Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Looking ahead to this game, Eoin Reddan is a doubt apparently but there are no other new injury concerns. Ferris and O'Connell are confirmed out of this and next week.

I've already talked about the issue of this game not being considered a full international which can be found HERE and we should should probably try and keep discussion of that issue to the relevant thread.

I'm very much of the opinion that we should largely keep the same team. I don't see how wholesale changes are going to help prepare the firsts for Argentina. There should of course be a few tweaks (please put Earls back in the back three) but this team needs time on the pitch together. Of course, I think our problems run deeper than a lack of pitch time together but we're in a desperate situation here. We need to beat Argentina and this game has to be treated as a dry run for the week after.

[MrsP]

Can any of the nay sayers (yes, I am looking at you Gobby) tell me what else they would like to have seen from that team this afternoon?

I get the feeling there are a few in here who would have been happier to see the pups struggle just to take the bad look off the big lads!

[LeinsterFan4life]

I would play McFadden, he played well.
er..leinsterfan4life, check out leinater with Madiganat 10 and how many tries they scored and then with sexton. Also check it out when Nacewa wasn't playingwith sexton...

Dont think Madigan has ever started a HC game at 10 for Leinster so dont know how you can compare the two.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Making this game a non-cap event was a stroke of genius. If this and the barbarians match actually counted Gilroy would have five tries in two games. It would be unacceptable to have an Ulsterman with positive stats.

After an interlude of entertainment I feel better we can get back to normal against Argentina. The world is a scary place, and playing young players with talent is just too uncertain. Play it safe I say. Like investing in the property market. It never lets ya down.

[Thomond]

Can any of the nay sayers (yes, I am looking at you Gobby) tell me what else they would like to have seen from that team this afternoon?

I get the feeling there are a few in here who would have been happier to see the pups struggle just to take the bad look off the big lads!

More or less what I have said before, better running lines and more conducive backplay, some outstanding tries taken by Ferg, Gilroy and co., and hats off to them but from what I have seen we did not have what I would call creative backs. i.e. some moves. We recycled well and got the space to go wide but after that it seemed like we just put it through the hands that won't beat better sides than Fiji.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Making this game a non-cap event was a stroke of genius. If this and the barbarians match actually counted Gilroy would have five tries in two games. It would be unacceptable to have an Ulsterman with positive stats.

After an interlude of entertainment I feel better we can get back to normal against Argentina. The world is a scary place, and playing young players with talent is just too uncertain. Play it safe I say. Spend your money in the housing market, it never lets ya down.

Ok it was funny at the start now its just getting annoying.

[Artful_Dodger]

Can any of the nay sayers (yes, I am looking at you Gobby) tell me what else they would like to have seen from that team this afternoon?

I get the feeling there are a few in here who would have been happier to see the pups struggle just to take the bad look off the big lads!

Absolutely agree, there is an element of we cant congratulate a team of youngsters on their performance cause some fans have a little bit too much of a vested interest in looking after the starting places of first team players, who lets be honest are playing like a heap of ***** at the minute.

[valjester]

Healy
Strauss
Bent
Ryan
DOC
Henry
Henderson
Heaslip

Murray
Sexton

Gillroy
Marshall
Cave
Bowe
Zebo

Earls on bench...

My team for next week presuming we play high tempo rugby. Will never happen though

McCarthy won't be dropped after last weekend and rightly so. Earls will be involved somewhere in the backline, and I think he should be, he was our most dangerous back against SA.

Valjester, that is a very Declan Kidney-esque attitude. "Yea some of the guys played exceptionally well last week, but we decided to go with other players anyway..."

No, its not. Reaching for the comfort blanket of bringing DOC back in after a good performance against Fiji is. McCarthy was outstanding against much tougher opposition, if you want to shake up the pack then the sensible option would to be replace an out of form Ryan.

[Artful_Dodger]

Can any of the nay sayers (yes, I am looking at you Gobby) tell me what else they would like to have seen from that team this afternoon?

I get the feeling there are a few in here who would have been happier to see the pups struggle just to take the bad look off the big lads!

More or less what I have said before, better running lines and more conducive backplay, some outstanding tries taken by Ferg, Gilroy and co., and hats off to them but from what I have seen we did not have what I would call creative backs. i.e. some moves. We recycled well and got the space to go wide but after that it seemed like we just put it through the hands that won't beat better sides than Fiji.

