[quote=âIl Bomber Destro, post: 907954, member: 2533â]+1
How anyone can claim a bunch of bodybuilders trying to undress each other while dry humping on a field is a sport baffles me.[/quote]
A lad came on for Ireland yesterday and you wouldnât see a gut like his in your local. And heâs a âprofessionalâ sports man 
Even fatter than that Cian Healy fella?
Even fatter than that Cian Healy fella?[/quote]
Healy is like someone with anorexia next to him.
:D:D
Ah here.
Rugby chiefs on Tuesday night rejected claims of a cover-up and denied the game in England has a drug problem after it emerged five Aviva Premiership players returned positive samples last season.
Nobody in the top division had failed one of the 617 regular drugs tests, the RFUâs third annual anti-doping report revealed, but five had failed one of the 345 tests under the Illicit Drugs Programme set up to target recreational drug-taking in the aftermath of Matt Stevensâ two-year ban for cocaine use. It tests for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines.
In the report published on Tuesday, the identities of the five were not divulged, as they remain anonymous on the basis of first-time offences. Had they tested positive under the World Anti-Doping Agency-approved programme, they would have faced the threat of being publicly convicted and suspended for a considerable period.
I watch very few soccer matches but would watch say the World Cup final when it comes around every 4 years. The 1990 & 2010 finals would immediately spring to mind as pushing, shoving and kicking contests with very low skill levels. The 1994 World Cup final was an atrocious game as well.
Soccer is a game in decline in many of its traditional powerhouses such as England and Italy.
[quote=âManuel Zelaya, post: 907998, member: 377â]I watch very few soccer matches but would watch say the World Cup final when it comes around every 4 years. The 1990 & 2010 finals would immediately spring to mind as pushing, shoving and kicking contests with very low skill levels. The 1994 World Cup final was an atrocious game as well.
Soccer is a game in decline in many of its traditional powerhouses such as England and Italy.[/quote]
england has won one international tournament mate, they have been in decline for 50 years
[quote=âManuel Zelaya, post: 907998, member: 377â]I watch very few soccer matches but would watch say the World Cup final when it comes around every 4 years. The 1990 & 2010 finals would immediately spring to mind as pushing, shoving and kicking contests with very low skill levels. The 1994 World Cup final was an atrocious game as well.
Soccer is a game in decline in many of its traditional powerhouses such as England and Italy.[/quote]
Concussion and sub concussion injuries will finish rugby as a non professional sport within 15 years. Parents wonât allow kids play what is an increasingly dangerous game.
Do the same issues not arise in American football? Particularly in light of the litigation that has been brought against the NFL in recent years.
Yeah even more so There is no adult American football outside pro game and colleges. Lads risk their health for the potential to earn money but even then certain positions have a shockingly short career. Middle class parents here will shy away from that. Look at boxing as an example.
The first time a famous former Irish rugby player appears on the Late Late Show with health issues from his rugby career will be a big turning point. Reading between the lines certain players are playing on because they need the money.
Evidence emerging
[I]High impact sports such as American football, ice hockey and rugby are starting to lead to problems later in life usually associated with former boxers, Dr Willie Stewart said.
In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland the neurologist discussed his research of the brain with a former rugby player where he examined sections of tissue and found abnormal proteins associated with head injuries and dementia.
The former player who took part in the study was found to have higher levels of the protein than a retired amateur boxer who has dementia pugilistica, also known as punch drunk syndrome.
Symptoms usually appear around 15 years after the boxerâs career begins and include memory, speech and personality problems and a lack of coordination.
Comment from the RTE website.
âI believe in Schmidt. He is the best young manager out there but we were lacking in passion. I canât imagine that he is the one that we need to rile up the players in the dressing room before the match. There are no real characters among this team. BOD and all them are so boring. Back in the day we had Doyler, Gaillimh or the Claw walking around in a pair of y-fronts and smoking in the dressing room. They have become too serious and as a consequence are uptight on the park. Why not get one of the boys like Gaillmh or Claw strike up the bodhran on matchday, all the detailed work is done by then and Schmidt can just let them off the leash and play with some passion and aggression.â
[quote=âFagan ODowd, post: 908566, member: 706â]Comment from the RTE website.
âI believe in Schmidt. He is the best young manager out there but we were lacking in passion. I canât imagine that he is the one that we need to rile up the players in the dressing room before the match. There are no real characters among this team. BOD and all them are so boring. Back in the day we had Doyler, Gaillimh or the Claw walking around in a pair of y-fronts and smoking in the dressing room. They have become too serious and as a consequence are uptight on the park. Why not get one of the boys like Gaillmh or Claw strike up the bodhran on matchday, all the detailed work is done by then and Schmidt can just let them off the leash and play with some passion and aggression.â[/quote]
That @Anto, what a character.
This could be difficult to diagnose in the subjects
[quote=âcaoimhaoin, post: 907728, member: 273â]
Murray falls off far too many tackles, he tends to hit and not wrap. Itâs dreadful technique at this level.
.[/quote]
thats a fookin classicâŚIâm defo going to use that next time iâm in a pub and the egg chasing is onâŚthats the greta thing about the sport, you can make up any saying and it will catch onâŚas for the match on SaturdayâŚI donât think Ireland earned the right to go wide or through the front gate for that matterâŚit was good darts thoughâŚ
Whoâs winning this competition btw? I know Oirland lost to England at the weekend but beat Wales previously. I laugh at this thing taking up the first 4 pages of every Sports pull out on a Sunday, 4 pages I immediately donât read I might add.
Surely to god in the case of the Sindo they could incorporate the coverage into their âLifeâ magazine?
@Bandage[/USER] told myself and @[USER=1]Rocko something âoff the recordâ at lunchtime.
I canât for the life of me remember what it was.
Zebedeeâs back
IRELAND 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship squad v Italy:
Forwards (19) -
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Sean Cronin (St. Maryâs College/Leinster)
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Maryâs College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Paul OâConnell (Young Munster/Munster)
Peter OâMahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Maryâs College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Backs (14) -
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon DâArcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Brian OâDriscoll (UCD/Leinster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Great to see the lads backing up their concerns about Sextonâs fitness by playing him half fit against a banker game in the 6 Nations
IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Italy, Aviva Stadium, RBS 6 Nations Championship, Saturday 8th March kick-off 14:30 GMT)
Player/Club/Province/Caps
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 52
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 53
Brian OâDriscoll (UCD/Leinster) 131
Gordon DâArcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 77
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 5
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 41
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 25
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 45
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 73
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 37
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 13
Paul OâConnell (Young Munster/Munster) 90 capt
Iain Henderson (Ballinahinch/Ulster) 8
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 12
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 63
Replacements
How is this match expected to affect the national mood?