[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Scotland vs. Ireland (04/02/2017)

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Ireland are a great side, but I don't think they should aim for bonus points from kickoff against anyone other than Italy - they are generally not such free scoring attackers as England. If Ireland turn down easy kickable points in favour of attacking lineouts while this game is still in the balance then they'll get the Scots all fired up and end up going home with a skelped arse! If you get to 13+ up then by all means gamble on the BP.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ireland won't aim for BP against anyone. We will aim to carry our plan and win.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Schmidt's Leinster sides were lethal at getting a bonus point when they went 8+ points up, it will be interesting to see if there's desire to go for them at all if we build such a lead in any of these games. It led to the best and most aggressive attacking rugby of Schmidt's time in Leinster but I'd be interested to see how it differs in green.

 

[munstermuffin]

Schmidt's Leinster sides were lethal at getting a bonus point when they went 8+ points up, it will be interesting to see if there's desire to go for them at all if we build such a lead in any of these games. It led to the best and most aggressive attacking rugby of Schmidt's time in Leinster but I'd be interested to see how it differs in green.

Exactly this. Schmidt will build a lead and then go for it but equally he knows 5 wins 3-0 beats anything anyone else can get. He will I believe go for win in normal manner and only go for it in a way when game secured

 

[munstermuffin]

Alpha. Not opening a can of worms again as we all have different views on Madigan and players abroad. But read the 42 and Easterby comments today.

He was asked why Keatley he answered "What other alternatives are there"

Someone said Madigan his response was "He's not even starting at Bordeaux" and "He's in France so not available last week and not under consideration"

Now those are his comments so this does show where the views of Irish coaching team are. It is what it is so we just get on with it.

Also interestingly name checked after summer depth available

Byrne
Blenyendaal
Hanrahan
Carberry
Jackson
Carty
Sexton
Keatley (rumours now Connacht have enquired although France I'd guess)

 

[CaledonCol]

Scots team announced tomorrow Thursday . Clear from much of the Irish input to this forum that they under estimate two factors - the relevance of the Glasgow Warriors contribution to the squad and the quality cover in key areas ( second row ,back row and centre ) .The Glasgow pack legally disrupted Murray which seemed to upset the lad in the recent Munster game and this is likely to be followed up at Murrayfield . The back row choices are crucial and would expect a Wilson, Barclay , Watson trio with the impressive Straus on stand by . Interesting addendum is Embra's Cornell du Preez alias Angus MacDonald who is something else . Maitland likely to get the nod on the wing and he covers full back . Centres ? Dunbar and Matt Scott look likely with Huw Jones and Duncan Taylor in the options . Cannot wait !

 

[Saint4805]

Huw Jones might be lacking match fitness but could be a great option to bring on around the 60 minute mark for whichever outside centre gets the nod. I suspect Richie will get the nod over Swinson who has been in great form of late. Hamish Watson looks like a very effective and clever player and hopefully Ryan Wilson doesn't do anything daft which could result in a yellow or worse - he has been known.

We also need to improve our management of the scoreboard in terms of seeing games out. Too often we've been leading until 80+ mins only to get pipped with a heartbreaking late score.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Scots are giving too much praise in a way to way they targetted Murray. Because it was highlighted but also I can't see Irish pack not giving Murray huge protection. Even more so now Sexton is out. Equally the Glasgow keep thinking Murray was upset but he still delivered a huge game and was very influential in Munster winning.
Like the more I think about it the more I think nearly every Irish player is in great form.
Like I wouldn't have Kearney, Alpha might not want Earls, whoever plays in pack. Regardless of selecrion I don't think there is any player there who you can say is in awful awful form

 

[CaledonCol]

I think Scots are giving too much praise in a way to way they targetted Murray. Because it was highlighted but also I can't see Irish pack not giving Murray huge protection. Even more so now Sexton is out. Equally the Glasgow keep thinking Murray was upset but he still delivered a huge game and was very influential in Munster winning.
Like the more I think about it the more I think nearly every Irish player is in great form.

Not praise but reaction to Murray's whining in the press . Was a game Glasgow could have won by going for the drop goal and closing Munster down in the last 5 minutes . Regarding Saturday , Scotland have for perhaps the first time good coverage in most positions .Should be good game .

