England vs Ireland, Part 2

First topic message reminder :

For continuing discussion of Ireland vs England in Round 3 of the Six Nations

Previous thread; https://www.606v2.com/t51752-england-vs-ireland

Ireland have released various players to the provinces; starting for Ulster against the Scarlets on Friday are Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave and Iain Henderson. Leinster have named Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden in their team to face Newport-Gwent Dragons. Tommy O'Donnell and Felix Jones will feature for Munster.

There's a lot of competition, mainly for the spots on the bench and possible starts later in the tournament. Can Madigan oust Paddy Jackson? Can Jordi Murphy or Rhys Ruddock force their way in ahead of Tommy O'Donnell? Can McFadden or Simon Zebo force their way into the back three? Who will replace the injured Dan Tuohy; Iain Henderson, Mike McCarthy or Donnacha Ryan? The latter is back from injury and likely to play some part for Munster.

Dan Tuohy has been ruled out of the tournament while Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe are still injured and everyone is praying Johnny Sexton doesn't pick up a knock; he's expected to be riding the pine for Racing Metro.

Any English posters want to update us on their squad?

He is infallible amongst his supporters.
He couldn't pass for the first half of his career.
Was never good at kicking.
Plethora of back handed compliments.
Just typical Stephen Jones sensational garbage. He has been taking swipes at Drico for years. Nothing new.

SecretFly wrote:By all means expand against us... and... shoot up the middle

Must... not...  make... joke... about my wife..... Aaaaaagh!!

That could have been sticky.

He said BOD was useless and was nothing compared to Burrell. Who is clearly a prince amongst centres..

GunsGerms wrote:He is infallible amongst his supporters.
He couldn't pass for the first half of his career.
Was never good at kicking.
Plethora of back handed compliments.
Just typical Stephen Jones sensational garbage. He has been taking swipes at Drico for years. Nothing new.

well he couldn't pass initially and his kicking was crap...in all fairness

rodders wrote:Question - If Wales beat France and Ireland win at Twickenham is the title race as a good as over for 2014?

I'm going to be bold and say yes.

As long as you don't balls it up against France it could well end up with 3 teams on 4 wins... all down to PD.

And Wales sneak it by the backdoor... Noooooooooooo!!

Ok his kicking has been bad at times alright and still is. His passing has always been fairly good as far as I remember.

Who would he have passed to? He was the only option he had.

Ah guns you are showing the callousness of youth. For about three years or so his passing was woeful. He could and often did send passes all over the shop...worked v hard on it though but it wasn't until 04 before he became consistent..

Engine#4 wrote:"Hopefully, we can give the prawn sandwich brigade something to choke on."

- Brian O'Driscoll

That's a bit harsh talking about Leinster fans like that.

Still... better than Munster.

Metal Tiger wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:"Hopefully, we can give the prawn sandwich brigade something to choke on."

- Brian O'Driscoll

That's a bit harsh talking about Leinster fans like that.

Still... better than Munster.

oooohhh...says the living in the past Leicester Cat...or lack of it considering the comment you were making about your wife

ME-109 wrote:Ah guns you are showing the callousness of youth. For about three years or so his passing was woeful. He could and often did send passes all over the shop...worked v hard on it though but it wasn't until 04 before he became consistent..

Three years in a fifteen year career isnt much. Still dont agree with you though. His passing was never that bad. It was ok on the Lions tour in '01 and he played OH for a game in the WC '03 so it cant have been too bad. He also played OH in school becsuse he had a decent pass and kick. Even in the early days he offloaded better than any other Irish player.

ME-109 wrote:

Metal Tiger wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:"Hopefully, we can give the prawn sandwich brigade something to choke on."

- Brian O'Driscoll

That's a bit harsh talking about Leinster fans like that.

Still... better than Munster.

oooohhh...says the living in the past Leicester Cat...or lack of it considering the comment you were making about your wife

Living in the past? Don't get this remark?

Regarding my wife... I was using that as comedic effect to highlight SF inuendo... but yeah... whatever you said.

And why is this clown from Yorkshire making the English players pretend that they're humble and "likeable

See - 1-0 to Stewie, he's even got you lads confused about what flavour of English he is.

Your looking for Yorkshire grit and he's going to sandbag you with Cumbrian cunning.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Ah guns you are showing the callousness of youth. For about three years or so his passing was woeful. He could and often did send passes all over the shop...worked v hard on it though but it wasn't until 04 before he became consistent..

Three years in a fifteen year career isnt much. Still dont agree with you though. His passing was never that bad. It was ok on the Lions tour in '01 and he played OH for a game in the WC '03 so it cant have been too bad. He also played OH in school becsuse he had a decent pass and kick. Even in the early days he offloaded better than any other Irish player.

three years isn't much, you're right but he was liable to fling it all over the shop...

Haha. Old age making you contrary Dod?

Its a fact jack...if fly wasn't trying so hard to be nice to the sassers he would back me up.....

Yay it's getting nasty again!

About effing time...whats with the powderpuff Shiite...

