Judas
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[2025 Six Nations] Ireland vs England - 01/02/25
- Thread starter TRF_Olyy
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This can go one of 2 ways...
Irish blowout, or England sneak a win.
We know what to expect from Ireland, but England are a bit of a mystery. Probably a bad thing from an established coach now in his 3rd 6N.
If England put pressure on early, Irish confidence might turn out to be built on sand, and they will need some of those key world class players to step up.
Irish blowout, or England sneak a win.
We know what to expect from Ireland, but England are a bit of a mystery. Probably a bad thing from an established coach now in his 3rd 6N.
If England put pressure on early, Irish confidence might turn out to be built on sand, and they will need some of those key world class players to step up.
I've got Ireland in this one.
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Ireland...by, let's say,15.
ShropshireAllBlack
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Realistically it’s the only game of the weekend where the outcome is in doubt. France & Scotland should comfortably win their fixtures. Neither team (England & Ireland) had an entirely convincing Autumn. Whichever team wins, starts with momentum and the losing team faces a tough championship. A certain Bill Sweeney Esq. will be desperately hoping for a Donnybrook miracle to generate some positive sentiment before the SGM. At a certain level, England supporters might want to see an Irish victory so the RFU are forced to reflect on the shambles the game is in here….
Wouldn't be so sure about Scotland beating Italy.
You're absolutely shameless
The bench could have a significant impact on the result....
If England are close and bring on Fin Smith, Willis and CCS etc...in the second half thats some very good impact...
If England are close and bring on Fin Smith, Willis and CCS etc...in the second half thats some very good impact...
France will win easily but I think Italy will really push Scotland close.
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Early rumours are that Prendergast will start. From Ruaridh O'Connor though, and whike he's probably Munster fans' favourite journo, he's not the most accurate for shouts like this.
If we do go this way it's an interesting contrast with England who are likely to go the other way with their two 10s. Crowley and M Smith are both 10s who want to break the game up and score off an unstructured defence. Prendergast and F Smith are far happier and more adept at inflicting the opposition to death by a thousand cuts over the period of an attack / half / game.
Obviously both close calls, my personal preference is to let the Prendergast / F Smith type 10 start and use Crowley / M Smith as points of difference off the bench. The English pair are a year ahead in development to their Irish counterparts too (although Crowley is the most accomplished of the 4 currently) so a good learning opportunity for our lads.
I doubt the battle of the 10s will be the winning and losing of the game, it was neither side's strength last year but fun none the less because I think last year both teams became unstuck a few times as they didn't really know what they wanted to get out of their outhalf play.
If we do go this way it's an interesting contrast with England who are likely to go the other way with their two 10s. Crowley and M Smith are both 10s who want to break the game up and score off an unstructured defence. Prendergast and F Smith are far happier and more adept at inflicting the opposition to death by a thousand cuts over the period of an attack / half / game.
Obviously both close calls, my personal preference is to let the Prendergast / F Smith type 10 start and use Crowley / M Smith as points of difference off the bench. The English pair are a year ahead in development to their Irish counterparts too (although Crowley is the most accomplished of the 4 currently) so a good learning opportunity for our lads.
I doubt the battle of the 10s will be the winning and losing of the game, it was neither side's strength last year but fun none the less because I think last year both teams became unstuck a few times as they didn't really know what they wanted to get out of their outhalf play.
spartan32
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Well Ireland are clearly favourites for this one, and I’m not really sure how well that sits with them? Certainly it places all the pressure on them to win, and maybe even win convincingly. That in turn takes all the pressure off England, which could be very helpful. If England can lay down early hard pressure and get the scoreboard ticking over (which isn’t exactly their forte), then the Irish will start to feel that keenly, especially with some of the old gaurd now gone and younger players in their stead.
Of course I’m clutching at straws a little here. On a one to one basis I’m not sure how many of the England lads would top their Irish counterpart (early lions squad rumblings seem to make that clear). England will need a step up across the board to take this one, but I’m not sure it’s a massive step. We ran NZ very close at home, and really should have taken that series. The same could be said of the last French game. Ireland are a top team, and only. Polished performance (or a red card!) will create a chance for victory. If we click on Saturday, and show up with a good dose of passion, we have every chance.
All that being said I’m going to have to call it as Ireland by 10.
Of course I’m clutching at straws a little here. On a one to one basis I’m not sure how many of the England lads would top their Irish counterpart (early lions squad rumblings seem to make that clear). England will need a step up across the board to take this one, but I’m not sure it’s a massive step. We ran NZ very close at home, and really should have taken that series. The same could be said of the last French game. Ireland are a top team, and only. Polished performance (or a red card!) will create a chance for victory. If we click on Saturday, and show up with a good dose of passion, we have every chance.
All that being said I’m going to have to call it as Ireland by 10.
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I don't think there's many that would disagree. The discussion's tone that this may be difficult for Ireland, downplaying their quality and home advantage, or that Ireland should be wary, is a bit eyebrow raising.
Unless there's been some big changes behind the scenes in the England camp, Ireland by 15+.
spartan32
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Anyone seen this apparently “leaked” line up for the weekend? If true not sure what Chessum is doing in the back row?! I can only imagine that they would be trying to target the lineout and would be looking to play a big kicking game? Although I suspect this is BS, but still, a talking point
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Can we just tell Ireland this is a quarter final?
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Seem to remember you posting a Ringsting picture before an England fixture in the past,
I'm sure it went very well for you
Well the rumours are that Willis will start at 8....so who knows...
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I think I've done it every year since 2019 so at this point we can narrow Saturday down to England will win or Ireland will win.
