Ireland vs Italy, 8th March

First topic message reminder :

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.

BOD is gonna...well he's going to blub!   

 

I LOVE YOU BRIAN!     

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

2nd to last game. And who would you have given it to then?

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

Why? His 60mins on the field were superb. He set up 3 try's made some turnovers and lead the attack brilliantly.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:That BOD fella.  Could be a player.  

Nah, not big enough, doesn't show enough Gatskills to really be a great player. Would never make Lions team.  

Just come in and seen the score, Congrats Ireland that just about seals the championship, I cannot see England getting 70 points differential in their two remaining games (although I would love to, especially tomorrow). and the Welsh and French have an even bigger margin to make up.

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

Second last game. To be fair it was probably between him and sexton.

Now let's see if Scotland can do something special now. Maybe they can surprise a shaky France?

England or France could still do it on points difference over two games. Statistically and pragmatically possible in my opinion.

Amazing scenes there.

GloriousEmpire wrote:England or France could still do it on points difference over two games. Statistically and pragmatically possible in my opinion.

or Wales

1 more year!

Gatland was right BOD is past it

LeinsterFan4life wrote:1 more year!

No! I can't take anymore farewells!

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

2nd to last game. And who would you have given it to then?

Johny Sexton or Andrew Trimble atleast they did score a try.

I just think has it was his last game in( Ireland ) in the 6ns, 1 week away from retireing all together. He gets Man of the Match.

To be honest i don't think it would of matterd if he played 6 minutes or 60 minutes it was only going to be him for Man of the Mathch today.

I take nothing away from BOD he has been 1 of the best players to have ever played rugby. But to give him Man of the Match for more than sentimental reasons is wrong.

Wow Maj are you really getting technical about who won the motm...

majesticimperialman wrote:
To be honest i don't think it would of matterd if he played 6 minutes or 60 minutes it was only going to be him for Man of the Mathch today.

I agree but the fact that he had a brilliant game and created 3 tries probably helped his case somewhat   .

majesticimperialman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

2nd to last game. And who would you have given it to then?

Johny Sexton or Andrew Trimble atleast they did score a try.

I just think has it was his last game in( Ireland ) in the 6ns, 1 week away from retireing all together. He gets Man of the Match.

To be honest i don't think it would of matterd if he played 6 minutes or 60 minutes it was only going to be him for Man of the Mathch today.

I take nothing away from BOD he has been 1 of the best players to have ever played rugby. But to give him Man of the Match for more than sentimental reasons is wrong.

So even though he was one of the best players on the pitch he shouldn't get it in case people think it's just for sentiment??

Ireland really haven't changed anything. They already had a favourable points differential. They've got an even bigger one now. But they are still vulnerable to either France, Wales or England winning their remaining ones if Ireland lose in Paris. Given it's an unhappy hunting ground for them, they have to forget about today's win and think the real proper send off for BOD is next week. Today was getting back confidence from the Twickenham disappointment. They did that. Now the focus is getting that win in France. All other considerations are just pure masturbation.

Maj if you get man of the match just for scoring tries then you limit already the players who are likely to get it. The guy didn't have a bad game. He set up tries. It's not a problem if he doesn't score a try. Other candidates might have been just as viable but I hardly think they're giving BOD towel flicks in the changing rooms. If he had a shocker and got the MOTM award then maybe I could understand but players have won the IRB player of the year awards from much less. There are much greater crimes to fight caped crusader.

Even though BOD did say exactly what Maj said "a bit of a joke" he was just being a gracious host/winner. He was instrumental in setting up the first three tries... maybe more. I lost count after a while.

GloriousEmpire wrote:England or France could still do it on points difference over two games. Statistically and pragmatically possible in my opinion.

If we beat France then it doesn't matter how many they score,only the English it Welsh can catch us on points difference.France have to beat us on the pitch to win the title.

Golden wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

2nd to last game. And who would you have given it to then?

Johny Sexton or Andrew Trimble atleast they did score a try.

I just think has it was his last game in( Ireland ) in the 6ns, 1 week away from retireing all together. He gets Man of the Match.