What won't beat better sides than Fiji is playing the likes of Gordon 'lets run straight into a brick wall' D'Arcy. Even Keith Wood who is hardly the most adventurous of Ireland pundits wants at least 3 of those youngsters going straight into the Ireland team for Argentina.

[ME-109]

I would play McFadden, he played well.
er..leinsterfan4life, check out leinater with Madiganat 10 and how many tries they scored and then with sexton. Also check it out when Nacewa wasn't playingwith sexton...

Dont think Madigan has ever started a HC game at 10 for Leinster so dont know how you can compare the two.

That is a good point. But it is also a fact that last year when Madigan played 10 the backline looked more potent. Having said that it is the same with regards to the arguement many are making this evening concerning the call for inclusion for tonights players. To put it in perspective zebo when he came on looked like he was playing against an under 16s team.

[Thomond]

I agree with you, people are obviously misreading my posts or I am explaining myself really badly! The young guys who played well deserve game time they have earned it. All I'm saying is that wasn't incredibly good backplay, some good facets to it alright but it is far from the finished article.

[MBTGOG]

Fiji were really poor defensively but the positives of getting these younger players gametime now, will be of benefit to Ireland for the next 10 years or more.

[LeinsterFan4life]

I would play McFadden, he played well.
er..leinsterfan4life, check out leinater with Madiganat 10 and how many tries they scored and then with sexton. Also check it out when Nacewa wasn't playingwith sexton...

Dont think Madigan has ever started a HC game at 10 for Leinster so dont know how you can compare the two.

That is a good point. But it is also a fact that last year when Madigan played 10 the backline looked more potent. Having said that it is the same with regards to the arguement many are making this evening concerning the call for inclusion for tonights players. To put it in perspective zebo when he came on looked like he was playing against an under 16s team.

Sexton is a different player for Leinster than for Ireland. Probably because Leinster play a completely different game than Ireland do.

[ME-109]

Of course there is also the fact that it wasn't too long ago in some final or other that the same players being lauded this evening were tossed around like rag dolls by the players they want them to replace..

[LeinsterFan4life]

I agree with you, people are obviously misreading my posts or I am explaining myself really badly! The young guys who played well deserve game time they have earned it. All I'm saying is that wasn't incredibly good backplay, some good facets to it alright but it is far from the finished article.

If it helps I agree with you. There was a few times we kicked the ball away when we had an overlap. It was more the individual brillance than good backline play.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I agree with you, people are obviously misreading my posts or I am explaining myself really badly! The young guys who played well deserve game time they have earned it. All I'm saying is that wasn't incredibly good backplay, some good facets to it alright but it is far from the finished article.

I'm afraid a few people have had sarcasm bypasses. But they still have their looks, by gum!

[MrsP]

Thanks Thomond. I hear you but the lads played what was in front of them and did it, for the most part, very well. Good to hear someone express what they felt was missing rather than just shrug and say, "It was only Fiji!"


I am very very sad to say this because I hate the parochialism but, if that had been a team with 5 or 6 Leinster youngsters or 5 or 6 Munster youngsters there would have been a very different tone to the comments from certain quarters.

We would not be hearing the end of the talent on display.

But, no, all we hear is... it was only Fiji.

Is that what we heard when a certain (not very) young J. Sexton got his first start against Fiji? I don't remember the rider "only" being used so much that day.

Disappointing.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

On another note the Lions are going to be horrific this season. I think that though will keep DOD warm at night.

Sure we are all doomed come the Six Nations. Looks like the French are interested in playing rugby again. The rest of us will be playing for who is the least incompetent.

[ME-109]

I would play McFadden, he played well.
er..leinsterfan4life, check out leinater with Madiganat 10 and how many tries they scored and then with sexton. Also check it out when Nacewa wasn't playingwith sexton...

Dont think Madigan has ever started a HC game at 10 for Leinster so dont know how you can compare the two.

That is a good point. But it is also a fact that last year when Madigan played 10 the backline looked more potent. Having said that it is the same with regards to the arguement many are making this evening concerning the call for inclusion for tonights players. To put it in perspective zebo when he came on looked like he was playing against an under 16s team.