Hehe..

its it time to get the daggers out..

Metal Tiger wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Metal Tiger wrote:

Engine#4 wrote:"Hopefully, we can give the prawn sandwich brigade something to choke on."

- Brian O'Driscoll

That's a bit harsh talking about Leinster fans like that.

Still... better than Munster.

oooohhh...says the living in the past Leicester Cat...or lack of it considering the comment you were making about your wife

Living in the past? Don't get this remark?

Regarding my wife... I was using that as comedic effect to highlight SF inuendo... but yeah... whatever you said.

Don't mind'em Metal, I enjoy your sense of humour  

In fact at the risk of getting all pally again I think the English are always great for a laugh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYmmzI36TJA

I think it's all pally because none of us are sure that the other side couldn't win it by 20 (or more) and don't want to take our troos down ready for the spanking if it goes wrong. And an Irish victory is the most likely result imo. Also there's the fact that the haters are having teeth pulled without benefit of anaesthetic

 

Cowshot wrote:I think it's all pally because none of us are sure that the other side couldn't win it by 20 (or more) and don't want to take our troos down ready for the spanking if it goes wrong. And an Irish victory is the most likely result imo. Also there's the fact that the haters are having teeth pulled without benefit of anaesthetic

It is just possible that we are all being nice to each because it is enjoyable. Been a very enjoyable thread so far.

Especially as the haters & trolls keep visiting to try and provoke a fight but end up leaving empty handed. They keep circling waiting for the fight but are getting more frustrated & angry that it hasn't happened yet.

Loving it.

Maybe today Fockewolf.

From an entertainment perpsective I hope its a bit open but we all know deep down it will be a game for the purists. There is probably heightened expectation that ireland will dominate because of the scrum but know it will be about winning collisions, stopping mauls and dominating rucks.

If I was schmidt I'd change the focus. Kicking behind the centres and force turnovers, expand a bit more with the offloading game and shift emphasis away from the ruck.

If I was lancaster I'd continue to bring burrell and back 3 into the game and use irelands patterns against them. Ie use the maul as a weapon, clever use of boot to force turnovers inside irelands half and attack irelands lineout.

I cant call it so going for a draw now...

I think the best advice for England is - don't knock the bloody ball on, and if Ireland do kick the leather off it for advantage.

And make Dylan Hartley stay on for 80 if you can.

littlejohn wrote:From an entertainment perpsective I hope its a bit open but we all know deep down it will be a game for the purists. There is probably heightened expectation that ireland will dominate because of the scrum but know it will be about winning collisions, stopping mauls and dominating rucks.

If I was schmidt I'd change the focus. Kicking behind the centres and force turnovers, expand a bit more with the offloading game and shift emphasis away from the ruck.

If I was lancaster I'd continue to bring burrell and back 3 into the game and use irelands patterns against them. Ie use the maul as a weapon, clever use of boot to force turnovers inside irelands half and attack irelands lineout.

I cant call it so going for a draw now...

How wise is attacking Ireland's lineout? Most lineouts won in the 6 nations. Basically that is what Wales tried to do and as a result they werent set in time to defend against Ireland's maul. Ireland have scored 4 tries from the maul so far. Is attacking the lineout really that smart?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Yay it's getting nasty again!

Between themselves, Eng fans rubbing our hands together mumbling ' good, good'.  

GunsGerms wrote:

littlejohn wrote:From an entertainment perpsective I hope its a bit open but we all know deep down it will be a game for the purists. There is probably heightened expectation that ireland will dominate because of the scrum but know it will be about winning collisions, stopping mauls and dominating rucks.

If I was schmidt I'd change the focus. Kicking behind the centres and force turnovers, expand a bit more with the offloading game and shift emphasis away from the ruck.

If I was lancaster I'd continue to bring burrell and back 3 into the game and use irelands patterns against them. Ie use the maul as a weapon, clever use of boot to force turnovers inside irelands half and attack irelands lineout.

I cant call it so going for a draw now...

How wise is attacking Ireland's lineout? Most lineouts won in the 6 nations. Basically that is what Wales tried to do and as a result they werent set in time to defend against Ireland's maul. Ireland have scored 4 tries from the maul so far. Is attacking the lineout really that smart?

Actually, England have won the most lineouts on their own throw in the 6nations (35) Ireland have won second most (28). Ireland have 5 opposition steals to Englands 4, no other team has more than 2.

Engine#4 wrote:I have it on good authority that the Irish will be unveiling a revolutionary tactic on Saturday.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/whats-happening-to-paul-oconnell-623169.html

The English won't know what's lifting them.

Engine, no need for that buddy carrying training for the Irish squad.
Twickers has those hi tech golf buggy stretchers to cart off players too knackered to continue.

