The Dew Drop Inn ERC 2012 Commemorative Pub, Dublin

First topic message reminder :

Sláinte and 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 Pub has followed the victorious Leinster team home after last week's Heineken Cup final for a liver-busting celebration.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the picture of the late Simon "Human Windmill" Pitney or those of all the HEC and Amlin Cup finalists.



Old Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t29248p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-hec-final-rugby-pub-twickenham#1243723

This is an absolute disgrace. The powers that be seriously need to look at this before children all over the country are put off the sport for life. Time after time it happens and they do nothing. I don't care who's at home and who isn't.

Whoever is pitching "come on you boys in blue" needs to be shot!

Not being funny, two tries, two horrible high tackles. Just saying.

Tis true Glas, tis true.

Nast edge to this final, but it's turning into a cracker (the last 5 mins of the first half aside)

Ooo Ryan could be in trouble here....

I think Reddan deserved to go for the one on Shane. Tackle on Nacewa is a bit more forgiveable. You can give a penalty instead of a kick off if a scenario warrants it but I have only seen it happen once.

Sorry but that card is pathetic.

I've had a cardio vascular work out in my chair.

I'm not crying...I've just got something in my eye...

enjoy it Cari!!

COngrats to the O's regs, and commiserations to the Leinster crowd. That was one crazy final, but random Poite crazyness aside, I blydi well enjoyed that one!

Thanks

I'm glad it was an exciting game for the neutrals as well. I just can't believe we won it. I honestly thought we wouldn't. I was worried it would be a one-sided affair! Leinster are formidable though.

Formidable is the word. In fact you could say today they are the second best team in Europe.

Congrats to the Ospreys, hope everyone enjoyed what was a memorable game!

This Wigan v Saints game has loads of needle. Three red cards after a mass brawl. Wigan were coasting, but plenty of time to turn it around now.

Just thought I would get this in.
Ulster are the only Irish team to beat the O's this year.

Congratulations Ospreys. Thoroughly deserved your win today.
Commiserations Leinster. A step too far again.

Rava wrote:Just thought I would get this in.
Ulster are the only Irish team to beat the O's this year.

Congratulations Ospreys. Thoroughly deserved your win today.
Commiserations Leinster. A step too far again.

It just shows how tough it is to play three huge knockout games on the trot at this stage of the season. I still think Leinster would have won if not for the yellow cards. The exertions of the previous week plus the difficulty of spending 20 minutes at a man disadvantage was just too much in the end.

Ospreys will be a force next year, not a farce. Tandy has sorted them out well. They are playing some good stuff and coming on as a team.

for Dreamer, sorry for being a miserable bollix earlier, I'm a bad loser

I would love to have bluffed you that I'm an expert on front row play but as we've met that is obviously a non starter.... ....

Rodders - dim probs!

I'm not sure what "dim" means, but I'll assume from the emoticons that I'm off the hook.....

Well it's strange you say that Rodders as my understanding is that dim actually involves hooks and a lot of pain. I'd watch your back son. These galls from the valleys are touchy and they can hold a grudge.

It's possible that some point in the near future I could use some external advice from the pub dwellers regarding the ladies. Nothing urgent mind, just some affairs I'm trying to get in order. One has to settle down eventually.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Don't do it Son! Don't go looking for trouble, it will find you.

Good morning by the way.

Morning pub

Morning everyone. please.

I think Willy needs to speak to Mrs P. She'll put him right.

Bore da pawb / good morning all, another beaut of a day in prospect!

I really enjoyed yesterday's match, althought I was rough as about nine bears after my sister's Eurovision barbecue on Saturday and I was actually asleep when Shane scored his second try. I was awake for the conversion, though.

Also, I didn't realise until yesterday that striped shirts are the in thing at the moment. Either that or S4C have a special deal with some striped shirt manufacturer.

I know what you mean lucky, I missed Nacewa's red card for the tip tackle, sorry I mean being awarded MOTM by the parochial, sorry local TV station.

One other thing about yesterday's match: Kahn Fotuali'i is one lucky boy. I couldn't believe my eyes. Eighty minutes on the clock, the ball's at his feet and he's more concerned with getting an answer from Romain Poite than he is about protecting it. Lo and behold, he loses the ball and Leinster have a final chance to win the game. If they had, the rest of the Ospreys squad should have lined up to give him a ruddy good punch on the bottom.

Glas, can you name one player from either team who played better than Nacewa?

