Ireland vs Italy, 8th March

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IRELAND VS ITALY

Date: Saturday, March 8
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)

IRELAND TEAM wrote:15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.

16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Fergus McFadden.

ITALY TEAM wrote:15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Paul Derbyshire, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Marco Bortolami (c), 4 Quentin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto de Marchi

16 David Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Masi

If we win this game by a larger margin than the winners of the other two games achieve then it's very, very simple- we set up a Cup Final for ourselves in Paris to win the Championship. We do already have the best points difference but we have a chance to settle the issue of points difference beyond all doubt and make this a very simple equation. An Ireland win in Paris, and we are champions. We are out to score and Joe Schmidt has named his strongest available team.

Italy have chosen to rotate their squad with half an eye on targeting the final game against England, Sergio Parisse is rested along with the first choice halfbacks in a team with a more experimental look. Tito Tebaldi and Andrea Masi make long awaited returns to the Italian match day squad and Luciano Orquera will hope to recapture the form which saw him perform so well in some famous Italian victories in the 2013 campaign.

There'll be plenty of applause for a retiring legend... but no room for sentiment. A ruthless and clinical performance is required.

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Munster seem to want to keep Penney away from all their players!  

"Thanks a bunch, Rob, now f**K off - we have our own Saint-in-waiting taking over from here, thanks."

Penney...he must feel like a tennis ball.  Lording up his Munster players as Munster itself backhand-slice him over the Ural Mountain net all the way to Japan.

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Schmidt doesn't want players who will cost his team the game by choking in pressure situations,if he can't do it against Edinburgh he's a long way from being international standard.

Despite wholesale improvements to the national side there is already a lot of trademark Munster bitterness seeping out from all quarters re Schmidt. New Zealand by birth Ireland coach by grace of God. Embrace the brilliance, its not Schmidt's fault that only three Munster players currently make the grade.

These are the same people who were so vocal in defending Kidney by saying,the players aren't good enough it doesn't matter who the coach is.Now that the new coach is a former Leinster man we missed out on a grand slam because he didn't pick the best players.The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Schmidt doesn't want players who will cost his team the game by choking in pressure situations,if he can't do it against Edinburgh he's a long way from being international standard.

Em, Murray made a similar error against Racing and he now can't get off Joe's team.

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Schmidt doesn't want players who will cost his team the game by choking in pressure situations,if he can't do it against Edinburgh he's a long way from being international standard.

Em, Murray made a similar error against Racing and he now can't get off Joe's team.

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

Yep he put in a season of consistent performances after that and showed it was a once off error,Hanrahan is still stuck on the bench behind Keatley ( a player who wouldn't make the bench for Leinster and wouldn't start for Ulster) when the big games come round.

Sin é wrote:

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

If Schmidt was JJ's coach, Munster might have recent medals and cups and things to show for JJ's endeavours in the HEC pools.

SecretFly wrote:

Sin é wrote:

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

If Schmidt was JJ's coach, Munster might have recent medals and cups and things to show for JJ's endeavours in the HEC pools.

Yea, we should have dropped down to the Amlin last year and we might have won it.  

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Schmidt doesn't want players who will cost his team the game by choking in pressure situations,if he can't do it against Edinburgh he's a long way from being international standard.

Em, Murray made a similar error against Racing and he now can't get off Joe's team.

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

Yep he put in a season of consistent performances after that and showed it was a once off error,Hanrahan is still stuck on the bench behind Keatley ( a player who wouldn't make the bench for Leinster and wouldn't start for Ulster) when the big games come round.

Yea, Joe brought in Jimmy Gopperth as their starting OH and relegated Madigan to the bench  

No Schmidt brought in Gopperth because Sexton left as cover. It was O'Connor who has favoured Gopperth not Schmidt. If Schmidt was still with leinster Madigan would have got more game time.

Sin é wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

Sin é wrote:

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

If Schmidt was JJ's coach, Munster might have recent medals and cups and things to show for JJ's endeavours in the HEC pools.

Yea, we should have dropped down to the Amlin last year and we might have won it.  

What did you win last year, Sin?  Spell the success out for me in rich detail

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Schmidt doesn't want players who will cost his team the game by choking in pressure situations,if he can't do it against Edinburgh he's a long way from being international standard.

Em, Murray made a similar error against Racing and he now can't get off Joe's team.

As I say, If Schmidt was JJ's coach, he would be back playing with UL Bohs with instructions on things he has to improve on, not scoring match/pool winners in the Heineken Cup in the France for Munster.

