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 pictures of Ben Morgan, Stuart Hogg, Simon Zebo and birthday boy Penfro above the bar.



Old pub: https://www.606v2.com/t24147p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#991906

what a game, so fast, I'm loving it!

My word what a match

Scotland hugely impressive. Can't believe they opted to run that.

This is great stuff.

I'm seriously worried about our next three games. Seriously worried.

This is a fantastic game! Come on Scotland!

Rava I think we could easily lose all three games but equally I can just as easily see us winning at least 2 of them.

What a try.

Well maybe the tackling wasn't great.

Ooh, Fofana! He is class.

I share Ravas sense of foreboding.

It's all about intensity. Both these teams seem to be playing at a higher level than we are capable of. Or is it just my perception?

We're capable of it, but hell if we've shown it...

But why? Yes we might lose them but I dont see that they are vastly better than us.

England and France both did worse than us against Italy.
England did basically the same as us against Wales.

They are 3 very tight matches. We may easily lose all 3 but they are tight games not games we should be dreading.

I cant wait.

Personally I am terrified.

Really hope this doesn't take the wind out of Scottish sails.

Stag I don't see that comparing performances against Italy is really a good marker. Both France and England had relatively "new" lineups. We have had the same team for about two/three years but look like strangers at times.
Actually think England looked better against Wales than we did.

France are making a lot of errors too here guys. Their lineout has been uncharacteristically sloppy.

As I said Rava we may very easily lose all of them.

But I think it is very over the top to be "terrified", "seriously worried" and having a "sense of foreboding".

I'm not terrified or seriously worried though. Just feel we may be heading for a few defeats unless we improve. Other side of the coin, we could win a few.

There's more than one way to skin a cat...

But you shouldn't do it either way, it's very cruel...

Rava wrote:Actually think England looked better against Wales than we did.

No doubt about that Rava. We were very much second best against Wales whereas England fronted up physically and were arguably the better side.

The next 3 game will be very tough but I still believe we can win them all but we need to be much better than yesterday. We were actually quite poor yesterday so I'm surprised the likes of Thornley have been so positive?

I was talking to a guy earlier today who was at the game yesterday. He said there was no atmosphere in the stadium.
I would have to say I agree and it has been the same at most of the games since we went back there. (England last March being the exception maybe).
I can't remember a really good rendition of The Fields or Molly in a long time.
Do any of you think this has an influence on the team.
I thought the atmosphere at Twickenham yesterday was great

The atmosphere depends on the game though Rava. The game at Twickenham was immense.

The atmosphere for teh Ireland v Wales game was great where I was sat, Rava. Easily one of the best atmosphere's I've experienced at an International. (although I can only compare it to the MS, and that hasn't been all that great in recent years atmosphere wise)

Stag why is being worried over the top. Yes I believe we can win the next three games but our recent performances don't leave me full of confidence.
In the last 12 months we have had two really big performances against England and Australia. The remainder haven't been vintage.

Ever since the 2007 Rugby World Cup I think there is a tendency amongst Irish rugby fans, that we've just articulated perfectly, to be very negative and critical about the national team whilst being very positive about our provinces and look at them through rose-tinted glasses.

A lot of international games I've been to I've just been sitting next to people saying why such and such isn't up to it and why so and so is overrated and the national team won't go anywhere until (my favourite player) gets the opportunity they deserve. But very few people singing or cheering or anything like that.

At Landsdowne Road, we sit back stony-faced and silent and wait for the mistakes to come from the home team.

Rava being worried isnt over the top. Being seriously worried and terrified is being over the top.

Dreamer that was due to the Welsh fans. Home matched in Ireland rarely have an atmosphere. Yesterday was a very flat atmosphere.

What can be done to fix this?

Notch - summed it up perfectly.

where as at the MS, we just get sparkly cowboy hat wearers and valley boys going up and down from their seats to get a burger, back up again to get a pint, back up again to go the toilet, back up again to have a smoke. They must only get to see abougt 20mins of the match.

Not a great atmosphere there either really, although it is nice if we manage to get some singing going.

