Rugby 2011

[Kingdom]

Paddy Wallace as the replacement back alongside ROG isn't the most threatening.

[joeSoap]

Its a good call playing Earls at full back, but the sacrifical lamb should have been Wallace, who offers absolutely zero. I agree with the calls for McFadden to be in ahead of D'Arcy, but O'Garas omission again baffles me, everybody and especially O'Gara and Sexton themselves. Kidney is very much a confused man and right now I would be putting the feelers out to Nick Mallet if I was Philip Browne.

I stick by what I said earlier- England will beat us comfortably, by at least two scores. They will smother us up front, and the sad thing about it is that this England team will be the worst side I've ever seen to win a grand slam. The quality of this 6N has been atrocious.

[joeSoap]

Humble pie has never tasted so good. What a performance. What a game!!

[shakermaker1982]

Told you Joe a few weeks back. Keep the faith!!!

[Cuyahoga]

Just like the Cricket team Ireland beat England but ultimately it means nothing.The cricket team didnt qualify for the next round and the rugby team ended up mid table above Italy and Scotland !

[old git]

Humble pie has never tasted so good. What a performance. What a game!!

sad state of affairs for irish rugby delighted to beat england and end their grand slam hopes .. but at end of day finish fourth in a six team competition. !!!

[Stuttgart88]

True, but not too far away from a Slam even. A few points aginst the French and a rubbish decision against Wales. It's a bit of a meaningless tournament in a WC year. At least Kidney has learnt what doesn't work, and the changes today all seemed to work.

I wasn't surprised by the result. I felt there was more to come from this team and that England weren't any great shakes. The manner of the win did surprise me though. I was surprised at how comfortable it was.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think we can play better than that. Certainly in the second half the nerves began to show, but restricting England to two kickable penalties and one poor mistake that led to a try is impressive. Really pleased by DOC's performance - I think he's had a poor couple of years but he never deserved the severity of criticism he got.

[tetsujin1979]

True, but not too far away from a Slam even. A few points aginst the French and a rubbish decision against Wales.The penalty count, that dropped considerably after the French game, and a try that never should have been given (for 3 different reasons!!) were the differences between us and a second grand slam.

[cornflakes]

and the fact we were ****e for four games

[Paddy Garcia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unOGLMoYSqc

Grand slam champions.............

[SwanVsDalton]

Countdown to the World Cup starts now. Team for first warm-up game (http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0804/ireland_rugby.html) against Scotland this Saturday features Mike McCarthy making his debut, a new centre pairing, Rob Kearney's return from injury and a completely different pack.

Be interesting to see how the guys fare although, realistically, there's probably only six or seven (if even) places in the squad up for grabs.

[ifk101]

Squad for the WC announced

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0822/ireland_squad.html

And O'Leary and Fitzgerald miss out.

[Mr A]

Cannot flipping believe that Tony Buckley is going to the world cup.

Bit harsh on O'Leary but his form has been poor.

[Charlie Darwin]

The Buckley call is mind-boggling. With Court there, we already have a utility prop so even that argument can't be used. He's been terrible all season and in the warm-up games. That shirt should be Horan's.

Bit surprised Luke was left out - his form hasn't been great but he still won a Heineken Cup keeping McFadden out of the team. O'Leary I'm shocked by - didn't think Deccie would ever leave him behind. Looks like we're banking on winning against Australia and not having to face South Africa.

[SwanVsDalton]

O'Leary would get more sympathy but he was really poor on Saturday. He shut the door on himself unfortunately. What odds Murray getting a start or two and becoming a surprise challenger to Reddan?

Think Fitzgerald's a bit more unlucky because he's got fantastic natural talent (on Saturday made one of the few meaningful breaks among the backs). But he's not in form either. Have to say it's fairly refreshing to see a coach back younger guys in a good run than sticking with people not doing it. Fitzgerald had a good few chances in fairness.

Buckley's a bad choice. If anything happens to Ross we're going to get minced in all our scrums.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think if Murray's going to the World Cup he has to start against England. You can't go to a World Cup on only two sub appearances.

I feel bad for Fitzgerald. He's not on form but he's playing OK. Paddy Wallace is very lucky.

[Kingdom]

So what is the Test team going to be?

Kearney
Trimble
Drico
Darcy
Earls
Sexton
Reddan
Healy
Flannery
Ross
DOC
POC
Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip

Not bad.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd say Ferris will start the Australia test on the bench with O'Brien at 6 and Wallace at 7. Is Bowe fit for the England game? I think he'll be an automatic pick ahead of Trimble if it.

[Mr A]

Don't think Wallace is particularly lucky.. covers a lot of positions including out half and has been playing well recently. Bit light defensively of course.

[Spudulika]

Decent squad and the matches with France at least show Ireland are competitive. I just hope they get it together and push for 2nd place.

[Real ale Madrid]

My test team for the Australia game as it stands would be:

Healy
Flannery
Ross

O'Callaghan
O'Connell

Ferris
Wallace
O'Brien

Murray
O'Gara

Trimble
McFadden
O'Driscoll
Bowe

Kearney

I'd currently start O'Brien at 8 instead of the under performing Heaslip. This gives us the best balanced backrow at the moment.

