Ireland v Scotland match thread

[eirebilly]

First topic message reminder :

Scotland have been playing well and causing alot of teams problems and leading the 6N stats in line breaks.

I am expecting a very open game against Ireland and it could be a high scorer.

[kunu]

Good to see earls getting a run of games at 13, clearly allowing him to improve. He's yet to be tested properly in defense though, which has always been his downfall. Think his problems here lie with positioning, being moved around the backline constantly probably has a lot to do with it. Played fantastic today, deserved to have a good game.

[Rory_Gallagher]

More bull coming from the lulster brigade.

Redden was complete pants in the first half. Took his try well but was poor at everything else.
Darcy was poor
DOC was DOC and worked hard in defence and hitting the rucks as usual but there is no one else good enough to replace him
Sexton is still not great, his kicking at goal is faultless thankfully, his defence is good, everything else is mediocre.
What is it about Earls that people don't like I really wonder. Phillip Matthews stated that he had a great game and was making the 13 shirt his own. He had a fine game overall in defence and attack, especially considering he does not look 100% fit

Pete it was redden who missed the tackle you dope not earls.

Of the others, Ryan pom , ferris and Kearney were the standouts. Of the rest the front row scrumaged well and Healy mostly carried well but was isolated a couple of times. Trimble took his try well and was good overall but needs to do more. Heaslip was ok, best lead well and bowe was ok but got caught a couple of times in defence. subs all did well when they came on.

Spot on tactics from kidney, wow now the stats show how well we are doing attack wise...whats that most tries scored etc...who would have thought.

As for Darcy and doc, they are still the best players in their positions. McFadden is not yet good enough and there is no one to replace doc so you can agree all you want about whether they should play again..complete tosh from the whinge brigade.

Of every single person on these forums, it is easily you who do the most whinging. All you do is bitch about other posters.

[Standulstermen]

DOD you a the only one bringing provincialism into this. Doc and D'arcy were poor. Most others had a good game. It's not their fault. I have spoken before about how I love seeing Doc's reactions to trys. He is clearly 100% committed but the body is weak as much as the spirit is strong.

[flynnnio]

absolutely loved healy's tapping murray on the shoulder after he mullered him in the scrum. not normally a fan of this kinda thing but if you remember the last match at croker murray was acting the maggot all game and was delighted to see healy come of age. 10/10 churchy.

good match over all and scotland have run everyone close but we destroyed them to be fair so kinda have to congratulate father deccie. still love to see him go though.

[eirebilly]

Over all i was very happy with Best's captaincy. I thought that he did a great job getting the boys up and was certainly chatty to his team.

ROG brought an amazing calmness to the side when he came on as well. Ireland had seemed to lack direction up until he came on and massive credit to him as well when he took over the captaincy, to not take the penalty kick himself but let Sexton take it. Much respect for that.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

More bull coming from the lulster brigade.

Redden was complete pants in the first half. Took his try well but was poor at everything else.
Darcy was poor
DOC was DOC and worked hard in defence and hitting the rucks as usual but there is no one else good enough to replace him
Sexton is still not great, his kicking at goal is faultless thankfully, his defence is good, everything else is mediocre.
What is it about Earls that people don't like I really wonder. Phillip Matthews stated that he had a great game and was making the 13 shirt his own. He had a fine game overall in defence and attack, especially considering he does not look 100% fit

Pete it was redden who missed the tackle you dope not earls.

Of the others, Ryan pom , ferris and Kearney were the standouts. Of the rest the front row scrumaged well and Healy mostly carried well but was isolated a couple of times. Trimble took his try well and was good overall but needs to do more. Heaslip was ok, best lead well and bowe was ok but got caught a couple of times in defence. subs all did well when they came on.

Spot on tactics from kidney, wow now the stats show how well we are doing attack wise...whats that most tries scored etc...who would have thought.

As for Darcy and doc, they are still the best players in their positions. McFadden is not yet good enough and there is no one to replace doc so you can agree all you want about whether they should play again..complete tosh from the whinge brigade.

