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

Notch wrote: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.

Doesn't surprise me - was always touch and go.
Will write Ulster observations on another thread

SecretFly Schmidt has made it clear he wants both Bowe and Fitzpatrick playing in the next two weeks so that they can be considered for the last 3 6N games

SecretFly wrote: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.

I dont think thats obvious or clear yet. It will only depend on what happens after the result next weekend and what he does with the squad. At the moment you are only assuming that as you said.

ME-109 wrote:

SecretFly wrote: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.

I dont think thats obvious or clear yet. It will only depend on what happens after the result next weekend and what he does with the squad. At the moment you are only assuming that as you said.

Yes, assumptions will out. Meanwhile I'll be very surprised if Schmidt gets boxed into the corner of only choosing players who 'proved they shouldn't be dropped' the week before. If there is one thing I think he'll be genuine about is in creating a squad that can go through a WC session rather than merely a 'team'. Wales is a tough one to perhaps see that rotation in operation but players will feel they'll have a crack.

Absolutely gutted for Fitzgerald

Schmidt has already said he will consider Bowe for England IF he proves his fitness playing for Ulster.

I suspect it is true for a lot of players.
This current squad is for the first 2 games only - there will be changes

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

SecretFly wrote: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.

I dont think thats obvious or clear yet. It will only depend on what happens after the result next weekend and what he does with the squad. At the moment you are only assuming that as you said.

Yes, assumptions will out.  Meanwhile I'll be very surprised if Schmidt gets boxed into the corner of only choosing players who 'proved they shouldn't be dropped' the week before.  If there is one thing I think he'll be genuine about is in creating a squad that can go through a WC session rather than merely a 'team'.  Wales is a tough one to perhaps see that rotation in operation but players will feel they'll have a crack.

I wouldnt be so sure. Maybe he will but then it will be very tough on players already in the squad/team and he has put himself in a very hard position. With Luke Fitz out again (great choice there)..I dont think we will see any difference to the matchday 23. If he does that doesnt say a lot for Henshaw for example. Still it is early days....however in terms of how most people would like to see us play we have played 40 mins in a total of four games.

No I'm agreeing with you, ME about Wales...Probably minimal changes there (because it really is so important a game to sustain momentum (if that's what people are gonna call last weeks's game against Scotland!)
But player will feel they'll have a crack at the competition (6N) at some point if they compete hard in training.

I personally feel like I've a better chance of playing for Ireland under Schmidt.

And I'd probably slot you in for D'arcy too, Rodders. Let you prove you're the real deal. No more big talk from the sidelines, let's see how you man up against North and Deperate Dan.

North! keep me on the side lines Joe! ...

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/oconnell-and-kearney-get-the-chance-to-prove-fitness-ahead-of-six-nations-wales-clash-29978704.html

SOB in an Ireland jersey already? What's he doing out of a sling!?!

SecretFly wrote:And I'd probably slot you in for D'arcy too, Rodders.  Let you prove you're the real deal.  No more big talk from the sidelines, let's see how you man up against North and Deperate Dan.

Like a balloon being hit by a dump truck   

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.

I have to agree with this. I do like the good natured banter myself but this site is not as fun as it once was. I saw Guns get warned on the France 6 - England 0 thread for absolutely nothing (except the possibility that the Mod didn't understand the humour). Some Mods are more interested in their own power than the encouraging of a little banter and discussion.

Hope it gets better through the 6N because this really was a cracking place once.

Nachos Jones wrote:

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.

I have to agree with this. I do like the good natured banter myself but this site is not as fun as it once was. I saw Guns get warned on the France 6 - England 0 thread for absolutely nothing (except the possibility that the Mod didn't understand the humour). Some Mods are more interested in their own power than the encouraging of a little banter and discussion.

Hope it gets better through the 6N because this really was a cracking place once.

I made a joke about deaf people which was deleted and in retrospect was probably across the line as it probably offended someone. Mods are doing a good job IMO. Lets be fair.

I didn't think the joke was a bad, in poor taste or over the line myself guns.

On a whole the mods do a great job but I do believe that there is the odd mod more interested in their power than in the site. Good to see Notch and George as Mods as they both have a good sense of humour and can enjoy the banter as posters.

Anyway, before I get warned for going off topic by some power crazed MOD, I will get back to the subject at hand.

I still firmly believe that Ireland have a lot of work to do before this Saturday. I honestly would get Zebo in, North and Cuthbert have been beaten by quick footed wingers on the outside a few times and I believe that Zebo is the man to do that. His defence wont let Ireland down either.

