The Official Irish Rugby Thread

[Uncle fester]

Even Dupont manshamed him

Yeah but Dupont is a freak who manshames 3 or 4 opposition forwards in a row.

[salanya]

Hi Sal how are you?

Keep an eye out on the weather for late Feb early March?

There could be a very cold spell coming to Europe. There may be an Elfestendocht in Friesland if this works out properly

All well thanks - you?

Cold spells don't last long enough anymore for Elfstedentocht - should have listened to Greta.

[TheBouncer]

Doris was so far ahead of anyone else on the field it was wild. Keenan just does the right thing every time and executes perfectly. Plenty good besides that- the bench was massive, a poor showing from them and the outcome is likely different.

It’s fallen nicely with the fortnight off.. could be a pretty special 23 come March.

[Gav]

Doris was so far ahead of anyone else on the field it was wild. Keenan just does the right thing every time and executes perfectly. Plenty good besides that- the bench was massive, a poor showing from them and the outcome is likely different.

It’s fallen nicely with the fortnight off.. could be a pretty special 23 come March.

Fuck off noob!

[themaddog]

Not to go full Jeff but looking back on the performances today
Outstanding - Doris, Keenan
Excellent - Bealham, Ryan, Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose
Very Good - Porter, Kelliher, O'Toole, Beirne, Henderson, VDF, Casey, Sexton, Byrne, Aki
Good - Kilcoyne, Conan, Herring
Average - POM, Murray
Meh - Hansen

[Frop.E]

Not to go full Jeff but looking back on the performances today
Outstanding - Doris, Keenan
Excellent - Bealham, Ryan, Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose
Very Good - Porter, Kelliher, O'Toole, Beirne, Henderson, VDF, Casey, Sexton, Byrne, Aki
Good - Kilcoyne, Conan, Herring
Average - POM, Murray
Meh - Hansen

POM was fairly anon, unless I missed a bunch of stuff.

[redderneck]

Not to go full Jeff but looking back on the performances today
Outstanding - Doris, Keenan
Excellent - Bealham, Ryan, Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose
Very Good - Porter, Kelliher, O'Toole, Beirne, Henderson, VDF, Casey, Sexton, Byrne, Aki
Good - Kilcoyne, Conan, Herring
Average - POM, Murray
Meh - Hansen

POM was fairly anon, unless I missed a bunch of stuff.

Solid enough, no more. However, importantly: no less. Porter wasn't scoring his try without the well timed shunt from POM.

[Hank the DJ]

Lads.

That was a 23 man performance, some of those playes won't even make the QF team, class

[Hank the DJ]

Not to go full Jeff but looking back on the performances today
Outstanding - Doris, Keenan
Excellent - Bealham, Ryan, Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose
Very Good - Porter, Kelliher, O'Toole, Beirne, Henderson, VDF, Casey, Sexton, Byrne, Aki
Good - Kilcoyne, Conan, Herring
Average - POM, Murray
Meh - Hansen

Hansen had a bloody good game, the Dupont tackle is something he'll learn from, Murray was well above average as well if you're giving Herring a good mark.

[TheBouncer]

Doris was so far ahead of anyone else on the field it was wild. Keenan just does the right thing every time and executes perfectly. Plenty good besides that- the bench was massive, a poor showing from them and the outcome is likely different.

It’s fallen nicely with the fortnight off.. could be a pretty special 23 come March.

Fuck off noob!

Some f*ck took about a month to approve me

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

You lads are crazy. Murray and Hansen had great games.
Doris and Keenan are the best in the world in their positions. Unreal players.

[Duff Paddy]

Injury updates from Farrell, via MK.

Beirne "not looking too good at the moment", and Sexton said he went off after Antonio landed on his groin.

That's a big ouchy !

This is a big loss

[Winnie]

You lads are crazy. Murray and Hansen had great games.
Doris and Keenan are the best in the world in their positions. Unreal players.

That’s the third match in a row Hansen has been dodgy
If other options were fit he would not be starting

[Jim Lahey]

Clearly its time for the return of the prodigal son. Lets forgive him for his past failings like good Christian men, and support our fellow brother on his road to redemption.

[iarmhí]

POM got his bad game( by his big game standards) out of the way and his saving best as usual for England.

