[2019 Six Nations] Ireland vs England (02/02/2019)

[Leinster Fan]

He gave Keith Earls, Barry Murphy, Ian Dowling, Denis Hurley and Tomas O'Leary to name a few all their starts in big calls.

Cullen gives youth a chamce to be fair but the comparison is pointless as now between schools gotten more professional and academy improving the options are far better. But Cullen does back them

As I say, he was an excellent coach for Munster. But awful for Ireland post 2009. Mismanaged the Sexton/O'Gara thing horribly among many other teams.

 

[bushytop]

As I say, he was an excellent coach for Munster. But awful for Ireland post 2009. Mismanaged the Sexton/O'Gara thing horribly among many other teams.

It must've been difficult to manage that situation though... the whole game had been built around ROG but then there is this future-legend there... just waiting for the permission to take the whole thing forward (... but under their pressure of international test matches will it work, or backfire)... it must've felt like when Louis Walsh had to decide between Boyzone or Westlife!

 

[Leinster Fan]

It must've been difficult to manage that situation though... the whole game had been built around ROG but then there is this future-legend there... just waiting for the permission to take the whole thing forward (... but under their pressure of international test matches will it work, or backfire)... it must've felt like when Louis Walsh had to decide between Boyzone or Westlife!

I wouldn't have minded if he'd decided, but the way he kept flip-flopping back and forth meant that despite having two top class 10s they were both a liability due to being but under ridiculous pressure to keep their places.

 

[bushytop]

I wouldn't have minded if he'd decided, but the way he kept flip-flopping back and forth meant that despite having two top class 10s they were both a liability due to being but under ridiculous pressure to keep their places.

Fair... I'm just saying that under the pressures of test rugby it must rank as a relatively tough one to call. In hindsight it's simple... as everything always is.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Fair... I'm just saying that under the pressures of test rugby it must rank as a relatively tough one to call. In hindsight it's simple... as everything always is.

True, but even ignoring that, we were poor after 2009. The thread isn't really about Declan Kidney anyway.

So hyped for this now, the U20 coming out with the win has made it for me.

 

[bushytop]

True, but even ignoring that, we were poor after 2009. The thread isn't really about Declan Kidney anyway.

So hyped for this now, the U20 coming out with the win has made it for me.

There are always 'reasons' for being poor... they're the multitudes of reasons, for which anyone... ever... has been poor!

... but anyway, glad your hyped... big win for your 20's and I expect much the same tomorrow.

 

[Groundhog]

Whiff of **** of England.

 

[spartan32]

The time is nearly upon us. Interested that not many score predictions on this thread. The met office have Dublin down for beautiful sunshine all day, so no up the jumper stuff, which I'm always glad of. I think the dry conditions are in England's favour as our most potent attacking threats are in the backs, but I still say Ireland take this one. Settled pairings, good run of form, much better set up generally for their players allowing them to be more rested (England take note), massive home advantage, and the best defence in world rugby.

England can learn a lot from this game. If nothing else is Manu still as talismanic as he once was, or have years of absence Dulled is flame. Can Daly actually be a 15, can Itoje learn to play within the Laws, can Faz discover his arms, can Robson take his chance, will May always run like a drunk man desperately trying not to fall flat on his face. So many questions......

Ireland 19 - 10 England

 

[Jashay]

Other questions include "Can George produce a performance against a strong set-piece", "Will Slade be Slade". and "Will Nathan Hughes end the match with a positive 'Metres Made' stat"?

 

[Jimbo]

As I say, he was an excellent coach for Munster. But awful for Ireland post 2009. Mismanaged the Sexton/O'Gara thing horribly among many other teams.

I always wondered how O'Gara ever got top spot in the 10 jursey, always seemed to me Humphrey's was by far the better player, I was pretty young back then, am I miss remembering?

 

[Nudger]

I always wondered how O'Gara ever got top spot in the 10 jursey, always seemed to me Humphrey's was by far the better player, I was pretty young back then, am I miss remembering?

Thats like faz ford debate in the eye of the beholder

 

[spartan32]

Other questions include "Can George produce a performance against a strong set-piece", "Will Slade be Slade". and "Will Nathan Hughes end the match with a positive 'Metres Made' stat"?

No
Yes
No

Easy.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Which England player will become world class by virtue of not playing?

Where will Eddie put a lock next??

Why do we even bother????

So many fascinating questions!

 

[spartan32]

Which England player will become world class by virtue of not playing?

Where will Eddie put a lock next??

Why do we even bother????

So many fascinating questions!

Ah comon it's not so bad.

There is at least a chance we could pull this off. It's not like the players selected haven't got the potential as individuals, and when they manage to convert that they can stun any team. I think that's whats so frustrating. If we knew that we simply weren't up to the task at all it would be easy to accept. Like I imagine Italy fans have to do (sorry Italians), but it always feels we we underperform. Always the same moans from us that we wouldn't mind losing if we actually played to our best.

