2018 NatWest Six Nations: Round 1 - France v Ireland

[Leonormous Boozer]

DK had a great year in 09...

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Clearly didn't read my post when I said Regarding Madigan, circumstances change. If it's inconsistent so what?. I'm don't care if it's inconsistent. It is. It's what's best for the national team. That's all that matters.

You won't find anyone disagreeing that Declan Kidney did brilliantly with Munster. Winning a Grand Slam was a great achievement. He's took an underachieving group under Eddie O'Sullivan and made them winners. Where there are legitimate gripes is that he didn't build on these achievements. As Leinster were dominating Europe, the same group of players were a shadow of themselves under Declan Kidney's Ireland in the last couple of years of his reign.

Further on Declan Kidney, he left a mess behind at Leinster when he jumped ship to Munster. Shane Byrne, Victor Costello, Leo Cullen, Shane Jennings, Aidan McCullen, James Norton (brilliant finisher) and David Holwell all moved on. It's understandable that Leinster fans have mixed feelings towards him while applauding his successes. It's less understandable that Irish fans have mixed opinions on Joe Schmidt.

By saying Schmidt twice but DK in a competitive game, are you implying that the 6 Nations and World Cup are competitive games and worth talking about when discussing achievements? I must remember this when we're disagreeing over selection calls for "friendlies" in November and during the summer! Winning these games and consequently selection calls clearly don't matter!

 

[munstermuffin]

Clearly didn't read my post when I said Regarding Madigan, circumstances change. If it's inconsistent so what?. I'm don't care if it's inconsistent. It is. It's what's best for the national team. That's all that matters.

You won't find anyone disagreeing that Declan Kidney did brilliantly with Munster. Winning a Grand Slam was a great achievement. He's took an underachieving group under Eddie O'Sullivan and made them winners. Where there are legitimate gripes is that he didn't build on these achievements. As Leinster were dominating Europe, the same group of players were a shadow of themselves under Declan Kidney's Ireland in the last couple of years of his reign.

Further on Declan Kidney, he left a mess behind at Leinster when he jumped ship to Munster. Shane Byrne, Victor Costello, Leo Cullen, Shane Jennings, Aidan McCullen, James Norton (brilliant finisher) and David Holwell all moved on. It's understandable that Leinster fans have mixed feelings towards him while applauding his successes. It's less understandable that Irish fans have mixed opinions on Joe Schmidt.

By saying Schmidt twice but DK in a competitive game, are you implying that the 6 Nations and World Cup are competitive games and worth talking about when discussing achievements? I must remember this when we're disagreeing over selection calls for "friendlies" in November and during the summer! Winning these games and consequently selection calls clearly don't matter!

Yes as I have consistently said the November games are experiment games for SH. You can quote me on it.
But as I said it is what it is Leinster fans and Munster fans both have credible reasons I guess that other side won't get.
On Madigan issue I read it as you saying so if a guy is leaving but is better than others then it fine to pick him over committed guy. I will remember that too when argument over a Zebo style argument arises anymore.
On Nov selection no they don't matter as much but a ot still think there is bias involved. As I said we all entitled to opinion

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

All within the last couple of hours:

On Nov selection no they don't matter as much but a ot still think there is bias involved. As I said we all entitled to opinion

I don't rate Schmidt as highly as you. I think he's been bias down the years

In terms of selection calls mentioned I'm not saying they are bias

Which is it? Biased or not?!

...............................

Onto the France game, I'm really looking forward to seeing how James Ryan plays. He's Ireland's best second row prospect since Paul O'Connell burst on the scene 17 years ago.

France's biggest assets in this game are home advantage and the unpredictability of how they'll approach things. Neutralize these elements and Ireland will win.

 

[FrenchFan]

Probably the right way to go by France. Complete experimentation and see if you can unearth a few gems. The selection is basically a concession that France will not be competing for overall victory in the next couple of 6N and that players selected in the past couple of years would have achieved nothing at the RWC. It takes a degree of maturity and humility to do this. Wish they had got Italy first up!

Humility? maturity? BWAHAHAHA

You mean it's a clear admission that the union got it wrong AGAIN and that the next RWC is clearly a write-off. They're just making up numbers in the 6N.
https://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/6-nations-hype-thread.40616/page-3#post-885941

Look at the coaching staff around Brunel. They wouldn't get hired today in Top 14 as a coaching team. A part-timer (Seb Bruno is on loan for the duration of the 6N by Lyon) a beginner (Bonnaire) and a freelancer (Elissalde). The players KNOW THIS. They can make the comparison with the coaching expertise at their own club and draw their own conclusions...

Joke staff + Pseudo Dev squad = Hello Tier 2

 

[munstermuffin]

All within the last couple of hours:



Which is it? Biased or not?!

...............................

Onto the France game, I'm really looking forward to seeing how James Ryan plays. He's Ireland's best second row prospect since Paul O'Connell burst on the scene 17 years ago.

France's biggest assets in this game are home advantage and the unpredictability of how they'll approach things. Neutralize these elements and Ireland will win.

As I painted out bias on treatment and some selection calls in past which was clearly said. But you simply highlighted a part answering calls on the current squad.
So that clears that up and I've cleared up As you admitted same in way he treated Zebo case vs Madigan case same scenario 2 different ways of treating it.

So to clear up within last couple of hours. Yes I think Schmidt has been bias in past yes.
Also I think he has been treating lads differently (which he can). Examples Ryan vs Heaslip, Zebo vs Madigan, Kearney fitness vs a few. Again all well he is entitled.

