NPR

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:06 pm Irish team:

Porter
Kelleher
Furlong
Beirne
Ryan
Doris
VDF
Conan

JGP
Sexton
Hansen
Aki
Ringrose
Conway
Keenan

Sheehan
Healy
Bealham
Baird
POM
Murray
Carberry
Hume

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:09 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:42 pm Baloucoune, Timoney and Lowry named for Ulster, so I assume it'll be 2 of Conway/Hansen/Earls on the wing with the other on the bench, and POM also on the bench.

Would've liked to have seen Big Bob get the start tbf. Admitidely I haven't seen enough of Hanson to make a fair assessment but the idea throwing a merc into the side in his first season doesn't sit well with me.

Isn't his Mum Irish ?

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:12 pm

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:09 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:42 pm Baloucoune, Timoney and Lowry named for Ulster, so I assume it'll be 2 of Conway/Hansen/Earls on the wing with the other on the bench, and POM also on the bench.

Would've liked to have seen Big Bob get the start tbf. Admitidely I haven't seen enough of Hanson to make a fair assessment but the idea throwing a merc into the side in his first season doesn't sit well with me.

Isn't his Mum Irish ?

You might be right, I've no clue. I assumed it was the granny rule. Fair enough if its his mum.

Slightly concern over our lack of beef at lock but hopefully the front row makes up for that.

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:37 pm That is a surprise. He must be carrying a knock. Aki will do a job for us though.

Would be good to see Hume get 15mins off the bench to see if he can cut it at this level.

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:01 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:37 pm That is a surprise. He must be carrying a knock. Aki will do a job for us though.

Would be good to see Hume get 15mins off the bench to see if he can cut it at this level.

From what I have seen of Hume , he looks very good. A bit hot headed maybe ?? but a great line runner.

GogLais wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:17 pm

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:01 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:37 pm That is a surprise. He must be carrying a knock. Aki will do a job for us though.

Would be good to see Hume get 15mins off the bench to see if he can cut it at this level.

From what I have seen of Hume , he looks very good. A bit hot headed maybe ?? but a great line runner.

Potential red card?

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:51 pm

GogLais wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:17 pm

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:01 pm

From what I have seen of Hume , he looks very good. A bit hot headed maybe ?? but a great line runner.

Potential red card?

By the time he gets on , will it matter ???

yermum wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:12 pm Carbery... isn't he that fella that played for munster that one time?

laurent wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:34 pm

yermum wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:12 pm Carbery... isn't he that fella that played for munster that one time?

Should be back playing at 'Tarf to earn his stripes ;)

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:06 pm Irish team:

Porter
Kelleher
Furlong
Beirne
Ryan
Doris
VDF
Conan

JGP
Sexton
Hansen
Aki
Ringrose
Conway
Keenan

Sheehan
Healy
Bealham
Baird
POM
Murray
Carberry
Hume

GogLais wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:17 pm

The sun god wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 3:01 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 1:37 pm That is a surprise. He must be carrying a knock. Aki will do a job for us though.

Would be good to see Hume get 15mins off the bench to see if he can cut it at this level.

From what I have seen of Hume , he looks very good. A bit hot headed maybe ?? but a great line runner.

Potential red card?

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

Jim Lahey wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:38 pm

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

It might be but it shouldn't be.

We as a rugby nation can't keep winning big games against the likes of NZ and consistently perform at club level, then shit the bed when we are given the favourite's tag.

We are long overdue for a mindset shift. Either that or we aren't as good as we think we are.

We really should be winning on Saturday by 2 scores.

ASMO wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:46 pm

The sun god wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 4:07 pm

Line6 HXFX wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 3:43 pm It's such a shame, Wales a were developing some seriously good things in the forwards, driving mauls and line-out were masterful last year and the year before under Pivac.
T'was Glorious and used to make me smile, having had years of other teams ( Ireland and England) doing exactly that to us over and over.
No idea what style of play we will attempt.

I dhunno, turn up, defend like bastards (something we should be able to do) kick the ball down the middle, keep the ball infield..and away from lineouts..see what happens, accepting at least once during the match, we will race up, get chipped over the top..and have easy run ins against us.

Jonathan Davies and Josh the Adams maybe something special in Midfield, and Stephen Jones may have actually worked out how actually to create space and overlaps and gaps for Zammit.

I mean these are vastly experienced Professional Rugby Players and Coaches, who have dedicated their lives to this thing.
I mean you have to be optimistic right?

Absolutely........

Davies is past it and Adams is a very good winger but not a very good center.

