The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

So there is no rugby on now that I can watch

Sin é wrote:

red_stag wrote:Sounds good Sin. Thanking you!! Any sceál with you?

Hand-to-hand combat on old 606 with Boyne & Guns at the mo over Denis Leamy

Not good enough to tour in the World Cup currently and currently not first choice for Munsters team despite us having a weak backrow. Can still redeem himself in time for RWC.

Stag, Paddy hasn't impressed me much this season. He really was at the centre of a creative, exciting Ulster backline a couple of seaons ago, His provinical form wasn't rewarded then, when it should have been, and now he would rightfully be behind McFadden, in my eyes.

The thing that annoys me most about the Ireland rugby team is that players who aren't perfoming are allowed game upon game to "play themselves into form". Then they put in one decent perfomance (say, at the end of the 6N), and a kind of Stalinist revisionism occurs.

Notch, I got 42 on that game. Only got one French side (Toulouse cos I went there). Got every Welsh side and every Irish one (I think)

Don - I don't agree either with the likes of Marc Lievremonts handling of the team. I have said it a million times only a fool picks on form alone. You think our performance against England was "decent"?? I thought it was superb.

I've just got in from work and I'm watching a great match at the French Open. It's Nadal against another Spaniard called Andujar. Andujar's two sets to love down but he's up four games to one in the third set and playing some brilliant tennis.

Still working, have the joys of newport to go to now!!

Kado: I'd be surprised if there was someone in that stadium who didn't see/spot us!!

One for the wall, tweaks to the Aviva Premiership salary cap
https://www.606v2.com/t5664-ap-salary-cap-changes#126959

Nice thunderstorm outside here in London. Everyone in the work softball team is relieved, game is postponed and "team bonding" in the pub starts from 5.30.

red_stag wrote:

Sin é wrote:

red_stag wrote:Sounds good Sin. Thanking you!! Any sceál with you?

Hand-to-hand combat on old 606 with Boyne & Guns at the mo over Denis Leamy

Not good enough to tour in the World Cup currently and currently not first choice for Munsters team despite us having a weak backrow. Can still redeem himself in time for RWC.

I think he was dropped for Kidney to have a look at Donnacha Ryan in the backrow for world cup. Ryan could also provide an extra option in the lineout as well - last time out Hayes was the starting TH. I suspect since Hayes will be starting at the weekend, Munster will try and have a real go at Leinster's lineout.

Buckley had a shoulder operation which means Hayes will start. Possibly it meant Ryan get a few games at 6 but in the must win games its Ryan and not Leamy who is playing.

Stag - no, you're reading specifics into my post that I didn't intend. And the "one decent perfomance" comment was more a turn of phrase than an actual assessment.

While I agree that only a fool picks on form alone, I think it would be easier to argue that we weren't paying it too little attention if we were actually winning games such as the Wales game. I thought Darcy and Wallace had poor enough tournaments, but people were going on about Wallace being back to his best after one excellent performance against England. He wasn't back to his best. He had one fantastic game, after we had already surrendered any chance of winning the tournament.

Don. I agree. Fitzgerald for instance, was at times - a liability and Im sure Deccie had input on his playing his way back into form. In fairness, he has done. Was like an extra flanker on Sat. Defence was immense. Timing has improved now he has his mojo back. But I really think the in-form McFadden should have started the HC QF, SF and Final - on merit. McFadden will have his chance in the centre, vs Munster next Sat. There can be no greater motivation for him. With Kidney watching, I hope he takes it with both hands. And feet.

The cream will always rise Don.

We go into this World Cup with so many new options to us. We have brought so many players to the fold.

I think realistically McFadden if he is going will be instead of Wallace. not Darcy. He will travel rightly or wrongly.

I think Wallace has been seen as a safe way to bring creativity to a tournement but at the same still having cover at 10.

However, even though he doesn't get much credit in that department, McFadden is fantastic kicker of the ball and can most certainly offer a backup plan in that department alos.

Micky I believe the only reason Wallace is travelling is due to him covering 10.

red_stag wrote:The cream will always rise Don.

We go into this World Cup with so many new options to us. We have brought so many players to the fold.

On your first point - not for the first four ganes of the Six Nations, it didn't. Where was our cream during those weeks?

If you play anyone long enough, eventually they will have a good game. (Apart from Niall O'Connor.) That doesn't retroactively make it right to have played someone for all the games prior to a good performance.

I think you're right on the second point.

red_stag wrote:Micky I believe the only reason Wallace is travelling is due to him covering 10.

I honestly think that McFadden although not under full test scrutiny offers a good kicking option for one that is most likely not going to be required.

Don I thought we saw glimpses of it during the France and Scotland games. We were very poor against Italy and Wales.

Micky and I would take McFadden over Wallace given the chance.

red_stag wrote:Buckley had a shoulder operation which means Hayes will start. Possibly it meant Ryan get a few games at 6 but in the must win games its Ryan and not Leamy who is playing.

