Ireland vs Scotland

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Ireland v Scotland

Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 2 Feb 2014
Kick-off: 15:00

Referee: Craig Joubert (SARU)
Assistant referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant referee: Mike Fraser (NZR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

A. Squads

1. Ireland

Backs:
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster), Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) *, Luke Marshall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

Forwards:
Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht) *, Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues) *, Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) *, Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *, David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) *, Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) *, Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster), Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster)

* Uncapped player

2. Scotland

Forwards:
John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs:
Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

B. Head To Head

127 Played 127
57 Wins 65
65 Losses 57
5 Draws 5
203 Tries 210
104 Conversions 109
111 Penalties 131
17 Drop Goals 38
1,344 Points 1,303

C. Recent Form

24 February 2013
Scotland 12–8 Ireland

10 March 2012
Ireland 32–14  Scotland

27 February 2011
Scotland 18–21  Ireland

D. Teams

1. Ireland



15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 49
14. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 2
13. Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) 128
12. Luke Marshall (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4
11. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 50
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 38
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 22
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 42
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 70
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 34
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 10
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt) 88
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 19
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 9
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 60

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 30
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 3
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) *
19. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster) 7
20. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 2
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster) 17
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 5
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 21

* Denotes uncapped player

2. Scotland




15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 15 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
14 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 try, 5 points
12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 6 caps
11 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 82 caps, 12 tries, 60 points
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 1 try, 2 conversions, 9 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 24 caps, 3 tries, 23 conversions, 54 penalties, 223 points
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 71 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps
4 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) 50 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) CAPTAIN 60 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 17 caps

Replacements:

16 Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, 1 try, 5 points
19 Richie Gray (Castres) 33 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) 26 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 64 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
22 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
23 Max Evans (Castres) 37 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

Now you are playing the Fine Gael card Guns. No one mentioned Kidney. In fact it was the Scots who took the game to us in the first half so that discounts the slowing down theory. Secondly I expect more from a Joe Schmidt coached team except for some individualism from Sexton and Kearney (God knows he was pants up to then) the backs did nothing.

We arent going to win anything with those sort of displays and we lack any sort of penetration in the backline at this time...Maybe Joe misses Isa a little.

As for POM you really are obsessed..you need to calm down a little...

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

No I dont rate him. He is bound to do something really stupid.

GunsGerms wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

No I dont rate him. He is bound to do something really stupid.

Yes he has been on form for Leinster...about the only winger in the current squad that has that ability.

He might even do something stupid like beat a man or two and score a try....who knows.

ME-109 wrote:Now you are playing the Fine Gael card Guns. No one mentioned Kidney. In fact it was the Scots who took the game to us in the first half so that discounts the slowing down theory. Secondly I expect more from a Joe Schmidt coached team except for some individualism from Sexton and Kearney (God knows he was pants up to then) the backs did nothing.

We arent going to win anything with those sort of displays and we lack any sort of penetration in the backline at this time...Maybe Joe misses Isa a little.

As for POM you really are obsessed..you need to calm down a little...

I mentioned Kidney.

Fine Gael, what? Not sure what your point is?

The best teams win ugly. We didnt play well but you cant argue with the scoreboard.

Scotland took the game to us a little without ever really threatening the line. Maybe once from a Denton break off the back of a scrum. That doesnt take away from the fact that Scott Johnson picked a team to spoil and thats exactly what they attempted to do. They were lucky not to pick up a card.

Sounds like you miss Isa a little.

ME-109 wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

No I dont rate him. He is bound to do something really stupid.

Yes he has been on form for Leinster...about the only winger in the current squad that has that ability.

He might even do something stupid like beat a man or two and score a try....who knows.

Its all very well having lots of ability but if your brain cant compute what to do with it then your ability is fairly redundant.

if he gets picked I guarentee you he will mess up some fairly standard chances. In a recent interview Fitzgerald claimed that he sees moves and space before his team mates and thats why sometimes he over runs moves etc. What a load of nonsense.

GunsGerms wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

No I dont rate him. He is bound to do something really stupid.

How can you say that,he's in great form and hasn't been making any bad decisions.You're criticisms of Fitz are 2 years old,watch what he has done this season.I'd put him in for Kearney jnr. if he's fit.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Now you are playing the Fine Gael card Guns. No one mentioned Kidney. In fact it was the Scots who took the game to us in the first half so that discounts the slowing down theory. Secondly I expect more from a Joe Schmidt coached team except for some individualism from Sexton and Kearney (God knows he was pants up to then) the backs did nothing.