Dod disagree with most of what you said and a lot of seems to be defending munster players but then again it's very early and I may have sleep in my eyes.
Doc will not play when poc is fit and I'd have any of toner, tuohy or McCarthy ahead of him preferably one of the first two with Ryan and poc starting.

I don't think earls is a centre AT ALL. I can't see anything about him that makes me sy yeah he look a centre to me. And yes reddan missed the tackle for grays try. He was made mark Gray and the man inside but either way should have made the tackle overall I thought he sped up our attack hugely.

Dod- you "dope" I was referring to the time when the Scottish played a screen pass and Bowe gave away the penalty for taking a guy out without the ball. It was gray who received it and he broke earls tackle. That was 100% earls man and earls is supposed to be a centre who should be able to make tackles on locks who try go outside him.

[eirebilly]

Pete, with all respect, i thought that Earles had a great game at 13 yesterday and i still feel that he is the best man for the job in Ireland.

DOC should not be started, he has been picked for his expertise in the chock tackle but thats wrong thinking in my eyes. Once POC is fir it will be him and Ryan with Touhy waiting in the wings.

Time must certainly be up on D'Arcy now though. I honestly cant think of any reason why he is being picked.

ROG was superb yesterday, he brought calmess, composure and direction to the Irish side when he came on.

[flynnnio]

pretty happy with overall performance. ferris , kearney and healy were the stand outs for me. great seen such a dominant scrum in 2nd half . Pity we had to play wales first game though as we starting to click now roll on twickers

[Cymroglan]

Any news on Lee Jones ?

[Artful_Dodger]

Heard this morning he was in hospital for a precautionary head scan. He was said to be conscious and alert after leaving the pitch so hopefully he's fine.

[Cari]

Any news on Lee Jones ?

Last I heard, he was conscious and responding well, so hopefully he's OK.

[Cymroglan]

That's good news anyway.

[RDW]

Great to hear all your concerns for one of our players

Wasnt a nice one to watch - knocked out before he hit the ground and had no control over how he fell.

[SecretFly]

I hope Lee Jones fully recovers obviously. That's why all players should be respected in this ruthlesly tough game called rugby. They all risk serious injury so that we get entertained. In my view there is no sports person braver than a rugby player in the heat of battle.

[Sin é]

Trimble 6.5/10
Solid in defence, not great in attack but took his try well, would still love to see him come off his wing more and take the ball between 12 and 13.

I thought that Trimble had one of his better games for Ireland. He was constantly looking for work and as a result had many runs. I was actually thinking that he may get close to the MoTM.

Personally I don't think so, he was our least effective back 3 player IMO. When mcfadden came on for instance he was constantly looking for the ball and seemed to have an immediate impact upon the game. Trimble is one of my favourite players I must admit and am so glad he has scored a few tries in the last few games because I felt that was why he wasn't playing for Ireland more, his lack of try scoring.

bowe gave away two penalties (same no. as DOC)

[Cari]

Great to hear all your concerns for one of our players

Wasnt a nice one to watch - knocked out before he hit the ground and had no control over how he fell.

It did look really nasty. Hopefully it looked a lot worse than the injury sustained from it. Trimby looked sore too. There'll be some aching bodies today for sure.

Fly - yeah it amazes me how some players keep going after some of the injuries I've seen in matches.

[valjester]

Dod disagree with most of what you said and a lot of seems to be defending munster players but then again it's very early and I may have sleep in my eyes.
Doc will not play when poc is fit and I'd have any of toner, tuohy or McCarthy ahead of him preferably one of the first two with Ryan and poc starting.

I don't think earls is a centre AT ALL. I can't see anything about him that makes me sy yeah he look a centre to me. And yes reddan missed the tackle for grays try. He was made mark Gray and the man inside but either way should have made the tackle overall I thought he sped up our attack hugely.

Dod- you "dope" I was referring to the time when the Scottish played a screen pass and Bowe gave away the penalty for taking a guy out without the ball. It was gray who received it and he broke earls tackle. That was 100% earls man and earls is supposed to be a centre who should be able to make tackles on locks who try go outside him.