Yep he put in a season of consistent performances after that and showed it was a once off error,Hanrahan is still stuck on the bench behind Keatley ( a player who wouldn't make the bench for Leinster and wouldn't start for Ulster) when the big games come round.

Yea, Joe brought in Jimmy Gopperth as their starting OH and relegated Madigan to the bench  

That's not true,he brought in Gopperth but MoC relegated Madigan to the bench.If you have to make stuff up you're losing the debate.

GunsGerms wrote:Despite wholesale improvements to the national side there is already a lot of trademark Munster bitterness seeping out from all quarters re Schmidt. New Zealand by birth Ireland coach by grace of God. Embrace the brilliance, its not Schmidt's fault that only three Munster players currently make the grade.

i don't think that's true guns. The vast majority of Munster fans welcomed his appointment. However regardless of the fun and games with zebo (some people think he is a better option shock), its down to the fact that Joe was being put forward as the new messiah for Irish rugby. At the moment its anything but average but he has a possible 6ns in sight which would be a good start (as we all keep saying). However some things don't seem right, the Zebo thing could have been handled better, dropping TOD for Murphy was a strange one and making no attempt in 6 games to look at different options in the centre with a WC not to far in the future. His controlled approach and closed squads make him very EOS like..without the good backplay...

like i said B- so far..could do better, has a chance to win a 6ns..i hope we do

SecretFly wrote:

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Munster seem to want to keep Penney away from all their players!  

"Thanks a bunch, Rob, now f**K off - we have our own Saint-in-waiting taking over from here, thanks."

Penney...he must feel like a tennis ball.  Lording up his Munster players as Munster itself backhand-slice him over the Ural Mountain net all the way to Japan.

Fantastic post! Really made me chuckle!

ME-109 wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Despite wholesale improvements to the national side there is already a lot of trademark Munster bitterness seeping out from all quarters re Schmidt. New Zealand by birth Ireland coach by grace of God. Embrace the brilliance, its not Schmidt's fault that only three Munster players currently make the grade.

i don't think that's true guns. The vast majority of Munster fans welcomed his appointment. However regardless of the fun and games with zebo (some people think he is a better option shock), its down to the fact that Joe was being put forward as the new messiah for Irish rugby. At the moment its anything but average but he has a possible 6ns in sight which would be a good start (as we all keep saying). However some things don't seem right, the Zebo thing could have been handled better, dropping TOD for Murphy was a strange one and making no attempt in 6 games to look at different options in the centre with a WC not to far in the future. His controlled approach and closed squads make him very EOS like..without the good backplay...

like i said B- so far..could do better, has a chance to win a 6ns..i hope we do

The Zebo and O'Donnell things are non events,that they are the most contentious decisions Schmdit has made shows just how much he's getting right.Schmidt has played Marshall in 2 of the 6 games so far that's 1/3rd of all the games he's been coach he has looked at different options in the centre.

He only played Marshall in the Scottish game cos Darcy was sick, and then dropped him out of the match day squad. I still said he is doing ok but that's it. Hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet and the back play has been less than impressive.

Be honest...none of us have a blasted thing to say and are only rattling on about Penney'n'Earls'n'Madigan'n'Ordinary Dave to fill space.

There is only so much "We better be careful of Italy!!!!  They are no walk-overs!  They're improving every year!!!!  We have to respect them!!!  We have to break them down in the first half.  We have to earn the right to go wide!!!"

There is only so much of that you can do in two weeks and we've kinda done it all back on Monday!  From here on in, what else is there to talk about?  Tactics for the Italian game.

I think the tactic should be to "Walk-Over" them.  Discuss.

ME-109 wrote:He only played Marshall in the Scottish game cos Darcy was sick, and then dropped him out of the match day squad. I still said he is doing ok but that's it. Hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet and the back play has been less than impressive.

He beat the Lions Team! That's gotta be saying something!

ME-109 wrote:He only played Marshall in the Scottish game cos Darcy was sick, and then dropped him out of the match day squad. I still said he is doing ok but that's it. Hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet and the back play has been less than impressive.

In fairness he hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet but he's dragging us from 9th in the world and joint bottom of the 6 Nations so I think he deserves plenty of time.I'll be expecting at least one SH scalp in the Autumn and a clean sweep of the Argies in the Summer (an injury crisis might revise those aims but it would have to be severe.)

