6 Nations

[endabob1]

I'm not suggesting he picks an alternative xv against England, but merely pointing out that there are patent alternatives open to him should he choose to use them.

If I was picking a side against England I would go with:

Geordan Murphy; Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney; ROG, Eoin Reddan; Marcus Horan, Rory Best, Tony Buckley; Donncha Ryan, Paul O'Connell; Alan Quinlan, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip.

Based on games so far I would say O'Callaghan is more entitled to keep his plae than O'Connell, I still don't think Best is up to the job at international level

[joeSoap]

Based on games so far I would say O'Callaghan is more entitled to keep his plae than O'Connell, I still don't think Best is up to the job at international levelO'Connells just coming back from injury and is a far more proven big game player than Donncha. Thats why I would have picked him.

I agree with you about Best-however, Flannerys injured, Jackmans crap and Frankie Sheahan can't get a sniff with Munster. Who else are you going to pick??

[OwlsFan]

Jackman's crap

He's also stupid. That mindless peno he gave away against Wales was one of the most crass actions I have ever seen by a sportsman and as they are standing under the posts waiting for Wales to convert the peno he has the nerve to clap his hands to attempt to gee up the rest of the players, having just by his action confirmed Ireland would lose the game.

[paul_oshea]

He's also stupid. That mindless peno he gave away against Wales was one of the most crass actions I have ever seen by a sportsman and as they are standing under the posts waiting for Wales to convert the peno he has the nerve to clap his hands to attempt to gee up the rest of the players, having just by his action confirmed Ireland would lose the game.

Well in fairness he had to do something to try and make himself feel better/rectify the situation. He has lost any chance of playing for Ireland again after that. He really is a terrible player, I do NOT understand how a player can continuously throw badly, especially given his age, surely its something that can be perfected from rigorous training and little skill. Seriouslly.

The worst thing about that stupid peno was that he basically came on and undid anything his team-mates did for the 75 mins previouslly, I cannot see how any of them looked anyway favourably on him after that nor will they.

[shakermaker1982]

He's also stupid. That mindless peno he gave away against Wales was one of the most crass actions I have ever seen by a sportsman and as they are standing under the posts waiting for Wales to convert the peno he has the nerve to clap his hands to attempt to gee up the rest of the players, having just by his action confirmed Ireland would lose the game.

I'm surprised this hasn't been made more of an issue amongst fans/the press. We were only a point behind at that stage with a few minutes remaining and with Reddan in possession of the ball. What an idiot.

[Roadend]

Luke Fitzgerald: Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Felix Jones, Keith Earls: Ian Humphries, Frank Murphy; Cian Healy, Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley: Donncha Ryan, Trevor Hogan: Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

Jerry Flannery at 27 would be the oldest of that side.
Flannery is 29

[shakermaker1982]

Trimble couldn't tackle my mum.

That has to be the end of Eddie. Fingers crossed we get someone decent in who can do something with this bunch of players - something needs to be done urgently to banish the demons of the World Cup and this 6N campaign.

Kearney once again impressed and Fitzgerald showed in glimpses he is also a player of the future so it shouldn't be all doom and gloom.

[pete]

England 33 Ireland 10. Conceded 33 uncontested points after leading 0-10. :(

12 months since an Ireland team performed. No subs made i think until about 65 minutes excluding Leamy injury. Wallace coming off he bench on 77 minutes tells a lot about O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan is stifling the team too much by changing tactics so dramatically between games - just look how differently they played against Wales & England. Trimble & Horgan were destroyed & after so many years in charge O'Sullivan should not be so badly stuck for 3rd & 4th choice centres. Restricting himself to Irish teams offers little choices when there are injuries & cannot be sustained

I did not see the Scotland game but highlights definitely Heaslip & Kearney, Kearney has been particularly impressive but would he have played if not for injuries. Still bizarre Heaslip not deemed good enough for the World Cup squad 6 months ago.

[Superhoops]

.....Still bizarre Heaslip not deemed good enough for the World Cup squad 6 months ago.
It was because he's not from Munster.

[Kingdom]

Restricting himself to Irish teams offers little choices when there are injuries & cannot be sustained

Admittedly I don't know an awful lot about rugby, but I am aware of this point with regards to selection. What I don't understand is why is Easterby regularily picked despite playing for Llanelli, yet the likes of Leo Cullen, Jennings, didn't get picked while at Leicester, likewise Bob Casey at London Irish.

[pete]

Admittedly I don't know an awful lot about rugby, but I am aware of this point with regards to selection. What I don't understand is why is Easterby regularily picked despite playing for Llanelli, yet the likes of Leo Cullen, Jennings, didn't get picked while at Leicester, likewise Bob Casey at London Irish.


Easterby retired now which would force EOS decision.

[Kingdom]

No Joesoap since the game? Someone give him a ring see if he's alright.

