Ireland v England: SCORE PREDICTION?

First topic message reminder :

England will still be hurting from their humiliating defeat to Ireland in the six nations & will have a point to prove after squandering countless first half opportunities against Wales.

Ireland rest some big names & England have Chris "Tom Daley" Ashton returning along with Manu Tuilagi. I think both of them would have swung the match in England's favour in Cardiff had they been involved.

I predict a clinical England & I can't see Ireland creating much.

Ireland 16 - 30 England

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Notch wrote:
I think it's clear that Wallace is considered as a potential challenger to D'Arcy- why else has he been afforded the second highest number of starts at 12 by Kidney behind D'Arce if not? It seems obvious McFadden has been picked to play on the wing or at outside centre- instead of Fitzgerald.

Perhaps he is picked to be a 22 because he covers more positions than PW to a higher standard. Has searing pace, a great attitude, is strong as an ox and really gets stuck in.

I was shocked to see PW at 22 during the 6N. Rog at 21 covered 10. The only place you could play Paddy was 12, which would mean re jiging the whole backline if a player in another position got injured.

I reckon he must have pictures of Kidney in a compromising situation or something.

McFadden has no experience of 12 at International level, and not that much at club level - unlike Paddy

Given the tongue cheek comment at the end we are left with the conclusion that you do not see Paddy Wallace as the alternative to D'Arcy at 12 - Kidney does.

On balance I'll back Kidneys judgement rather than yours thanks

I think thats a really unfair comment on Paddy, who to be fair has played well in this summer series and has a fantastic attitude on and off the pitch. I suppose I'd be wasting my breath if I said anymore than that.

I wouldn't pick him at 22, I'd pick a versatile player like Trimble, Earls or McFadden. It's a fair point, McFadden plays 11, 13 or 14 to a higher standard than Wallace whereas Wallace is the superior inside centre and can play outhalf or fullback. I disagree with the selection of Wallace on the bench when we have a full deck unless he is 21 and we have an back three player as 22.

Paddy Wallace serves Leinster fans one purpose - someone to bash when a Leinster player doesnt make the cut.

As said on the comment on the last page.

I think Ferris, Wallace and Heaslip in the backrow will be too much for England, but it will be close.

mckay1402 wrote:I'm surprised so many are going for an Ireland win. I see an England win by 10

I'm not looking for an argument, but I don't see why that should surprise you.

Also one final point... England have Croft at 6 and Haskell at 7, neither are brillaint at the breakdown, I think our backrow should really get the better of them come breakdown time, especially with Ferris back, sorry to keep repeating myself

Neither Wallace or McFadden will be on the bench it will be Earls.

However this assumes D'Arcy finds some form against England - otherwise Paddy will be given the opportunity to stake a claim against USA.

Also if there is an injury to Sexton, ROG or D'Arcy it will be Wallace not Mcfadden who is drafted in

geoff998rugby wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:Jennifer I read that Paddy Walalce comment with interest.

It somewhat lost it credibility when he seemed to suggest that Fitzpatrick could be a better bet than Bowe and/or Trimble.

Makes me doubt Toland's judgement

But certainly isn't at the moment on form. Presume you meant Fitzgerald seeing as you were talking wingers.

Both of those players are in great form (well Tommy was when I last saw him) and are deservedly ahead of Fitz because of it.

So you disagree with Toland then because not is not what he said.

Liam Tolland wrote:

Andrew Trimble deserves to travel but with Bowe starting tomorrow would Fitzgerald have a bigger high end impact if starting or launched from the bench? After all Fitzgerald is a Lion for a reason.

Add Paddy Wallace to the mix. He is obviously travelling as a back up to the back up to the starting outhalf. Although he has made several cameos at first centre he is neither a potential challenge to D’Arcy nor McFadden nor is he an impact off the bench. It must sit very awkwardly with Tomás O’Leary and Fitzgerald, both Lions, that Paddy Wallace, a highly unlikely starter, takes a seat on the plane.

Is what he said. Not sure how you can see that as anything other than Fitz should be ahead of Paddy Wallace. Yes I know they are not in direct competition, but I would have risked not having a 3rd option at 10 to see if Fitz was really coming back into form.

I would not take Fitz ahead of anyone else on the plane. They all deserve their spot. It was a courageous choice by Kidney to leave him and Tol, he gets plenty of stick for being conservative, these were not conservative.

He could well end up in NZ anyway if ANY of the backs get injured.

geoff998rugby wrote:Neither Wallace or McFadden will be on the bench it will be Earls.

However this assumes D'Arcy finds some form against England - otherwise Paddy will be given the opportunity to stake a claim against USA.

Also if there is an injury to Sexton, ROG or D'Arcy it will be Wallace not Mcfadden who is drafted in

We can agree on all this Geoff

Artful_Dodger wrote:Paddy Wallace serves Leinster fans one purpose - someone to bash when a Leinster player doesnt make the cut.

I would say the same if it was Keith Earls. (Who did not play well v France in fairness)

Notch wrote:Paddy has played well in this summer series and has a fantastic attitude on and off the pitch.