Also thought Murray was very good but the difference Casey made in terms of speed really tired out the French.

Hansen didn't have a bad game. It was just that the rest of the team played at such a high standard in terms of workrate and execution.

[Camroc2]

Murray was good in the first half.

In the second, because he was slower to the rucks, he reverted to his up and unders, which were either too short or too long, and essentially just gave possession back to the French to run back hard at us. If JGP is OK in two weeks we'll revert to starting with him, with Murray on the bench to finish out, which I absolutely trust him to do. Murray, in fairness, put in a great defensive shift.

[PornDog]

Murray's speed in the first half was again good, but his passing accuracy was poor. He had 5 or 6 passes that were just that bit behind the receiver sucking all the impetuous out of the phase.

His speed again dropped off in the 2nd and he resorted to slow and shite box kicks far too much. The pace of the game transformed when Casey came on.

[earl the beaver]

Shepherds crook for Mack and Jordan in. The latter is playing well for a while now

Mack brings a lot to the team but you fear for him in contact some (all) times.

Bit cocky and a bit wasteful today.

Lowe had his work ons and all the better for it. I'm sure Farrell and Catt will follow suit

Lowe got dropped to focus on those work ons and didn't come back into the side until the autumn.

At that point we had Stockdale in flying form after injury as an option that retained the size/power and left boot

As an alternative to Hansen in the style of play who do we have?

[shabadoo]

POM got his bad game( by his big game standards) out of the way and his saving best as usual for England.

Also thought Murray was very good but the difference Casey made in terms of speed really tired out the French.

Hansen didn't have a bad game. It was just that the rest of the team played at such a high standard in terms of workrate and execution.

Really not seeing it with Murray. Was much better in the second half to be fair to him but I thought he was really poor in the first. Slow getting the ball away and absolutely butchered 3 tries. JGP would be slaughtered for it.

Thought Hansen was fine. His usual I guess. Doesn't get turned over that much for a lad who is so small. Always seems to find a tiny bit of space.

Keenan and Doris... completely mental.

[CM11]

Just started rewatching, which tries did Murray butcher?

Just at Keenan's try so will look out for them.

[lemonhead]

Mack brings a lot to the team but you fear for him in contact some (all) times.

Bit cocky and a bit wasteful today.

Lowe had his work ons and all the better for it. I'm sure Farrell and Catt will follow suit

Lowe got dropped to focus on those work ons and didn't come back into the side until the autumn.

At that point we had Stockdale in flying form after injury as an option that retained the size/power and left boot

As an alternative to Hansen in the style of play who do we have?

I'd imagine they focus on attributes as well as deficiencies. Mack's there to do his thing and be playmaker, but unlike a left footed kicking option he's not exactly undroppable either. Both Leinster wings would happily step in and bring other strengths.

And similarly the coaching staff might not actually need to cast him out - reining your instincts in is probably easier than working on a skill you don't currently have near enough of.

[CM11]

13 mins, excellent defensive intervention by Hansen to cut off a two on one.

[lemonhead]

Just started rewatching, which tries did Murray butcher?

Just at Keenan's try so will look out for them.

First half, and he was probably not the only one at fault, there were numerous instances where we compressed the line and failed to use the width.

France were not giving ground up the guts so Murray had to keep a mind of lads outside rather than let the forwards do a Munster of old. Think there was one before our first try and one or two after. His quality of pass also dipped badly at times.

But it was a strong day for him overall and massive kudos for the week he's had.

[CM11]

Just started rewatching, which tries did Murray butcher?

Just at Keenan's try so will look out for them.

First half, and he was probably not the only one at fault, there were numerous instances where we compressed the line and failed to use the width.

France were not giving ground up the guts so Murray had to keep a mind of lads outside rather than let the forwards do a Munster of old. Think there was one before our first try and one or two after. His quality of pass also dipped badly at times.

The one before the first try was Porter held up. Hardly butchered by Murray, just good defence. I'll get back to you on others.

Anyway, at Penaud's try, well finished but all sorts of things went just marginally wrong for us. Fickou did brilliantly to just about be legal in his blocking Hansen.

[CM11]

Hansen block down from kick off leads directly to Lowe's try.

[CM11]

Dupont unreal just before 24 mins, then France somehow lose the ball. Beirne passes to Keenan too early. Didn't commit anyone.

