just listening to Gordon DâArcy on newstalk there, he stated that ireland did little wrong, controlled 90% of the game, did what they set out to do, got the attack moving. Doesnt know what went wrong to lose game though.
clear now that Driscoll has been propping this cunt up for the last 2 to 3 seasons
A few more thoughts:
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[]I thought Sexton played well enough yesterday. Not a superstar performance but his kicking from hand was generally good. He did kick a few down the middle but thatâs the nature of the game with the ânewâ rules on kicking to touch and Ireland won most of those kicking battles. He was much better than Priestland for example, though McFaddenâs poor game outside didnât help. He was clearly used as the strike runner off a number of planned moves and he never really broke the gainline.
[]Criticising OâGara for the re-start isnât having a go at him needlessly. He was on the pitch for 5 minutes. He didnât have much to do but got one important task and fluffed it.
[]I donât think the backrow did badly at all. We won twice as many turnovers as the Welsh and got Heaslip in particular carrying well. Could have been more aggressive in defence but it was always going to be difficult with the options Wales had for backrow or big backs carrying the ball.
[]The worst thing that ever happened this Irish defence was the smother tackle effectiveness against Australia. Itâs still a good tactic but Wales just ran over us in the World Cup and itâs a real indictment on the Irish management that they did the exact same yesterday. We need to sort out the basics of front-up tackling before we drop off to try something else.
[]I didnât think the kick to goal was the right option yesterday, nor in the France game debated above. But theyâre marginal calls and game was won elsewhere.
[]Still canât believe that refereeing decision at the end. Ferris never lets go of Davies (in which case itâs either a spear, not a tip tackle) and his left leg only leaves the ground as his arm touches it. Itâs easier with the benefit of replays but I donât see how some commentators are unable to distinguish between that and a dangerous tackle.
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With the exception of a very few champagne moments by the French on Saturday, that was real second division rugby all weekend. Really grim stuff.
Yeah, I see some people were saying that Ireland V Wales was a really excellent test match i thought it was average enough fare. there was a spell in the first half alright when the intensity was high and some fierce hits went in but it was far from a classic
Davies and Ferris both cited.
What was Ferris cited for? The tackle at the end?
I donât know much about it, but he didnât even lift the man off the ground
I think that the citing commissioner had to cite Ferris, given that it is a contentious issue at the moment in the game and that they have to be seen as taking a stand against it. harsh on Ferris
Probably just citing him so as thereâs no outcry that it wasnât looked into when they both earned the same punishment on the day.
[quote=âchewy louie, post: 647763â]
I think that the citing commissioner had to cite Ferris, given that it is a contentious issue at the moment in the game and that they have to be seen as taking a stand against it. harsh on Ferris[/quote]
More than harsh, it would be farcical if he picked up a ban of any sort.
Agreed, but i think he could well get a token ban.
OâBrien to 6 and OâMahoney to 7 or would they just slot Ryan in at 6
SOB at 6 and POM at 7 for me, definitely.
French team named.
France makes four changes for visit of Ireland on Saturday
FRANCE has made a range of changes for Saturdayâs late kick-off clash with Ireland in Paris.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre announced four changes in al for the 8pm showdown with Declan Kidneyâs side at the Stade de France.
The beaten World Cup finalists enjoyed a 30-12 success over Italy in Saint-Andreâs his first match in charge on Saturday, while Ireland lost narrowly at home to Walses.
In the front-row Jean-Baptiste Poux takes over at loose-head prop from Vincent Debaty while Dimitri Szarzewski comes in at hooker for William Servat.
Yoann Maestri of Toulouse wins his first cap at lock in place of veteran Lionel Nallet, who drops down to the bench, while Imanol Harinordoquy takes over from Julian Bonnaire at flanker.
âWe thought we needed some new blood,â Saint-Andre said.
"Maybe we put too much work in last week because itâs true we lacked a bit of vitality against Italy at the start of the game.