Sexton is a different player for Leinster than for Ireland. Probably because Leinster play a completely different game than Ireland do.

I disagree . The difference is the step up in class. Intl is a completely different game and as yet sexton has not shown his ability to own a game..he always strikes me as a player who is waiting for something to happen..

[tecphobe]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

[Thomond]

You are probably right to a certain extent MrsP, there is something of an Anti-Ulster bias in the media, but nothing like we Corkonians get like sure ROG and Strings should still be starting for us right?

[LeinsterFan4life]

Thanks Thomond. I hear you but the lads played what was in front of them and did it, for the most part, very well. Good to hear someone express what they felt was missing rather than just shrug and say, "It was only Fiji!"


I am very very sad to say this because I hate the parochialism but, if that had been a team with 5 or 6 Leinster youngsters or 5 or 6 Munster youngsters there would have been a very different tone to the comments from certain quarters.

We would not be hearing the end of the talent on display.

But, no, all we hear is... it was only Fiji.

Is that what we heard when a certain (not very) young J. Sexton got his first start against Fiji? I don't remember the rider "only" being used so much that day.

Disappointing.

No there wouldnt be a different attitude. Ulster fans are making it seem like there are two different teams within the Irish team. Ulster v the rest of the provinces. I never look at how many Leinster players are in the Ireland squad.

[Artful_Dodger]

Of course there is also the fact that it wasn't too long ago in some final or other that the same players being lauded this evening were tossed around like rag dolls by the players they want them to replace..

A bit like saying Ulster smashing Munster to pieces and going 19-0 up at Thomond Park in the HC quarter final means no Munster player should be picked ahead of their opposite number at Ulster. Also....half the Ulster players playing tonight didn't play in the HC final, including Henderson and Luke Marshall.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

You are probably right to a certain extent MrsP, there is something of an Anti-Ulster bias in the media, but nothing like we Corkonians get like sure ROG and Strings should still be starting for us right?

I've never understood that myself. You'd think the West Brits and us real Brits would be like birds of a feather. Back to the halcyon days of monarchy and the Kaiser and Franz Ferdinand. Now there were a couple of moustaches we could be proud of in the autumn internationals. Some appalling attempts on show.

[valjester]

Thanks Thomond. I hear you but the lads played what was in front of them and did it, for the most part, very well. Good to hear someone express what they felt was missing rather than just shrug and say, "It was only Fiji!"


I am very very sad to say this because I hate the parochialism but, if that had been a team with 5 or 6 Leinster youngsters or 5 or 6 Munster youngsters there would have been a very different tone to the comments from certain quarters.

We would not be hearing the end of the talent on display.

But, no, all we hear is... it was only Fiji.

Is that what we heard when a certain (not very) young J. Sexton got his first start against Fiji? I don't remember the rider "only" being used so much that day.

Disappointing.

That Fiji team was a lot stronger than the one put out today. I think certain players did enough today to push forward their cases, but most of them were just confirming what we already knew about them.

The decisions that Kidney needs to show he has the courage to make are to start Henderson at 6, and to start Marshall at 12. They are the two positions where it is an obvious choice that Kidney will no doubt ignore.

The others who did well tonight are less likely to push ahead of those in front of them.

[rodders]

Streets ahead, yerra let them do it against a good side like. Putting 50 points on Fiji is grand like but can they do absolutely nothing against South Africa?
That's how you prove you deserve to start for Ireland.

Well on that basis no one should start for us.

Watching Murray and Jackson move the ball... Marshall and Cave straighten and carry the ball in both hands ... Gilroy and McFadden take players on and play with their heads up... it was like watching...well like watching professional players again. I feel reborn again... my faith in Irish rugby has been restored...

P.S. hope your trip to the hospital has resolved what ever took you there .

[Artful_Dodger]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

Your post was rather silly though wasn't it....our seconds (plus Ross and Heaslip) beat Fiji 53-0.... which is 30 points more than England did. I don't think anyone is happy with Irish rugby right now and if you had been anywhere near this site for several months you would realize that all anyone here apart from Sin has been doing is calling for Kidneys head and getting stuck into the team. Tonight however a team of youngsters did ...for the most part, fairly well. I fail to see how recognizing that is a problem with Irish rugby. A real problem with Irish rugby however is fans that only turn up at international time and don't actually know what their talking about.

