NPR

How is a shoulder barge now a legit tackle?

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:29 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:27 pm Absolutely superb take by the Lost Smith there

You are grasping now.

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

That's it exactly !

It's scab nose trying to keep people happy by playing his best players, & ignoring the fact that MS just isn't a FB, so forcing him in there is just going to fail, & he risks destroying his confidence & peeing off other players by shoehorning him in there.

Just stop playing players out of positions FFS !

no arms from Murley

Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:10 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:07 pm Sad to see so much ref bashing and Ireland hate

So much more fun when it was plucky blood and thunder but run out of puff after 60 minutes Guinness craic lads.

Funny how that went.

We haven't got the players. Can bleat all we like about coaches like Football did for decades. Need a reset.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:36 pm Until the try, Eng have created f**k all in open play.

Attack coach Wiggy strikes again (but misses and punches himself in the face).

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:29 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:27 pm Absolutely superb take by the Lost Smith there

You are grasping now.

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:38 pm

Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:10 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:07 pm Sad to see so much ref bashing and Ireland hate

So much more fun when it was plucky blood and thunder but run out of puff after 60 minutes Guinness craic lads.

Funny how that went.

You secretly yearn for the good old days.

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:29 pm

You are grasping now.

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

That's it exactly !

It's scab nose trying to keep people happy by playing his best players, & ignoring the fact that MS just isn't a FB, so forcing him in there is just going to fail, & he risks destroying his confidence & peeing off other players by shoehorning him in there.

Just stop playing players out of positions FFS !

It's not just that, but it's also not fair on Fin Smith as he doesn't get a chance to play in a balanced backline

Oxbow wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:36 pm That's not a tackle

By Murley? I know, bizarre.

Knock on by Eng at the lineout? Not even looked at.

A little bit of false respectability to the score at the end.

Glad to get a win, but still a rusty performance. Giving away 2 tries in the last 10 minutes is really poor.
I've said it before and I was hoping to never to have to say it again, but Connor Murray can feck right off.

Great defence by England, but not much else.

Surprised to see the amount of tries scored in the end.

Oxbow wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:41 pm A little bit of false respectability to the score at the end.

Absolutely flattered England, no doubt scab will use it to say England are improving.

Oxbow wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:41 pm A little bit of false respectability to the score at the end.

Yup. When the game was in the balance we got completely outclassed.

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm Lowe really is a massive cunt

He does love the verbals alright.

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:29 pm

You are grasping now.

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

He got run over by Aki, but is hardly the first player to have that happen and put in a big shot on the same guy in the first half.

10/3 in defence today is a long way from "can't tackle", and as anyone who watched his heroics in the world cup will tell you, he is a seriously gutsy defender. He's just not big and will sometimes get bumped.

Finn Russell went 4/3 in defence today btw

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:29 pm

You are grasping now.

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

Yes, you hate Marcus smith, we get it. If you think either Irish 10 is better than him you're out of your mind

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm Lowe really is a massive cunt

Yeah, he instigated the afters on all three occasions it kicked off. I thought they were meant to be clamping down on that but it's Ireland.

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:43 pm

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

Yes, you hate Marcus smith, we get it. If you think either Irish 10 is better than him you're out of your mind

I’m not picking the squad

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:43 pm

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:33 pm

Okay, to post seriously for a second: Marcus had a pretty good first half and an average second, but isn't exactly to blame for the meltdown. I don't think Slick was being serious for a second about him playing himself out of the Lions, and it's funny to consider today's matches in terms of Lions 10s given the clear #1 option was absolutely dreadful.

And it was genuinely a superb take in the air!

He's absolutely not a fullback, mind.

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

He got run over by Aki, but is hardly the first player to have that happen and put in a big shot on the same guy in the first half.

10/3 in defence today is a long way from "can't tackle", and as anyone who watched his heroics in the world cup will tell you, he is a seriously gutsy defender. He's just not big and will sometimes get bumped.

Finn Russell went 4/3 in defence today btw

He’s certainly gutsy, but those were 3 important tackles he missed

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm
In terms of the Lions, I don't think any of the stand offs have played well today so we are probably not any further forward.

Owen Farrell will go.

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:44 pm

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm Lowe really is a massive cunt

Yeah, he instigated the afters on all three occasions it kicked off. I thought they were meant to be clamping down on that but it's Ireland.

