The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?



Previous pub: https://www.606v2.com/t11223p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#366751

Willy, MrS' P. You guys obviously see him each week and see what he does for Ulster week in week out.

We have players like that in the other provinces that we all have a soft spot for but I just think in that position we need to be exploring more exciting options for Ireland. just think we need to bring forward some of these players that we harped on about being the next BOD etc.

I can see why Wallace is going to go. he is a steady eddy that won't do too much wrong and he can cover FH.

I just would rather see McFadden there in stead.

mickyt wrote:
We have players like that in the other provinces that we all have a soft spot for but I just think in that position we need to be exploring more exciting options for Ireland. just think we need to bring forward some of these players that we harped on about being the next BOD etc.

Micky I agree that we need to explore options after the WC but McFadden has been looked at but so far he hasn't shown in a green shirt that he offers anything more with the ball in hand than Wallace or D'arcy do.

Wallace isn't just there because he offers cover at 10. He's there because he's our 2nd best inside centre right now, if not the best.

roddersm wrote:

mickyt wrote:Unfortunately I have a feeling Wallace will get his place on that plane instead of him now

McFadden never had a place on the plane. He was given a shot against Scotland to show what he can do and despite defending admirably, he didn't show that he could offer anything beyond what Wallace or any of the other established players can.

Wallace has more experience and has thus far played better than McFadden in an Ireland shirt so I can't understand why people are still championing McFadden and bashing Wallace.

I wouldn't worry too much about that game. that game was all about getting their defence right and shaking off a bit of the rust as well.

I am not saying he had a place ahead of Wallace on the plane, I am just saying that any chance he had of displacing him seem gone at this stage.

Wallace is the "safer" option. he won't let you down too much. but he wouldn't be my idea of an "impact" sub. I don't think McFadden has shown enough at the moment for Ireland to suggest that either apart from one game in the 6n's. But for Leinster he has been pretty good at times and I would just like a risk to be taken.

it's a personl preference and possibly made with 60% heart 40% Head.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/

Highlights from the La Rochelle-Munster match. Looks like Simon Zebo had a big game. Showed a wide range of skills.

- blydi can we get to the bar please

On a related subject, saw an article earlier that St Tommy of Bowe was injured. Most of the ripostes were that he was fit and available for selection. Have my ageing eyes decieved me, I can't see him in either of the squads. Any news ?

Penfro, he's currently injured but he trained as is expected to be in the squad for the England game.

mickyt wrote:Wallace is the "safer" option. he won't let you down too much. but he wouldn't be my idea of an "impact" sub. I don't think McFadden has shown enough at the moment for Ireland to suggest that either apart from one game in the 6n's. But for Leinster he has been pretty good at times and I would just like a risk to be taken.

it's a personl preference and possibly made with 60% heart 40% Head.

I don't think Wallace is the safe option, if anything he presents more of a risk because he is more likely to try things with the ball like offload out off the tackle or fire a long miss pass whereas D'arcy and McFadden are much more predictable.

Wallace has the capacity to unlock defences with his passing but also the potential to feck up if he forces the pass too much but when his confidence is high and the players around him are tuned in for the offloads then he can offer a lot in attack.

I don't care who plays to be honest I just want to see us play well and I haven't seen anything to suggest we'll play better with McFadden in the centre.

Edit: I wouldn't have him as a sub though, I agree he's not an impact sub and if ROG is on the bench then I would have an outside back like Earls, Trimble, Jones, Fitzgerald (depending on who is starting).

I think McFadden is similar to players we already have, whereas Wallace can offer something different. Don't think McFadden should go really. There's a long list of reasons why, but most of all I think Wallace is a better player at the moment. With a year's extra experience, playing more big games, McFadden could and should surpass him but we have two weeks, not a year. Decision is made on current ability not potential.

Good player though. He's a guy who should get more gametime after the RWC.

I've always liked him, but like Wallace himself he's a late bloomer due to coaches fecking him around in different positions and not giving him a run of games. He needs to make a spot his own in the Leinster team and once he does that I'm sure he'll play for Ireland. Similarly Wallace was always around the Ireland squad, but it wasn't until Matt Williams actually settled him in one position he started to get many caps.