[Thomond]

More or less. Rodders, I think the confusion over that post was resolved in the following posts it was sarcasm. These boys deserve a shot, they have showed more that the lads last week regardless of who they played.


They won't get picked though, Kidney for Ireland hasn't really thrown many guys in, bar Sexton in 09. He had a decent enough record at Munster for it strangely enough. TOL and Hurley coming in for the Glos game in the 08 HC being a big example.

[Feckless Rogue]

It really was a very poor Fiji team. But "Ireland XV" did exactly what you want your team to do to poor opposition. Demolished them. And nilled them for good measure.

Gilroy, Marshall and Cave for Ireland. If anyone disagree's could they explain to me how these guys could be worse than the "attacking" we saw against South Africa last week?

p.s I still think Madigan is much better than Jackson, and should be ahead of him in the pecking order.

[MrsP]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

[rodders]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

I'm happy with that because of the problems with Irish rugby.

[profitius]

I am very very sad to say this because I hate the parochialism but, if that had been a team with 5 or 6 Leinster youngsters or 5 or 6 Munster youngsters there would have been a very different tone to the comments from certain quarters.

We would not be hearing the end of the talent on display.

But, no, all we hear is... it was only Fiji.

Is that what we heard when a certain (not very) young J. Sexton got his first start against Fiji? I don't remember the rider "only" being used so much that day.

Disappointing.

Indeed, MrsP, but thats the same for all provinces. Its just the way people think. They build their own players up so much that they believe they're better than they really are.

I think some Munster players are not getting the credit they deserve like Kilcoyne, Murray and POM for instance. Meanwhile in Connacht they're wondering why some of their players are not getting a chance. Leinster fans are wondering why Madigan isn't making the squad etc. It'll be the same when the Lions squad is announced. Irish fans will be complaining that theres not enough Irish players, English that theres not enough English players etc.

For next week I'd like to see Gilroy, Cave and Luke Marshall starting. Marshall in particular could give the backline the spark that it lacks.

[Artful_Dodger]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Again I agree, if that had been a Munster or Leinster backline they would be the best thing since sliced bread.

[LeinsterFan4life]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

[tecphobe]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

Your post was rather silly though wasn't it....our seconds (plus Ross and Heaslip) beat Fiji 53-0.... which is 30 points more than England did. I don't think anyone is happy with Irish rugby right now and if you had been anywhere near this site for several months you would realize that all anyone here apart from Sin has been doing is calling for Kidneys head and getting stuck into the team. Tonight however a team of youngsters did ...for the most part, fairly well. I fail to see how recognizing that is a problem with Irish rugby. A real problem with Irish rugby however is fans that only turn up at international time and don't actually know what their talking about.

have been on this site reading articles england beat fiji by a similar score 54-12. They were unhappy with there performance and said so. The issue is not the players its the coaching so the changes make no difference the back-line looked disjointed poor coached. Thats not to say young gilroy Marshall etc didn't do well but you cant judge them against fiji. Just because you comment on a rugby discussion board doesn't mean you now anything about rugby. I suggest you get you facts right in future before attacking posters wouldn't of taken much effort to Google the England fiji score would it. The problem i was reffering too is the acceptance of sub-standard performances

[neilthom7]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

Your post was rather silly though wasn't it....our seconds (plus Ross and Heaslip) beat Fiji 53-0.... which is 30 points more than England did. I don't think anyone is happy with Irish rugby right now and if you had been anywhere near this site for several months you would realize that all anyone here apart from Sin has been doing is calling for Kidneys head and getting stuck into the team. Tonight however a team of youngsters did ...for the most part, fairly well. I fail to see how recognizing that is a problem with Irish rugby. A real problem with Irish rugby however is fans that only turn up at international time and don't actually know what their talking about.