But in past you have said if a player is leaving like Zebo he shouldn't be in but basically said opposite when commenting on Madigan as "I don't care as long as it best for team". So guess we all get bit mixed on Friday.

 

[FrenchFan]

France's biggest assets in this game are home advantage and the unpredictability of how they'll approach things. Neutralize these elements and Ireland will win.

I'd love to know how you neutralise home advantage if you're Ireland...However if you're the French union it's much simpler.

Just continue ruining the national team by ******* dwn the neck of the clubs - instead of working with them.

Humiliate the best club coach in Europe and popular figure in Top 14
Suck unashamedly on the Syrian candy on offer at Montpellier
The crowds will eventually turn - they were leaving their seats last November so this is just the next stage

and you are really ******* done.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd love to know how you neutralise home advantage if you're Ireland...However if you're the French union it's much simpler.

Just continue ruining the national team by ******* dwn the neck of the clubs - instead of working with them.

Humiliate the best club coach in Europe and popular figure in Top 14
Suck unashamedly on the Syrian candy on offer at Montpellier
The crowds will eventually turn - they were leaving their seats last November so this is just the next stage

and you are really ******* done.

Just on this out of curiosity.
Who is wrong? The players, The Union or Clubs.

Like what is the suggested method for fixing

 

[FrenchFan]

when Noves gets sacked without the benefit of a full term - the clubs are wrong?
when he's replaced by Brunel same age with a mickey mouse staff - the clubs are wrong?
When Laporte gets in bed with Altrad - Top 14 public ennemy No1 - instead of keeping his distances as befits his position - the clubs are wrong?
When the union signs up for a tour of NZ next June - the clubs are wrong?

When was the last time the union had a consistent selection policy in the halfbacks?? Nobody remembers. They've been chopping and changing for 8 years!

we've more options at half-backs than many T1 nations.
Camille Lopez
Anthony Belleau 20 1st choice at Toulon has displaced FTD
Matthieu Jallibert 19
Romain NTamack 19 at Toulouse has broken into the first team this season. MoM tonight with the U20 that beat Ireland!

We have more depth at 9 than any other nation incl. NZ - in our rugby SH is the playmaker
Parra has been excellent for Clermont playing some of his best rugby in last 2 seasons. He was dropped and made the scapegoat of the last RWC.
Dupont is the best player at Toulouse this season and he's just 20.
Machenaud is having a good season with Racing. Proven test player.
Serin is first choice at Bordeaux still only 20.
Alexis Balès has been excellent with La Rochelle in T14 and Europe
Baptiste Couilloud 20 or 21 has been excellent and started many games for Lyon
NTamack also plays 9 at Toulouse and is a natural both at 9 and 10. WTF.

Racing fielded 12 French players in the side that beat Munster https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/champions-cup/2017-2018/live-racing-92- munster_mtc986226/live.shtml
Clermont whacked Saracens away in England with 11 French players https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/champions-cup/2017-2018/live-saracens-asm- clermont_mtc986246/live.shtml
La Rochelle put +40 pts on both Wasps and Ulster at home with 10 French starters https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/champions-cup/2017-2018/live-stade- rochelais-ulster_mtc986255/live.shtml

33 French players in just 3 clubs. Not including the subs. Hey where do they find all these French players. Someone must be cloning them.

The union could never settle at 9 where we have ridiculous depth. And that's just ONE position. How the hell would they cope with more options elsewhere?!

Gimme a break with that rehearsed twaddle about 'too many imports lack of depth' blabla. Raving BS.

Bottom line is the union is patently incapable of managing the national team. It needs to be taken away from them. Let them manage amateur rugby. There's over 1800 amateur clubs registered. That'll keep them occupied.

I don't give a rat's arse about tomorrow's result. LNR and the T14 presidents are going to dice up Laporte and the whole union clique.

 

[stus768]

Going to the game. Anyone able to advise where/if I can watch the Wales game before?

 

[TommiG88]

Going to the game. Anyone able to advise where/if I can watch the Wales game before?

Enjoy, let me know if you find any good drinking spots with a good pre match atmosphere.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

How the hell is ROG coming back from NZ to sit in TV3's studio? I live Matty Williams and Shane Jennings as pundits, no BS with them, I think this will be better than RTE for rugby fans but no one else.

 

[munstermuffin]

How the hell is ROG coming back from NZ to sit in TV3's studio? I live Matty Williams and Shane Jennings as pundits, no BS with them, I think this will be better than RTE for rugby fans but no one else.

TV3 had arranged 1st class for him. He said it before he has to learn to sleep as he will be back in work Tuesday.

TV3 mentioning Bonus Points. I thought this was done away with?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

TV3 had arranged 1st class for him. He said it before he has to learn to sleep as he will be back in work Tuesday.

TV3 mentioning Bonus Points. I thought this was done away with?

No, kept for good after last year's "success".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-un...-use-bonus-points-permanent-basis-last-years/

 

[munstermuffin]

No, kept for good after last year's "success".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-un...-use-bonus-points-permanent-basis-last-years/

Great as it did in encourage better rugby.

 

[profitius]

Its wet in Paris. Expect lots of kicking!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Joe Schmidt is pound for pound nicest/most polite coach in international rugby.

 

[ratsapprentice]

James Ryan has all the same attributes as Itoje? Ok then...

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

James Ryan has all the same attributes as Itoje? Ok then...

Who said that? They're young locks... That's about it, totally different players!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who said that? They're young locks... That's about it, totally different players!

BBC are trying to make the Irish say it but they're just like