Sexton is immensely brave, and extremely competent, but never ever had or has the X factor that O Driscoll had. They are both a credit to themselves and the country, but BOD was a level above.
Surely Mike Gibson and Brendan Mullin in the conversation, along with greats such as Willy John and Fergus Slattery. Tony ward a bit too hot and cold. Ollie Campbell too robotic.
Kieran Fitzgerald just for “where’s your fucking pride”
And ginger mcloughlin for the greatest moment in Irish rugby history.
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Sexton is/was one of our best ever but your right about BOD he was that step above.
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Irish rugby history is well sprinkled with world class players.
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Who was better flatty, Ollie Campbell or Ward?
Is that a serious question ???
Ward was better at his peak, but flakey. Campbell was mr reliable. Schmidt would have picked Campbell every time. There was always more excitement when ward was playing I was only a very young lad, but that’s my recollection of it.
Didn’t see either play. The two interchanged a lot. Asked a question.
Welcome to answer it
Glad I asked as, not having seen either play, I thought it was Campbell was the more maverick player, Ward the steady one.
Would either in professional era have pushed sexton or O’Gara for starting position you think?
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Campbell would, but it was a different era. You can only be of your era, so it’s an impossible thing to say, but I suspect Campbell had the work ethic and temperament to excel today, albeit I suspect he would be two stone more bulked.
Campbell was without doubt the best place kicker in the world.
Neither were a patch on Jonathan Davies, who I still think is the greatest to ever play the game.
I only learned recently of the large dislike for Davies in Wales. Surprised as his media presence for 20 odd years would have suggested he was popular. But seems a lot of Welsh still hold hate for him for going to league.
It was highly controversial at the time, but he was a young man being offered a lot of money (record signing) at the time, to play rugby a a time when union was amateur. The same crusty old fucks that still hold a grudge probably voted brexit, and would have done the same themselves.
He’s widely liked and respected amongst the general public.
Campbell was a far better player . Ward was very good to be fair . Campbell was better in most aspects tbh . Better kicker , miles better tackler and as good to break / jink .
Ward maybe a better passer .
Sarries beaten in 1st game of championship. Usually the relegated prem team rocks home unbeaten. Ealing beat them twice in a pre season tournament too
1)Wood
2)BOD
Wood was arguably the bravest player I’ve seen, he’d fuck himself into everything. He could carry, pass, tackle and score… he was phenomenal. No sooner would the ball be out of his hands from a throw and next thing he was bursting around the corner. He was fierce. Shame about his links with Garryowen but that aside he was a force of nature.
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Wood was plagued with shoulder problems after that initial tour of Australia in 1994 where he won his first two caps and was sensational. Throwing was quite suspect early in his career. It did improve. Terry Kingston went to 1995 World Cup as first choice hooker and Ross Nesdale kept him off the Ireland team for awhile as well.
Wood featured so little at international level between Australia 1994 and 1997, he was seen as something of a surprise selection when picked for the British Lions in 1997. He only had about 8 or 9 caps at that stage. He was sensational in South Africa in 1997 and his Ireland career picked up after that too.
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Not even a contest
Wood was a very poor tackler with awful technique
I think it was his cavalier attitude… He just fucked himself into tackles at times.
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Don’t know why the Welsh public would single out Jonathan Davies for going to rugby league. With the collapse of the steel and heavy industry in South Wales during the 1980’s, there was an exodus north to rugby league. It wasn’t as if Davies was the only one.
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