We arent going to win anything with those sort of displays and we lack any sort of penetration in the backline at this time...Maybe Joe misses Isa a little.

As for POM you really are obsessed..you need to calm down a little...

I mentioned Kidney.

Fine Gael, what? Not sure what your point is?

The best teams win ugly. We didnt play well but you cant argue with the scoreboard.

Scotland took the game to us a little without ever really threatening the line. Maybe once from a Denton break off the back of a scrum. That doesnt take away from the fact that Scott Johnson picked a team to spoil and thats exactly what they attempted to do. They were lucky not to pick up a card.

Sounds like you miss Isa a little.

I'd say Joe does...

asoreleftshoulder wrote:How can you say that,he's in great form and hasn't been making any bad decisions.You're criticisms of Fitz are 2 years old,watch what he has done this season.I'd put him in for Kearney jnr. if he's fit.

He has been fine for Leinster but he tends to get over excited when he plays for Ireland. He isnt cut out for it. Ill happily admit Im wrong if he gets picked and plays well but it has been so long since he has played well for Ireland and he has messed up soooooooooooo much in an Ireland jersey I believe it when I see it.

rodders wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

rodders wrote:

SecretFly wrote:I wouldn't rate it as a size thing at all.

I would - and a technique thing. For all McFadden's endeavour he's been trampled far too many times by the Welsh 3/4 line to get the nod, he's the last person I'd start next week. Fitzgerald or Kearney on the left and Trimble on the right other wise we may gave them a 14 point head start.

Correct me if I'm wrong but more than him have been getting steamrolled by the Welsh in recent years?  Correct?

No you're correct fly...D'arcy has been steamrollered too..... which is why I'd pick neither.....  

I'll give you another reason, both North and Cuthbert are poor defenders and can be beaten on the outside, McFadden prefers to attack up the middle where Wales aren't so vulnerable. This is the wrong game for McFadden.

There might not be much between Trimble and McFadden in terms of size on paper but defensively they are miles apart.

That's my problem with the game against Scotland, rodders. We allowed ourselves to be pushed back into defence too easily (first half). We don't want a defensive game against Wales - we want to take them on for 80 minutes like we did in the first 40 or so of the game last year. So it's not the defending that concerns me, it's the lack of incisive attack and the lack of players willing to take that role on as individuals. We need self belief in the true ideals of attacking wings...not people still fretting about 'defensive shape'. We've been there with Ireland. Great stuff - it doesn't win games though and it certainly didn't help us last year.

GunsGerms wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:How can you say that,he's in great form and hasn't been making any bad decisions.You're criticisms of Fitz are 2 years old,watch what he has done this season.I'd put him in for Kearney jnr. if he's fit.

He has been fine for Leinster but he tends to get over excited when he plays for Ireland. He isnt cut out for it. Ill happily admit Im wrong if he gets picked and plays well but it has been so long since he has played well for Ireland and he has messed up soooooooooooo much in an Ireland jersey I believe it when I see it.

When did he last mess up in an Ireland jersey,your comments are about as relevant as me saying Rory best shouldn't start since his throwing is rubbish.In truth Best had a bad 6 months at the beginning of 2013 but has got over it and is in the form of his life,same principle applies to Luke Fitz except he's been unlucky with injury so hasn't had the chance to play for Ireland and we can only really go on his form for Leinster.

Anyway wayne barnes is ref so we are guarenteed to lose. Ireland's winning ratio in Barnes is ridiculously low. Also the last time he reffed an Ireland Wales fixture he gifted Wales the win by penalising a perfectly good Stephen Ferris tackle on Ian Evans. Barnes also deemed Bradley Davies shocking tip tackle on Ryan to be worthy of yellow only. Dont trust this ref at all.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:How can you say that,he's in great form and hasn't been making any bad decisions.You're criticisms of Fitz are 2 years old,watch what he has done this season.I'd put him in for Kearney jnr. if he's fit.

He has been fine for Leinster but he tends to get over excited when he plays for Ireland. He isnt cut out for it. Ill happily admit Im wrong if he gets picked and plays well but it has been so long since he has played well for Ireland and he has messed up soooooooooooo much in an Ireland jersey I believe it when I see it.

