Anglo Saxons 23 - 17 Irish Wolfhounds

First topic message reminder :

The scorers:

For England Saxons:
Tries: Spencer, Waldrom
Con: Burns 2
Pen: Burns 3

For Irish Wolfhounds:
Tries: Kearney, O'Leary, Zebo
Con: Madigan

EnglishReign wrote:No idea why Banahan and Armitage start ahead of decent, young players.

Wade would certainly have started but he is crocked unfortunately

I think Tuohy is looking very good, his offload to Wilkinson was brilliant. Hoping he gets a call-up to the main Ireland squad, and overtakes DOC eventually.

England 10 Wolfhound 5 at half time. Which seems about fair to honest.

Thought Zebo was going to score for Ireland, but what a tackle from Banahan.

I think the second half will see both teams come out and be dangerous in attack.

English midfield not functioning at the moment. Hopper not having the best game and Twelvetrees consequently needs to offer himself up a bit more on the inside channel and give a platform to give the back 3 greater involvement (preferably Monye more than the other two, hopefully May will come on). I'd like to see Spencer spinning that ball out a bit more sharpish as well.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Archer isn't good any time I have seen him though PJ, not just here. Munster will have their work cut out for them when Botha leaves.

I've not seen much of him tbh Rory, I don't get to see many Rabo games - is he the only back-up at Munster? Surely not?

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:10-5 half time about fair with the dominant forwards of England

I don't think they are dominant all around - just in the front row where they are tearing our scrum to shreds. Elsewhere I think our second rows and back row are playing better.

majesticimperialman wrote:England 10 Wolfhound 5 at half time. Which seems about fair to honest.

Thought Zebo was going to score for Ireland, but what a tackle from Banahan.

I think the second half will see both teams come out and be dangerous in attack.

A good tackle for american football, not rugby.

Keatley having a nightmare. Bring on Madigan.

majesticimperialman wrote:England 10 Wolfhound 5 at half time. Which seems about fair to honest.

Thought Zebo was going to score for Ireland, but what a tackle from Banahan.

I think the second half will see both teams come out and be dangerous in attack.

Goodness, yous boys just pick and choose the rules dont you! Even the best the commentator could do was to say it was dubious. The rules are black and white.

No attempt to wrap the arms around = illegal tackle.

Black and white.

Good,entertaining game we're getting hammered in the scrum and Keatley is havin a mare with the boot but a pretty good display other than that.
England look handy too,not as much penetration in the loose but a good strong set piece and they aren't losing patience they're keeping the ball very well.

It was a big hit I didn't notice any arm wrapping but Banahan did what he had to. Zebo should have passed it inside. I hope Simon isn't getting too full of himself...

Feckless Rogue wrote:Keatley having a nightmare. Bring on Madigan.

+ 1. Kearney, Tuohy and O'Malley have really stood out.

Link I have is really slow!

Thomond wrote:It was a big hit I didn't notice any arm wrapping but Banahan did what he had to. Zebo should have passed it inside. I hope Simon isn't getting too full of himself...

Could have resulted in injury tbh, I thought it was a horrid tackle. And of course he is full of himself, he is a 21 year old winger

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:10-5 half time about fair with the dominant forwards of England

I don't think they are dominant all around - just in the front row where they are tearing our scrum to shreds. Elsewhere I think our second rows and back row are playing better.

I don't think your guys are better there, pretty even.

It's the backs where you seem far better.

roddersm wrote:

Feckless Rogue wrote:Keatley having a nightmare. Bring on Madigan.

+ 1. Kearney, Tuohy and O'Malley have really stood out.

Link I have is really slow!

EOM has been good in defence hasn't he? Surprisingly so. Brought down Waldrom at one point when he was barging through. I think Spence is playing very well in defence too, but frustratingly in attack he is yet again being used in the tight phases of the game

Rodders, if it's on firstrow there are 5 other options..... Boss has been poor enough aswell. I think it's going to be difficult for a 9/10 to play well considering they have spent less than a week training.

So, missed the first half on my way home from work- who scored for Ireland? Who's playing well and who looks out of their depth? Any bolters for the senior team?

Oof, just saw the Banahan tackle. Well, you know what I mean- it wasn't a tackle

Agreed on Tuohy, Kearney and O'Malley. Keatley is powderpuff today. Bring on Madigan and get in behind the fast rush up of the Enlgand defence.

Ruddock has been superb with some great power runs and steals, particularly that last one with England on the attack.

Hope to see May & Johnson coming on early

No madigan yet!

Notch wrote:So, missed the first half on my way home from work- who scored for Ireland? Who's playing well and who looks out of their depth? Any bolters for the senior team?

Oof, just saw the Banahan tackle. Well, you know what I mean- it wasn't a tackle

Our scrum is shocking firstly - it is causing us a lot of problems.

Keatley and Boss are not doing well at all really. Duffy is very shaky at the back.

The positives are Tuohy, Ruddock, EOM, Henry, Kearney and Zebo looking dangerous.

Keatley's put his kicking boots on at halftime.

Right away in the second half, Boss is slow and Keatleys deep.

Well done Keatley, would still like to see Madigan on though.

PJHolybloke wrote:Keatley's put his kicking boots on at halftime.

Better touchline kick by Keatley. Keep them here now. Block down on relieving kick. Another touch. England look to run it out and eventually kick it forward and gain ground.

Thomond wrote:It was a big hit I didn't notice any arm wrapping but Banahan did what he had to. Zebo should have passed it inside. I hope Simon isn't getting too full of himself...

Don't think its a case of his head getting too big - its a failing of his game that he needs to sort out. He has a tendency to run with the blinkers on. He has improved in his ability to spot space but still doesn't get his head up to spot an off-load.

Yeah, I'd already like to see Madigan in.

some nice blocking after that high kick too. ref seems unaware what sport this is.

Kearneys the best player on the pitch so far, keatley the worst

Just realised this board has become the ireland rugby forum lol.

Right, if you listen to some stuff around the place you hear he is already pretty big headed.

England are fonceding a lot of turnovers.

Nothing like a good bit of gossip thomond...

Oh dear- 5m scrum. England points coming.

Great set move off the line out their just couldn't finish it!

Scrum 5 - Saxons need to make this count.

Zebo's quick. But Baby Kearney is showing much more awareness.

Hi all. What's the score now?I'm nowhere near a tv.

Dod, to be fair it could be a load of bull but it's from a girl who knows him.

When you have a powerful scrum, you have to force errors near the line.

10-5 Intouch.

Is it me or is the ref blowing his whistle like a fart in a trance?

Madigan on but so is O' Leary

Mmm pressure tells in the end.

Spawny tanker.

Golden wrote:Madigan on but so is O' Leary

I'm sure Sexton sympathizes with him.

good score that. Needed to do something with their scrum as they are getting a tough challenge in the backs.

worried what'll happen as they tire. Few late Irish tries?

Waldrom with that stupid dive.. there will be earthquakes on the other side of the planet now.

Pretty lucky that went Englands way.

I'm not sure about English use of the bench so far, one of our best forwards going off and yet May hasn't come on for some faltering back three players and OC.