy, who are weak but the tries were still really well constructed.
Devil's advocate... do you think it was anything to do with Sexton being back in rather than Jackson?
You need a more expansive game, otherwise you run into a team with an excellent defence and struggle to break them down
The 6N game v England last springs to mind a little as well
They are just bad, the technique is below average, the understanding of the game is below average, the set pieces are average. The players are physical I can't take that from them but they have nothing else.
In possession the players barely understand each others, the support runs are ridiculously bad, they don't offer space or viable passing options to the ball carrier. When the ball carrier is tackled the support and the cleaners take forever to arrive which creates lengthy rucks and plenty of time for the defense to organize itself. It's also not sure if the staff scripts the outing options, it doesn't look like it.
In defense it's just too bad, the rucks are rarely contested properly, the tacklers are rarely assisted, the offside line seems facultative, the forwards will often play the ball when they are offside or on the ground, the backs don't know how to play a flat or inverted defense let alone a deep one, the opposing wideouts are routinely left alone and there are big holes all across the line.
And as a side note, no one can kick the ball to save his life.
Short answer: No. Obviously, Jackson is more of a facilitator whereas Sexton is the midfield general. That being said, I don't think there is any particular facet of Jackson's game which you could say is significantly better than Sexton's at this moment in time. Jackson may be more adept at playing flatter (I'm not well-qualified enough to really know) but if he is, he is only slightly better.
One thing we have to remember though is that Sexton will be 34 by the time of RWC 2019. Jackson, Bleyendaal and Carbery will be 27, 29 and 24 respectively by the end of the next World Cup. I actually think we should be more like NZ in our selection approach in that we focus more on blooding the players who will likely be on the plane to Japan as opposed to picking our current best team (Short-term losses for long-term gains).
I think Ireland play with width; the problem is however that we seem to lack any sort of attacking penetration. Bernard Jackman, Grenoble HC, was on RTE after the match and was pretty much saying that we weren't able to play our normal pretty game. I found this to be somewhat inaccurate, which is surprising considering that whenever I hear Jackman, he seems to speak very coherently with regards to his analysis.
Who's gonna win the title then? I fancy Ireland to win their last two games and pinch it.
England. Should beat Italy and Scotland at home
And who knows if a losing BP will be enough, could even go to Ireland and win
Bleyendaal, hadn't even crossed my mind about him ending up Irish qualified. Jan 2018 it would be for him it seems. Madigan would be 29 too....
I'd be surprised if Madigan was still in contention in 2019. Bill Johnston, JJ Hanrahan and Ross Byrne are possible bolters IMO.
It'll be enough if they also pick up a bonus point against Scotland, I think. Assuming Ireland beat Wales which seems likely.
Cheers for that. I'll need to brush up on my knowledge of the Pro12.
I enjoyed the game in Dublin. To me, Ireland didn't look like losing after the first 15 minutes or so, a 15 minutes where France started ok. Two tries from three games must be a concern for France. Really want Ireland to beat Wales in a couple of weeks. Hope Italy can keep it respectable against England today. Can't see it happening though.
Shocking weather here today, how's it looking in England, anyone over there? A mudbath is about the only thing that can save Italy from a pasting today...
Who would be Zebo's cover at full back if Kearneys new injury keeps him out of the starting line up.
Trimble according to the bench and recent matches, with Gilroy most likely to come in at the moment on the bench given recent squads. There's a few potentials in the provinces though for a spare wing spot, depends on if form is taken into account vs previous involvement.
Payne must be close to full fitness now, I would suggest 15 is his best position. The back three isn't the strongest part of the Ireland team though, I like Zebo but he's not been great so far in this 6 Nations (he was poor yesterday in particular).
We'll see in about 45mins. In Ulster's squad for the match against Zebre today
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...y-bowe-set-for-milestone-appearance-1.2987868
This match and a match against Treviso next week to get a bit of match time.
To be fair, the Pro 12 never seems to be of that much importance for the teams that play in it. The Irish provinces put much more focus on the Champions Cup, the Welsh sides tend to consistently under-perform, Glasgow are the only good Scottish side, and the Italian sides are absolutely awful.
It's been wet past few days, but mostly dry day today with maybe some rain coming later, but could be ok
Right, so what are the talking points going to be when my Italian student books a lesson next week Decent start Italy, but could have done with that kick to go over. Getting smashed is inevitable, but the final score depends on what time the rout begins. All points are vital for confidence.
Decent start Italy, but could have done with that kick to go over. Getting smashed is inevitable, but the final score depends on what time the rout begins. All points are vital for confidence.What the Italians are doing at the ruck or lack of ruck is quite interesting, care looks bewildered when he saw all the Italians all around him but not engaging.
Upset on the cards 
Can't compete so ingenious way to throw a spanner into the works of the well oiled England machine. Expect this tactic to be copied in the next two games.
Bet there were great odds for no score in the first 20 mins!
Italy will crumble and crumble BIG time!
If only they used the same tactic for the maul then they wouldnt be losing now
I will never get used to Farrell's kickface.
Lack of discipline does my nut in. Basic shit.
The Italian line out is shit
"I'm the referee, I'm not your coach" to England captain. This is fascinating.
Mike Catt – traitor! Pissing himself