Ireland have found gorgeous lines all of a sudden. Absolutely fantastic clean breaks.
Rugby Union Discussion - Six Nations Time
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That's more like it. Bonus point secured.
I still think Marcus Smith flatters to deceive every time I watch him. Does one of two good breaks but doesn’t ever seem to control a game or be able to put too many moves together.
They’re fine. No worse than Crowley. Much better for Leinster than Crowley is for Munster.
Anyhoo. Who cares!
England are very bad at rugby
That finish by Sheehan is going to be used in RTE highlights reels for years.
he doesn’t seem to be able to control the game or dictate its tempo. he’s only good at fast flowing rugby, which england haven’t played for *checks notes* ever.
Both have loads of room for improvement
He took an enormous hit at the start of the second half and has been anonymous since.
If games were 40 minutes England would be very competitive
He is like Jalibert, they are both brilliant runners that can break any game but they are both sieves defensively and can't control a game to save their lives.
What about his pass to Lowe in the build-up?! He’s such a baller. Could probably play on the wing as well as most wingers.
There's been a bunch of no wrap tackles they the TMO has missed
Yeah that one just there as so obvious too. How did the touch judge not see it?
Fine put the whole try in the reel
But reaching out and triumphantly smashing down the ball like that against England?
We'll be seeing it for the next decade.
Ireland’s two biggest flaws recently have been conceding too many penalties and losing lineouts. So satisfying to see both issues fixed today.
Fecking hell. That's desperate giving England a bonus point.
Fine put the whole try in the reel
But reaching out and triumphantly smashing down the ball like that against England?
We'll be seeing it for the next decade.
Ha! True. Ball smacks the ground as the beat drops on a killer tune.
Mad for a country to invent rugby, cricket and soccer just to be awful at all three.
Wonderwall is a weird choice for post game song here
Yeah it was a disappointing to let them run in two at the end.
Meh. Gives them more incentive for French game.
It's not really a song you associate with Victory. It's a bit of a dirge really.
I really wish we were blooding the next line of 9s.
No need for Murray to be playing with the exciting talents we have (at Connacht
)
Seriously though. All three Connacht 9s should be considered before Murray.
No need for Murray to be playing with the exciting talents we have (at Connacht
)Seriously though. All three Connacht 9s should be considered before Murray.
Class contribution from Crowley, by the way. Having a different starter and a finisher at 10 could actually work quite well.
Followed by dirty old town. Which is a great song to be fair. Weird that it's two Manchester songs though
I couldn’t really watch the second half properly because my little niece was round, but it felt like the ref played his part at crucial times when the game was close but also Ireland really dominated the kicking game in the second half and sliced England open when they had good field position. England wasted some great chances that would have piled the pressure on.
I still can’t understand for the life of me why Borthwick insists on leaving the best box kicking 9 in England out of the 23, then asks JVP and fecking Harry Randall to play that way instead. Borthwick might want to have a think about why England were in winning positions when Spencer got subbed in the autumn nations, then ended up losing every game.
I still can’t understand for the life of me why Borthwick insists on leaving the best box kicking 9 in England out of the 23, then asks JVP and fecking Harry Randall to play that way instead. Borthwick might want to have a think about why England were in winning positions when Spencer got subbed in the autumn nations, then ended up losing every game.
Yeah there’s a couple of bits there.
- England have shit discipline in general….its a longstanding issue and it needs fixing
- that being said, O’Keefe penalised the shit out of England, everything they could get pinged for they did.
- England don’t manage refs well. We haven’t for years. I don’t know about Maro being captain as well, seeing as he’s regularly getting pinged for offences. Jamie George is pretty good for it and a shame he’s crocked
- if we’re going to play Mitchell, who I think is great, we really need to try Finn Smith there. I’m starting to accept that our gameplan doesn’t really suit Marcus Smith. Mostly because our gameplan’s shit….but we may as well pick the best tools for it
Yeah the ref gave England everything that match tbh, was an arse.
@TheReligion will be raging today
I think Itoje plays in that position where he’s always likely to be on the edge of giving away penalties but it’s hard to see who else in that 15 could be captain.
I’m probably biased about Spencer, but Borthwick is insisting on a box kick heavy tactic, and he is easily the best nine available to execute it. He plays it every week with a similar 10 to Marcus and makes it work. Obviously 12 is a big problem as well.
Haven’t really posted here in a while. Decent game between two teams who for me are in a weird place. After watching that France will be very disappointed if they don’t do the grand slam this year.
On England I’m just not really sure. I mean I see no difference to when Borthwick took over. You’re still the same team. You’ll give anyone a game because of the talent you have but even today, I’m sorry it just doesn’t impress me. Even in the ‘good’ first half you had, I was disappointed Ireland went in behind and for me it wasn’t English defence but Irealnds attack that was the issue.
Ireland I don’t even know where to start. Unlike most on here Sam was actually ok. Not great but not as bad as some are making out. I’ll never worry about his kicking because that’s what he’s excellent at. All in all not a bad 1st real test game. However obviously Jack should be number 1 right now. I’m actually glad we are giving Sam a shot because otherwise we seem allergic to trying new things until we are forced to. How can you have Healy on the bench when you have a talent like Boyle coming through? How are none of the Connacht scrum halves involved? Why isn’t Ahern in over Henderson? Every single cycle we refuse to blood new players. Our game is stale and 30 minutes against a very average England side won’t convince me otherwise. I really hope I’m wrong which I have been plenty before. I just really want us to use the first year after a World Cup to rip up the script a bit finally.