Oh, and I don't understand how you could see a tip tackle out of your one good eye

I thought that Dan Biggar had a pretty reasonable game Rava. I certainly had him up there as a leading candidate for MOTM

Billy, I'm beginning to come 'round to Stag's viewpoint that Dan Biggar could be just what Wales need at outside half. Even so, there's something about having a player at ten who's no threat in his own right with ball in hand that doesn't sit right with me. It was the same when we had Stephen Jones.

I think that he is very solid Lucky. He has moments where he can be a threat but i do believe that he has the game control to be very good for Wales. I would start him against the Aussies over Priestland.

I wouldn't disagree about Bigger having a "pretty reasonable" game Billy. There were lots of others who were on a par but I do think Nacewa was the stand out player. I know it isn't always accepted that a player from the losing team should get MOM but this is one time that I couldn't argue with the decision.

Lucky, don't let your 10k post go unnoticed man!!

I dont begrudge the decision Rava, Nacewa was excellent, especially his try from the kick off. You can argue bad defense but Isa did everything right. I also have no probs with MOM going to players on loosing teams, Parisse gets more than anyone and they are always deserved.

I just felt that Biggar, without being too flashy, was incredibly solid and was the best player on the field yesterday.

Jaysus, nearly cracking the 10K, well done Lucky

Isa Nacewa is a class act, though, no question about that.

Thanks for the heads up, Rava!

Morning peeps, I have a real @##$ day ahead, have to study for an exam tomorrow.

Exams at your age biltong

You've now gone from pretty reasonable to incredibly solid Billy. Which is it?

If you are looking for incredibly solid Ospreys performances then you have to pick the two locks. They put in a fantastic shift.

My 'pretty reasonable' comment was tongue in cheek Rava.

eirebilly wrote:Exams at your age biltong

Unfortunately the financial industry is regulated by the financial services board, and they have been finding ways to waste our time.

I have to write two exams on regulatory laws and the environment tomorrow.

I dont envy you there biltong

Congrats on 10,000 posts Lucky

Morning folks , scorher here but really bad thunderstorms forecast later, glad I'm not on the top floor....

I thought Nacewa was the standout player. Best player for the Ospreys was easily Ryan Jones. First player I've seen win a high ball againt Rob Kearney all season. On form he should be starting 8 for Wales.

Getting a bit concerned about this Priestland bashing. People don't seem to get how fundimental he is to how Wales play. His ability to stand flat on the gainline and bring his 3/4 line into the game is why Roberts, Davies and North have been so impressive.

Morning Rodders.

What Priestland bashing is this? I just think that Biggar has the better game to play the Aussies.

Hey king Bill , nah not in here but Priestland seems a bit undervalued out there on the boards, maybe its a regional thing.

Agree Biggar is playing very well. Amazing that hes only 22, seems to be around forever.

Makes it all the more infuriating that O'Gara has made the NZ tour ahead of Madigan.

Ok, i rate Priestland highly and think that he i a very dangerous attacking threat, even better when removed of the kicking duties. To me though, against the Aussies, Priestland may get found out badly whereas i feel that Biggar has the game to worry the Aussies.

I am still fuming that ROG is ahead of Madigan. It beggers belief

Rodders, the thing with Priestland is that he's quite capable of making breaks himself, which means defences can't drift out to cover our midfield. I'm not convinced Dan Biggar poses the same threat.

I agree Luckless, Sexton is the same for Leinster and would be for Ireland if he played his natural game. Having a 10 who can break and offload creates so much more space for the midfield.

It depends on the game and the opposition really. Playing an open and attacking game against the Aussie could be very dangerous. I would more like to see the Welsh play a more solid and defensive approach against the Aussies as that will frustrate them. For that, i feel Biggar is the better option.

We played a more solid and defensive approach against France in the Six Nations, Billy. Priestland's kicking game that day was excellent.

Another thing that was apparant again yesterday is the gulf in physicality between the Irish and Welsh players, particularly in the tight 5 forwards and 3/4 line. Wales and England are pulling away and it doesn't matter how good our backrowers and outside backs are, if you can't secure your set piece you are in trouble.

John Afoa touched on it recently, the guys at Ulster aren't doing any serious weights until they reach the academy whereas in NZ the players are doing serious training at school boy level and by the time the players come into academys they are already physically ready to play senior rugby and just waiting for an opportunity.

The problem i have with Priestland is that his head gets down when put under extreme pressure, the Aussies will put more pressure on him than the French did. I am not sure how Biggar will stand up but i think that he has earned a shot. Not a bad headache for the Welsh team to have

Absolutely not, Billy.

Rodders, I think it was you who mentioned Ryan Jones earlier - his return to form has been great to see. I'd still start with Toby at eight, though.