Rugby Union 2009

**pete** · 03/03/2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

if O'Gara was on form to punish them then fair enough but I think that tactic of slowing ball down to snail pace will eventually result in a turnover or losing yards. Maybe the Munster lads fancied their chances at the expense of the backs and a win is a win but Christ it was a close finish to a game we should have won by a decent margin.

True. I was just suggesting the pace of moving the ball off the rucks does not seem to explained entirely by O'Leary slow hands.

**Dodge** · 03/03/2009, 12:11 PM

I think its O'Leary's slow decision making rather than his slow hands that caused the delays. If it was a tactic, it clearly didn't work as England had no bother stopping Ireland pick'n'drives

Quicker ball would've giving a little variety

**Youths4Ever** · 03/03/2009, 2:08 PM

the new list of world rankings came out yesterday we did not move up the ranking but moved closer to Wales only .29 behind them in the rankings so 5th a real possibility and .38 behind Argentina in 4th
http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html

**Mr A** · 10/03/2009, 2:42 PM

Ireland team to play Skirt Wearing Transvestite land:

R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), G D'Arcy (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).

Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), T Court (Ulster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), G Murphy (Leicester).

I guess Heaslip losing his place is the main surprise, but I think he'll be back for the Welsh game.

**pete** · 10/03/2009, 2:47 PM

Best for Flannery not really a surprise as very little to choose between them.
D'arcy for Wallace is a bit of a surprise.
Stringer for O'Leary & Leamy for Heaslip are big surprises.

Maybe an indication of the type of game Kidney wants to play? Playing a wider game away from Scottish forwards? Heaslip on the bench doesn't match that though...

**OneRedArmy** · 10/03/2009, 10:39 PM

Best for Flannery I would see as squad rotation, ditto Leamy for Heaslip. Remember Wales are resting a few against Italy too, so Kidney is thinking about next weekend.

The other two are more on form and have been coming.

So no real surprises.

**gspain** · 12/03/2009, 2:59 PM

Any football fans going to Edinburgh for the weekend might care to pop along and support our U18 schoolboy football team v Scotland at Tynecastle (Hearts ground) tomorrow night at 7pm.

**Youths4Ever** · 12/03/2009, 6:50 PM

no real surprises with the selection Darcy is back scoring tries, Wallace has been playing well but has been badly beaten (as in physically) in last few games could see Wallace back in for Wales. Stringer in for O'Leary is a bit mystifying unless going to play open attacking rugby all game.

The others changes Best for Flannery & Leamy for Heaslip squad rotation not a lot to choose between these players

**TheBoss** · 14/03/2009, 3:13 PM

50 Mins: Italy 9-7 Wales

Interesting times

**SkStu** · 14/03/2009, 3:57 PM

link would be much appreciated!

**SkStu** · 14/03/2009, 4:01 PM

found this for any exiles.

http://www.tv-direct.fr/live_france2.php

**strangeirish** · 14/03/2009, 4:09 PM

We're on the back foot early on. Great link by the way SkStu...Top Man!

**SkStu** · 14/03/2009, 4:19 PM

c'est superb!

**SunnySweeney** · 14/03/2009, 4:25 PM

Originally Posted by strangeirish

We're on the back foot early on. Great link by the way SkStu...Top Man!

Yes a very nice link .. Thanks!

**SunnySweeney** · 14/03/2009, 4:45 PM

that was close (The last break from the Scots, when they got within a yard of the tryline)

**SkStu** · 14/03/2009, 4:49 PM

too close.

bit of a war of attrition out there but i expect us to break them down in the last quarter. They have had their chances and we have held them out.