âNo-one is being punished - itâs team-comes-first approach. There are just some adjustments made, taking into account itâs Ireland we are playing.â
The team: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Julien Malzieu; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir; Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape; Nicolas Mas, Dimitry Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux
Replacements: William Servat, Vincent Debaty, Lionel Nallet, Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra, Lionel Beauxis, Maxime Mermoz
Easy decision, bring Jennings back into the squad with him at 7 and OâBrien at 6. Add McLaughlin to the bench then. Itâll weaken Leinster for the Treviso match on Thursday but Joe wonât mind doing it for the national side.
[size=1]Iâm joking donât worry[/size]
Is Poux pronounced âPooâ?
Correctomundo.
Jennings :lol:
Conor O Shea called him Pox. Conor is correct. Interestingly Poux is a French noun that means lice.
Dan Parks has retired from International Rugby
This smacks of being Larry Corbettesque.
He put a bit more thought into it apparently
He told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org: âI was thinking about it but the first game of the Six Nations was against England, the auld enemy, Jacko (Ruaridh Jackson) was injured and being able to play against England was huge for me as there was a sense of unfinished business.
âOn reflection after the game, after talking it over with my family, girl-friend and close friends Iâve come to the decision that now is the right time to retire from the international game.
âThere are some really talented guys coming through â Jacko (Ruaridh Jackson), Greig (Laidlaw) and Duncan (Weir) â and although Iâm sad to be finishing my international career I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland and what that has meant to me.
âIâve no regrets at what has been an amazing career for me. Iâve got my favourite moments for Scotland â uppermost being the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
âThat was my first World Cup, something that as a youngster you would always aspire to play in, and it was just such a happy, exciting, positive time. It was also where I met my girl-friend, Laetitia.
âOther memorable moments have been the two wins against England at home (2006 and 2008), the win against South Africa here at Murrayfield, the two wins in Argentina in 2010 and one in 2008 and the Ireland game in 2010 which was a great occasion.
âIâve made some incredible friends here in Scotland and in the Scotland team and a lot of those friendships were forged in Glasgow.
âThere are a lot of people within Scottish rugby who have been good to me. I would like to thank Matt Williams, Frank Hadden, Andy Robinson and all the various assistant coaches over the years, alongside the medical, fitness, kit, administrative and media staff who have helped me.
âI was proud of myself in the way I came back from trouble off the pitch in order to regain my position firstly within the Glasgow team and then the Scotland team.
âI want to say a massive thank you to my family and close friends. Theyâve been invaluable for their constant support over the years.
âI also want to thank the loyal fans of the Scotland team. Itâs been a rocky road for me at times but at the end Iâve always given 100 per cent to play at my best and succeed for Scotland.
âThis is not the end of me as a rugby player. My international career is over but I want to keep playing club rugby. I always enjoyed my time in Glasgow. Itâs one of great cities Iâve visited, so who knows what will happen in the future.â
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: âI have really enjoyed working with Dan. He wasnât in my first Scotland squads but through his own determination, hard work, skill and competitive spirit he forced his way back into selection. Itâs never an easy decision to make but I feel Dan has made the right decision and thank him for his contribution over the years.â
Parksâ half-back partner on many occasions, Edinburgh Rugbyâs Mike Blair said: âThe reaction of all the guys when Parksy announced his retirement said it all â stunned silence and emotion.
âDan is a hugely popular and respected member of the squad and his contribution to some of Scotlandâs most famous victories cannot be under-estimated.
â2010 sticks in my mind the most. Dan coming back from the wilderness to win MOTMs against Wales, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina in that year just showed how resilient and competitive he is. His humour, talent and energy will certainly be missed around the Scotland camp.â
Lock Alastair Kellock, a team-mate and captain of Dan with both Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, added: âInternational rugby has enormous highs and lows and itâs testament to the credibility of Danâs character that he managed to bring positivity to every day he was involved.
âItâs been a huge privilege to have played with him over so many years for Glasgow and Scotland.â
Is Zebo Irish and if so why isnât he getting picked for the national side? also Declan Kidney should piss off after this tournament.
Yes heâs Irish, heâs from Cork, heâs on the 30 man panel as well.