Don't disagree with that either. Seems like a lovely bloke.

Liam Tolland wrote:

Andrew Trimble deserves to travel but with Bowe starting tomorrow would Fitzgerald have a bigger high end impact if starting or launched from the bench? After all Fitzgerald is a Lion for a reason.

He said that on the 26th August, contradicting what he said on the 20th;

Liam Tolland wrote:
Andrew Trimble is unlucky but lacks the real top end sparkle of the others.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0820/1224302756862.html

Have I misread this? It seems really unclear whether he's referring to the squad or team to be honest.

Notch wrote:

Liam Tolland wrote:

Andrew Trimble deserves to travel but with Bowe starting tomorrow would Fitzgerald have a bigger high end impact if starting or launched from the bench? After all Fitzgerald is a Lion for a reason.

He said that on the 26th August, contradicting what he said on the 20th;

Liam Tolland wrote:
Andrew Trimble is unlucky but lacks the real top end sparkle of the others.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0820/1224302756862.html

Have I misread this? It seems really unclear whether he's referring to the squad or team to be honest.

It is strangely worded. At one point he concedes it is between McFadden and Fitz. Then later he uses that Trimble line.

If he IS saying that Fitz deserves to be ahead of Trimble I would disagree. Trimble is on fire with ball in hand. Defensively you could argue for Luke, but..... Trimble must go on form.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:I'm surprised so many are going for an Ireland win. I see an England win by 10

I'm not looking for an argument, but I don't see why that should surprise you.

It's ok I'm not that sensitive. I just think Irelands performances have been really poor so far and England have shown a great deal of dominance in the forwards. Yes they lacked a bit of cutting edge against Wales but I can't see them being that lacking in attack again, although I cannot see why Johnson keeps picking Cueto. Talk about living off former glories...

I would have thought England's main problem is that they have struggled securing clean ball for the backs and have had no platform

not sure i follow...

Thomond wrote:I would have thought England's main problem is that they have struggles securing clean ball for the backs and have had no problem.

So England's main problem is that they have no problem?

Sounds like my wife. Her only bad point is that she is so perfect.

Read the edited version it should make some sort of sense,I really should proofread posts.

I was very surprised to read that Fitzgerald has only scored 2 tries for Ireland in 20 odd matches.. thats poor for a winger of his apparent quality and the quality of his side.

Wingers primarily should be judged on their record... yes they have other necessities such as assists, kick-chase, high ball & tackling but tries and conversion of opportunities is their bread & butter.

He was a lion yes but he didn't exactly set the world on fire there and did nothing to justify his selection.... I was at a number of the games and he didn't ever feature that much.. esp. given he played in a lot of matches where the lions were significantly superior (i.e. midweeks).

Would you choose a winger who hasn't scored in 2 years in over a dozen tests?

I would imagine Tommy Bowe is the only Irish winger in the last few years to post decent scoring stats from the wing,I don't think Irish wingers tend to get many tries, a lot of our come from our backrow and centres.

I see this as a game Ireland need to win more than England, MJ has a win and still experamenting, while DK has put out the strongest team he can, with home advantage, I see an Irish win.

I can't open the article earlier, but from the quotes some of it seams silly.

Fitz instead of Wallace, he makes his argument that Wallace is travelling as 3rd choice fly half, if this were the case he's have taken Ian Humph or Keatley. The fact is Wallace is travelling as a number 12, who just happens to be able to cover out half.

In the squad for the 12 position you have D'arcy, (who may not be first choice over Wallace anymore) and Wallace.

Fitz isn't a first choice 12, wheras Wallace is, so why would he take a winger (a position we are strong in already with the squad) to cover 12, when he can take a first choice 12 who can cover who can cover OH?

Liam Tolland wrote:


Andrew Trimble deserves to travel but with Bowe starting tomorrow would Fitzgerald have a bigger high end impact if starting or launched from the bench? After all Fitzgerald is a Lion for a reason.


This question has been answered, 'would Fitzgerald have a bigger high end impact if starting'
Fitz and Trimble have both played warm up games, and it has been Trimble who has been making the bigger high end impact, so clearly the answer is NO Fitzgerald would not have a bigger high end impact if starting or launched from the bench? He might have been a Lion but not on current form.

Thomond

I agree that most of your tries outside of Bowe comes from your Backrow & Centres... probably because that is where you have geniune talent...i.e. BOD, Ferris, Heaslip.

A player like Fitzgerald doesn't make the list because IMO he isn't at the same level of quality as the players mentioned above.

Has BOD scored all those tries because thats the way IRE play or is it because he is/was easily the most talented player in your team and the 'go to' man in clutch attacking situations??? I would lean towards the latter.

Good players make things happen.

I think this is going to be a repeat of the 6N match. Ireland playing poorly and looking for a performance everyones been waiting for, and wait.... whose rolling into town? Yep, those good old chaps from England trying to end the warm ups on a high. Another shoing is on the cards I fear

Unless England bring along the Archbishop of Cantrebury, the Pope, the Exorcist, Father Ted and the players have a slash in each corner of the Aviva. England are not going to win in Dublin for a very long time......

