Quite a display there from Ulster, absolutely battered Munster.
For Ireland it's encouraging that Ian Humphreys really looked the part and could be the answer to our lack of depth in the out half department.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
He has this routine of doing 6 half-squats before every kick. It really was quite amusing to watch, the crowd quietly counting away.The kicker for Connacht is developing nicely as well.
Will Darren Cave get a chance in the squad?
Ulster were well worth their win. That said the officials missed a blatant forward pass for the first try.
Hurley was at least a few yards off the pace. If he continues like this won;t even be in the Munster squad next season. Williams does not look like a modern no.8 as is closer to prop in size. Munsters pass it wide tactics are badly flawed. Should have used the forwards around the fringes a lot more.
I'm at a loss for reasons for Munsters last two performances. For years now, Munster won games they shouldn't have by having their pack controlling the pace of the game, with O'Gara controlling position with tactical kicking. They would only strike when the odds were in their favour.
I know these ELV's favour running rugby, and have killed the maul, but for Christs sake why do they have to try and run practically every ball they get immediately? It is not working....plain and simple. Defences are wide to this now and Ulster proved the other night that it can be swatted very easily if you defend high up.
Hurley surely has played his last competitive game for Munster, as has Kieran Lewis. Williams at 8 isn't fit enough yet imo, and Leamy is proving to be a monumental loss. Back to basics against Sale I hope, or I fear its goodbye Heineken Cup.
Having said that, hats off to Ulster and Connacht on their performances. Matt Williams, loathe him as most do, is doing a great job there.
True, but if you had to pick an Irish side on form at this particular moment, it would be a strange one;
Rob Kearney; Geordan Murphy, Keith Earls, Darren Cave, Tommy Bowe; Ian Humphreys, no scrum half cos none of them are in form; Marcus Horan, Rory Best, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell; Steven Ferris, Sean O'Brien, David Wallace.
They are the form players....outlook not great , is it?
He'd by my sub prop. Horan and Hayes are in great form at the moment. He's having some season though, fair play to him.
And Miles To Go Before We Sleep
i dont think they are in trouble, from what i have heard they are very confident o gara will make it, warwick is 50/50 id say, i wouldnt be worried about the concussion too much, but if his eye isnt right its not something that can or should be risked.
afaik manning is def out and doyle isnt eligible but i would be optimistic about o gara and warwick
There was a rule in rugby that if a player got concussion then where automatically out for 3-4 weeks (cant remember exact length of time) unless then have changed this rule automatically rules out Warwick.
IMO O'Gara will play but may not be up to pace for 80 mins if game played at high pace and opposition will target him if then think not 100% fit.
And Miles To Go Before We Sleep
that used to be the case but afaik once he is certified ok by a neuroligist or whatever they are called then he is ok to play, if he is fit of course.
but the rule that it was an automatic 3 weeks is gone
I know if has probably been mentioned in the 2008 thread but the ELVs are to put it bluntly sh*te. Winning tactic now are to kick the ball long & chase opponents so they get penalised for holding at the breakdown. Possession of the ball especially in your own half will eventually be penalised for holding on.
wouldnt dismiss them all, there has been little change to the refereeing of the breakdown, just how the rules are being enforced, however i dont like the unlimited numbers in the lineouts, and the ability to pull down the maul.
the quick lineouts are good though, and think the increased involvement of the tmo and touchjudges are the way forward, as is the new offside line at the scrum
not too sure about the increased kicking though, the idea behind not being able to pass back in to the 22 is good in theory but it seems to be leading to a lot of aimless punting up and downfield
I suppose the point I was trying to make was possession is bad.
Touch Judges in rugby seem to do very little. Even for obvious tries they never make a call & will just let ref ask TMO. Often touch judges are also too far behind the play to see touch down...
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