Leamy started against Quins. That was a must win game. The other must-win game that Ryan started was against the Os and Leamy came on at 60 mins. John Hayes started that game as well.

It will be interesting to see if Ireland can reach that level of perfomance we had vs England again. When was the last time Ireland played at that level, 2 games running? I cant remember and Ive been watching us since the 70's. Its a major problem with us. High-level consistency. Its Kidney's next step with this squad.

This may not be popular, but I dont count the SLAM. That was won on the backs of POC & BOD and lots of luck, imo. Thankfully, now we have so many more options than that squad had. It was so limited and would have been torn apart Down-Under, in the next RWC. Kidney worked his man-management genius there.

Now for the next big step. Beating France home AND away in Summer. Do that and I'll really start to believe.

Risca Rev wrote:Cari, it's a car horn sounding thing (three blasts) and then them shouting Harlequins. It annoys the heck out of me. Maybe it's just more prominent on the tv.

I'm not saying Portnoys is a bad bloke, I'm just saying he's barely making any sense nowadays. Of course I'd not be bothered if he posted over here.

Rev - I know what you mean about the horn thing. I do remember hearing it. Thankfully they seemed to be a far bit away from us, but it must've been horrendous for anyone sat next to them who doesn't like it.

I think Portnoys just needs to stop and think before he posts. He's gone off on one an awful lot lately, but like I said that seems to be out of frustration over the closure of 606. He seems to have taken that awful personal. I'm sure no one has a problem with him posting here, but I'm not sure if he'll give it a go.

Afternoon all - havent had a chance to catch up yet but will do later.

Just wanted to post some exciting news - https://www.606v2.com/t5669-qa-with-dan-tuohy-of-ulster#127117

Hopefully, we can come up with some cracking questions for him.

H

Notch will be all over that Hobo!

Kiwireddevil wrote:One for the wall, tweaks to the Aviva Premiership salary cap
https://www.606v2.com/t5664-ap-salary-cap-changes#126959

Nice thunderstorm outside here in London. Everyone in the work softball team is relieved, game is postponed and "team bonding" in the pub starts from 5.30.

I was outside in it, there were hailstones as well.

As Staggy already mentioned, D'Arcy's out of the final:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0526/leinster_darcyg.html

Hope his injury's not too bad though.

He is Cari. I hope it is a minor injury for Dorce and it just needs rest. But, it means "your" Fergus will start in the centre though.

Roysh, I have been waiting to do this since I got back from the Diff... Im going sit down and watch it all again. I hope we win it - again. ;-)

Ternoon,
Hope everyone is well.
If you want to know the names of the French grounds...
Bergerac,Bordeaux and Toulouse are the airports to look at.Agen has one, but who wants to spend half a year's wages to fly there?

Getting a little excited about tomorrow's match,but even if we don't make our 5th successive final,at least we'll be going out to the second best team in France .Anyway,I'm working ,and on Saturday as well,so no rugby this weekend
As for Portnoy,I think he's probably out walking his dog at the moment,but hopefully he'll find his way back.

well,off to irrigate the veg,the temperature has dropped,loads of clouds,but not the slightest hint of rain.

See you ce soir :run1:

PS Hope the music goes/went well Notch..Merde or Break a leg(depending on your language)

Back getting better. Nasty side effect to pain killers now kicked in! AAARGGGHHHH!

Hi all. Apparently Ryan Giggs has admitted feeling homesick………

“Despite living in Manchester for 22 years I still do Miss Wales."

Gibbo - enjoy it. I'm gonna have to wait for the DVD which I'll be getting. I'm uploading a video of the celebrations I took now (takes ages on Facebook).

Harrow - mwhaaaaahaaaa

Should I ask what the side-effects are, Glas?

Hound, that genuinely made me

Yay! I've uploaded a video for the first time on Facebook...go me!

Hound,last time I heard that I fell off my dinosaur.....

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Should I ask what the side-effects are, Glas?

Hound, that genuinely made me

I wouldn't advise it.

Ok thomond, get you

Jeepers, if I was knocking off a bird from Llanelli I'd want the gag put on her:

"...and the-en I told 'im, Max this is gowin to be the makin on my caree-er. I've worked ard for this, and Max said don't lie yew, yew put in a few hours in the gym to maintain at figger but the best work 'ew do on yewer knees in the toilets of a west end nightclub, we-el I was gob smacked, literally gobsmacked, I mean how did ee know! Hihihihihihihihi, no, he is a te-error onestly...etc."