Cowshot wrote:I think it's all pally because none of us are sure that the other side couldn't win it by 20 (or more) and don't want to take our troos down ready for the spanking if it goes wrong. And an Irish victory is the most likely result imo. Also there's the fact that the haters are having teeth pulled without benefit of anaesthetic

Unpredictability, the reason why the Six Nations has been more absorbing than the procession of All Blacks victories in all other major competitions recently.
The only sure fire thing is Scotland getting overated every year

In truth the only thing you can guarantee is neither Scotland or Italy will win more than 2 games

The rest is in the lap of the Gods - that is the competitions appeal

It just doesn't help when we have such inconsistent teams does it!

I think one thing that is guaranteed is the Ireland v France is going to be as tight as a ducks backside

Quite a good article on Dylan Hartley on the BBC.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26281656

He is consistantly outstanding for Saints...and many thought he'd never bring that form to England...but it appears last chance saloon seems to finally be bringing the best out of him at international level.

Is Dylan Hartley England's POM? He seems to be growing in Heroic Hefts by the hour in the lead up to this game.

Nah, Hartley can control his temper   

I haven't seen a single English pundit who think Ireland will win. I have seen just one Irish pundit who thinks England will win.

Is there anyone on this thread who thinks their side will lose tomorrow?

Honestly.

no....

not me..

Guscott said England should win as long as Wilson doesnt blow up...

So ireland to win all the way   

Seriously though Notch, i just think this is a difficult game to call. England have been impressive, yet inefficient in scoring opportunities.
Ireland have been structured and efficient.

Might be the case that some individual brilliance decides this one. The question is then who has the most players capable of those?

Notch wrote:I haven't seen a single English pundit who think Ireland will win. I have seen just one Irish pundit who thinks England will win.

Is there anyone on this thread who thinks their side will lose tomorrow?

No, Ireland are going to win. England are 4-6 Ireland 6-4. The bookies are predicting a close game but I reckon Ireland going for a triple crown, gathering momentum with a lot to prove under an incredibly detail orientated coach will be too much for an England side whose two best players are missing through injury.

Two well-matched teams at the moment (though England with more potential).

Home advantage will swing it England's way by around 10.

Cyril wrote:Two well-matched teams at the moment (though England with more potential).

Home advantage will swing it England's way by around 10.

How do England have more "potential" and what does that even mean?

I think (and perhaps naturally so) that the English media opinion of Ireland is based on the past number of years, compiled in their brain and staying there until we prove that we've truly emerged from a 'winter of discontent'.

And that's true.  Ireland STILL need to prove one thing - two or three games, if you include the New Zealand one, isn't nearly enough to prove Consistency.  So everybody is waiting, and the England game will be another step in the process of proof or no-proof.

If Ireland can get an intensity up in the first half AND sustain it deep into the second half then I think our version would beat the England version.  But their version right now is more oiled, more varnished and more consistent.

GunsGerms wrote:

Notch wrote:I haven't seen a single English pundit who think Ireland will win. I have seen just one Irish pundit who thinks England will win.

Is there anyone on this thread who thinks their side will lose tomorrow?

No, Ireland are going to win. England are 4-6 Ireland 6-4. The bookies are predicting a close game but I reckon Ireland going for a triple crown, gathering momentum with a lot to prove under an incredibly detail orientated coach will be too much for an England side whose two best players are missing through injury.

England are also going for the Triple Crown, also have a lot to prove after France etc...

Hand on heart, being completely honest, I can't see Ireland losing this game.

England 1st team (with Cole, Corbs, Manu, Yarde), at HQ, without TY/Goode coming on in last 20 with scores tight - definite England win.

Current England - 50:50.

Thats the problem notch my hand is on my brain

GeordieFalcon wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

Notch wrote:I haven't seen a single English pundit who think Ireland will win. I have seen just one Irish pundit who thinks England will win.

Is there anyone on this thread who thinks their side will lose tomorrow?

No, Ireland are going to win. England are 4-6 Ireland 6-4. The bookies are predicting a close game but I reckon Ireland going for a triple crown, gathering momentum with a lot to prove under an incredibly detail orientated coach will be too much for an England side whose two best players are missing through injury.

England are also going for the Triple Crown, also have a lot to prove after France etc...

Ireland will win the triple crown if they win this game, England wont, they have another v Wales to play.

Yes England have a lot to prove but reading between the lines Lancaster's focus is very much on 2015. Winning the 6 nations this year is secondary to that.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:England 1st team (with Cole, Corbs, Manu, Yarde), at HQ, without TY/Goode coming on in last 20 with scores tight - definite England win.

Current England - 50:50.

Tuilagi and Cole are a huge loss. Mind you so are O'Brien and Bowe for Ireland.

GunsGerms wrote:

Cyril wrote:Two well-matched teams at the moment (though England with more potential).

Home advantage will swing it England's way by around 10.

How do England have more "potential" and what does that even mean?

I would take that to mean that England have more room to improve than Ireland, as more of their players are inexperienced and so you would hope/expect them to get better. Not that it matters a jot for the game tomorrow mind.

Guns- everything is secondary to the RWC surely.

BUt come on our focus is still on winning every game we play.

SL made a huge mistake against the french. In fact the irony was we only lost because he was over thinking the next game and wanted to save some players.. Therefore very much wanting to win this tourney.