[CM11]

Should really have scored after Sexton's break (after Antonio tackle) but scored off the scrum so no biggy.

[lemonhead]

Just started rewatching, which tries did Murray butcher?

Just at Keenan's try so will look out for them.

First half, and he was probably not the only one at fault, there were numerous instances where we compressed the line and failed to use the width.

France were not giving ground up the guts so Murray had to keep a mind of lads outside rather than let the forwards do a Munster of old. Think there was one before our first try and one or two after. His quality of pass also dipped badly at times.

The one before the first try was Porter held up. Hardly butchered by Murray, just good defence. I'll get back to you on others.

Anyway, at Penaud's try, well finished but all sorts of things went just marginally wrong for us. Fickou did brilliantly to just about be legal in his blocking Hansen.

Butchered's pretty strong and as mentioned he's not necessarily going to latch and wrest ball from a forward about to drive for the line. But the space was there, and we collectively didn't use it.

He's a pretty big part of communication and delivery to get the ball where it needs to go. One time it did go long was slow and got picked off.

[Uncle fester]

What was going on with Sexton's non-tackle for the Penaud try?

[CM11]

Completely unnecessary neck roll from Ryan kills the promising attack after we broke from our 22.

[CM11]

French penalty to go 19/16, both players trapped. Oh well. Great kick.

[anonymous_joe]

Not to go full Jeff but looking back on the performances today
Outstanding - Doris, Keenan
Excellent - Bealham, Ryan, Lowe, McCloskey, Ringrose
Very Good - Porter, Kelliher, O'Toole, Beirne, Henderson, VDF, Casey, Sexton, Byrne, Aki
Good - Kilcoyne, Conan, Herring
Average - POM, Murray
Meh - Hansen

POM was fairly anon, unless I missed a bunch of stuff.

Same thing he always does. Low ruck and tackle count, floats around causing trouble and looking to steal. I'd rather a Conan type start, but it's clearly working, so there's value in it.

[CM11]

Is Murray being held up one of the butchered tries? Cause that'd be harsh.

Hansen has done absolutely fine this half. I don't even think he deserves any criticism for the missed try. He created the opportunity in the first place and Dupont had him lined up before he picked up the ball. The one thing he could have done in hindsight was offload it infield straight away but it was just brilliant from Dupont rather than crap from Hansen

[CM11]

And then Murray drops.

I think I understand the impression he butchered loads because the period around Hansen’s chance sees a couple of poor passes, him being held up and then him dropping over the line.

Had no issue with his play up to then and he was very unlucky rather than outright butchery.

[Nols]

Murray was good in the first half.

In the second, because he was slower to the rucks, he reverted to his up and unders, which were either too short or too long, and essentially just gave possession back to the French to run back hard at us. If JGP is OK in two weeks we'll revert to starting with him, with Murray on the bench to finish out, which I absolutely trust him to do. Murray, in fairness, put in a great defensive shift.

Both teams tightened up and got into kicking duels in the second half. That wasn't a Murray issue.
If I was to criticise him, it was the lack of speed of phase ball in the 2nd half and letting the forwards pick and jam on the French line when a simple pass to 12 would have been a try.
Not major issues.

[TheBouncer]

My strong sense was him really struggling in the 22 with indecision and bad execution, the play off the advantage was painfully bad though that seems to be our specialty.

Mack was a difference maker last year which he obviously hasn't been to this point. I just really doubt he'll be in a rush to change things and especially when the alternatives are such different players.

Beirne obviously a huge dampener but pretty much perfect besides and the schedule really favours us. Casey and Byrne getting good reps a huge bonus, not to mention the tight-heads delivering. And Kelleher!

[CM11]

What do we think is wrong with Beirne? Or do we know?

[lemonhead]

Fecked his ankle I think. Was in a boot afterwards

[Duff Paddy]

And then Murray drops.

I think I understand the impression he butchered loads because the period around Hansen’s chance sees a couple of poor passes, him being held up and then him dropping over the line.

Had no issue with his play up to then and he was very unlucky rather than outright butchery.

For me he wasn’t great but the fact that he played considering the week he’s had is nothing short of a miracle and let’s just all hope that his father pulls through

[Duff Paddy]

What was going on with Sexton's non-tackle for the Penaud try?

Old age