[joeSoap]

No Joesoap since the game? Someone give him a ring see if he's alright.
I haven't had the energy to write anything since Saturday afternoon. That performance, or lack of, really hurt. I believe that O'Sullivan had a golden opportunity on Saturday to experiment. When Murphy went off, I believe that young Fitzgerald should have been put straight in at full back, and Paddy Wallace brought in for Shane Horgan. That way we would have had attacking options, and an opportunity for the young lad (Fitzgerald) to sample some really big game time in his future position.

Reddan should have been called ashore much earlier than he was. He was very indecisive, and you cannot have this at this level in your scrum half. ROG really suffered as a result. Leamy was a big loss-my feelings on Easterby are well known by now. Paul O'Connell was very error prone, and why Tony Buckley was kept bench warming for so long with Paddy Wallace and Stringer I'll never understand.

I didn't expect us to win this game on Saturday. I expected a proud performance, with a little variation. I got neither. O'Sullivan is at this stage as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Shaun Edwards has not yet signed a contract with Wales. I sincerely hope he is being pursued, hopefully with Heineke Meyer, Ian McGeechan, Eddie Jones or any other coach that is worth a go.

But I doubt it.:confused:

[Schumi]

What I don't understand is why is Easterby regularily picked despite playing for Llanelli, yet the likes of Leo Cullen, Jennings, didn't get picked while at LeicesterCullen and Jennings still haven't been picked now they're with Leinster so maybe EOS just doesn't rate them.

[pete]

I have heard O'Sullivan in the past explain why he does not make substitutions. He takes about disrupting "units" e.g. half backs, back rows... This seems to explain why he waits so long to make freshen the forwards in particular when most Managers make changes between 50-60 minutes.

[joeSoap]

I have heard O'Sullivan in the past explain why he does not make substitutions. He takes about disrupting "units" e.g. half backs, back rows... This seems to explain why he waits so long to make freshen the forwards in particular when most Managers make changes between 50-60 minutes. But surely logic would tell you that when a part of a unit is broken, or in need of replacement, you do it straight away to keep the unit performing the way it should. His half back 'unit' on Saturday didn't work because Reddan was too ponderous. Stringer would have made that 'unit' work. Flawed logic by the schoolteacher....again!!

[OneRedArmy]

I can only echo whats been said above.

But in particular, bringing Paddy Wallace on for 2 mins managed to insult both Wallace and every past Irish rugby player who has been capped. That was about Eddie's only achievement on Saturday.

The sad thing about Saturday was that the English (or at least those around me) didn't celebrate wildly. To a mann they identified that Ireland atrocious performance had more to do with the result than any kind of English resurgence (the excellent Cipriani aside). In fact many of them were disappointed that the magnitude of the win might be enough to keep Ashton in a job.

Interestingly, as someone mentioned Bob Casey above, I saw him deliver a few sublime offloads in the tackle for London Irish against Wasps on Sunday. Given we are the slowest test team in the world at recycling ball out of a ruck or indeed maul (joe, I disagree with on this, whether its Redden or Stringer at the back seems to make little difference to our ability to present and use quick ball) I would've thought these are exactly the skills we need in the side.

[Superhoops]

Cullen and Jennings still haven't been picked now they're with Leinster so maybe EOS just doesn't rate them.

Cos they are forwards and are not from Munster. EOS prefers the 'over the hill' brigade. Paul O'Connell, get real FFS. :mad:

[inexile]

It was because he's not from Munster.

thats nonsense. heaslip was unlucky to be left out for the world cup but at the time the irish backrow was very competitive and he was the odd man out, unlucky but not one of EOS more questionable decisions.

if/when EOS does go is there really any stand out candidate available?

[OneRedArmy]

Cos they are forwards and are not from Munster. EOS prefers the 'over the hill' brigade. Paul O'Connell, get real FFS. :mad:The 'over the hill' brigade comment is on the money, but the point about Munster is typical Irish parochialism (something that is actually not among Eddie's many faults).

Its hard to fault O'Connell for his effort and his desire, but his lack of match practice showed, as much in terms of his decision-making whilst on the ball.

He'd still be my captain for the summer tour though.

[Aberdonian Stu]

When fit O'Connell is our best second row and would be one of the first names I'd put on the sheet, the problem is that he is clearly a long way from full fitness.

I respect him wanting to prove he is capable of playing at international level despite the problem but in the long run both he and Irish rugby might be better served if he took more time out to heal.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Shaun Edwards has not yet signed a contract with Wales. I sincerely hope he is being pursued, hopefully with Heineke Meyer, Ian McGeechan, Eddie Jones or any other coach that is worth a go.

But I doubt it.:confused:
I thought Edwards has signed? Doubt he'd change his mind at this stage anyway.

Jake White is the first name that comes to mind. No harm in approaching him anyway. Mike Ruddock is another option, I'd say he would take the job too.