Pete, I think you are letting your preconceived notions of Earls ability cloud your judgement on his performance this six nations. He has passed well, tackled well and looked comfortable in the 13 jersey in every game he has played. He made 10 tackles yesterday, the second most of any Irish player, yes he missed two as well but even BOD misses tackles. He is learning when to pass the ball but still has the ability to break and back himself. I agree with most of your ratings to a degree but I think you are being harsh on Trimble and Earls due to what you expect to have seen rather than how the match actually went.

[eirebilly]

I say again that i thought that Trimble had his best game for Ireland in a long time yesterday. He was chasing work, had many hit ups and his defense was solid.

[valjester]

I say again that i thought that Trimble had his best game for Ireland in a long time yesterday. He was chasing work, had many hit ups and his defense was solid.

He was very good yesterday, and he was under pressure to have a solid game, because he was really poor in Paris.

[eirebilly]

He may not have had a great game in Paris but that was not all to do with him i feel. He was getting nothing in France and had no room to do it in.
Yesterday we saw exactly what he is capable of.

[SecretFly]

I say again that i thought that Trimble had his best game for Ireland in a long time yesterday. He was chasing work, had many hit ups and his defense was solid.

He was very good yesterday, and he was under pressure to have a solid game, because he was really poor in Paris.

The game itself allowed players to respond positively rather than clog themselves up tension-wise in a grim defensive game we played in France (that game BTW had its own real positives and added to the intent in the Scotland one)

For the first time I saw some fluidity from defence to attack; for the first time this season I saw Provincial copyrights being used in an Irish format. I saw glimses of Leinster, Munster and Ulster - the positive aspects of all.

I expected it and was glad it worked out as I had suspected it would. These players have improved from one game to the next - perceptibly so. I don't think any other side in the competition can claim the same.

There is a time for ruthless criticism both of coaching and players involved...and then there is a time to look back and applaud a side, call it a job well done, realise there is still much to work on; but I thought it was a very assured, relaxed, confident and wise game of rugby. Congratulations to the guys and to Declan and what remains of his coaching staff. Thanks for the smiles... try to keep them coming.

[eirebilly]

I have been overly critical of Deccie but on the whole of it, he has got the tactics pretty spot on. A good win at England and i will be happy with the campaign.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Just to give my opinion on Earls at 13 - he is solid there, and doing a pretty good job. However, he doesn't offer very much in attack. Earls is generally a very dangerous player, given space. However he isn't showing that as much at 13. Apart from the fact I think there are better 13s than Earls, I just don't think it is his best position, and I think he operates much better with space. Maybe a creative 12 will help him in that regard, but so far I am much more impressed with him in the back three.

[Sin é]

I have been overly critical of Deccie but on the whole of it, he has got the tactics pretty spot on. A good win at England and i will be happy with the campaign.

As a Munster fan, surely you must have come across the phrase "In Deccie we trust".

[eirebilly]

Of course i have Sin and i did for a very long time but there have been alot of moments over the last 2 years that i have felt that he has got his tactics and selections seriously wrong.

His constant selection of D'Arcy is really concerning me and when (if) BOD comes back then i cant see him trying anyone else out there.

[thebluesmancometh]

12 is such an issue at the moment in Irish rugby!!!

Who is ready to take the 12 spot from Darcy, I don't see any real contenders!

Deccie has been short sighted there but in his defence he has tried giving game time to a few and they have been found wanting.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I don't think it is an issue at all. We have some VERY talented 12s coming through, and I can't wait to see them get game-time at their provinces. When BOD returns he should play 12 over D'Arcy. BOD still has a lot to offer Ireland, and could still be world class at 12. Meanwhile, he will assist the next 13 to replace him and gain experience.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Also, what 12s has he given game time to?

[eirebilly]

I have been thinking long and hard about the 12 issue in Ireland and i still think that Sexton would make a better 12 than a 10. I feel if Madigan continues his progress then we may see that combination at Leinster.

