The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome all to the new pub. Hopefully the traditions from the last 606 will continue here in our new home. The only new rule I have really is, see that Tommy Bowe signed picture there above the bar? If anyone defaces that, they're barred. There'll be banter, indepth discussion, some rambling but above all mutual respect as always. It all looks very swish, but we still serve traditional beverages and food. So what'll it be?

Oh if you have any complaints by the way, don't look at me - speak to rugbydreamer cause she's a mod!





Now to fire up the jukebox...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k

MBTGOG wrote:Blurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

Ah at least you got home then Munsty

I'll 2nd that munsty!! Cari I think we were close to you when we went for a wander for photos!

Are you or your Dad going to the Grand Final then Munsty?

Glas,

My Dad will be and probably with my sister. I'm actually going to the Aviva Prem final.

So Munsty, when you said Ross would nullify Tonga'uiha you were basically half right.

Lucky it was the important half ;-)

Yeah good point Notch. It seems like this Saints side rely too much on their front line props and that's why Mallinder has gone out and signed Doran-Jones.

Back at Paddington and the mini keg of Butcombe 'slipped its moorings' (the bag split) and was rolling its merry way across the station concourse pursued by me. Strange looks all round from bemused onlookers

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/article1080083.ece/Ruan-awaits-call

Ruan Pienaar. It looks like he won't be playing Super Rugby, which I'm happy about. I'd hate for Ulster to stand in his way when it comes to his international aspirations but I think whatever you think about the Magners and Heineken he needs a wee break after playing solidly since October.

"The rugby culture is not big. The lifestyle is more relaxed. Whether you play well or not they always appreciate it. Even if you lose three games in a row the stadium is always full and the people sing and go crazy," Pienaar observed.

That we do Ruan. That we do

Just going to say that when Sexton had been written off by most, myself included, it was Kidney that stood by him.

That has been vindicated before yesterday but the final was the clearest example so far. Sexton will lead us to the World Cup.

'The playing conditions are quite trying. Sometimes it snows, sometimes it rains and I was told about the notorious wind in Belfast. That was a real challenge. You have to find different ways to overcome that'

'In the first half you might play with the wind at your back and kick the ball 70m but in the second half you can scarcely pass the ball to each other, let alone kick it'

Personal highlights from that article Notch. He's been the difference for us this season. Now he knows how the Ravenhill climate works he'll be even more immense next season.

Munsty - I've read comments today saying that Sexton's future captain material.

There's some great press photos from yesterday's match too. Just been looking through some.

sexton must be nailed on for the ireland world cup fly half shirt after that performance

MR. scotland27 wrote:sexton must be nailed on for the ireland world cup fly half shirt after that performance

I should say. I can't see why he'd be overlooked, unless god forbid, he was poorly or injured.

MBTGOG wrote: Sexton will lead us to the World Cup.

Is that sitting next to the bus driver with an Atlas or lifting the trophy?

Seriously though this is a golden age for Irish rugby.

Glas!

However well Jonny Sexton played yesterday - and there's no disputing it was a great performance - Ireland are so fortunate to have O'Gara too. He still has so much to offer.

Horses for courses. It is now ROG giving Sexton a rest not vice versa.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:However well Jonny Sexton played yesterday - and there's no disputing it was a great performance - Ireland are so fortunate to have O'Gara too. He still has so much to offer.

Yep they are fortunate. What ROG has over Sexton at the moment is experience. I guess he'll be off to NZ too if he's OK.

Hmmm off to a pub quiz now...i ummm think it'll be a coke for me please guv'nor!!

The day after the fair.

O'Gara will go to the RWC and he will play there. But for the really big games, it has to be Sexton. It's as Anne as the nose on Plain's face.

...Him?

Hi all. Great weekend in cardiff. Apart from the final itself. Both teams were jaded tired, neither looked interested in defending, the scrum was a mess and all in all a game that failed to match up with the respective semi finals.

Anyone else see that Rob Kearney has apparently agreed to join Stormers this summer.

"I'm sure egg is a lovely person."

Stag,someone was asking me for a ticket for the ML final.You wouldn't have heard anything?

The bigger question for me is can they afford to leave Jennings home?

Take it you're talking about the Amlin Stag? Finals are often an anticlimax.