[pete]

O'Connell is one of Irelands best players. He was hardly going to tell O'Sullivan he was not ready as the manager picks the team.

[Superhoops]

...Its hard to fault O'Connell for his effort and his desire, but his lack of match practice showed, as much in terms of his decision-making whilst on the ball.

He'd still be my captain for the summer tour though.


When fit O'Connell is our best second row and would be one of the first names I'd put on the sheet, the problem is that he is clearly a long way from full fitness.

I respect him wanting to prove he is capable of playing at international level despite the problem but in the long run both he and Irish rugby might be better served if he took more time out to heal.

Exactly the reasons why he should not have been playing this season. You cannot use 6 nations games against the likes of Wales and England to get match practice and regain fitness.

Despite his high tackle count, O'Connell found himself off the pace in both games, got isolated in possession too many times and gave away too many penalties. Overall he was a liability.

O'Sullivan picks the team and must take responsibility. Whether there was pressure from the players, the media or the blazers to pick O'Connell, I don't know but there is no doubt, Mick O'Driscoll, Malcolm O'Kelly, Leo Cullen or Bob Casey would have been more effective in these games than O'Connell. I would rather see players picked on form rather than on reputation.

I hope he regains his fitness and his sharpness but I doubt he will. I don't think we will ever again see the pre-World Cup Paul O'Connell. I hope I'm wrong.

[pete]

I think Munster will benefit from poor form of Ireland as will fire them up in the ERC.

[beautifulrock]

I think Munster will benefit from poor form of Ireland as will fire them up in the ERC.

Depends how bad the injuries to Wallace and Leamy are. Does anyone know, have seen anything so they must not be too serious.

[Kingdom]

The papers were playing down Leamy's injury indicating he'd be available for the Q/F but that Wallace would miss the q/f

[shakermaker1982]

Wallace would be a big blow - Wallace is an absolute monster!!!. Fingers crossed he can make it. I think Munster have the beating of Gloucester - assuming the forwards find some kind of form again.

[Aberdonian Stu]

O'Connell is one of Irelands best players. He was hardly going to tell O'Sullivan he was not ready as the manager picks the team.

That wasn't quite what I was trying to say, I meant that all parties should have thought better of it and got him to rest longer.

[OwlsFan]

Ireland aside, I watched the game on BBC because I can't stand Rhyl Nugent's affected accent on RTE. My God, it was as if it was an international between Ireland vs Cipriani. The commentator never stopped drooling about him and even had Austin Healy on the sideline watching his performance. In fact Healey was chatting away about Cipriani as Ireland scored a try :D There were close-ups of him every 10 seconds and the hyperole about him defied belief. He had a good game ok but.....way ott.

[Kingdom]

I don't understand the anti-Ryle brigade here. I find he's a decent commentator, fair and leaves the technical stuff to Ward, Hook etc. I'd certainly prefer to listen to him than those idiots on Sky, or the BBC lads. And he's miles ahead of danger-here on rte.

[pete]

I don't understand the anti-Ryle brigade here. I find he's a decent commentator, fair and leaves the technical stuff to Ward, Hook etc. I'd certainly prefer to listen to him than those idiots on Sky, or the BBC lads. And he's miles ahead of danger-here on rte.

I don't mind him at least he a rugby commentator & knows something about the game. Danger here should not be let near rugby as he does not understand the game.

The banter between Butler & Moore on BBC can be fairly good as Moore knows he is criticised for being biased & Butler gives him some rope to hang himself.

[Rovers fan]

i honestly can't watch a rugby match when hamilton is commentating,its painful

[osarusan]

I watched the game on BBC. My God, it was as if it was an international between Ireland vs Cipriani. The commentator never stopped drooling about him and even had Austin Healy on the sideline watching his performance. In fact Healey was chatting away about Cipriani as Ireland scored a try :D There were close-ups of him every 10 seconds and the hyperole about him defied belief. He had a good game ok but.....way ott.

absolutely agree. I think the BBC coverage is much better, and I actually like Brian Moore as an analyst, but the commentator's focus on Cipriani was ridiculous. Yes, he played well, but he wasn't the legend the BBC made him out to be.

Cable TV in Japan shows the six nations, and I get feed from the BBC for every game except those from Paris, for whatever reason. Then it's RTE, and the difference in the quality of the coverage is noticeable.

[Superhoops]

....The banter between Butler & Moore on BBC can be fairly good as Moore knows he is criticised for being biased & Butler gives him some rope to hang himself.


absolutely agree. I think the BBC coverage is much better, and I actually like Brian Moore as an analyst.....

Whatever anyone thinks about Brian Moore, he certainly knows his rugby. While you would expect him to favour England, I find he is more critical of poor England play than he is on any other team. He also gives recognition for good play. The only team I think he genuinely doesn't like is France. I think he and Eddie Butler work well together.