I'm starting to like EJs out of the blue selection policy. It's not like he's ousting any kind of working combos because we don't have any, so let's go crazy. Wings at 7, locks at Centre, warm ups through the medium of mime and circus performance, post match interviews sung in sea shanty style. EJ is out very own Patches Ohoolahan!

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Interesting to read the thoughts on Henshaw's selection and his history as fullback. Am I talking out of my orifice if I draw the following conclusions from it?

i) Schmidt doesn't consider the England match to be the toughest one in the competition, so is willing to experiment
ii) he thinks Larmour needs a bit more consistency before trusting him to be number one for the RWC.
iii) he doesn't think Carberry is the answer at fullback
iv) his preferred centre partnership is Aki / Ringrose
v) he will never select the demigod ToH in even a fringe selection again

OR

He isn't bothered if he doesn't win the 6N

 

[bushytop]

Interesting to read the thoughts on Henshaw's selection and his history as fullback. Am I talking out of my orifice if I draw the following conclusions from it?

i) Schmidt doesn't consider the England match to be the toughest one in the competition, so is willing to experiment
ii) he thinks Larmour needs a bit more consistency before trusting him to be number one for the RWC.
iii) he doesn't think Carberry is the answer at fullback
iv) his preferred centre partnership is Aki / Ringrose
v) he will never select the demigod ToH in even a fringe selection again

OR

He isn't bothered if he doesn't win the 6N

My biggest take away is that at the very least, Schmidt doesn't trust Larmour's defence yet (though I'm sure he is working hard with him to change that) in 'big' games. I guess the decision to not consider Carberry is more to do with him being viewed as a 10 only post his Munster-move.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

Interesting to read the thoughts on Henshaw's selection and his history as fullback. Am I talking out of my orifice if I draw the following conclusions from it?

i) Schmidt doesn't consider the England match to be the toughest one in the competition, so is willing to experiment
ii) he thinks Larmour needs a bit more consistency before trusting him to be number one for the RWC.
iii) he doesn't think Carberry is the answer at fullback
iv) his preferred centre partnership is Aki / Ringrose
v) he will never select the demigod ToH in even a fringe selection again

OR

He isn't bothered if he doesn't win the 6N

I think it's much simpler. Schmidt must be happy with Henshaw at full back and think that Aki, Ringrose & Henshaw are a better to have on the pitch than any other combination. Makes sense to me, it's not much different to Daly being picked at 15 except Henshaw has more experience internationally and better form and the other option (Kearney) is not fit or in form, unlike Brown.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Vorsprung durch technik

 

[Every Time Ref]

Ah comon it's not so bad.

There is at least a chance we could pull this off. It's not like the players selected haven't got the potential as individuals, and when they manage to convert that they can stun any team. I think that's whats so frustrating. If we knew that we simply weren't up to the task at all it would be easy to accept. Like I imagine Italy fans have to do (sorry Italians), but it always feels we we underperform. Always the same moans from us that we wouldn't mind losing if we actually played to our best.

I'm starting to like EJs out of the blue selection policy. It's not like he's ousting any kind of working combos because we don't have any, so let's go crazy. Wings at 7, locks at Centre, warm ups through the medium of mime and circus performance, post match interviews sung in sea shanty style. EJ is out very own Patches Ohoolahan!

I'm being a bit tongue in cheek, it's not that bad. I am still "not convinced" (by which I mean "terrified") by the selection in the backs, but a good pack for definite.

We're gonna lose though, sea shanties or no sea shanties.

 

[big ginger 8]

Interesting to read the thoughts on Henshaw's selection and his history as fullback. Am I talking out of my orifice if I draw the following conclusions from it?

i) Schmidt doesn't consider the England match to be the toughest one in the competition, so is willing to experiment
ii) he thinks Larmour needs a bit more consistency before trusting him to be number one for the RWC.
iii) he doesn't think Carberry is the answer at fullback
iv) his preferred centre partnership is Aki / Ringrose
v) he will never select the demigod ToH in even a fringe selection again

OR

He isn't bothered if he doesn't win the 6N

i) Doubt it.
ii) I'd say so, Larmour's fundamentals at full back aren't up to scratch yet.
iii) I think it's pretty clear from previous selections that Carberry isn't considered a fullback by Schmidt, he's at best break glass in case of emergency off the bench.
iv) Quite possible, need a bit more data though.
v) Schmidt has clearly (rightly) closed the door on TO'H for a while now.

I doubt he isn't bothered if he doesn't win it but it may be less on the forefront than if he had to worry about pleasing the IRFU going forward.

Honestly I think Henshaw is being picked because he's the closest we have to Kearney in a lot ways. Anyone who's expecting him to suddenly be making or creating massive breaks from fullback are in for a bit of a shock. When he was coming through for Connacht he was a very assured 15 who covered the backfield well and provided some threat as a strike runner. Pretty much Kearney lite, I think he was probably only viewed as really exciting because of his age. Which I am quite fine with I'd rather lessen the chance of a stunning attack if it means gains in terms of possession and territory for us.