MoskvaRed
Full Member
A sleeping giant of English sport revives under a new coach (and a bald one at that) after year’s of big expenditure and limited return. It’s written in the stars.
If your boys feck it up from here it’s nowt to do with meYou better not jinx it.
I will still blame you.If your boys feck it up from here it’s nowt to do with me
I’m rooting for Montpellier….Mercer’s our last hope of an Englishman winning anything in EuropeI will still blame you.
You mean future french international Mercer?I’m rooting for Montpellier….Mercer’s our last hope of an Englishman winning anything in Europe
Wouldn’t be a bad backup to Greg tbf He’s on absolute fire tonightYou mean future french international Mercer?
Congratulations pal Dominant display, never in doubt from about the 10th minuteIt's fair to say that Montpellier are champions.
A first title is pretty sweet and yeah it seemed to be done after 20 minutes but you never know.Congratulations pal Dominant display, never in doubt from about the 10th minute
By definition South Africa would be an NH nation with their clubs/franchises being parts of continental club competitions and Six Nations, I wonder if it would reduce the amount of SA players playing for current NH nations which could be a problem for some teams that have smaller pools of players.Probably would be good for Ireland to regularly face SH opposition.
We've already seen our teams getting beaten up by proper SH clubs when they took URC seriously.
(Except Connacht of course, who beat both teams )
It's a different style of play that's no harm to have to face.
I hope not. We need them to stay in the Rugby Championship. Sure, they're not the drawcard that New Zealand are but we need to be exposed to their style of play, be challenged by it and realise there's more than one way to be successful.What do you guys think about South Africa potentially joining the Six Nations?
On the surface it would be close to the best annual tournament in Sport.
We will see but it seems that it's close to done and dusted. For what its worth South Africa are currently playing in the U20 summer serie of the Six Nations and the clubs will enter the Champions Cup next year.I hope not. We need them to stay in the Rugby Championship. Sure, they're not the drawcard that New Zealand are but we need to be exposed to their style of play, be challenged by it and realise there's more than one way to be successful, a method that differs from New Zealand who we seem intent on copying.
And Joe Schmidt drafted as a coach for added intrigueIan Foster and John Plumtree both have covid and won't be at Eden Park for this weekend's test. Winger Will Jordan will miss the first two tests due to covid. The two matches between the Maori All Blacks and Ireland will be worth keeping an eye on even though they're at a bad time for folks watching in the Northern Hemisphere.
I think I’ll settle for “pretending they didn’t happen”. I can see this tour turning into a total whitewash.Ian Foster and John Plumtree both have covid and won't be at Eden Park for this weekend's test. Winger Will Jordan will miss the first two tests due to covid. The two matches between the Maori All Blacks and Ireland will be worth keeping an eye on even though they're at a bad time for folks watching in the Northern Hemisphere.
You’re actually narrowing for the first test. I think even money was the AB’s by 16, it narrowed to 13, and is now 12. I put money on at 13, which I’m slightly less comfortable with than 16I think I’ll settle for “pretending they didn’t happen”. I can see this tour turning into a total whitewash.
Presumably that’s because of covid cases in the AB management/squad? Although that’s also caused Schmidt to get involved. Which I think is bad news for Farrell/Ireland.You’re actually narrowing for the first test. I think even money was the AB’s by 16, it narrowed to 13, and is now 12. I put money on at 13, which I’m slightly less comfortable with than 16
I wonder if it’s our personal bias but I quite fancy Ireland to perform well on this tour (whether that’s actually winning or not). Being English I don’t have any stock in it though.Presumably that’s because of covid cases in the AB management/squad? Although that’s also caused Schmidt to get involved. Which I think is bad news for Farrell/Ireland.
Also Harry had an injury before the series even started, I don't understand the frawley pick only 1 of the Leinster lads is going to get serious game time, why not bring Healy or CrowleyHenderson, Kelleher and Herring all being out is a big blow. Now it looks like Healy and Hume are gone as well, plus Hansen out with Covid.
I said before they left it should've been a bigger squad picked. It's been a long season and it's too long a trip for lads to get out there and be up to speed in a couple of days.
As is, you'd imagine Josh Wycherley and Stuart McCloskey will be on the plane by end of day today.
I think Irish confidence has been rattled by our provinces recent poor performances. Especially Leinster, who are also heavily dependent on Sexton and Furlong being involved and on top of their game to be at their best.I wonder if it’s our personal bias but I quite fancy Ireland to perform well on this tour (whether that’s actually winning or not). Being English I don’t have any stock in it though.
I wouldn’t be nervous in your position.
I didn’t watch Leinsters loss in the URC but foresaw them struggle against LA Rochelle. I didn’t expect LAR to win, though to a certain extent Leinster shot themselves in the foot tactically, but LAR were custom made to cause problems with the size of their pack and aggression at the breakdown. I think the style of the ABs will match up better for Ireland, they want to play expansive quick-ball rugby without brutal dogfights at every single ruck. Essentially I see them as two teams trying to do the same kind of thing…..just the ABs will do it betterI think Irish confidence has been rattled by our provinces recent poor performances. Especially Leinster, who are also heavily dependent on Sexton and Furlong being involved and on top of their game to be at their best.
NZ by 10Predictiond time: New Zealand by 4, Australia by 15, South Africa by 20 and Argentina to get a perfect start under Michael Cheika by beating Scotland by 8.
I think Ireland will be doing well to keep it within 4.Predictiond time: New Zealand by 4, Australia by 15, South Africa by 20 and Argentina to get a perfect start under Michael Cheika by beating Scotland by 8.
Ah stop, it's awfulI really hate Ireland's Call.
It's so, so shite.I really hate Ireland's Call.