Yeah, that too. Frustrating enough!

Speak for yourself Notch.

I disgrace myself by shouting my head off!

Know exactly what you are talking about though.

Good game so far. Poor Rory Lamont!

I agree Notch to a point but there were. Loads of times in recent years at pre developed Landsdowne that there were terrific singsongs. That has been missing.

Stag you play with the words whatever way you wish I am seriously worried and I don't think I am being over the top.

Oh yeah, this is a relatively recent phenomenon...

rugbydreamer wrote:where as at the MS, we just get sparkly cowboy hat wearers and valley boys going up and down from their seats to get a burger, back up again to get a pint, back up again to go the toilet, back up again to have a smoke. They must only get to see abougt 20mins of the match.

Not a great atmosphere there either really, although it is nice if we manage to get some singing going.

Bit harsh that. Yeah you do get people getting up and down - as you do at any game or event anywhere, but it's not that bad, Dreamer. It might depend on where you're sitting, but we didn't get much of that at the HC or at the Wales/Ireland match did we? I've never experienced it when I've gone to things at the MS, but like I said, maybe I've just been lucky.

Rava Im not playing with any words. Im being very blunt. People are being over the top if they are terrified or seriously worried.

I find with so many fans we are either dreadful or else title contenders. Can it not simply be that we are on a par with Wales, England, France and maybe now Scotland with small things having a big effect on the day.

You know the loss of terracing has a lot to do with it. It's one of the things talked about in the redevelopment of Ravenhill. That the Prom is retained is one of the big factors.

You're being a bit pedantic Stag. He didn't say we were dreadful. He said he thought the next three teams we're playing were at a higher level than us this weekend. It's a valid opinion.

Rava wrote:You know the loss of terracing has a lot to do with it. It's one of the things talked about in the redevelopment of Ravenhill. That the Prom is retained is one of the big factors.

100% agree. Terracing is where it's at. I was briefly in the stand there at the last game, but really the atmosphere isn't as good.

Rava wrote:You know the loss of terracing has a lot to do with it. It's one of the things talked about in the redevelopment of Ravenhill. That the Prom is retained is one of the big factors.

Yeah you're right there. I noticed the difference at the old Arms Park when people could just walk by of their own accord. It wasn't as disruptive.

Has Ravenhill still got a terrace? Is it easy to get tickets for that bit? Just thinking of access when I'm there, like...

Fair enough lads. It just strikes me as the usual nay-saying that happens the minute the Grandslam is unattainable. We'll leave it aside.

Rav thats very interesting about the terracing and I really find that with Thomond Park too.

You've been lucky then I would say Cari

Wales v Aus in 08 and Wales v SA a couple of years back, absolutely awful, honestly the group of people int he row in fornt of me I think saw 30mins max of tha match. I only remember it so well because they irriated me so much by getting up all the time I kept missing the play in front of me and had to watch it up on the big screen. highly annoying.

Cari wrote:Has Ravenhill still got a terrace? Is it easy to get tickets for that bit? Just thinking of access when I'm there, like...

Yep, very easy. Two pretty large terraced areas.

We cheer up in the stand too you know!

Although on Friday night the guy sat behind gave out to MrP for standing up when we scored.



What's all that about?

Stag you will have the final say so I'll leave it at that. I'm over the top. Sorry if that annoys you. Pity I cannot have my say without being criticised.

Yeesssss Scotland!! Great try.

Great try Scotland!!

Can't score tries my arse

Dreamer - sounds like you were unfortunate there with the people sat around you. Sadly we can only choose our own seats when booking these things, and it is annoying if you get awkward people sat near you; but that happens. I usually try and get around it by getting tickets right in the middle so you don't have move out the way for others so much. Neing up in the gods makes a difference as well.

Notch - guess where I'll be then!

MrsP wrote:We cheer up in the stand too you know!

MrsP - the terrace is nearer the pitch...? Easy access...

Great try Scotland. Needed that.

Great try. Was sure they where going to mess that up.

I'll have to warn the Stewards about you Cari!

Ach poor scottish tackling