I'd be worried about our midfield defense, esp after saturday, so i'd be hoping McFadden has been brought to put pressure on Darcy for his place.

I'd start Trimble, who is in great form at 11, and along with Bowe and Kearney - if fit gives us the best back 3. We absolutely need Bowe and Kearney, fit and playing well if we are to have any chance in the big games.

Murray would be a gamble at this stage but - Reddan and Boss and not international quality scrum halves in my opinion, if he shapes on his potential then we could have the young star of the tournament.

Overall we should beat Italy , but its a huge ask against Australia and then probably South Africa. I can's see us winning either of those games, given our performance on saturday. Hope more than expectation.

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't agree Heaslip's been underperforming. With O'Brien in the team he has a more understated role but he carried well and made a couple of important steals in the second France game.

I would pick Trimble ahead of Earls but I have a feeling that if Bowe is fit Earls will get the nod on the left wing. Then again I underestimated Kidney with his squad selection so you never know.

[Real ale Madrid]

Don't agree Heaslip's been underperforming. With O'Brien in the team he has a more understated role but he carried well and made a couple of important steals in the second France game.


His stats don't back that up at all - he had 15 yards off 7 carries and Turned the ball over once. I'd have Sean O'Brien in at 8 to make the yards that Heaslip should be making for a player of his ability. And what does understated role mean anyway?

[Charlie Darwin]

My memory must be playing tricks on me then. Although I'm sure he stole the ball at least twice. Understated as in less visible - doing the grunt work rather than receiving the ball and hitting the line.

[Real ale Madrid]

Understated as in less visible - doing the grunt work rather than receiving the ball and hitting the line.

He is either No.8 or not. His role should not change regardless of who is around him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Not true. Before O'Brien came along, Heaslip was the man who would run from deep and take the ball at pace into the line. O'Brien is more effective so that's now his role. Heaslip still does great work at the back of the scrum which will be important as we'll probably be up against it with the English scrum on Saturday.

[Real ale Madrid]

Not true. Before O'Brien came along, Heaslip was the man who would run from deep and take the ball at pace into the line. .

I don't understand why our No.8 can't attack the opposition line just because O'Brien is in the team. This is one of the No.8's primary roles esp. from the back of the scrum.


O'Brien is more effective so that's now his role. .

Exactly the point I'm making, Drop Heaslip, bring in the more effective player, and play an effective openside and blindside with him,


Heaslip still does great work at the back of the scrum which will be important as we'll probably be up against it with the English scrum on Saturday.

Does he ? I didn't see much on Saturday - see stats above.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't understand why our No.8 can't attack the opposition line just because O'Brien is in the team. This is one of the No.8's primary roles esp. from the back of the scrum.
He can - we just use O'Brien because he's more effective. Heaslip is still by far the best no. 8 in the country.

[Real ale Madrid]

He can - we just use O'Brien because he's more effective. Heaslip is still by far the best no. 8 in the country.

O'Brien more effective yet Heaslip by far the best No. 8 ? I'm lost. All I saw Saturday was an ineffective No.8 - Piccamoles had a field day - now there's a good back-up No.8.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well, playing as a no. 8 involves more than just running attacking lines...

[Real ale Madrid]

Well, playing as a no. 8 involves more than just running attacking lines...

Does it ? Well maybe you would like to point out some of the amazing specalized stuff he did on saturday to make him " by far the best no 8 in the country", instead of just waffling.

He had 3 takes at the back of the lineout.
He had 0 line breaks.
He turned over 0 balls at ruck time also.
Did he even run with the ball from the back of a scrum ?
Defensively I saw nothing special either - highlighed by Picamoles 106 yards with ball in hand . We were generally second best at the breakdown all game.

I have to reiterate, Heaslip does nothing that O'Brien can't do better at the moment, thus giving us the option to play Ferris at 6 and Wallace - our only openside in the squad, at 7.Hopefully Heaslip has a big game on Saturday against England to give Kidney a big selection headache

[Mr A]

Seems like O'Brien may be injured anyway.. http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/world-cup/obrien-major-doubt-for-world-cup-2857248.html

Team to play England:

15 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)

13 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)

12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)

9 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)

2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)

3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)

4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) Captain

6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)

7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)

8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)

17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)

18 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)

19 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

20 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

21 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

22 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

[Charlie Darwin]

Does it ? Well maybe you would like to point out some of the amazing specalized stuff he did on saturday to make him " by far the best no 8 in the country", instead of just waffling.

He had 3 takes at the back of the lineout.
He had 0 line breaks.
He turned over 0 balls at ruck time also.
Did he even run with the ball from the back of a scrum ?
Defensively I saw nothing special either - highlighed by Picamoles 106 yards with ball in hand . We were generally second best at the breakdown all game.