I'm not really talking about mod levels though - just using that as an initial query.  My main point was simply the quite quite noticable fall-off in voices on the rugby end of this site (especially for during the 6N).

I'm simply wondering where everyone who once showed up here (especially for 6N) have gone - and why?  Oh maybe it's just time moving and Twitter/Facebook doing its thing on the social media front.  But the less people here, the less those who remain will actually hang around either.  

It just feels like a large echoing warehouse right now - the kind of place you feel the party left. The "Where's my coat?" time.

Nachos Jones wrote:I didn't think the joke was a bad, in poor taste or over the line myself guns.

On a whole the mods do a great job but I do believe that there is the odd mod more interested in their power than in the site. Good to see Notch and George as Mods as they both have a good sense of humour and can enjoy the banter as posters.

Well we all like some posters more than others and some mods more than others. However, lets not forget they are just following the guidelines they are given whether they agree with it or not. It can be a pain at times but the flip side is you get a free for all and no one is happy.

On the golf forum for example there is a poster who constantly posts xenaphobic comments re Irish pople at any opportunity. None of the mods seem interested in calling him out on it and as a result despite loving golf Im just not bothered with that forum. Believe me the rugby forum MODs do a pretty good job.

Fair enough Fly, as I said not going to get into it anymore either for fear of upsetting an over zealous mod.

Just miss the banter around here, rodders does his best to wind us Munster folk up but he cant do it all on his own

Nachos Jones wrote:Fair enough Fly, as I said not going to get into it anymore either for fear of upsetting an over zealous mod.

Just miss the banter around here, rodders does his best to wind us Munster folk up but he cant do it all on his own

Where is Siné when you need him. Always good value for a bit of heated debate.

GunsGerms wrote:

Well we all like some posters more than others and some mods more than others. However, lets not forget they are just following the guidelines they are given whether they agree with it or not. It can be a pain at times but the flip side is you get a free for all and no one is happy.

On the golf forum for example there is a poster who constantly posts xenaphobic comments re Irish pople at any opportunity. None of the mods seem interested in calling him out on it and as a result despite loving golf Im just not bothered with that forum. Believe me the rugby forum MODs do a pretty good job.

Are you insinuating that the V2 mods have the consistency of the Irish rugby team or are you insinuating that they have the consistency of international referees?   

Sin é, its all in the name

God consistency is something the Irish team desperately need. Please please please!!

I would say that tougher Moderation might help get folk posting again. I think a lot of posters are put off by the constant unpleasantness that some other posters produce. That can make it difficult to either talk about rugby or enjoy a bit of banter.

Perhaps taking a stronger line will allow for more debate?

MrsP wrote:I would say that tougher Moderation might help get folk posting again. I think a lot of posters are put off by the constant unpleasantness that some other posters produce. That can make it difficult to either talk about rugby or enjoy a bit of banter.

Either that or we all agree with you when you make a point MrsP, disagreeing with you is not advisable

MrsP wrote:I would say that tougher Moderation might help get folk posting again. I think a lot of posters are put off by the constant unpleasantness that some other posters produce. That can make it difficult to either talk about rugby or enjoy a bit of banter.

Perhaps taking a stronger line will allow for more debate?

The most heated debates always get the most posts. Any forum needs a mix I'd imagine.

Nachos Jones wrote:

MrsP wrote:I would say that tougher Moderation might help get folk posting again. I think a lot of posters are put off by the constant unpleasantness that some other posters produce. That can make it difficult to either talk about rugby or enjoy a bit of banter.

Either that or we all agree with you when you make a point MrsP, disagreeing with you is not advisable

It is allowable alright Nacho. It just means you are wrong!

  

Aah MrsP, I like your style, I really do

Nachos Jones wrote:Aah MrsP, I like your style, I really do

  

You wouldn't be saying that just to stay on my good side, would you?

GunsGerms wrote:

On the golf forum for example there is a poster who constantly posts xenaphobic comments re Irish pople at any opportunity. None of the mods seem interested in calling him out on it and as a result despite loving golf Im just not bothered with that forum. Believe me the rugby forum MODs do a pretty good job.

I think I know that guy.  I've had a run in with him once or twice but in general, if it's the guy I'm thinking about, he's the kind that loses his 'power' when he begins losing his arguments. And his arguments are often so full of holes - well, it's an easy job indeed making him swallow his own very words to support arguments he's dead set against.

Oh come on its only SuperRealist. he is only joking with you lot. He is a good lad, there are also Irish posters on there that understand what he is like and dont take offence. Its only banter

The problem is he is Scottish ,but he is the least Scottish Scottish dude in existence. In fact he slates the Scottish more than the Irish.

mystiroakey wrote:Oh come on its only SuperRealist. he is only joking with you lot. He is a good lad, there are also Irish posters on there that understand what he is like and dont take offence. Its only banter

The problem is he is Scottish ,but he is the least Scottish Scottish dude in existence. In fact he slates the Scottish more than the Irish.