When did he last mess up in an Ireland jersey,your comments are about as relevant as me saying Rory best shouldn't start since his throwing is rubbish.In truth Best had a bad 6 months at the beginning of 2013 but has got over it and is in the form of his life,same principle applies to Luke Fitz except he's been unlucky with injury so hasn't had the chance to play for Ireland and we can only really go on his form for Leinster.

Like I said Ill happily admit it if he proves me wrong. IMO he doesnt have the head for international rugby.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

NO - he is one of 8 wingers to be considered - Bowe, Zebo, Earls, McFadden, Gilroy, Trimble, Kearney and himself.
He has not done enough to put himself head and shoulders above the rest.

At their peak I'd play Bowe and Zebo
For Wales - Zebo, Bowe, Gilroy and Earls will not be considered.
Trimble played well enough to stay - infact I expect Kearney to play as well but he may come under pressure from the other 2 in squad McFadden and Fitzgerald.

I can appreciate McFadden's bravery but truth be told he is by far our weakest defender. I would not like to see him defending against North. I also don't see how McFadden's form has justified a place.
I'm not a massive fan of Trimble but I agree with others that he could be the right choice for this game. On form, Fitzgerald would be my other choice. Whilst he hasn't always lived up to expectations he still has a lot of talent and is a pretty strong defender to boot. However, I still expect Schmidt to persist with Kearney.

Who POC replaces from Sunday is a pretty tight call IMO. Toner and Tuohy both had strong games and can both offer something against Wales. I'd also consider the second row as perhaps a relative weakness of Wales and an area we could target. Tuohy offers the physicality and ball carrying whilst Toner is near unmissable at the lineout and can also show good hands in open play. It's a very tight call, but I'd be tempted to hold Tuohy for the last 25 minutes or so.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Nobody else think that Fitzgerald should nearly automatically get a wing spot????

In better form than others. Best defender. Most productive (goes looking for ball). Quick and elusive enough to get outside/inside North/Cuthbert

Not really, I think he is pushing for contention and wouldn't be against him coming in on the left wing. Zebo and Gilroy offer more in attack and Trimble and Kearney are better defenders but Fitzgerald maybe is the best all round, maybe....he's weak under the high ball but Wales will keep the ball in hand I believe.

I agree with theslosty. I don't rate McFadden and his defensive frialties has shown often enough.

I still think back to the Irish series in New Zealand, and his wekaness in defence showed up all the time, so much so that the other llayers in the backline often had to accommodate his weeknesses in defence to the point where they had to cover him and it caused space on the inside.

Dan Carter in soecific exploited that space a number of times.

McFadden doesn't lack commitment in defence but he has two classic frailties - he ball watches rather than reading the play and his tackling technique is awful, he frequently gets his head on the wrong side and gets bounced of by big players. He's one of the worst defenders ever seen play pro rugby.

Ha ha.

McFadden! McFadden! McFadden! (Someone's gotta cheer lead the guy - more sinned against than sinning).... Schmidt will agree with me eventually...just you guys wait. Risk vs bland safety....................... hmmmm.

I like McFadden but given how many times he's been shown up by the Welsh I think there'll be match fixing accusations levelled at Schmidt if he starts.

If anyone will start it will be Fitzgerald on the left, otherwise he'll stick with Kearney.... I suspect if Fitzgerald had of been fit Kearney would have been on the bench.

rodders wrote:McFadden doesn't lack commitment in defence but he has two classic frailties - he ball watches rather than reading the play and his tackling technique is awful, he frequently gets his head on the wrong side and gets bounced of by big players. He's one of the worst defenders ever seen play pro rugby.

Jeez can you not give a balanced analysis,he's not the best defender on the planet but that statement is just beyond ridiculous.It's on a par with Paddy Jackson can't kick and Darren Cave is too slow for international rugby.
Give examples of where McFadden is so bad at defending,if you leave out the Wales game where North steamrolled him I doubt you'll come up with much else.

I never really thought that McFadden was a bad defender myself, granted I don't see alot of him but when I have he has been solid (well it hasn't occurred to me that his defence is awful).

Anyways, I was left with mixed feelings yesterday. Happy for the win but seriously underwhelmed by the performance but that may be due to my expectations being so high. The Sexton break aside, I thought that Scotland were the better team in the first half and a more clinical side would have put more points on the board.