+1

[Artful_Dodger]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

Your post was rather silly though wasn't it....our seconds (plus Ross and Heaslip) beat Fiji 53-0.... which is 30 points more than England did. I don't think anyone is happy with Irish rugby right now and if you had been anywhere near this site for several months you would realize that all anyone here apart from Sin has been doing is calling for Kidneys head and getting stuck into the team. Tonight however a team of youngsters did ...for the most part, fairly well. I fail to see how recognizing that is a problem with Irish rugby. A real problem with Irish rugby however is fans that only turn up at international time and don't actually know what their talking about.

have been on this site reading articles england beat fiji by a similar score 54-12. They were unhappy with there performance and said so. The issue is not the players its the coaching so the changes make no difference the back-line looked disjointed poor coached. Thats not to say young gilroy Marshall etc didn't do well but you cant judge them against fiji. Just because you comment on a rugby discussion board doesn't mean you now anything about rugby. I suggest you get you facts right in future before attacking posters wouldn't of taken much effort to Google the England fiji score would it. The problem i was reffering too is the acceptance of sub-standard performances

England's FIRST team beat Fiji by less of a margin than our SECOND team. I didn't see many England fans criticizing their team for it either, apparently you did. I have to be honest I think if a Munster backline instead of an Ulster backline had being playing tonight you would think it was a fantastic performance for such youngsters.

[tecphobe]

i love how 54-12 is 30 points more than 52-0

[Artful_Dodger]

Hmmm well lets see 54-12 is a 42 point margin, where as 53-0 is a 53 point margin, not sure about your maths mate.....

[MrsP]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

I wasn't actually talking about the TV coverage. I was talking about in here.

Those young lads, from every province, did grand today. They showed more attacking intent than we have seen in green for some time and that should be applauded by all Irish fans. I just find the parochialism of some to be very disappointing.

[MrsP]

Hmmm well lets see 54-12 is a 44 point margin, where as 53-0 is a 53 point margin, not sure about your maths mate.....

Quick Artful!!!!!

Edit it before anyone notices!!!

[Artful_Dodger]

Erm yeh, but in fairness I've had a couple of pear ciders, some hoegaarden , couple of glasses of red and am in the process of polishing off a bottle of white, so its excusable.

[tecphobe]

Im disappointed with that performance fiji are awful. Decent international side should put 80-100 points on them.

WUMbag

That's what i hate about this site you express your opinion and you got called a WUM. I fail to see how anyone can get excited by that performance. Being happy with that shows the problem with Irish rugby.

Your post was rather silly though wasn't it....our seconds (plus Ross and Heaslip) beat Fiji 53-0.... which is 30 points more than England did. I don't think anyone is happy with Irish rugby right now and if you had been anywhere near this site for several months you would realize that all anyone here apart from Sin has been doing is calling for Kidneys head and getting stuck into the team. Tonight however a team of youngsters did ...for the most part, fairly well. I fail to see how recognizing that is a problem with Irish rugby. A real problem with Irish rugby however is fans that only turn up at international time and don't actually know what their talking about.

have been on this site reading articles england beat fiji by a similar score 54-12. They were unhappy with there performance and said so. The issue is not the players its the coaching so the changes make no difference the back-line looked disjointed poor coached. Thats not to say young gilroy Marshall etc didn't do well but you cant judge them against fiji. Just because you comment on a rugby discussion board doesn't mean you now anything about rugby. I suggest you get you facts right in future before attacking posters wouldn't of taken much effort to Google the England fiji score would it. The problem i was reffering too is the acceptance of sub-standard performances

England's FIRST team beat Fiji by less of a margin than our SECOND team. I didn't see many England fans criticizing their team for it either, apparently you did. I have to be honest I think if a Munster backline instead of an Ulster backline had being playing tonight you would think it was a fantastic performance for such youngsters.

your the man mentioning that ireland beat fiji by 30 points more than england did. maye you should leave of the before posting. For you to suggest because i have a different view to you that i must be a Munster fan

[LeinsterFan4life]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

I wasn't actually talking about the TV coverage. I was talking about in here.

Those young lads, from every province, did grand today. They showed more attacking intent than we have seen in green for some time and that should be applauded by all Irish fans. I just find the parochialism of some to be very disappointing.

But most people on here have been praising the lads but at the same time putting it into persepective. Most people are saying that they would like to see Gilroy and Marshall starting. I dont see what the problem is.

[Artful_Dodger]

The fact remains that our seconds beat Fiji by a greater margin than Englands first team, so how it is a problem with Irish rugby to consider that a good performance for youngsters...I dont know.