I don't take offence, mystir... but he 'banters' down his alleys and he gets 'bantered' back to - on the few occasions I've been down his banter alleys that is (Golf and General politics seem to be his bedsit areas of expertise).  All's fair in alley banter wars.

SR can usually take it mate.

Trust me I sometimes wind him up a lot- just to see if he will break- and he has only ever twice lost it and that wasn't even by much.. He has attacked my horrid spelling once and once told some one to feick off..

And I have been chatting to the lad for years and years.

mystiroakey wrote:SR can usually take it mate.

Trust me I sometimes wind him up a lot- just to see if he will break- and he has only ever twice lost it and that wasn't even by much.. He has attacked my horrid spelling once and once told some one to feick off..

And I have been chatting to the lad for years and years.

Oh he's good (wise, smart, articulate, thinks). I don't engage people who aren't You need a good challenge when banter is the game

Ermm I wouldn't go that far mate...

He is a bigot. I don't find it funny. Each to their own.

The fact that you all know who Im talking about even though I have only described him as a xenophobe on the golf forum says it all.

I could imagine him and Sin e going at it.. That would be a guaranteed double ban if they got to close to each other..

mystiroakey wrote:I could imagine him and Sin e going at it.. That would be a guaranteed double ban if they got to close to each other..

Siné rarely insults people he would just argue with a dead badger. Super realist cant post without offending someone.

GunsGerms wrote:He is a bigot. I don't find it funny. Each to their own.

The fact that you all know who Im talking about even though I have only described him as a xenophobe on the golf forum says it all.

He might indeed be a bigot but he doesn't seem to know exactly what he is most a bigot against. He seems to be an equal opportunities bigot - a Catholic (all encompassing) bigot - although he'd get a hot flush of anger hearing me use the word 'Catholic'!! Like mystir says, he claims to be Scottish but seems to have an absolute aversion to anything that would identify someone as Scottish.

..and yes, Super-realist does get away with words and insutls that a poster on these rugby threads would not survive. It wouldn't matter about it alljust being 'banter'. If he were in the rugby section, the mods would have banned him.

So yes, I agree with Guns that it seems strange that on the same site, some people get dropped like a proverbial hot potato for even a hint of personal slander whilst in other areas - reprimands don't appear.

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:He is a bigot. I don't find it funny. Each to their own.

The fact that you all know who Im talking about even though I have only described him as a xenophobe on the golf forum says it all.

He might indeed be a bigot but he doesn't seem to know exactly what he is most a bigot against.  He seems to be an equal opportunities bigot - a Catholic (all encompassing) bigot  - although he'd get a hot flush of anger hearing me use the word 'Catholic'!!  Like mystir says, he claims to be Scottish but seems to have an absolute aversion to anything that would identify someone as Scottish.

That's exactly how he would rationalise it too but being an equal opportunities bigot doesn't make it any better. If anything that just makes you a bigger bigot.

He'd enjoy it hearing about a discussion in his name on the rugby boards, mind you.

So....maybe I'll just leave it there. He gets heady on oxygen Mr Super

This place is     
To much     
Not enough     

Some mod had even got involved before myself and Guns had insulted each other...

ME-109 wrote:This place is     
To much     
Not enough     

Some mod had even got involved before myself and Guns had insulted each other...

I know, I know! It's a train wreck........... no survivors just a few dumb onlookers (me included) wondering how many got killed.

ME-109 wrote:This place is     
To much     
Not enough     

Some mod had even got involved before myself and Guns had insulted each other...

Yeah it was a pity, I was about to tee off. It wasn't even a MOD either.

Sometimes I kinda wish I got banned I spend too much time here.

Lol Guns..

Me and Fly asked to be banned in december so we could get on with something else- namely work- The mods wouldn't do it!!

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:This place is     
To much     
Not enough     

Some mod had even got involved before myself and Guns had insulted each other...

Yeah it was a pity, I was about to tee off. It wasn't even a MOD either.

Wasnt it...jeez I am losing my nerve altogether.....its like being in a sterile lab...

"Yes I really think having a leinster heavy Irish squad is a good idea even though they havent deserved it this year, along with a couple of waster Nordies even though they depend on the SAFFER God Squad to look any good"....its all good chaps...

Anyone see the abuse Notch got off some berated Scottish poster?

Think it was chequeredjersey, the mod not the Scottish guy.