Trimble did more than enough to secure his spot and it would be a shame to see him dropped. POM was excellent as was Heaslip in the second half but the whole team needs to up their game against Wales as I cant see them playing as poorly as they did on Saturday.

Nachos Jones wrote: but the whole team needs to up their game against Wales as I cant see them playing as poorly as they did on Saturday.

If they do, they'll be whacked.  

Much too much back slapping in the media and amongst fans after that game as a job well done.  Scotland played their part in the game but I think even Scotland realise they're not Wales.  Despite the score, Ireland made the job of taking Scotland at home look a difficult task and they didn't seem to have any answers for Scotland's awkwardness and stubborness until Scotland themselves tired and lost their bite.

They'll need answers to difficult questions next week, and Wales won't be tiring into the second half.  So largely disappointed by that performance from Ireland because if there are any pretensions to take off from where we left off against New Zealand, that wasn't proof of anything close to good enough yet.  Second half was a beginning of sorts (aided by Scotland itself going off-boil) but that absolutely needs to be there from kick-off, not half way into a game!

I thought Sexton ran the game very poorly in the first half, kicked it away several times nd took the wrong option. In the second half we ran at the right time, and when we did kick it was actually quality and Sexton and Murray came good.

POM was phenomenal, and the backrow looked balanced.

McFadden is a solid bench option, but I would not change the team except to drop toner completely and leave tuohy/POC and henderson on the bench. I know thats unlikely though.

And lets remember, 22 point margin is 4 scores... We are in good shape and I feel confident going in against Wales.

That's the thing Fly, I believe that the second half was more to do with Scotland playing poorly than Ireland playing well. I am not going to cry 'false dawn' over JS as I think he deserves time but I am also not going to call him the Messiah either.

If he can get some consistency in Ireland this 6N I would be happy, not expecting to win the 6N, just wanting some back to back displays.

Joe isn't the Messiah.  He is just a coach.

He is a coach that aims to build a squad where the bench is a reward and there are players not in the matchday squad chomping at the bit to get in.

He is also someone who will manage a 6 day turnaround and probably won't commit to the same exact team for next week.  Early subs yesterday will probably start.  Players who went the full distance yesterday might end up on the bench or maybe being subbed after 60mins next week as fatigue sets in.

I was very happy with how the subs slotted in relatively seamlessly. There was no drop in performance, if anything the fresh legs upped the pace of the game but the strategy kept consistent.  That is what we want.

In years past if a BOD or POC went down before a game, we would be a rattled side.  This squad took that in their stride.

Joe also doesn't like to show his hand for tactics and set piece plays. He will have developed loads and won't let the players have certain running lines in a game we are comfortably winning against Scotland if it means that Edwards and Wales get a glimpse of what we want to try and pull out of the bag against them.

Wales are looking for a 3-peat in the 6Ns. Reigning champions shaking off the rust. They should be favourites for the game. Ireland beat a team that probably will be wooden spoon fighting with the Italians.

Best takeaway from the game yesterday for me was that in the past, we would try to play expansive against the likes of scotland, push our luck, lose accuracy, give away field position and cheap points. Those games would end with a +-5 margin and nails being bitten at the end. Yesterday the team had confidence in approach, weren't risking stupid moves early in the game, and knew eventually the strategy would pay dividends.

Looking forward to Saturday, but think Wales should be 3 point favourites.

On the players.... well I think the whole matchday squad played well. And I don't care what combination of Ulster/Munster/Leinster/(Connacht) get put in the matchday squad so long as they are all playing for the jersey, but playing with precision, intensity, pace, discipline.  Too long have we argued over jim brilliant and johnny rotten.  I don't want us to get caught out again where we get completely reliant on a single player for the team to succeed.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Joe isn't the Messiah.  He is just a coach.

He is a coach that aims to build a squad where the bench is a reward and there are players not in the matchday squad chomping at the bit to get in.

He is also someone who will manage a 6 day turnaround and probably won't commit to the same exact team for next week.  Early subs yesterday will probably start.  Players who went the full distance yesterday might end up on the bench or maybe being subbed after 60mins next week as fatigue sets in.

I was very happy with how the subs slotted in relatively seamlessly. There was no drop in performance, if anything the fresh legs upped the pace of the game but the strategy kept consistent.  That is what we want.

