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

[spartan32]

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!

Yes we continue to improve and not just in the odd position but across the board. This is shown in our strength in depth which I would suggest is greater than any northern hemisphere team as it stands. If Ireland were missing the number of players that we are then I imagine people would be expecting an England victory, the same is not being said of England. Certainly there are star players like Brown who are missed, but we have plenty of others is Joseph, Watson, Manu, Ford and even Cips. Add to that a pretty lethal pack and you have a team that would worry just about anyone. You wouldn't be saying that 12 months ago.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yes we continue to improve and not just in the odd position but across the board. This is shown in our strength in depth which I would suggest is greater than any northern hemisphere team as it stands. If Ireland were missing the number of players that we are then I imagine people would be expecting an England victory, the same is not being said of England. Certainly there are star players like Brown who are missed, but we have plenty of others is Joseph, Watson, Manu, Ford and even Cips. Add to that a pretty lethal pack and you have a team that would worry just about anyone. You wouldn't be saying that 12 months ago.

Meh, since last year England are what 5w's from 10? Strength in depth doesn't count for a lot when it comes to a match day 23, Ireland hammered South Africa without Healy, O'Brien and Best add Payne to the list and they still beat Australia so I think you're overestimating England/Underestimating Ireland there. Joseph and Watson aren't yet proven in pressure situations yet and Ford is still quite green. I don't think England are better than last year's vintage, it's just being perceived that way because they didn't lose their opening game.

 

[chippieolamus]

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.

Not including the first 20.

 

[Irishkid]

Who ever wins the set piece will win the match and my money is on England.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Who ever wins the set piece will win the match and my money is on England.

Selection bias. What your essentially saying is that 'whoever wins the area where England are traditionally and currently stronger will win the game.' I could say the same about the kick chase and the battle of the half backs.

Personally I think it'll come down to the tackle and breakdown areas. Whoever gets on top there will be difficult to beat.

 

[goodNumber10]

Selection bias. What your essentially saying is that 'whoever wins the area where England are traditionally and currently stronger will win the game.' I could say the same about the kick chase and the battle of the half backs.

Personally I think it'll come down to the tackle and breakdown areas. Whoever gets on top there will be difficult to beat.

Yes, the breakdown will decide it, and winning the breakdown is helped immensely with a strong set piece.

 

[Feicarsinn]

When we say set-piece are we referring only to the scrum here?

 

[goodNumber10]

When we say set-piece are we referring only to the scrum here?

No. Scrum and lineout...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yeah, I know that's what we're usually talking about, but I don't see why they're always grouped together. A strong scrum does not equal a strong lineout and they both influence the game in different ways.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Yeah, I know that's what we're usually talking about, but I don't see why they're always grouped together. A strong scrum does not equal a strong lineout and they both influence the game in different ways.

But England are the best in the world at both, so banding them together saves time.

 

[goodNumber10]

Yeah, I know that's what we're usually talking about, but I don't see why they're always grouped together. A strong scrum does not equal a strong lineout and they both influence the game in different ways.

Agreed, but they are key tomorrow as both sides will likely kick a lot.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

I've written a preview for this game, I think the key match-ups are the battle of the fullbacks, the master vs the apprentice at fly-half, and the contest at the breakdown.

Full report is here: Ireland vs England - Preview http://fourballsblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/ireland-vs-england-preview.html

This is the conclusion:It's going to be a tough, close, nerve-racking game. England need to make sure they start strongly, no silly penalties or Sexton will hurt them. Ireland will make the most of their strong kicking game, and will chase hard, putting pressure on the inexperienced England backs. Before the 6 Nations started, I said Ireland would win this match, but it is just so close, it is going to be a real nail-biter. Both sides know they can win this, but Ireland haven't beaten England in a while, and the young, fearless England side may have the mental advantage over the Irish, in spite of the fantastic Irish form. We will find out on Sunday, but I am going for another 3 point victory for England, provided they start strongly. Otherwise, they could let Ireland ease in to a 10-15 point lead, and that will be almost impossible to come back from.

 

[big ginger 8]

England have the best lineout in the world? Not sure about that.

Are we gonna count restarts as a set piece?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

England have the best lineout in the world? Not sure about that.

Are we gonna count restarts as a set piece?

Not sure either, couldn't say the scrum is absolutely the best with complete confidence either. As much as I rate England, Matt seems to overestimate them quite a bit in the stuff he writes..

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Not sure either, couldn't say the scrum is absolutely the best with complete confidence either. As much as I rate England, Matt seems to overestimate them quite a bit in the stuff he writes..

Just my opinion, but I do think when it comes to set pieces England are the strongest in the world. Elsewhere they obviously aren't, but I believe Lawes and Launchbury are the best second-row pairing in world rugby, and even without them, and the injuries to the front row, England are better than anyone that comes up against them.

 

[Feicarsinn]

But England are the best in the world at both, so banding them together saves time.

Hah, maybe if Launchbury, Lawes and Corbisiero are playing. But they aren't. So they're not. Marler and Kruis in particular aren't at the same level. I like Atwood.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Hah, maybe if Launchbury, Lawes and Corbisiero are playing. But they aren't. So they're not. Marler and Kruis in particular aren't at the same level. I like Atwood.

I agree, not quite at the same level, but still better than Ireland, and would challenge the ABs

 

[Feicarsinn]

I agree, not quite at the same level, but still better than Ireland, and would challenge the ABs

Eh. I dunno. I think our lineout is probably stronger, if best doesn't have a wobbler. Front row will be interesting. You'd say England have the edge with Cole, but McGrath is a stronger scrummaging loosehead. I still have doubts about Marler too. I don't think it's going to be anywhere near as clear cut as you make out.

This Ireland team is smart. That's probably their best attribute. It's very rare that they let the game be focused on an area in which the opposition have an upper hand. If the set piece struggles expect to see a change of focus rather quickly.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Eh. I dunno. I think our lineout is probably stronger, if best doesn't have a wobbler. Front row will be interesting. You'd say England have the edge with Cole, but McGrath is a stronger scrummaging loosehead. I still have doubts about Marler too. I don't think it's going to be anywhere near as clear cut as you make out.

This Ireland team is smart. That's probably their best attribute. It's very rare that they let the game be focused on an area in which the opposition have an upper hand. If the set piece struggles expect to see a change of focus rather quickly.

I'm sure the Irish will look to take the focus off of the set piece as much as possible, which is why it will be so close. I don't think England will destroy the Irish at the set-piece, but come out on top, absolutely.

 

[big ginger 8]

Statistically speaking Ireland had the best scrum and lineout last 6N, our lineout over the last year has had a completion rate of well into the 90's and our maul has taken teams apart. We lose a tiny bit with no Heaslip but in PO'C, Toner and PO'M we have some of the best lineout forwards around and Easterby has created a lineout with some some very sharp and smart movement. I can't remember the last time we lost a lineout battle.