[2015 Six Nations] Ireland vs England (Round 3)

[Every Time Ref]

I can see the thinking, but you're right, he's an obvious obvious weakness. If only Watson hadn't looked a bit dodgy against Italy then Lancs might have trusted him instead.

 

[goodNumber10]

Sheesh, don't be so sensitive!

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****e by nature.

Seriously though, I'm very pleased that Goode is in the side. He's a weakness we've got to go after.

lets hope Payne can stay on the full 80 minutes this time, eh?

 

[Feicarsinn]

lets hope Payne can stay on the full 80 minutes this time, eh?

Centres don't kick chase much, thank god.

 

[bw245]

Nice to see Joe Schmidt at the u20 match tonight.

 

[msf]

There's another interesting Will Greenwood article in the Sunday Telegraph:

This paragraph stood out to me: Ford at his best is almost chest to chest with defenders on the gainline. And once there, he waits for his runners, giving England a variety and choice in their attacking options. By being flat, the quick ball from scrum-half Ben Youngs to Ford not only gives options out wide, but also opens up the game for Youngs in close as the game wears on. In Cardiff, Youngs will have not have believed the freedom he received in and around the breakdown. There was some outstanding play by Youngs but the trigger was a Welsh defence that became flat footed by Ford's insistence on being in their face.

Now where did I see something like that before...hmm, I just can't remember...

 

[spartan32]

I understand that everyone would prefer Brown to be fit, but Goode is hardly a terrible option. He's solid as a rock in defence, he's good in the air, and has a huge boot. What he lacks with ball in hand he more than makes up for in other areas. We've got more than enough attacking potential in the rest of the back line.

 

[goodNumber10]

I understand that everyone would prefer Brown to be fit, but Goode is hardly a terrible option. He's solid as a rock in defence, he's good in the air, and has a huge boot. What he lacks with ball in hand he more than makes up for in other areas. We've got more than enough attacking potential in the rest of the back line.

the biggest issue/loss for England is kick return. Browns biggest asset is that he runs it back hard to cover - so if a team kicks long but there is no kicking option on Brown 7/10 times will break the first tackle and allow his support the chance to get back to him - that means turnover ball, and England like that.

Goode isn't anywhere near as good as Brown at that, so expect more kick returns than Brown.

He's a good player, and with Nowell moving sides it's better to have him there than Pennell who is a cracking strike runner.

 

[ncurd]

My prediction for the match....England by 10 yes I know that's incredibly arrogant of my English ways. Think it'll be tight 70 minutes with England pulling away slightly in the last 10.

 

[goodNumber10]

My prediction for the match....England by 10 yes I know that's incredibly arrogant of my English ways. Think it'll be tight 70 minutes with England pulling away slightly in the last 10.

I hope so, but my head says it won't happen.

 

[chippieolamus]

I have a good feeling about this game. Can't quite explain it. England by 3 I think.

 

[B10]

I understand that everyone would prefer Brown to be fit, but Goode is hardly a terrible option. He's solid as a rock in defence, he's good in the air, and has a huge boot. What he lacks with ball in hand he more than makes up for in other areas. We've got more than enough attacking potential in the rest of the back line.

Goode is the right call with Brown out. But... solid as a rock in defence is just not true.

 

[spartan32]

England have all they need to beat Ireland, and I believe that when all is said and done they are the better team, not by much, but still better, and we continue to improve, and improve we must if we are to lift any silver wear this year. This is England's time and I believe the lads can take this opportunity and grand slam.

England to win. By any score will do.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

England have all they need to beat Ireland, and I believe that when all is said and done they are the better team, not by much, but still better, and we continue to improve, and improve we must if we are to lift any silver wear this year. This is England's time and I believe the lads can take this opportunity and grand slam.

England to win. By any score will do.

Do they continue to improve? I think they've been pretty stagnant the last 12 months, injuries are a huge factor in this but their second row and back three is weaker than this time last year in my opinion. It's also the first time this centre pairing will come up against a very solid defensive structure. Youngs isn't in the form Care was last year and Ford is up for a huge challenge with Brown gone. I think both teams are at a similar level to last year, Ireland's back three is better than what it was and Murray is better than he was but the front row has deteriorated slightly. Home advantage and superior half backs will be the difference in my opinion.
Typically though when two evenly matched teams come up against each other everyone believes that their team will win!

 

[Bluemoon]

I think the home factor is massive in this game. There will be no light shows or fireworks before this game, just a determined Irish team and crowd.

I'm going for a win for the Irish by 3.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

[video=youtube_share;2Z6FCR0DIvU]http://youtu.be/2Z6FCR0DIvU[/video]

 

[Peat]

If England win this, it probably comes down to getting an advantage up front. It's the only area where Ireland look vulnerable and we look strong. If we don't, they'll probably choke the life out of us.

 

[bw245]

If England win this, it probably comes down to getting an advantage up front. It's the only area where Ireland look vulnerable and we look strong. If we don't, they'll probably choke the life out of us.

Agreed. I think England will really be keen to dominate up front. Hoping Mike Ross doesn't make too many errors.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

[video=youtube_share;2Z6FCR0DIvU]http://youtu.be/2Z6FCR0DIvU[/video]

Took more than 10s before they said "fear of God".
2/10.

 

[munstermuffin]

If England win this, it probably comes down to getting an advantage up front. It's the only area where Ireland look vulnerable and we look strong. If we don't, they'll probably choke the life out of us.

On this it may be a case of who adapts to ref to. Choke tackles, scrummaging and the breakdown are all depending on how ref calls it.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

One thing you can say about England, they are now a team who play the whole 80 mins and you can never write them off, even if you build up a lead.