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 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/2011/0...and_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.