In years past if a BOD or POC went down before a game, we would be a rattled side.  This squad took that in their stride.

Joe also doesn't like to show his hand for tactics and set piece plays. He will have developed loads and won't let the players have certain running lines in a game we are comfortably winning against Scotland if it means that Edwards and Wales get a glimpse of what we want to try and pull out of the bag against them.

Wales are looking for a 3-peat in the 6Ns. Reigning champions shaking off the rust. They should be favourites for the game. Ireland beat a team that probably will be wooden spoon fighting with the Italians.

Best takeaway from the game yesterday for me was that in the past, we would try to play expansive against the likes of scotland, push our luck, lose accuracy, give away field position and cheap points. Those games would end with a +-5 margin and nails being bitten at the end. Yesterday the team had confidence in approach, weren't risking stupid moves early in the game, and knew eventually the strategy would pay dividends.

Looking forward to Saturday, but think Wales should be 3 point favourites.

On the players.... well I think the whole matchday squad played well. And I don't care what combination of Ulster/Munster/Leinster/(Connacht) get put in the matchday squad so long as they are all playing for the jersey, but playing with precision, intensity, pace, discipline.  Too long have we argued over jim brilliant and johnny rotten.  I don't want us to get caught out again where we get completely reliant on a single player for the team to succeed.

Gowan Band ya boy ya.  

But. Your match prediction is way off in my opinion. I have us to phooking hammer em. Really. Its coming. They need and fully deserve, a spanking.

This squad is expanding and evolving, in depth, quality and experience. And it will accelerate towards the RWC. He wants the 6-N. But... there's other stuff going down here. Don't tell the childer. It'll only confuse em.

Believe.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
Give examples of where McFadden is so bad at defending,if you leave out the Wales game where North steamrolled him I doubt you'll come up with much else.

Against Savea in the first test in NZ last summer - 4 tries down his wing. Joe Ansboro rounded him in that RWC warm up game which cost us the game in 2011 is another obvious one. His frailties are well known, especially by Gatland.

Has 606v2 censored/modded itself out of existence?  This is the deadest 6N I've ever witnessed on a 606 forum (old BEEB one or this one).  There are less people contributing to the 'ye ancient old yearly war of muck and attrition' than contributes to a Connacht v Zebre Pro12 encounter.

The wheel has well and truly fell off the axle as regards rugby enthusiasm on this site.

Yup afraid so fly, despite my best efforts on the windup this site is circling the drain old bean!

SecretFly wrote:Has 606v2 censored/modded itself out of existence?  This is the deadest 6N I've ever witnessed on a 606 forum (old BEEB one or this one).  There are less people contributing to the 'ye ancient old yearly war of muck and attrition' than contributes to a Connacht v Zebre Pro12 encounter.

The wheel has well and truly fell off the axle as regards rugby enthusiasm on this site.

Yes, it's all become a bit sterile. It's like a forum for old ladies discussing lawn bowling or croquet, politely.

The problem is that the voice of the most conservative posters has been elevated over those who like to speak the truth, which is seen as "too controversial" to be heard.

Well, I guess I don't help matters either as I kinda now drift away from here outside International windows too. Pity though - it used to be a fun place to be on the big occasion.

Yup its a pity that AWOP fella left, he was the life and the soul of the place.

Yes I hear he was hit by a bus whilst posting on the forum. That's how riveting it used to be here.

Don't panic.

I just got rid of all the dead red leaves... it was starting to hurt the eyes.

It was all obvious stuff anyway. We don't need to be reminded every time we go on a page.

The thread is now concentrated on rugby again - not on one Member's silly remarks.

I did like Awop though GE..

I preferred him to this character..

GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes I hear he was hit by a bus whilst posting on the forum. That's how riveting it used to be here.

That's public transport for you.

rodders wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:Yes I hear he was hit by a bus whilst posting on the forum. That's how riveting it used to be here.

That's public transport for you.

That's creative for you.   




Any news on miteyironpaw and the Argentinian bloke? Now, he was rather a handful. A quick learner but....

So 606 needs to contruct an underground system to keep commuters away from buses?

That's bridges (trolls live there don't they) and kerb-crawlers banned Build me an airport, I love to fly.

I reckon and Quinlan alluded to it on last nights against the head that particularly re the backs Ireland kept some cards close to their chest v Scotland. I reckon they might play a slightly different game v Wales.