Ironically the whole Sam vs Jack thing is the best thing in Irish rugby now. I’m so happy to have 2 players not feel comfortable in their position so they have to have the drive to get better. That’s what I really want. No one has a right to play. They should always feel under pressure. We have the talent to have the squad be like this.
The ref made no difference to be honest. England put everything into that first half but as their attack isn’t that great they were always gonna suffer in the second half.
One last thing I’ve seen enough. Get rid of that attack coach. He ruined Leinsters attack and he’s in the process of doing to same to irelands.
Just so I’m not just my usual downer self I thought Hansen was brilliant and justified his selection. Lowe and JGP were incredible and honestly Dan Sheehan is already an all time talent. So happy to see him back healthy.
I’ll even be positive on England. You have the players but the coaching staff is a question for me. Marcus smith I feel needs to be your full back and Finn Smith the 10. I like stewart but he just isn’t an international full back. But either way you’re not ever going to be an easy game for anyone and the current under 20s look seriously good.
On England I’m just not really sure. I mean I see no difference to when Borthwick took over. You’re still the same team. You’ll give anyone a game because of the talent you have but even today, I’m sorry it just doesn’t impress me. Even in the ‘good’ first half you had, I was disappointed Ireland went in behind and for me it wasn’t English defence but Irealnds attack that was the issue.
Ireland I don’t even know where to start. Unlike most on here Sam was actually ok. Not great but not as bad as some are making out. I’ll never worry about his kicking because that’s what he’s excellent at. All in all not a bad 1st real test game. However obviously Jack should be number 1 right now. I’m actually glad we are giving Sam a shot because otherwise we seem allergic to trying new things until we are forced to. How can you have Healy on the bench when you have a talent like Boyle coming through? How are none of the Connacht scrum halves involved? Why isn’t Ahern in over Henderson? Every single cycle we refuse to blood new players. Our game is stale and 30 minutes against a very average England side won’t convince me otherwise. I really hope I’m wrong which I have been plenty before. I just really want us to use the first year after a World Cup to rip up the script a bit finally.
Ironically the whole Sam vs Jack thing is the best thing in Irish rugby now. I’m so happy to have 2 players not feel comfortable in their position so they have to have the drive to get better. That’s what I really want. No one has a right to play. They should always feel under pressure. We have the talent to have the squad be like this.
The ref made no difference to be honest. England put everything into that first half but as their attack isn’t that great they were always gonna suffer in the second half.
One last thing I’ve seen enough. Get rid of that attack coach. He ruined Leinsters attack and he’s in the process of doing to same to irelands.
Just so I’m not just my usual downer self I thought Hansen was brilliant and justified his selection. Lowe and JGP were incredible and honestly Dan Sheehan is already an all time talent. So happy to see him back healthy.
I’ll even be positive on England. You have the players but the coaching staff is a question for me. Marcus smith I feel needs to be your full back and Finn Smith the 10. I like stewart but he just isn’t an international full back. But either way you’re not ever going to be an easy game for anyone and the current under 20s look seriously good.
Your constant kicking actually annoyed me. You have too much talent to play such a limited game. I feel you could be like a prime Sacerens under the right coaching and mix it up really well.
Welcome back mate, I’ve missed your never-ending positivity
Welcome back mate, I’ve missed your never-ending positivity
Thanks! Honestly though I don’t know if Borthwick is the issue but you guys really have the talent to be a lot better than you are!To me the most serious question that should be asked about Borthwick today is if he sabotaged his team by going with Itoje as the only aerial threat at lineouts? Ireland’s lineouts have been a real vulnerability in the autumn series, especially in games without O’ Mahony in the team. The way they were almost uncontested today was a huge boost for us. The optimist in me wants to think that big Pauly has fixed them but I’ve a horrible feeling we only looked good because England let us. If our set pieces are as good against Scotland as they were today then I’ll start to think we really can go for three in a row. But I suspect that won’t happen.
Agree, I don’t think Borthwick is the person to coach that. It doesn’t have to be an either or situation, you can kick for territory and still play decent rugby when you’re in position to do so.
In defence of Borthwick, if I have to, there’s a few positions where England lack options. Whoever he chooses to replace IFW, full back and inside centre are probably going to struggle against the very best teams.
Does that fecking goose step shit all the time. Makes him even more dislikable.
Haha yes it does, I didn’t want to bring it to that level but we may as well. It’s all good doing it to wrong step a defender but not when no one is around you. Bit like an Antony pirouette!
Enjoyed the game immensely.England were very good for the first 20 minutes or so.Maybe punched themselves out? I think they could select a better 15 to start. I don't think they can beat France but they have a chance if they get it right .
Ireland started poorly but grew as the game went on and were excellent for about 30 minutes in the 2nd half.You can see the class Sam has but maybe Crowley would be a better bet to start?
Bundee is some warrior! What a try!
Sheehan & Conan made great impacts from the bench.
Sloppy to concede two late tries but maybe no harm in the long run.Will give the coach a stick to beat them with.
I don't think Murray or Henderson should be involved, definitely need new blood there.
On to Scotland.Another tough game!
Ireland started poorly but grew as the game went on and were excellent for about 30 minutes in the 2nd half.You can see the class Sam has but maybe Crowley would be a better bet to start?
Bundee is some warrior! What a try!
Sheehan & Conan made great impacts from the bench.
Sloppy to concede two late tries but maybe no harm in the long run.Will give the coach a stick to beat them with.
I don't think Murray or Henderson should be involved, definitely need new blood there.
On to Scotland.Another tough game!