You have said he made "no attempt in 6 games to look at different options in the centre" I've simply pointed out that you are completely wrong,changing the subject doesn't alter that.You seem determined to criticise him,when Kidney was being criticised I seem to recall you saying that the players weren't good enough no matter who the coach was yet that doesn't seem to apply any more.Why is that?

So it looks like this thread will decend into provencial bickering... just like so many others.

The fact still remains that we are top of the 6N with a home game against the weakest team and a final game against France, who look very beatable. Championship in sight!
We are 1,2,3 in the Rabo
We have 3 team in the HC QFs

Things are looking pretty rosey to me...

the-goon wrote:So it looks like this thread will decend into provencial bickering... just like so many others.

The fact still remains that we are top of the 6N with a home game against the weakest team and a final game against France, who look very beatable. Championship in sight!
We are 1,2,3 in the Rabo
We have 3 team in the HC QFs

Things are looking pretty rosey to me...

Dear God!  You call that rosey???? You live a closeted life, goon 
Where's the 2003 WC?  Huh?  
You know nothing is worth schit in this place unless you have a 2003 WC in your medicine cabinet!  
Ask the Welsh! 4 GSs and no 2003 WC.  Eejits.

the-goon wrote:So it looks like this thread will decend into provencial bickering... just like so many others.

The fact still remains that we are top of the 6N with a home game against the weakest team and a final game against France, who look very beatable. Championship in sight!
We are 1,2,3 in the Rabo
We have 3 team in the HC QFs

Things are looking pretty rosey to me...

I don't think it's all just provincial bickering. Some Munster fans just feel that some of their players merit a place in the squad ahead of others. For example they are extolling the virtues of their back up out half for a squad place ahead of their starting out half. I mean if that doesn't prove their lack of provincial bias I don't know what does.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

ME-109 wrote:He only played Marshall in the Scottish game cos Darcy was sick, and then dropped him out of the match day squad. I still said he is doing ok but that's it. Hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet and the back play has been less than impressive.

In fairness he hasn't beaten any of the big guns yet but he's dragging us from 9th in the world and joint bottom of the 6 Nations so I think he deserves plenty of time.I'll be expecting at least one SH scalp in the Autumn and a clean sweep of the Argies in the Summer (an injury crisis might revise those aims but it would have to be severe.)

You have said he made "no attempt in 6 games to look at different options in the centre" I've simply pointed out that you are completely wrong,changing the subject doesn't alter that.You seem determined to criticise him,when Kidney was being criticised I seem to recall you saying that the players weren't good enough no matter who the coach was yet that doesn't seem to apply any more.Why is that?

he looked at one, he didn't like it and declared that publicly, his hand was forced in the Scottish game, you cant read and your powers of reasoning left you a long time ago.

And we still haven't beaten anyone of note , except dlfor the welsh which we did last year with a little more style than this time round...

On the plus side Tommy bowe is flaking into that world force of rugby the dragons...

having said that if Schmidt picks him for the Italian game over handy Andy or Average Dave it would show he isn't a complete wally..

So how Munster players does he need to pick for you to stop moaning and belittling Irish internationals?

Wow are Marshall, Henderson and Bowe joining Munster (would like Henderson thanks)..

on a negative side it appears Luke Marshall was taken off with a head injury again ( which is a pity)...

ME-109 wrote:

And we still haven't beaten anyone of note , except dlfor the welsh which we did last year with a little more style than this time round...

Hmm...in the interests of balance again, and not to be untypically pedantic in the stats department, but back to what each coach did in the same amount of time.  Kidney and Schmidt Part Two:

In his first six games, Kidney played four sides that were within the top 10 and only one of those sides were within the top 3 (ABs).  Two of the sides were outside the top 10 (Canada and Italy)
In his first six games, Schmidt played six sides that were all inside the top 10 and two of those sides were within the top 3 (ABs/AUS).

Kidney had five wins and one loss - to the top 3 side (ABs)
Schmidt had three wins and three losses - two of the losses to top 3 sides (ABs/AUS) and one loss to the 4th ranked side (England)

Both Kidney's team and Schmidt's team played England ( a suspected team "of note" in your eyes, ME?).  Kidney won his game by a point.  Schmidt lost his by 3.  England were 6th in the rankings when Kidney won.  And as has been already said, England were 4th in the rankings when Schmidt lost.