Those writing off Paddy Wallace should prepare to be very surprised. If I thought McFadden was a better option than him right now, I'd say he might be under pressure. Even though I would feel it would necessitate leaving out one of the other outside backs to bring Humphreys or Keatley, which is not ideal. Or Wallace. I do actually favour bringing them both

But I honestly don't feel he is a better option at test level. I think Wallace has more to offer. It's been a difficult season for him, but this season's form won't mean much when it comes to the RWC. Last seasons formbook is last season's formbook. I think you saw how little good form in the previous season meant in our 2007 RWC campaign. The players will have their summer holidays and pre-season behind them- they're not going to pick up where they left off. It'll be like every pre-season. All the players will have to blow off the rust and play themselves back into form.

I don't think he's been as bad as being made out either. He delivered for us in the big games this year that's for sure. Look at how blunt and predictable Ulster were without him. He is one of four or five players who we really just do not cope without- there's no-one the same class. Only Luke Marshall against Cardiff really replaced him adequately.

There's a lot more to come from him but he remains a class act who is 100% reliable. In my opinion, not bringing him to the RWC would be major error and the coaches are too smart to make it now.

We tend to get a little bit overexcited with players sometimes based on form, and write off others prematurely. When McFadden and Wallace last came up head to head, 12 vs 12, you'd be hard pressed to say one was better than the other. They both impressed me a lot in that match. The idea there's a big gulf in class is... well, it's an understandable exaggeration. I'd prefer Wallace as a known quantity and then move on to McFadden after the RWC.

Ah only playing Hound,just saying the joke is old is all.... I should prob get away:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ww-8jvxT5Q

Notch I agree that Wallace is a good player and a safer bet going to the world cup. I'd like to see both players go but I don't know If there is room for both. That remains to be seen.

When is the squad being announced??

After the France game in August I think. They plan to announce a 50 (yes, that's right, 50) man training squad. And the deadline is a few days after the France game.

You know Declan Kidney is a good poker player- and a good poker player never shows his hand earlier than he needs to.

My position on McFadden. I believe McFadden can be a better 12 for Ireland than D'Arcy ever was, than Wallace ever was. I think it will take him at least 5 or 6 test matches before he's performing to the level he's capable of in that position for Ireland. Those are matches we don't really have.

I wish he had taken over from D'Arcy this season, but he hasn't. Had he made himself first choice this year he'd have a great chance, but this is the first really big game of the season he's starting at 12. I feel like Kidney won't pick him.

I put my squad up on the RWC squad thread and it includes him but my gut feeling is he won't be selected.

Anybody know why the automatic login doesn't, or how it should, work?

Teams for Friday in Marseille:


Heymans ; Médard, Jauzion, Poitrenaud, Clerc (or Caucaunibuca) ; Skrela, Doussain ; Dusautoir (cap), Picamoles, Bouilhou ; Albacete, Millo-Chluski ; Johnston, Servat, Human.

Reps: Poux, Lacombe, Falefa, Maestri, Nyanga, Bezy, Fritz, Caucaunibuca (or Delasau).

Floch ; Fofana, Pisi , Canale, Malzieu ; James, Parra ; Lapandry, Vermeulen, Bonnaire ; Privat (cap), Cudmore ; Scelzo, Ledesma, Faure.

Reps : Ti'i Paulo, Debaty, Pierre, Lauaki, Senio, Murimurivalu, Joubert, Zirakashvili.

Cracking teams Mick, should be a belter. Is that 'the' Caucau on the wing (potentially)? Has he sorted himself out now?

Novès and Delasau seem to have got him on the straight,but still not very narrow.

Caucau got skills still, but looks like he should be wearing the number 3 shirt!

There we have it folks 606 is no more. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

My computer tells me this was the last post:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A85059868

If so it accurately sums up the place in it's pointlessness. 606 you were marvellous, shame about some of the posters.

dead, long live

Are you sure? I can still log in and view my posts etc.

The litmus test will be if I can still do so in the morning. I have a feeling they may keep it open for the weekend despite having read that today would be the absolute last day. There hasn't been any official word from the BBC on the matter.

Now that would be typical! Then another week, then till the end of the WC as the five live boards turn out to be a disaster then it rumbles on forever under the axe, but the axe never actually falling.

Oh Notch. Your loyalty is inspiring. You wont let it go. In real terms, he shouldn't go. In real terms, he shouldnt be there in the 1st place. Not now. Most Ulster fans will admit to this.

But the Deccie factor may take him there.

With Mcfadden, we dont need a 3rd outhalf. So my logic is, that it is a waste of a position and an oppurtunity for a much better all-round player, to display his wares at the RWC. Dont want a virtual-fight. Its just how Ive felt for a long time now. Paddy has had his day. Time for renewal and realism.

If anyone should feel aggrieved to miss the plane - its Horgan.

I'd be bloody annoyed, but this is the last rugby season we'll see on that. We may just have to wait for the next weekend (which is the last of the football season).

Man Utd vs Barcelona at the weekend. I didn't really understand why they wouldn't keep it open for the next two days. Unless today was the last regular day and tomorrow is the demolition job, then on Monday the 606 team are out of a job

Gibbo, you have many fine qualities but a passing acquaintance with reality is not one of them