Sorry Twinkletoes. I was out shopping there.

I can sort of see why people might have had their reservations about Wallace a few years ago but I think some folks now overlook him by "seeing" him as that player when he is in a green jersey. I think if you actually watch him with an open mind you might see what Notch has been saying for years. I think he had a great game last weekend.

Just want him to be given a fair chance by the non Ulster fans is all.

Did you win the Rose of Tralee by the way?

I think people hate TOL and Wallace and no matter what they do,they won't please anyone. Just had a lovely meal out!

The same thing happens in Welsh rugby where some just seem to hate/intensly dislike Stephen Jones.

Yeah, some of the stuff written about O'Leary is silly. Even though I'm not a big O'Leary fan he's been very effective at times for Ireland with his running game. People are jaundiced against him. That said, it does annoy me when he passes poorly.

Looks like Stringer is out of it then? Isaac Boss vs Conor Murray for the last scrumhalf spot. I'd go for the bolter and pick Murray. Boss and O'Leary are basically very similar.

I wouldn't pick Wallace in our first team anyway. The thing is, this has been the way for years, Wallace is good at all the things D'Arcy isn't and D'Arcy is good at all the things Wallace isn't! Even though I think Wallace adds a lot of value, the fact is with D'Arcy we look more likely to make breaks through the middle. Other aspects of D'Arces game still aren't great. With the exception of a few highly publicised brain farts I think Wallace consistently makes better decisions. If we had a big strike runner at 13 I'd pick Wallace over D'Arcy, but D'Arcy suits our style of play better.

McFadden has the potential to be the best of both worlds but he needs provincial gametime. Getting a solid run of games while the rest of the squad is away would actually help him. After Bowe was left out in 2007 he hit an entirely new level for Ulster. Hoping Ferg does similar and holds onto a shirt in the Leinster first team.

I don't think Murray should get picked. He isn't going to start and I think he will get more benefit from playing with Munster rather than holding tackle bags.

Yeah, I also see it like that a bit. I'm in two minds.

Thomond wrote:I don't think Murray should get picked. He isn't going to start and I think he will get more benefit from playing with Munster rather than holding tackle bags.

Fair point. One injury though and he's on the bench in a world cup game. Can't get more experience than that. Surely he's likely to come back into the Munster team anyway though with TOL away?

Question: Can/Has Trimble done enough to oust Tommy Bowe? Or is it the 11 shirt that is open? Will he be less likely to replicate his form on the other side of the pitch?

Form or reputation?

I am almost as big a fan of OUR Tommy as Cari but he really hasn't shown his best for a wee while.

Still hard to imagine going to NZ without him.

He will definitely go to NZ,I think he will retain his spot with Trimble at 11.

Does it really matter to wings which number they have on their backs?

Thomond,

Where would play Earls?

Stag/Thomond,

Did you see the video I posted earlier on of the Munster highlights from the match last week?

He could play 15 Munsty. Our backline is very competitve and I think it looked very finely balance when we had Bowe,Earls,Trimble in the back 3.
Haven't looked atthe video will take a sconce in a second.

I only think we'll see Earls at 15 if he plays there in the England match.

Thomond wrote:He could play 15 Munsty. Our backline is very competitve and I think it looked very finely balance when we had Bowe,Earls,Trimble in the back 3.
Haven't looked atthe video will take a sconce in a second.

I agree that could work well Thomond but Kearney has certainly laid down a marker that he wants the 15 jersey back.

Tell me what you think of Zebo in those highlights.

MBTGOG wrote:
Stag/Thomond,

Did you see the video I posted earlier on of the Munster highlights from the match last week?

No I didn't. What thread.

A fabulous kick through for Deasy's try. I didn't think Zebo had that type of brain or skill. Stag: http://www.munsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/

He returned that kick well but then chose the wrong option with the pass but with time that will improve. There was another moment where he threw a wonderful cut out pass to Barnes. It's interesting seeing him move into first receiver a few times.