So again - everyone can make of that what they will.  
Schmidt has played more teams of note in six games so far than Kidney had at this point.  
But the team of note Kidney did play against (Top3 - ABs), he lost more heavily to (3 - 22) - than Schmidt did (22 -24)

Incidently...just to pick a few more details out here:  

They both played the 7th ranked side of their time - Schmidt's side won by far more.
They both played the 6th ranked side of their time - Schmidt's side won by far more.

Of course stats mean little as so many variables can be discussed, certainly when it drifts into years...but ME's point about teams 'of note' is a loaded one.  So determining a chronology between a past coach and the present one is useful in only for the fun of it.

ME-109 wrote:Wow are Marshall, Henderson and Bowe joining Munster (would like Henderson thanks)..

on a negative side it appears Luke Marshall was taken off with a head injury again ( which is a pity)...

It really is a shame, you'd have to say if it is even a minor concussion you'd want to take every precaution with his history. Tommy Bowe had an excellent 40 minutes, but they're obviously easing him back in slowly- it's pretty hard to justify even a top class international walking back into the team for Italy on 40 minutes. I would probably prefer Zebo to come in than Bowe- I mean I wish a fully-fit Tommy Bowe was available from day 1 but the Italy game is probably just too soon.

Paddy Jackson picked a good weekend to kick 5/5, I don't think any were from the touchline but his form looks good, good all round game from him as well. The big story was Iain Henderson, he really stood out. I thought he could have won man of the match.

Notch wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Wow are Marshall, Henderson and Bowe joining Munster (would like Henderson thanks)..

on a negative side it appears Luke Marshall was taken off with a head injury again ( which is a pity)...

It really is a shame, you'd have to say if it is even a minor concussion you'd want to take every precaution with his history. Henderson was very good tonight.

Luke marshall is in serious decision territory now if it is another concussion injury.  Serious decision territory.  These injuries are cumulative and doctors must begin to think that he is not just excessively unlucky - but that he is perhaps simply much too suseptible to the effects of bangs to the head for him to possibly continue in such a sport.

Fly..unbeaten for ten games..DK (not average Dave)

PJ = good game tonight...

LM ...you have to feel for him.

Henderson = excellent

ME-109 wrote:Fly..unbeaten for ten games..DK (not average Dave)

PJ = good game tonight...

LM ...you have to feel for him.

Henderson = excellent

Schmidt has time......................... if Zebogate doesn't sack him before the French game that is. The pikes are out!!! Place your bets, folks!

Till ye whaat folks...fer a fella wey nay pace that Tammy Bowe can fair shift hi!

Pity Ulster are up to their quota.

Great line, great finish- wish it was a week earlier and he'd be in with a better shout! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3qSScQdFTI

rodders wrote:Till ye whaat folks...fer a fella wey nay pace that Tammy Bowe can fair shift hi!

Pity Ulster are up to their quota.

Haven't a clue what you said in the first sentence, but no doubt you will be looking for some grant from HMs government.

For the second sentence....dont be such a winge bag   

So considering Luke Marshall looks doubtful, if he is missing what do you think will be the center pairing? Will D'Arcy partner BOD again? BOD would possibly be rested if it wasn't going to be his last home game.

I think the old guard in the centres are near certainties if Marshall isn't fit next week.

Henshaw could feature. Maybe we could see BOD at 12 although its highly unlikely.

Hope Bowe is back for the Italy game. Pure class.

BOD don't trust Marshall (neither does Joe) so even if fit he probably wouldn't feature.

Hey guns i agree with you regarding Bowe. Hopefully luke fitz should make it as well, get rid of the average wingers (according to will greenwood no less)

Are Redden and Madigan going to be tried against a real Pro12 side later on?  

Schmidt must have gotten his request in to see if he can work out how exactly to get an actual ball or two out to the average wingers - or the Elites.

He'll have a stop-watch in operation for Redden especially.....

Could someone explain to me where the idea that BOD doesn't trust Marshall is coming from?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Could someone explain to me where the idea that BOD doesn't trust Marshall is coming from?

He wrote a letter to Rodders - signed "Incognito never-mention-this-to-another-soul BOD"............. telling him all about it, we hear.

Rodders has the story and obviously burned the evidence at this stage. Don't want angering the player who chooses the teams!

ME-109 wrote:
he looked at one, he didn't like it and declared that publicly, his hand was forced in the Scottish game, you cant read and your powers of reasoning left you a long time ago.

And we still haven't beaten anyone of note , except dlfor the welsh which we did last year with a little more style than this time round...