[Sin é]

Of course i have Sin and i did for a very long time but there have been alot of moments over the last 2 years that i have felt that he has got his tactics and selections seriously wrong.

His constant selection of D'Arcy is really concerning me and when (if) BOD comes back then i cant see him trying anyone else out there.

I don't think anyone has shown themselves good enough to replace D'Arcy (McFadden hasn't done so at Leinster). I suspect that Earls will play alongside BOD when he comes back.

I think some people overrate a lot of our players and thats what is wrong. Players like Healy & Sexton in particular have needed time to grow into the team and having done that, its now beginning to bear fruit (though I don't think Sexton is the long term answer either).

[Sin é]

Just to give my opinion on Earls at 13 - he is solid there, and doing a pretty good job. However, he doesn't offer very much in attack. Earls is generally a very dangerous player, given space. However he isn't showing that as much at 13. Apart from the fact I think there are better 13s than Earls, I just don't think it is his best position, and I think he operates much better with space. Maybe a creative 12 will help him in that regard, but so far I am much more impressed with him in the back three.

Earls and Kearney were our two most potent attackers yesterday.

There is a comment over on the guardian website about earls by a poster who said he didn't think earls would make a 13. He said something to the effect that if the tv screen was blurry and you couldn't identify the players, you'd know that it was earls who had the ball when the Irish attack looked incisive.

[SecretFly]

I think it's the under-rating that is constantly keeping this Irish side back.

We underrate players who have alrady proven themselves as individuals at the top in Europe and who have held their own at International. We underrate the bench when we've tended to give them hopelessly little time to effect change. We underrate the young players who prove themselves in league (and even now in HC competition) but watch on as their generation in other National sides are given their opportunity.

Ireland's underrating of it's players has led us to mostly play the game we've played (cautious and defensive) for the last two years or so with the same mistakes being made by the same players playing it. As I always say, either the gameplan is wrong or the players are the wrong ones for it - that's all choices to be made and not being made - up until hopefully now.

We don't overrate, we underrate.

[BlueMuff]

Secret you could argue that we overrate players like Heaslip, Darcy, DOC?

[Feckless Rogue]

We've put the two weakest teams away well. And we drew with France in Paris. So if we beat England, we can say we've definitely improved on last year and Deccie should keep his job.

I really hope we can find a good backs coach before the tour to New Zealand. The scrum and lineout look good. The backrow looks good with POM there. Hope he keeps his place next week. If we can just get a more coherent attacking strategy and tighten up the defence in midfield and reduce the aimless kicking, I'll be happy.

I think Earls is a far better winger than center. He nearly always scores from the wing. He can be anonymous in the center at times. But here's the facts.

1. We have no better option at 13 than Earls at the moment.
2. We have Trimble at 11.

So there's logic to selecting Earls at 13 for now. He is our best option there.

[geoff999rugby]

DOC and Darcy should not feature in green after this 6N IMO injury withstanding

Agreed.

+1

It is a bit of a joke these two keep getting selected.

They were so inferior to the other 13 starters it was embarressing.

[eirebilly]

Surely Deccie wont start D'Arcy next weekend?

[geoff999rugby]

You more faith in him than I do eirebilly

[MrsP]

Do you remember last year?

Sure weren't we saying the same thing the whole tournament then too?

[eirebilly]

I think that D'Arcy will be on the bench. Deccie was swift in replacing him yesterday.

[asoreleftshoulder]

DOC and Darcy should not feature in green after this 6N IMO injury withstanding

I think DoC still has something to offer to the squad but Ryan deserves to start no question about it.

Kidney should be quicker to promote a player who's doing well but instead he waits until injury forces his hand.This year DoC has done nothing wrong but Ryan has been playing out of his skin so deserved his spot,you shouldn't have to play badly to be dropped.

[MrsP]

I don't think he will.

And "Declan Kidney" and "swift" should never appear in the same sentence!

You are having a laugh, aren't you?

[eirebilly]

Ahh come on now, dont you think that Deccie was a tad ruthless with D'Arcy yesterday?

