The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Sixmilebridge

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 made it's way to the homeland of the wonderful Eirebilly, who we were all horrified to hear that he was involved in a helicopter crash on Friday. Better news though is that he's awake and swearing like a sailor, so no change there Feel free to take in all of the pubs, of which the Greyhound is but one of many.

Updates on Billy's progress can be found here: https://www.606v2.com/t30132-eirebilly-op-updated-02-06-2012 and I'm sure we'll all continue in sending the positive thoughts and good wishes to him and his family.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the snooker table, brought in especially for Billy. And I'm not quite sure how that picture of a sheep got above the bar.....




Old pub: https://www.606v2.com/t29683p950-the-dew-drop-inn-erc-2012-commemorative-pub-dublin#1271612

Linebreaker wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Is Genia going to be fit to play, breaker?

You happy with that squad overall, and do you think Wales have a chance?

Yes, Genia is fit to play.
I'm pretty happy overall with the team for Tuesday given the injury situation. We need one or two players back against Wales though. I'm just hoping O'Connor (a few weeks still) and Beale & Horwill can play some part later on, if possible.

Of course Wales have a chance. If they hit the ground running like they were through most of the 6N then they'll be hard to stop.

I'm glad (or perhaps not glad! ) Genia is fit. Really like him as a player.

I'm a bit worried we'll be too rusty for the 1st test and will miss our golden chance. I think the 2nd test might be our best bet but am not sure. Can't believe my nerves are starting to build for this series already! Ooooh but how I do love my rugby

Wales will win the series 3-0. You heard it here 1st.

don't put the mockers on us!

I will be deliriously happy with just the one win. Two is almost impossible to imagine. 3-0 would just be...hell I'd be floating on air for months afterwards.

Well Dreamer.... if you look back I was one of the 1st people to tip Wales as RWC dark horses and then tipped them for the slam .

I honestly think Wales are capable of winning every game. Australia have the better backs but Wales have a better pack so if they can implement that direct running gameplan then I think Australia will struggle.

Good afternoon All

Glad to see Billy's recovery is making good progress. It's been a good weekend afterall.

Rodders - have to disagree with you about the Welsh tour. They'll win one. Possibly two at a strong push. There's no way Oz would let them get all three though.

We haven't won a game down there for a long, long time Rodders. One win would be absolutely huge for us in terms of confidence and self belief.


It's not that I don't think we are capable, (because i really really think we are), it's just when something hasn't happened for so long, and Wales need a win down there so badly, it just changes things is all. There's a massive amount riding on this tour.

Keep talking rodders..... (tell him he's dreamin'!)

I'm getting excited too. Ordered my tickets this morning. I've a good record at the ground watching the Wallabies. Only losses were against NZ... but also some wins against them.

I'll always remember how well Wales played against the ABs in the 2003 RWC Group game on the same ground. They looked at home throwing it around. It was scintillating stuff in a cracking atmosphere. If the 2012 team come with that same approach - then we'll have a few classic games on our hands.

Too close to call I believe... as even though Wales may be 'rusty'; the Wallabies are missing important parts.

I think the scrum has shown recently to be one of the most important aspects of the modern game. Wales has a big advantage over Australia in that regard. However, the aussie back row is looking very dangerous. I think they have the edge over Wales there. Higginbotham, Pocock, Dennis, Palu, Hooper, Elsom.. they have some immense options.

Pretty evens in the backs, due to the loss of Beale for the aussies which IMO will be a huge loss. He has been exceptional at 10 this year. Is O'Connor out as well?

ha, that should even the two teams out then

First test as well we'll be missing Ian Evans and AWJ might only make the bench (they have family commitments at home), and the way those two have been playing, they are easily our starting two 2nd rows.

Bradley is in good form and has a lot to prove after being an utter twonk in the 6N's, but Charteris hasn't had much game time at all. He out of all the players will be the most rusty I think (along with Warbs).

Our bench selections is going to be crucial I think. I think it's what won is the slam in the end, that we made the right choices there. Fine lines.

Australia won't lose. They know Priestland is a weak link and how to exploit him.

Yeah but Mikey Phil offers the protection that Priest needs Glas, no problemos there. WIll be interesting to see how we cope without the Doc when Priest ships on stupid ball though. Am not sure Foxy or Scott will be as good at clearing it up, and heaven help us if we go with Hook in centre, we'd have two players shipping on rubbish ball!

dreamer We have similar concerns then. It's all about quality distribution, isn't it?

Rodders,
In this case our backs have been weakened but our forwards strengthened, well sort of.. without Horwill. There's a bit of experience and grunt in the pack there... and their confidence levels are up.

In the backs though it's a different story. No 10 has always been a playmaker position for the Wallabies and I just want to see us taking the opposition on more and play more of a running game too. Since Barnes got his head-knocks he seems to kick a lot more which is a pity because he was a good ground-gaining runner in his league/early union days.

Stop being cagey, Welsh fans...yous are GS champs, RWC Semi Finalists... there's no hiding place, time to deliver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

......

Any word on our billy?

Only the message Rava put up earlier, Willy


Rodders - I shall be as cagey as I like! (which will be a lot )

rugbydreamer wrote:Yeah but Mikey Phil offers the protection that Priest needs Glas, no problemos there. WIll be interesting to see how we cope without the Doc when Priest ships on stupid ball though. Am not sure Foxy or Scott will be as good at clearing it up, and heaven help us if we go with Hook in centre, we'd have two players shipping on rubbish ball!