Usually Ireland do a lot of passes from scrum half to OH and OH back inside but they didnt do any v Scotland. In fact we played a much wider game than usual. Does anyone else think we will probably revert to a fairly narrow attack v Wales particularly with their fairly huge wingers out wide.

I think we'll attack Wales up the middle yes, using thing maul and pick and go. Wales love to counterattack though so we need to be very careful about our back 3 coming in field.

I think North and Cuthbert are vulnerable under the high ball and can be isolated defensively too.

I actually think we'll play quite similar in attack.

rodders wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
Give examples of where McFadden is so bad at defending,if you leave out the Wales game where North steamrolled him I doubt you'll come up with much else.

Against Savea in the first test in NZ last summer -  4 tries down his wing. Joe Ansboro rounded him in that RWC warm up game which cost us the game in 2011 is another obvious one. His frailties are well known, especially by Gatland.

Last 6 Nations against every team but Wales,Rory Bests throwing was awful,he continued that poor form for Ulster and the Lions.Using your logic I could say he's the worst guy at throwing into a lineout that ever got a professional contract.Obviously that would be a ridiculous argument but it's no different to yours.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

rodders wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
Give examples of where McFadden is so bad at defending,if you leave out the Wales game where North steamrolled him I doubt you'll come up with much else.

Against Savea in the first test in NZ last summer -  4 tries down his wing. Joe Ansboro rounded him in that RWC warm up game which cost us the game in 2011 is another obvious one. His frailties are well known, especially by Gatland.

Last 6 Nations against every team but Wales,Rory Bests throwing was awful,he continued that poor form for Ulster and the Lions.Using your logic I could say he's the worst guy at throwing into a lineout that ever got a professional contract.Obviously that would be a ridiculous argument but it's no different to yours.

Slight difference Rory's was going through a bad patch which he has emerged from - has McFadden's improved his defence?

Also as George Hook put it he is delighted Rory Best is back - his throwing is not the best but the options are no better (Cronin who seems to be the number 2 number 2 is in fact far worse)
On the otherhand there are wingers available for Ireland whose defence is definitely better than McFadden

I don't subscribe to the swings and roundabouts theory on Best's throwing. All through his "bad patch" the number of poor throws per game solely down to him, wasn't any different to before or since. Muller was the main jumper at Ulster but had such a bad arm injury (kept secret before the game) he shouldn't have played against Saracens, so suddenly Best had to throw to alternatives that hadn't practised.
Ryan was also carrying an arm injury in the last 6N and would only jump when his good arm was on the inside - that coupled with the absence of POC meant the Irish L/O was always going to be up against it.
Best isn't as good a thrower as Flannery was, but remember Fla was throwing to a predominantly Munster pack who played week in week out together.

Comparing Best to Fitzgerald is bizarre as they are about as far apart in style, function and position as they probably could be.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

rodders wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
Give examples of where McFadden is so bad at defending,if you leave out the Wales game where North steamrolled him I doubt you'll come up with much else.

Against Savea in the first test in NZ last summer -  4 tries down his wing. Joe Ansboro rounded him in that RWC warm up game which cost us the game in 2011 is another obvious one. His frailties are well known, especially by Gatland.

Last 6 Nations against every team but Wales,Rory Bests throwing was awful,he continued that poor form for Ulster and the Lions.Using your logic I could say he's the worst guy at throwing into a lineout that ever got a professional contract.Obviously that would be a ridiculous argument but it's no different to yours.

Rory Best is one of the best Irish forwards of his generation, McFadden is a bit part utility back who's had a few good games so there's a bit of a difference.

Greak Auk Hamilton undoubtably shock Rory up last year and his confidence took a dip

Having said that when POC is in the Irish team or Muller is in the Ulster team he is fine.

Hearing Fitzgerald is out

Kearney to start on left again then? ... or will McFadden get the nod?

My preference the former...but then yous probably guessed that...

I'd probably keep the back three the same now tbh.

Geoff, according to Mick Kearney Tommy Bowe won't be fit to play for Ulster this weekend- there are hoping he's fit to play against the Scarlets.

All the fringe players (injured) are I assume busting a gut to play for their Provinces so that they'll be in with a chance of getting back to International.  I guess that's a big positive step with Ireland that players feel they have a genuine cut at the team based on Provincial performances and that the team (Ireland) is one they are really enthusiastic to be part of.