One annoying thing about that video is that I can't make out who made some of those big breaks.

Mafi looked to have made some decent breaks,his kick was genius,I remeber seeing him in a Senior cup final and he looked very decent. Could he be the first Black person to represent Ireland?

Thomond wrote:Mafi looked to have made some decent breaks,his kick was genius,I remeber seeing him in a Senior cup final and he looked very decent. Could he be the first Black person to represent Ireland?

He would be I believe. It's good to see some talented home grown backs coming through the ranks.

Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,MunsterMunster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster

Glas a du wrote:Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,MunsterMunster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster

+1

Glas a du wrote:Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,MunsterMunster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster, Munster,Munster

-10

-1, no need to exaggerate, willy!!!

Wow!

I thought you just started your own convo if you didn't really want to join in the existing one?

Have things changed that much since I have been gone?

poissonrouge wrote:
Wow!

I thought you just started your own convo if you didn't really want to join in the existing one?

Have things changed that much since I have been gone?

Not really.

Read an interesting paper on the structural analysis of remote data logging recently. A few controversial ideas in it too which are bound to generate some lively debate on the blogosphere.

Attaboy WillyG!

WillyGilly wrote:

poissonrouge wrote:
Wow!

I thought you just started your own convo if you didn't really want to join in the existing one?

Have things changed that much since I have been gone?

Not really.

Read an interesting paper on the structural analysis of remote data logging recently. A few controversial ideas in it too which are bound to generate some lively debate on the blogosphere.

I'm glad I don't participate in that blogosphere but also glad there's a blogosphere for people who are interested in that stuff.

Evening all, just went for a swim so hoping it'll help my back.....one more day at work till my holiday

In Australia, a rugby league player has had a different sort of punishment dished out to him instead of the usual monetary fine.

It is still fiscal but instead of just having the money deducted from his wages, he had to buy 2,000 match tickets and hand them out at half time to the fans.

What did he do?

Turned up to training drunk. Supposed to be the second alcohol related code of conduct breach this season.

red_stag wrote:Question: Can/Has Trimble done enough to oust Tommy Bowe? Or is it the 11 shirt that is open? Will he be less likely to replicate his form on the other side of the pitch?

Whenever I've seen Trimble play well for Ulster, he doesn't seem to have struggled much changing sides. Right now if you're picking one of D'Arcy/Wallace and BOD in the centre I'd have himself and Earls. But Bowe should play against England and the USA anyway, get some gametime.

What will be interesting if if BOD plays 12 at all, the Earls to centre and Trimble to the left wing. Hard to know who to leave out otherwise. Probably Bowe needs to do something good, but I'd always back Bowe to score in a game whereas Trimble has a less dependable strike rate. Bowe is coming off the back of an average season but he played very well last time he pulled on an Ireland jersey. I would have no problems with one of the three being on the bench. None of them are indispensable, so long as we can get two of them onto the pitch at the same time.

Hmm i've got £36 to spend online and don't know what to buy?!

Do I go for cds, books or t-shirts/rugby tops?!

Get one of these http://www.boystoys.co.uk/product_info.php?subshop=gadgets&products_id=727&osCsid=d76d19581ce9cc2a308707400f2c95b5

So many jokes, so little time.

Also I'm afraid the mods will censor me.

Evening all, looks like a quiet night. Cymro, a girl at work finished last week for 6 months as she's having a bone marrow transplant. We got her something similar as part of her good luck present ...

boystoys one by any chance willy?

Hi Kiwi thats a big opp even though I don't know the girl I wish her all the best.

Cheers Cymro

MBTGOG wrote:Turned up to training drunk. Supposed to be the second alcohol related code of conduct breach this season.

Any thoughts on how much this would cost Cipriani over the course of the last season

P.S. Hello pub people, thought I'd come in to see how the "establishment" pass their time...

Welcome to the v2 politburo. You're membership card is in the post. We'll have to wait before we can show you the secret handshake