[Feckless Rogue]

Ross didn't get a chance until both Hayes and Buckley were injured, even though it was blindingly obvious for ages that we needed Ross to shore up the scrum. The injuries happen, Ross comes in, and hey presto the scrum is fixed immediately, just like everyone in the world except the Irish coaching team knew would happen.

Deccie doesn't tend to make changes until injury forces his hand. Unfortunately that means the Irish team always has a couple of underperforming players starting, even when there's better options available.

[MrsP]

You mean that he was ruthless in replacing Darcy in the same way and at the same time as he ruthlessly replaced Best?

[eirebilly]

You mean that he was ruthless in replacing Darcy in the same way and at the same time as he ruthlessly replaced Best?

I have no comeback

[MrsP]

[dublin_dave]

my two cents on yesterday

positives
donncha ryan - superb performance against very good 2nd row pairing. what a difference it makes to have a fast dynamic/modern 2nd row on the park
we were very clinical in the red zone and have been throughout 6 nations with exception of 2nd half in Paris.
Kearney - pure class and in the form of his life. offers solidity and a real threat with ball in hand.
omahony - very good first start. boy will go far
scrum - no longer a weakness. mangled the scots. big test next week though

negatives
still think we put boot to ball too much. too much aimless box kicking from reddan in the first half.
darcy - gave his usual poor performance. surely he must be replaced for twickers. i would give mc fadden a go at 12. has pace and is hungry for work. deserves a shot. dont care if darcy is first choice for leinster. i would not go for rog sexton combo as id worry about morgan,barrit,tuilagi running over him

surprised by the reaction to earls incident. to me ref got it spot on and earls was clipped going at full tilt. no dive at all. thought earls had a good game again and his defence was excellent. would be interesting to see how he gets on with a decent 12 beside him

all in all a good win and good performance. well done kidney,foley and kiss. should be a cracker next week, they have a good young side.

[newbie]

+1 Dublindave...

Good display overall. Would also include Earls as someone who mad the jersey his own. Totally agree that a BOD, Earls combo in midfield would be a tasty combination.

Its interesting to see that with all the complaints about our attacking from Irish posters we have the most number of tries scored in the tournament so far and most of these have been from backs if I recall.

Sexton without playing as well as he can do for leinster has got a good run (rightly) but I would like to see him step up a gear next weekend. His kicking at goal was excellent again but in attack he could do a bit more I feel. A big game from him next weekend would do wonders for him and the team overall with the New Zealand tour coming up.

Overall glass half full. Could be better but I think Kidney and co are going in the right direction.

[SecretFly]

Its interesting to see that with all the complaints about our attacking from Irish posters we have the most number of tries scored in the tournament so far and most of these have been from backs if I recall.

Sexton without playing as well as he can do for leinster has got a good run (rightly) but I would like to see him step up a gear next weekend. His kicking at goal was excellent again but in attack he could do a bit more I feel. A big game from him next weekend would do wonders for him and the team overall with the New Zealand tour coming up.

The people who do complain about 'attacking' don't complain that we do it, they complain that we do too little of it over the course of an 80 minute game.

Yesterday was for me a noticeable improvement. I see by that other line I highlighted that you actually share that desire for more of an attacking edge. So I don't see too much of a divergence of opinion to be honest.

It was a legitimate criticism of our game, we all hope they are steadily rectifying it. Attack remains the best defence as it means you chance scoring but also you ensure that in an 80 minute game you are actually forced to do less defending.

[newbie]

I dont believe it was a legitimate complaint to be honest. I have seen the way the team is trying to play and evolve since 2010 and I think the statistics speak for themselves in terms of tries scored this year.

I dont believe Sexton has delivered as yet. When he bosses a game and gets his backline moving like O'Gara did in his pomp circa 07 and 08 then we will be in a much better position going forward...he is nearly there but I think when the pressure is on him he is flakey. He played a lot better as an individual in the last 10 - 15 mins when O'Gara came on and took the pressure off him a little.

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