 

[munstermuffin]

Not praise but reaction to Murray's whining in the press . Was a game Glasgow could have won by going for the drop goal and closing Munster down in the last 5 minutes . Regarding Saturday , Scotland have for perhaps the first time good coverage in most positions .Should be good game .

Which was advised by Munster and IRFU PR. It meant some refs came out saying it was dangerous and other it legal. BUT more so as I said shines a light on the antics. It's no coincidence it's being brought up this week again. As I said Murray's game was solid that noght and still of high standard. And you say Glasgow could've won. Of course but the thing is they had shot at taking drop goal but didn't. That says enough in why they didn't and that seperates good and great. Little things like that.
The issue is if it is tight in last 10mins Ireland will know from Munster game alot of mentality of key guys like Russell and will also be thinking they've an advantage

 

[munstermuffin]

Expected Ireland Team To Take On Scotland (Irish Independent)

(15-9) R Kearney; K Earls, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, S Zebo; P Jackson, C Murray;

(1-8) J McGrath, R Best, T Furlong; D Ryan, D Toner; CJ Stander, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: (16-23) J Tracy /N Scannell, C Healy, F Bealham, I Henderson, J Van Der Flier, K Marmion, I Keatley, T Bowe.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Personally I prefer Bowe to Earls, Henderson must surely start for you? The guy has bee in great form.

 

[Groundhog]

For all his whining Murray was still a part of the side that beat Glasgow. We beat them three times this season, so I don't know why we'd fear them, whining and all. And if Murray is expected to be shaken, then what should an average player like Laidlaw expect against a better backrow. We're not underrating a thing, you may come out top on the day for a variety of factors, but all areas you stated we have the edge in on paper.
Tigs, Bowe has lost absolutely all his pace and shouldn't make the Irish side. I'd argue that Henderson has not been in great form, but would like to see him play for us when he's not constantly marked as the one big danger carrier in the pack. He's given way too much to do in Ulster, and could thrive with us.

 

[munstermuffin]

Personally I prefer Bowe to Earls, Henderson must surely start for you? The guy has bee in great form.

Bowe isn't same player as before. Nowhere near likes of Earls and Trimble now to be fair.
Anyone I've spoken to who's an Ulster fan or has been watching Ulster has said Henderson isn't playing well at all. The Irish coaches issue though I believe isn't that he's not playing well but he hasn't shown it yet as lock and hasn't grasped the use of his engine as a lock. Equally Ryan is probably in form of his life. Still some man with 20 left to bring on. I think Schmidt has rewarded guys from AI's and has a nice balance of carriers and workhorses

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

TBF the last time I watched Ulster was against Clermont at ravenhill where Henderson had a stormer.

 

[munstermuffin]

TBF the last time I watched Ulster was against Clermont at ravenhill where Henderson had a stormer.

Not 100% on this as I've to admit on Henderson I've not watched him closely. But where did he play that day.

Just checked it was 6 and here's issue. At 6 /Backrow POM Stander Heaslip VDF and SOB are all well clear. IRFU want him as lock. Now he hasn't been consistently brilliant according to Ulster fans and that may be as he is marked man. However in battle for lock. You've Toner playing well at lock. As I said Ryan in form of life at lock and Henderson playing up and down at 6. Add in Schmidt is loyal and will reward lads for AIs

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I wonder if anyone has gone to Murray when they have played in Scotland and said "this is your field"...

 

[munstermuffin]

I wonder if anyone has gone to Murray when they have played in Scotland and said "this is your field"...

No us Irish only like real fields

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pretty sure you dig up the proper fields to plant potatoes.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The idea of Ringrose defending with Earls and Zebo doesn't fill me with huge amounts of confidence. Ringrose is by no means a bad defender but with weak enough lads like Zebo and Earls, defending being the weakest part of both their games (well maybe kicking for Earls but that's no way a compliment), I am worried. These wings who've had serious protection from Payne over the years are all of a sudden outside a guy playing his first tier 1 international at 13 who had a few bad reads in his last outing. You can bet the Scots will be trying to exploit this with their danger out wide. Trimble is quite the loss. Earls covering 13 is ****e too especially with McCloskey and Marshall doing more than Bowe up north, the guy isn't a centre.