Again I think there's a bit of angst towards this hugely impressive young Ulster backline coming through here along with the fact that Ulster have replaced a declining Munster as the second province in Ireland.

[Thomond]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

I wasn't actually talking about the TV coverage. I was talking about in here.

Those young lads, from every province, did grand today. They showed more attacking intent than we have seen in green for some time and that should be applauded by all Irish fans. I just find the parochialism of some to be very disappointing.

The majority in here are not biased against Ulster anyhow, it's only Leinster they hate and possibly Munster Sure I got a bollicking for saying Zebo was getting more criticism than Gilroy, Zebo's mistakes were being scrutinized heavily, Gilroy's few mistakes were barely being highlighted. Good to see both coming on a lot. Zebo in particular.


Has anyone said the Ulster lads don't deserve game time next week? I might be wrong but I don't think so. I think we just need to remember that Fiji aren't a great side is all.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

I wasn't actually talking about the TV coverage. I was talking about in here.

Those young lads, from every province, did grand today. They showed more attacking intent than we have seen in green for some time and that should be applauded by all Irish fans. I just find the parochialism of some to be very disappointing.

I think you are being a bit over sensitive here. I'm an Ulster fan, I'm glad our players showed up well and proved what many of us have been saying about them this season. But let's keep it in perspective. Fiji are ranked, what, 12th in the world? Let's not get carried away. Apart from Henderson I thought the forwards were relatively poor. It wasn't a game made for forwards, but the support play was average. The props were poor. Cronin's throwing was dreadful. DOC and Tuohy did nothing to stake a claim for a spot next week. Heaslip was average, Muldoon did little. Henderson had a decent game but didn't do enough for me to be in the side next week.

Murray did quite well, Jackson moved the ball well but his kicking for points was very poor. The centres both played well but weren't tested in defence. The wingers both did well. Hurley barely touched the ball after the 20th minute. Plenty of positives here but not much to crow about.

[Feckless Rogue]

Has it finally happened?

Have Ulster fans fully joined in to the Irish provincial parochial bickering? Are we arguing as a threesome rather than a twosome? Does this mean their players are half decent now?

[rodders]

Again I think there's a bit of angst towards this hugely impressive young Ulster backline coming through here along with the fact that Ulster have replaced a declining Munster as the second province in Ireland.

Munster have some excellent talent too - Zebo, O'Dea, Dougal, O'Callaghan v2, Sherry, POM, Hanaran, Keatley - I don't think they are far off being a very good side again, a bit like Ireland, they just need to get their attacking patterns in place, sort out the set piece and get some square pegs and square holes in a few positions.

[tecphobe]

LF4L,

I really think if Dave Kearney and Ian Madigan had been playing today we would be hearing about how absolutely wonderful they were. I hate to say it as I hate to fuel the fire but I really do think there would be different songs sung!

Shame.

Thats just a rediculous thing to say. If you watched the game on RTE all you could hear was the commentator drueling over Gilroys performance.

I wasn't actually talking about the TV coverage. I was talking about in here.

Those young lads, from every province, did grand today. They showed more attacking intent than we have seen in green for some time and that should be applauded by all Irish fans. I just find the parochialism of some to be very disappointing.

I think you are being a bit over sensitive here. I'm an Ulster fan, I'm glad our players showed up well and proved what many of us have been saying about them this season. But let's keep it in perspective. Fiji are ranked, what, 12th in the world? Let's not get carried away. Apart from Henderson I thought the forwards were relatively poor. It wasn't a game made for forwards, but the support play was average. The props were poor. Cronin's throwing was dreadful. DOC and Tuohy did nothing to stake a claim for a spot next week. Heaslip was average, Muldoon did little. Henderson had a decent game but didn't do enough for me to be in the side next week.

Murray did quite well, Jackson moved the ball well but his kicking for points was very poor. The centres both played well but weren't tested in defence. The wingers both did well. Hurley barely touched the ball after the 20th minute. Plenty of positives here but not much to crow about.

+1

[Artful_Dodger]

Has it finally happened?

Have Ulster fans fully joined in to the Irish provincial parochial bickering? Are we arguing as a threesome rather than a twosome? Does this mean their players are half decent now?

Potentially, or potentially I'm just pished......

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