To be honest i don't think it would of matterd if he played 6 minutes or 60 minutes it was only going to be him for Man of the Mathch today.

I take nothing away from BOD he has been 1 of the best players to have ever played rugby. But to give him Man of the Match for more than sentimental reasons is wrong.

So even though he was one of the best players on the pitch he shouldn't get it in case people think it's just for sentiment??

Sentimental choice or not, we was MOTM and justifiably so.

I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

GloriousEmpire wrote:

Golden wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:So BOD in his last game in the 6ns. and he gets Man Of the Match. A bit of a joke don't you think.

2nd to last game. And who would you have given it to then?

Johny Sexton or Andrew Trimble atleast they did score a try.

I just think has it was his last game in( Ireland ) in the 6ns, 1 week away from retireing all together. He gets Man of the Match.

To be honest i don't think it would of matterd if he played 6 minutes or 60 minutes it was only going to be him for Man of the Mathch today.

I take nothing away from BOD he has been 1 of the best players to have ever played rugby. But to give him Man of the Match for more than sentimental reasons is wrong.

So even though he was one of the best players on the pitch he shouldn't get it in case people think it's just for sentiment??

Sentimental choice or not, we was MOTM and justifiably so.

Really? ok.

As I said earlier, I was extremely impressed with Toner today. Thought he carried really well and always seemed to get over the gain line.

It's a shame that Ireland didn't play in France this weekend and had Italy the last game. After the England performance I think they'd have been more motivated and on edge even though France would have been motivated by their loss against Wales. The players out for France are important losses though. I just can't help but feel France might lose in Scotland today and then play their best match at home. Maybe I'm overly paranoid when it comes to France and crucial matches...

rodders wrote:I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

POM was better than Henry and Heaslip.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:It's a shame that Ireland didn't play in France this weekend and had Italy the last game. After the England performance I think they'd have been more motivated and on edge even though France would have been motivated by their loss against Wales. The players out for France are important losses though. I just can't help but feel France might lose in Scotland today and then play their best match at home. Maybe I'm overly paranoid when it comes to France and crucial matches...

Ye I think France to win by a couple of points today is arguably the better result from an irish point of view

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

rodders wrote:I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

POM was better than Henry and Heaslip.  

POM certainly looked better than usual today hookie, he seemed bit taller and didn't frown as much.

France won the wooden spoon last year... I don't think losing really makes them perform better.

Given Ireland's record in France, I think it's better from an Irish fans' point of view that result Golden. But really if the Irish lads can't get up for a final game to claim the championship and send off BOD in style, you wonder what would they need to motivate themselves to play well. Records don't count for anything. The key is to prepare well and be in the right frame of mind for the match on the day.

rodders wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

rodders wrote:I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

POM was better than Henry and Heaslip.  

POM certainly looked better than usual today hookie, he seemed bit taller and didn't frown as much.  

Put in just as many tackles.

Awk now we are being mean, he's been good so far Rodders. Best singer of an anthem since that rasta fella in Paris.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

rodders wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

rodders wrote:I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

POM was better than Henry and Heaslip.  

POM certainly looked better than usual today hookie, he seemed bit taller and didn't frown as much.  

Put in just as many tackles.

Awk now we are being mean, he's been good so far Rodders.  Best singer of an anthem since that rasta fella in Paris.  

I did not know the POM played today.

Although POC played today. is he the one you are on about?

Well done Ireland, this should have been a grandslam year for you, very unlucky to let the game slip away at twickenham.

congrats ireland! i can't see past ireland winning the six nations now.

Only if they lose to France or Someone wins big tomorrow

Ireland have a 60 points difference on England

England beat Wales by 15, very doable, that difference is down to 45.

England beat Italy by 50 points, doable, Ireland only beat France by 3, likely, England win championship.

Correct me if I'm missing something

It's definitely not impossible that England could have the perfect game and rack up a big score but so far they've been pretty profligate and wasteful. They are creating the chances though but they need to start putting a higher percentage of them away.

We'll know what we need to do by kick-off anyway.

gleesonisgod wrote:Ireland have a 60 points difference on England

England beat Wales by 15, very doable, that difference is down to 45.