I have to reiterate, Heaslip does nothing that O'Brien can't do better at the moment, thus giving us the option to play Ferris at 6 and Wallace - our only openside in the squad, at 7.Hopefully Heaslip has a big game on Saturday against England to give Kidney a big selection headache
There are his stats:

O'Brien made 1 line break to Heaslip's 0.
O'Brien made 8 tackles but missed 2, while Heaslip made all of his 6 tackles.
O'Brien received the ball 18 times and chose to run 15 times, as you'd expect from the main strike runner.
Heaslip received the ball 15 times, passing 8 times and running 7 times, which you'd expect from a player receiving the ball in the line.

The stats indicate that neither had a particularly great game but they were clearly performing two different roles in the team.

[Real ale Madrid]

There are his stats:

O'Brien made 1 line break to Heaslip's 0.
O'Brien made 8 tackles but missed 2, while Heaslip made all of his 6 tackles.
O'Brien received the ball 18 times and chose to run 15 times, as you'd expect from the main strike runner.
Heaslip received the ball 15 times, passing 8 times and running 7 times, which you'd expect from a player receiving the ball in the line.

The stats indicate that neither had a particularly great game but they were clearly performing two different roles in the team.

Your stats do nothing for your argument that Heaslip is by far a better No.8. If you argue that his role involves less carrying, even then, his 15 yards from 7 carries is less than impressive. I would argue if O'Brien plays No. 8 he gets even more opportunites to run from set play and he gets even more yards.Heaslip hasn't been dynamic enough for me regardless of who is the main strike runner. He must do more from the base of the scrum where a good number 8 demands the ball. I hope he plays well on saturday and I think he needs to .

[SwanVsDalton]

You guys appear to be basing an argument off one game. Heaslip, even in tandem with O'Brien, has proved to my mind to be a fantastic no.8. What's wrong with giving him the benefit of the doubt? Last week wasn't many player's finest hour. Though as you say Real ale, he could use a big game on Saturday (along with a few others).

[shakermaker1982]

WC is nearly upon us and there isn't any posts?

How will Ireland fare? Q Final defeat to the Boks or could they shock the Aussies in the group stages and get to a semi final?

[BonnieShels]

It's been a busy week.

Now, can I justify breakfast beer on Sunday?

[Real ale Madrid]

Think we have more of a chance of beating the boks than the Aussies as it stands. I'd be happy if we just beat Italy at this stage. If we hit form anything can happen, and no doubt we are overdue a good run in the tournament. But realisitically we are looking to beat a Southern Hempishpere team in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in 32 years. Hope more than any expectation.

I'd definitely Draft Richard Dunne up to the rugby squad, he could do a job in the back-row :)

[BonnieShels]

Ah yes. So that's that.

Kiwis win but it was delightful to see them up against it in the second half. George Clancy reffed it very well. It was a delight to see a contest at the breakdown. Shocked the Kiwis and as a result McCaw got away with nothing (ie had to stay onside) and was practically anonymous.

Delighted so far.

[Charlie Darwin]

Interesting game. NZ were clinical but Tonga didn't really do anything right the first 40 minutes. No intensity and falling off tackles. Second half will probably stand well to the All Blacks. Sonny Bill probably played himself out of a starting place in the second half as Nonu's class shone through.

[BonnieShels]

Normally that sort of second half would stand to most teams but NZ will be put under pressure after that.

On second half performances you'd drop Carter and McCaw; Williams will start the next day.

[Mr A]

Ireland team for USA game:

15 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers)

14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)*

13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain

12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)*

10 - Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)*

9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)*

1 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)*

2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)

3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)*

4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)

6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)*

7 - Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)*

8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)*

Replacements:

16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)

17 - Tony Buckley (Sale Sharks)*

18 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)*

19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)

22 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

*Denotes Rugby World Cup debut

Very harsh on Trimble who has been very good recently. To some extent Kidney seems to view this as one last warm-up game.

Frightening how close Buckley is to getting on.

[osarusan]

Romania were 24-21 up on Scotland with about 8 mins remaining, until the Scots finally got their act together and scored. Not a bad game actually - Scots destroyed in the scrum a few times.

[Mr A]

Japan giving France a hell of a game!

[BonnieShels]

This has great world cup written all over it.

Stonker of a game here now. Poor watch technically but you just can't take your eyes of it.

[BonnieShels]

Terrible refereeing decision at the end to decide it sooner. Cracking game though. So that's Saturday over... Eddie's Eagles tomorrow!!!

[Spudulika]

I was forced to watch all games via ITV, and shock horror, English commentators whinge about decisions given against English players. It was possibly the worst commentary I've ever heard on sports, they even went so far as to start the "Come on England" crud! England were blessed, both kickers were awful, but the English did their utmost to take out the best Argies. It was cynical, cruel and will backfire on them. Not a nice game to watch but for sheer edge of the seat stuff it was good. Japan were unlucky to make so many passing errors, but they showed up France to a degree. I wonder now, though, will the "minnows" settle in for more beatings after their one big showing. Which makes me worry for tomorrow morning.

[Cuyahoga]

I was watching RTE's Sports news at 9 0 clock tonight. They interviewed two rugby fans ( seperately ). They both had their girlfiends beside them saying nothing, just staring in awe at their men not having a clue what they were talking about. It was funny..... There really is a big difference between Rugby fans and football fans.

[Charlie Darwin]

Rugby fans have thicker girlfriends?