See, you were starting to doubt yourself by the end.

The Aussie winger on the blind side will be iming round the forwards and running at him early. It will be carnage.

Nah I know Priest ships on crappy ball, I've only just considered the horrible possibility if we start with both Priest AND Hook. That would be not so good. Think we can cope with just the one of them in the team

SKY CHANNEL 799 - ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon

Allez Les Jaune et Bleu !!! Won't be text commentating on this one

ah c'mon Clermont! Is the lovely Regan going to be playing?

I stopped being lazy and looked for myself, He's on the bench!

Given the current state of the injury plagued England squad I'm expecting my call up any day now.

aye, Cahill's out now too, isn't he?

Right, going to watch the BaBaas match.

Afternoon pub

A big thank you for the text updates on Billy's progress, really appreciate it and an even bigger sense of relief

And Happy Birthday Kenny

Hope you're having a lovely day

BaBaas look knackered.

think one of the commentators say it takes them the first half to sweat out all the alcohol, Glas


And I didn't realise it was Kenny's birthday!

Happy Birthday Kenny!

Seeing as Ireland called up Paul McShane, I think you have a better chance of a call up to Trap's Army, Willy. We need you to support the Boys in Green Willy, we need all the help we can get! Good to hear Bilbo is improving. Keep up the good work Billy.

Seeing as Ireland called up Paul McShane, I think you have a better chance of a call up to Trap's Army, Willy. We need you to support the Boys in Green Willy, we need all the help we can get! Good to hear Bilbo is improving. Keep up the good fight Billy.

PenfroPete wrote:SKY CHANNEL 799 - ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon

Allez Les Jaune et Bleu !!! Won't be text commentating on this one

Another French tryfest then Penfro!

"come on Roland, it's a BaBaas match!"

Jiffy

Robinson - headless chicken.

I'd forgotten how bad Hook was. Him going on the tour and taking the kicks makes a mockery of 'Gatland's law'.

Phook, Phook, Phook

Parra misses last minute penalty to tie the game. Clermont 12 Toulon 15

Missed kicks cost ASM big style

160 minutes of Top 14 rugby = zero tries

So it will be a Red and Black battle in Paris next Saturday.

Is 1/2p out yeah? I would have thought he would take them.

PenfroPete wrote:Phook, Phook, Phook

Parra misses last minute penalty to tie the game. Clermont 12 Toulon 15

Missed kicks cost ASM big style

160 minutes of Top 14 rugby = zero tries

240 if you count the 80 I sat through at The Stoop

1/2p's already out in Aus Thomond, Hook looks like he might be back up kicker I'm a thinking

I wasn't too impressed with him though, doesn't put enough work in off the ball for me. In the second half there was an ideal opportunity for him to go in and jackle the ball as a BaaBaa's player slipped with not support around him, and he just looked at the player and ball as though he'd never seen it before. Foxy or the Doc would have been in there like a shot to get a turnover.

Yes, and on a turnover with the click on 79 and an overlap, he kicked long and aimless, he also looked as if he didn't know what was going to happen next for his try until he fell over the line. Retrograde step to take him. Biggar or Beck better options.

Thomond wrote:Seeing as Ireland called up Paul McShane, I think you have a better chance of a call up to Trap's Army, Willy. We need you to support the Boys in Green Willy, we need all the help we can get! Good to hear Bilbo is improving. Keep up the good work Billy.

Ach T bud Ireland have 3 massive games in a row. I can't see the trap changing his XI that much and I doubt McShane will get a look in. Can't wait to see who he picks on the left. Heart says Duff head says McClean.

Having to watch Alan Titchmarsh spouting bull Poopie just to see if I can spot my father in law's cattle being chased across the ring in this Blydi pageant.

Olympic torch was out at Rava's neck of the woods this afternoon, I wonder if he saw it..... feicing thing is here tomorrow so my journey home from work should be good fun.....

Come back Olympic torch and Euro 2012, all is forgiven...

Africa's introduction in the pageant - soundtrack - theme tune from 'Zulu'!



You couldn't make it up!

Feic off Olympic torch and Euro 2012 all is not forgiven... and take the feicin jubilee with you.....

Oh and cancel christmas

A man after my own heart

Announcement!

If anyone is looking for their missing "Grumpy Old Men", I think we just found them!

Evening all; nice day for my old man's birthday and now watching a andre riu (sp) concert for him before some crib with me, him, me ma and the gal!!

evening all.

Blydi hell, i thought I was being uber organised about my birthday, but turns out I should have started planning sooner!

I want to go and see Les Miserables in London for it, and most of the affordable tickets are already sold out

Got a choice now between the weekends of 14-15th or 28-29th July. Hadn't wanted to make my way up on either of those weekends as I was supposed to be doing things back here, but they're the only weekends around my birthday that my best mate in London is around for (and as it'll be a girls weekend we should be staying at hers). Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

MrsP wrote:Announcement!

If anyone is looking for their missing "Grumpy Old Men", I think we just found them!

I used to be an angry young man:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/protest-halts-the-queens-visit-1334823.html

I was there (not arrested, but there). The National Library was a vital resource as it was a copyright library and at exam time the University Library was over run. Any book you wanted was in the Llyfyrgell Gen. They arranged to "open" the new part of it which was a good few years old...in the week before finals.

This would have been big news, but the Prime Minister of Israel was assassinated on the same day.