England beat Italy by 50 points, doable, Ireland only beat France by 3, likely, England win championship.

Correct me if I'm missing something

the pts difference is 63

and the biggest problem is how doable is a 15 pt win v wales and we are playing italy away and then would need a 48 pt difference.

edit it is 60!

The other problem is France- lets be honest if they play like they have done last two they could get beat by 15-20 pts by ireland

Or being typical France they could pull something out of the hat and beat us.

But lets hope not.

As said we will be up for it.

Get at them early, get a couple of scores up, the French crowd will be booing, the team maybe all over the place, our chance to hopefully shine.

rodders wrote:I thought there was some absolutely outstanding performances today - Toner, O'Connell, Henry, Trimble, D'arcy, Sexton, Heaslip, Healy could all have been motm.

100% I'd have selected Brian O'Driscoll - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

I'd have gone for that fulla in the big picture...he was all over the park!  

BOD announced himself on the international stage with a hat-trick in Paris, how likely is it that he will score the winning try this year?

So am I right in assuming that there will be a lot of Wales or England supporters cheering for France next week?   
Now you will feel the pain

The Great Aukster wrote:BOD announced himself on the international stage with a hat-trick in Paris, how likely is it that he will score the winning try this year?

One thing BOD was always supreme at was getting a try for Ireland when the need was greatest.  He hasn't yet scored in this year's 6Ns and, statiustically, he is due for one, so we will wait and see ...

My ratings (I've replaced Murray with Reddan).

1 Sackable performance
2 Disgraced the jersey
3 Had a bad game
4 Below par
5 Average
6 Solid
7 Good game with a few sparkles
8 Excellent performance
9 Outstanding performance
10 Legendary performance

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

Very fair scoring profitus. I'd have given Heaslip one more and Toner/Ross one less.

The Great Aukster wrote:Very fair scoring profitus. I'd have given Heaslip one more and Toner/Ross one less.

Agree about Toner. I just docked Toner a point because he lost the ball a few times. I think the scrum was good so Ross deserves a 7.

profitius wrote:My ratings (I've replaced Murray with Reddan).

1 Sackable performance
2 Disgraced the jersey
3 Had a bad game
4 Below par
5 Average
6 Solid
7 Good game with a few sparkles
8 Excellent performance
9 Outstanding performance
10 Legendary performance

This was what I saw when I first started to read your post profitius.

   

I thought you were being a bit tough on the tight 5 especially!

MrsP wrote:

profitius wrote:My ratings (I've replaced Murray with Reddan).

1 Sackable performance
2 Disgraced the jersey
3 Had a bad game
4 Below par
5 Average
6 Solid
7 Good game with a few sparkles
8 Excellent performance
9 Outstanding performance
10 Legendary performance

This was what I saw when I first started to read your post profitius.

   

I thought you were being a bit tough on the tight 5 especially!

Lol. Fortunately for Healy and unfortunately for Johnny Sexton!

profitius wrote:My ratings (I've replaced Murray with Reddan).

1 Sackable performance
2 Disgraced the jersey
3 Had a bad game
4 Below par
5 Average
6 Solid
7 Good game with a few sparkles
8 Excellent performance
9 Outstanding performance
10 Legendary performance

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

Jamie Heaslip- by far the best carrier of the ball in the forwards with 56 metres. Second highest tackle count in the side. 5 out of 10?
Rob Kearney- by far the best carrier of the ball in the entire side with 135 metres. Joint highest amount of clean breaks. Most defenders beaten. Ok, bad missed tackle. But 5 out of 10?

At least try and have a grip on reality. Even one hand. Even a pinky. I'll even give you a pinky swear as a reward.

Even Sin would do better than this. That is how far you have fallen with this rating. Hang your head in shame and then come in for a hug. I forgive you this time.

Yup even Warren Gatland would have given each Irish player higher than that.

I'm guessing this is some kind of mind game to regain the plucky underdog status against the French.

At a minimum I'd add 5 points to each player, if that means they scored greater than 10 then maybe the scoring matrix has not evolved to adequately reflect the subtle genius that we are being subjected to in this championship by Joe and his charges.