The ref literally told both captains he wasn’t having it and the next one was walking, then let it go

Prendergast (33% tackle success) and Crawley (50%) definitely on the plane due to their superior tackling

Irritating collapse in the second half.

Fair to say Bin didn't have one of his better games.

Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:35 pm Anyway, Lawrence for Lions 13.

Aye, he's a decent option for the dirt trackers.

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:44 pm

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm Lowe really is a massive cunt

Yeah, he instigated the afters on all three occasions it kicked off. I thought they were meant to be clamping down on that but it's Ireland.

Bin said the next one that runs in will get yellow carded, where was the yellow card when the Axolotl ran in after the Cunningham South penalty

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:46 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:43 pm

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:39 pm

I was being serious. He hasn’t been good but either way there is absolutely no chance Farrell is taking someone who can’t tackle.

Finn was not great today but he’s going and at least one of the Irish 10’s is going. So it’s between the other Irish 10 and Finn Smith I reckon

He got run over by Aki, but is hardly the first player to have that happen and put in a big shot on the same guy in the first half.

10/3 in defence today is a long way from "can't tackle", and as anyone who watched his heroics in the world cup will tell you, he is a seriously gutsy defender. He's just not big and will sometimes get bumped.

Finn Russell went 4/3 in defence today btw

He’s certainly gutsy, but those were 3 important tackles he missed

Yeah? Bet you can't tell me the 3rd one.

Oxbow wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:41 pm A little bit of false respectability to the score at the end.

Scoring in garbage time, as it's known in the NFL.

Losing bonus point could be important yet

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:49 pm Losing bonus point could be important yet

Difference between 4th and 5th

ASMO wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:47 pm

Blackmac wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:44 pm

Brazil wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:37 pm Lowe really is a massive cunt

Yeah, he instigated the afters on all three occasions it kicked off. I thought they were meant to be clamping down on that but it's Ireland.

Bin said the next one that runs in will get yellow carded, where was the yellow card when the Axolotl ran in after the Cunningham South penalty

Yes, curious inconsistency from the usually excellent...oh, right.

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:49 pm Losing bonus point could be important yet

This!

FFS Ireland.

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:48 pm

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:46 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:43 pm

He got run over by Aki, but is hardly the first player to have that happen and put in a big shot on the same guy in the first half.

10/3 in defence today is a long way from "can't tackle", and as anyone who watched his heroics in the world cup will tell you, he is a seriously gutsy defender. He's just not big and will sometimes get bumped.

Finn Russell went 4/3 in defence today btw

He’s certainly gutsy, but those were 3 important tackles he missed

Yeah? Bet you can't tell me the 3rd one.

The one just before his yellow, Aki, and one on the opposite side

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:47 pm Prendergast (33% tackle success) and Crawley (50%) definitely on the plane due to their superior tackling

Irritating collapse in the second half.

You never give a source for these stats that you ̶p̶l̶u̶c̶k̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶a̶r̶s̶e̶ quote on here.

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:50 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:48 pm

Slick wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:46 pm

He’s certainly gutsy, but those were 3 important tackles he missed

Yeah? Bet you can't tell me the 3rd one.

The one just before his yellow, Aki, and one on the opposite side

Nope. The one before his yellow when he got done by the footwork, the Aki one, and a regulation bump in midfield that got Ireland an extra yard before the player got gang tackled.

Look, this is a very silly discussion. The guy has shown time and time again that despite his slight stature, his defence is good enough for international rugby. A high profile steamroller like that doesn't change it. I know you like to make the most of these situations but as always you're over reaching, particularly given everyone else you've mentioned having quite obviously poor games in defence today.

To state the bleeding obvious, the fact that Ireland have France at home is huge.

We saw a second/third gear France at best last night, they will get better. I think Ireland will too.

Kawazaki wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:52 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:47 pm Prendergast (33% tackle success) and Crawley (50%) definitely on the plane due to their superior tackling

Irritating collapse in the second half.

You never give a source for these stats that you ̶p̶l̶u̶c̶k̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶a̶r̶s̶e̶ quote on here.

Espnscrum.com for the internationals. Knock yourself out

https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

Dunno why I thought England would win.

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:55 pm To state the bleeding obvious, the fact that Ireland have France at home is huge.

We saw a second/third gear France at best last night, they will get better. I think Ireland will too.

France's midfield was very bad and they were in general extremely slack against Wales. Far too easy for them. Very hard to tell if they will step it up or not. Should be a fun tournament.