Line6 HXFX wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:43 am

ASMO wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:46 pm

The sun god wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 4:07 pm

Absolutely........

Davies is past it and Adams is a very good winger but not a very good center.

Davies apoarently isn't playing (honestly thought he would be organising the Defence) ..and re Adams... Pivac is ,making the bold bold move, and thinks he is more than up to it. Lots of wingers have gone into the centre and have done really well.
A lightening quick, attacking midfield and screamingly quick wingers and fullbacks..
I mean this could be awesome.

redderneck wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:34 pm

Line6 HXFX wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:43 am

ASMO wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:46 pm

Davies is past it and Adams is a very good winger but not a very good center.

Davies apoarently isn't playing (honestly thought he would be organising the Defence) ..and re Adams... Pivac is ,making the bold bold move, and thinks he is more than up to it. Lots of wingers have gone into the centre and have done really well.
A lightening quick, attacking midfield and screamingly quick wingers and fullbacks..
I mean this could be awesome.

It's a punt well worth taking. May as well go all-in on that pace. Not likely to get a significant edge up front, or profit from going structured, set piece to set piece, but if they can get enough ball (be it primary or off turnovers) to that sort of pace, there's a puncher's chance. If we play dumb, or Wacko Jaco goes touring within himself, then there's an even stronger chance than that. Being more conservative would be too damn passive. If I were Welsh, I'd like it.

GogLais wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 4:27 pm What's the party line, are we quietly confident?

GogLais wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 4:27 pm What's the party line, are we quietly confident?

C69 wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 6:09 pm

GogLais wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 4:27 pm What's the party line, are we quietly confident?

With a full team yes.
Not with this back row and front row tbh

Uncle fester wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:37 pm Conditioning of the Welsh forwards is appalling.

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:35 pm

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

I really can't see the point of Italy being in the 6N anymore. They haven't won a game since 2015 and are on a 30-game losing streak. Isn't it time to give Romania or Georgia a turn?

Lobby wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:49 pm

Gumboot wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:35 pm

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

I really can't see the point of Italy being in the 6N anymore. They haven't won a game since 2015 and are on a 30-game losing streak. Isn't it time to give Romania or Georgia a turn?

They are both worse than Italy. Georgia have never beaten any of the 6N teams, and it’s years since Romania were any good. At least when Italy joined they had beaten everyone except England.

If you want to kick Italy out, the best option would be to go back to 5 nations rather than replace them with teams that are demonstrably worse.

Lobby wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:49 pm

Gumboot wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:35 pm

iarmhí wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:19 pm

Only Italy is an easy game. This is a derby. Will be a lot closer than people think.

I really can't see the point of Italy being in the 6N anymore. They haven't won a game since 2015 and are on a 30-game losing streak. Isn't it time to give Romania or Georgia a turn?

They are both worse than Italy. Georgia have never beaten any of the 6N teams, and it’s years since Romania were any good. At least when Italy joined they had beaten everyone except England.

If you want to kick Italy out, the best option would be to go back to 5 nations rather than replace them with teams that are demonstrably worse.

C69 wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:10 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:37 pm Conditioning of the Welsh forwards is appalling.

Our first choice 5 missing injured players would disagree.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:57 pm

Lobby wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:49 pm

Gumboot wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:35 pm

I really can't see the point of Italy being in the 6N anymore. They haven't won a game since 2015 and are on a 30-game losing streak. Isn't it time to give Romania or Georgia a turn?

They are both worse than Italy. Georgia have never beaten any of the 6N teams, and it’s years since Romania were any good. At least when Italy joined they had beaten everyone except England.

If you want to kick Italy out, the best option would be to go back to 5 nations rather than replace them with teams that are demonstrably worse.

Agree that going back to 5 nations is the ideal solution, but $$$ says that won't happen. If it stays 6N, why not give a different underachieving country a chance to improve their national game? Maybe on a rotational basis...eg if Romania's also a bust after 5 years, give Georgia a go. [/Spiritual Guardian mode]

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:44 pm I think we should go with a; 5 + 1N; where the 6th nation came from a qualifier between Italy, Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Spain, etc

They could all do with more games; & at various times Georgia, & Romania have been better than Italy; so could legitimately claim a spot.

Enzedder wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:04 pm Ireland need to grab the bonus points while they can in the easy games, especially at home

sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Feb 05, 2022 12:22 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:44 pm I think we should go with a; 5 + 1N; where the 6th nation came from a qualifier between Italy, Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Spain, etc

They could all do with more games; & at various times Georgia, & Romania have been better than Italy; so could legitimately claim a spot.

When?