Definitly don't Thomond. I'll be in Dublin for it. I've my tickets promised to pals and i said it to George (Gibbo's brother) already i'd try get him and his wife tickets.

Guess that means you're not a pal then Thomond.

Stag, are you worried after last night, honestly now?

Talking about the Heineken Cup glas. A nonsense of a game. Compare it to Toulouse v Leinster semi. I'd definitly bring Jennings at moment. Wallace Jennings Heaslip O'Brien D.Ryan and Ferris.

They can and will Glas 8)

That said, I would take him with Ryan or McLaughlin as our fourth lock/blindside. Then you have Ferris, O'Brien, Wallace and Heaslip. Plenty of cover there.

It was mentioned outside Stag. I hadn't heard he'd agreed to join them; have they agreed to take him? Do Stormers need a fullback? Would be perfect for Ireland.

Glas yes I am a bit worried but no more than before. I saw nothing from Leinster yesterday I hadn't seen before except a weak defensive. They will need to play for longer than 40 minutes to beat Munster as they learn't last time around. I think they should start O'Malley instead of O'Driscoll against us.

Glas, our friend has a bit of a movie tribute going on here

http://tinyurl.com/redstagstarsin

Stag you are hell of a boy fair play. I would be apprehensive about next weeks match. The Ospreys had acres of space they failed to capitalise upon in the semi. Do that to Leinster and they will shred you.

No worries Stag,thanks for the help.Should be able to sort sometihng out anyway.

Yeah, Leinster start as favourites to be sure. But it's not easy to go and play a massively physical game against a big Saints pack and then go to Thomond Park and produce an 80-minute performance against a super-motivated Munster side that hates your guts and has a very vocal crowd behind them.

The performance Leinster produced against Ulster, I feel wouldn't be enough for them to win it. Their first half performance would be nowhere near enough.

I can see why Munster would be quietly confident of an upset. I can't see them playing as badly as they did in the semi-final when the 'Ladyboys' visit town. Especially the week after they probably overtook Munster as the big success story of Irish Provincial rugby in the professional era.

It's gonna be tough for Leinster.

We will indeed Glas. In reality I expect Leinster to triumph however home advantage, motivation and fitness will all be benefits to Munster. Anything is possible. I don't expect it will be pretty.

Hello Staggy. Glad you all got home safely

Interesting news about Kearney if it's true. Does anyone have an inkling of when our provisional 50 man squad will be announced?

"I don't expect it will be pretty"

Who's the ref?

Don't matter glas. Its not going be pretty regardless. Munster won't allow game get open. I expect Nigel will ref. Hi cari great bag of chips last night. I'm on way back to limerick now in the car.

I think Nigel Owens is the ref.

I've got a feeling that Munster might start out playing a bit of McGahanball though. Real culture clash between the team and the coach at Munster. They need to go 'classic Munster'

(Yes, Glas we all know what you think about that! )

By the by CLEARLY i am extracting the urine re: the Heineken Cup final. It was great

By the by CLEARLY i am extracting the urine re: the Heineken Cup final. It was great

Glas, our friend has a bit of a movie tribute going on here

http://tinyurl.com/redstagstarsin

I called it already

Ah so you did i didn't see that post.

No Poopie Sherlock!

I know a good ref will only do so much, but a bad ref could do a lot of damage. Nigel is probably a good call. He'd have been disappointed to have missed out this weekend so will want to show what he's capable of in the run up to the WC. (no that is not a homophobic comment )

He's a good ref. Top 5 in world i'd say. Top 3 in europe. Think it was right call to give clancy and poite the games though. Good as he is owens has benefitted massively from his nationality and lack of welsh success in europe.

I'd love a scottish ref. I think we could manipulate him

Give us your view of 'that' scrum on Friday then Stag. Had to be a penalty didn't it?

I was 50m away full of beer and i haven't seen replay yet. Will let you know once i see it. However reason stade lost is they failed to take their many chances and thought they had won the game with 5 minutes to go.

Sexton and Rog, Hook and Jones they must be good problems to have.

I wonder how much Graham Henry would give to have Evans as back up to Carter for the World Cup. Could that yet come back to haunt them?

Also it was very nice of Sexton to allow Hines to score yesterday i guess he wanted it to look as if they wasn't completely a one man side

I guess that's my virginity broke in this place then.