2014 Six Nations Thread - Come the Power & the Glory

[carryharry]

@Wrigley Field

There’s merit in those comments. In the countries that are serious about winning in rugby, everything revolves the World Cup and the World Cup cycle. A player might get a year at most after a World Cup but generally after a World Cup, if a player is of an age profile where he’s not going to make the next one, he’s gone. O’Driscoll missed the 2012 Six Nations through injury, thought would have seemed like the natural end. Looking at the bigger picture, some short term pain should have been absorbed by retiring O’Driscoll with a view towards building for the next World Cup. There’ll be less than a year now to blood a new No 13 for the 2015 World Cup. D’arcy is 34 too. Will he make the World Cup?

Name a current Irish centre better than O’Driscoll numb nuts?

[the_man_himself]

@carryharry

Name a current Irish centre better than O’Driscoll numb nuts?

That wasn’t the point of his argument at all Harry

[carryharry]

@the man himself

That wasn’t the point of his argument at all Harry

So you replace a world class player with a ? There is a championship to be won this year.

[dancarter]

@Wrigley Field

There’s merit in those comments. In the countries that are serious about winning in rugby, everything revolves the World Cup and the World Cup cycle. A player might get a year at most after a World Cup but generally after a World Cup, if a player is of an age profile where he’s not going to make the next one, he’s gone. O’Driscoll missed the 2012 Six Nations through injury, thought would have seemed like the natural end. Looking at the bigger picture, some short term pain should have been absorbed by retiring O’Driscoll with a view towards building for the next World Cup. There’ll be less than a year now to blood a new No 13 for the 2015 World Cup. D’arcy is 34 too. Will he make the World Cup?

Darcy will yeah. Far less exposed pace wise at 12. Injury permitting

I’d hope there would be a better option by then though.

[Rocko]

[quote=“dancarter, post: 913795, member: 122”]Darcy will yeah. Far less exposed pace wise at 12. Injury permitting

I’d hope there would be a better option by then though.[/quote]

If this is some sort of hint for me to come out of retirement you can forget it.

[tallback]

BOD was asked by Schmidt last year to stay on. The most likely replacement for him will be Jared Payne who’s Irish qualified next year. There isn’t exactly a queue lining up to replace him right now - Earls, McFadden and Fitzgerald have all been tried there without much success. Henshaw still is a bit away from international rugby standard.

[tallback]

[quote=“dancarter, post: 913795, member: 122”]Darcy will yeah. Far less exposed pace wise at 12. Injury permitting

I’d hope there would be a better option by then though.[/quote]

Marshall is the obvious replacement for D’Arcy. His concussion issue is a big concern though.

[dancarter]

@tallback

BOD was asked by Schmidt last year to stay on. The most likely replacement for him will be Jared Payne who’s Irish qualified next year. There isn’t exactly a queue lining up to replace him right now - Earls, McFadden and Fitzgerald have all been tried there without much success. Henshaw still is a bit away from international rugby standard.

I’d agree with this, apart from the point re McFadden. Don’t think he’s ever gotten reasonable shot in the centre. I’d def like to see him getting a run of games there for club and country. 12 or 13. Mightn’t work, but I’d like to know.

Payne the obvious successor but He’s a better full back. rob Kearney demonstrated once again yesterday his biggest failing, he’s either afraid of his shit or he just can’t defend. Not sure which is worse. But that was a shocking miss. I’d also suggest he was atrocious for Cares try against England, picked the wrong man to target and put his brother in two minds. I don’t think he’s close to being indispensable

[dancarter]

@tallback

Marshall is the obvious replacement for D’Arcy. His concussion issue is a big concern though.

A career threatening concern IMO. His position ensures he sees more heavy traffic than most

[tallback]

@dancarter

A career threatening concern IMO. His position ensures he sees more heavy traffic than most

Yep. Not good at all. Without him we’re suddenly looking very thinly covered for centres.

[glasagusban]

@dancarter

A career threatening concern IMO. His position ensures he sees more heavy traffic than most

I don’t think he’s going to make it to be honest and other cover at 12 is pretty thin on the ground. Need to be having a look at Madigan or Hanrahan getting a run of games at 12 for their provinces soon. 13 is a harder call, there’ll probably be a contender at each province in Earls, Fitz, Payne and Henshaw and it’ll go on form. Bowe an option? May end up picking and sticking with a pair from Leinster or Ulster who’ll be more used to playing together.

[Mark_Renton]

@glasagusban

I don’t think he’s going to make it to be honest and other cover at 12 is pretty thin on the ground. Need to be having a look at Madigan or Hanrahan getting a run of games at 12 for their provinces soon. 13 is a harder call, there’ll probably be a contender at each province in Earls, Fitz, Payne and Henshaw and it’ll go on form. Bowe an option? May end up picking and sticking with a pair from Leinster or Ulster who’ll be more used to playing together.

You make me sick.

[glasagusban]

@Mark Renton

You make me sick.

What English soccer ball corporation are you following these days mate? Will you be watching them today or tipping down to the Gaelic grounds?

[Sidney]

Marian Finucane’s South Dublin Coffee Morning starting now should be tremendous listening.

[Sidney]

“There’s a wonderful decency about Brian O’Driscoll. He’s one of us.”

[Sidney]

“He’s been a role model for my son, who started playing rugby in Greystones at the age of six.”

[Mark_Renton]

@glasagusban

What English soccer ball corporation are you following these days mate? Will you be watching them today or tipping down to the Gaelic grounds?

The same team I’ve always followed, mate. In real sports you support one team, not like in rugger ball, where It’s flavour of the month. How are Shannon and Garryowen doing these days?

[glasagusban]

@Mark Renton

The same team I’ve always followed, mate. In real sports you support one team, not like in rugger ball, where It’s flavour of the month. How are Shannon and Garryowen doing these days?

Good good. That’ll keep the shareholders happy. Dunno mate, couldn’t give a shite. But lets put this aside, I have to keep my eyes peeled for a well proportioned businessman like individual with a massive forehead wearing a tailored suit over a Wexford jersey this afternoon, and I’m sure you do too.

[Rocko]

@Sidney

“There’s a wonderful decency about Brian O’Driscoll. He’s one of us.”

Caught the end of Miriam Meets just beforehand and it ended with Kathy Sheridan wishing ROG had gotten the same type of sendoff as BOD.

The grip rugby holds over the media in this country is disgusting.

[Mark_Renton]

@glasagusban

Good good. That’ll keep the shareholders happy. Dunno mate, couldn’t give a shite. But lets put this aside, I have to keep my eyes peeled for a well proportioned businessman like individual with a massive forehead wearing a tailored suit over a Wexford jersey this afternoon, and I’m sure you do too.

That shareholders jibe is a bit rich from a Munster fan… But yes, I’ve a hammer at the ready for our Wexford friend.