Well,you Irish lot have really boosted me.I am doomed!

This is England's best chance to get a win in Dublin. It's not a full strength Irish team. And Ireland are on a losing streak of three tests in a row, so they won't be full of confidence either.

England look strong and Ireland are at home.

Will be a cracker and will be a tight game. I think England will slow the game and look to play a territorial game so Jonny and can chip away...its an old English recipe and has worked for them before. But ireland have the pack to live with England's and I think it will be very close but irish home advantage and desperation for a win may translate to a fiery display from them. They simply cannot afford to go into RWC on the back of 4 straight losses because that means almost certain defeat by Aus and their tournament ends v SA in the quarter....or even earlier at the hands of italy!

England have only won once in the last 8 games

Ireland by 5

Hmmmm tricky...on current form ireland should probably lose but with world cup places decided now i think irish players should play better....ireland by 3...wont be a classic and i doubt any of the tri nations teams will be dreading playing either team!

Ireland 27 England 15

Ireland 9 England 21

england by 4.

on another note, does anyone know where i can watch it online?

Farawy,check your mail. I can't see either side winning by more than 7 but I'm going to go for Ireland.

It will be an incredibly tight game with Ireland winning by 5 i feel.

Thomond mate, any chance you can PM me as well, in case I cant find one later

Taffineastbourne wrote:Ireland 9 England 21

Not a bad effort!

I said England would win by ten plus. I was so sure I turned down free tickets and played golf instead. Not really sure what's wrong with Ireland but they are really bad right now.

Wow! what a great SUPPORTER you are.

You should back your team no matter what.

leinsterbaby wrote:I said England would win by ten plus. I was so sure I turned down free tickets and played golf instead. Not really sure what's wrong with Ireland but they are really bad right now.

They seem to have lost the ability to penetrate the gainline as well as having a tranche of senior backs at the ends of their career. Scrum and lineout is strong. Need that back row to start carrying

Ireland are the most predictable team in world rugby. That's the problem. There's no invention no creativity. Basically we are now England 07.

BOD will save the day..it sounds harsh but i don't think you can beat Aus so assuming you beat Itlay it's a Bok quarter....

assuming again that Wales don't smash boks ,

there i said it

Bok v ireland right now could be frankly disturbing

maestegmafia wrote:Looks like an exciting encounter. Ireland have two fantastic wings with plenty of winning experience at 15.

Earls is a very handy outside center and with DArcy on form should solve irelands creative issues.

Very strong back five, each player are likely the best or top three in their position in the NH.

Irelands front row is good but they are lucky to have an inexperienced guy to target in Sheridan.

I am really unsure what England are trying to do with their backline. Wigglesworth didn't look up to pace at all. Tidal is not a solution at 12 and Cueto has done nothing to warrant his place in the squad let alone Englands first choice team, the only condition being that he is better than Matt Banahan.

Tuilagi and wilkinson looked good but have not played regularly enough with their partners to form a reliable and effective combinations yet.

The pack looks tough, though I think Sheridan is getting a run out to justify his selection. Easter is there to rectify the little he did the other week against Wales.

Prediction. England will try to bully Ireland but can't score tries. They can and will kick goals.

The result will all be based on how well Ireland's forwards deal with England outside the set piece. And whether England have found a backline worth it's salt.

It will be a close game because neither side can lose and claim any momentum pre RWC.

I think Ireland will win by 5plus points on a wave of home support.

I love how wrong so many things in this prediction were!

leinsterbaby wrote:Ireland are the most predictable team in world rugby. That's the problem. There's no invention no creativity. Basically we are now England 07.

I look forward to seeing you in the WC final then!

I don't think you're that bad, just as i didn't believe you were that good when you beat us in the 6 Nations. I do however believe that no-one will want to face a backrow of Ferris, SOB and Heaslip for 80 minutes. I know it may lack a bit of balance but i think SOB's ball carrying and Heaslip's workrate ( i know he was on for 30 odd mins) would make a huge difference.

Creativity is a problem but at least when BOD is back the defence will improve and they'll be some more guile. Some of us in England have been perplexed at the resistance to Downey or A N other big lump to get it over the gain line. I think you've missed a trick here as while D'arcy of a few years back offered a lot more, Downey's one dimension is still one more than D'arcy currently has.

In short...i think you'll lose to Oz, but it will be a tighter affair then you think and you'll defo get through to the QFs. I think both England and Ireland may go out at that stage but hope to be proven wrong.

The actual result is depressingly desperate for Ireland. It shows that they are unable to raise their game against their arch foe at Home after losing their previous 3 games.

When you really think about it. It doesn't look good for Ireland does it?

You didnt have to think very hard to come to that conclusion?

englandglory4ever wrote:The actual result is depressingly desperate for Ireland. It shows that they are unable to raise their game against their arch foe at Home after losing their previous 3 games.

When you really think about it. It doesn't look good for Ireland does it?

IN BOD WE TRUST