You said he made "no attempt in 6 games to look at different options in the centre with a WC not to far in the future."Now you are claiming you meant he made one attempt and was forced into another and I'm the one who can't read.  

You also avoided my question about why you were so vocal about the players not being good enough under Kidney yet now magically the players are good enough if only the coach would pick them.I understand you aren't the brightest spark around but if you can't even keep a consistent argument please don't interrupt when adults are speaking.

And for the Australia game? It's pretty clear that he's grooming Luke Marshall and Robbie Henshaw at the moment.

What are the chances of Luke Marshall not being available for the Italy game then? Looked like a knock but I'm hoping it was just a precaution. He did look a little shaken when he first stood up though.

You are a card asls. For pedantic reasoning you are of course correct he has made one attempt way back (wasn't there an issue with Darcys fitness then ). It is clear he is intent on keeping the incumbents in place for the 6ns with a world cup coming up it would appear to be a poor idea given anything can happen as with luke Marshall last night.

As for previously didn't kidney give luke his chance and i my comments were mostly about the players taking more responsibility and maybe not being as good as everyone thought. Which so far has been proven given who we have beaten. With all the huffing last weekend we lost for the exact same reason as last year.

You must be an accountant given your ability to provide factual yet useless information. Yet you are proving again a lack of cognitive reasoning.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:What are the chances of Luke Marshall not being available for the Italy game then?  Looked like a knock but I'm hoping it was just a precaution.  He did look a little shaken when he first stood up though.

If there is a case to be careful with him, I think we should be careful with him. I would hate to take risks IF he is concussed.

ME-109 wrote:You are a card asls. For pedantic reasoning you are of course correct he has made one attempt way back (wasn't there an issue with Darcys fitness then ). It is clear he is intent on keeping the incumbents in place for the 6ns with a world cup coming up it would appear to be a poor idea given anything can happen as with luke Marshall last night.

As for previously didn't kidney give luke his chance and i my comments were mostly about the players taking more responsibility and maybe not being as good as everyone thought. Which so far has been proven given who we have beaten. With all the huffing last weekend we lost for the exact same reason as last year.

You must be an accountant given your ability to provide factual yet useless information. Yet you are proving again a lack of cognitive reasoning.

Nope like most of the players he gave new caps to it was only after an injury to the incumbent that Marshall got his chance,funny how you forget that.You only notice the issue with D'Arcys fitness when it suits you,every post you write is full of hypocrisy given your previous stance.

ME-109 wrote:You are a card asls. For pedantic reasoning you are of course correct he has made one attempt way back (wasn't there an issue with Darcys fitness then ). It is clear he is intent on keeping the incumbents in place for the 6ns with a world cup coming up it would appear to be a poor idea given anything can happen as with luke Marshall last night.

As for previously didn't kidney give luke his chance and i my comments were mostly about the players taking more responsibility and maybe not being as good as everyone thought. Which so far has been proven given who we have beaten. With all the huffing last weekend we lost for the exact same reason as last year.

You must be an accountant given your ability to provide factual yet useless information. Yet you are proving again a lack of cognitive reasoning.

Given he has to repair the damage Kidney did to the team we aren't going to turn into world beaters overnight,however we might just win the 6N,can you not see how that's an improvement on last year?Given Kidney dragged the team down to 9th in the world rankings and joint bottom of the 6N losing to Scotland 3 times in his reign how you can't see the improvements in the team already is beyond me.We will get there and I suspect you will become conspicuous by your absence here when the team shows it's true ability.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

ME-109 wrote:You are a card asls. For pedantic reasoning you are of course correct he has made one attempt way back (wasn't there an issue with Darcys fitness then ). It is clear he is intent on keeping the incumbents in place for the 6ns with a world cup coming up it would appear to be a poor idea given anything can happen as with luke Marshall last night.

As for previously didn't kidney give luke his chance and i my comments were mostly about the players taking more responsibility and maybe not being as good as everyone thought. Which so far has been proven given who we have beaten. With all the huffing last weekend we lost for the exact same reason as last year.

You must be an accountant given your ability to provide factual yet useless information. Yet you are proving again a lack of cognitive reasoning.

Nope like most of the players he gave new caps to it was only after an injury to the incumbent that Marshall got his chance,funny how you forget that.You only notice the issue with D'Arcys fitness when it suits you,every post you write is full of hypocrisy given your previous stance.

Luke Marshall's first cap was against fiji under Kidney (game in Thomond Park). He wasn't brought into that because of injury.