[2021 Six Nations] Ireland v England (20/03/2021)

[Leonormous Boozer]

Well that's certainly a take on Hume.

He's 22 and only established himself as a starter in the last year. He wasn't in the squad so this is hardly a surprise to you. He also has some clear defensive issues. I had him in my squad for this tournament but it's hardly something to be getting really upset about. He's arguably the less talented centre playing for Ullster tomorrow.

On its own in an otherwise well functioning outfit it's nothing to be upset about. As one of many examples of shortsighted selection I'm sure as hell bringing it up. Harry Byrne wasn't considered because he hasn't played European rugby well Hume has played it three times including a knockout game and a pro14 semi and final too. We picked a squad with one injury prone 13 and a bunch of crash ball 12s who pretend to be 13s for their provinces, a lad who has 33 games for Ulster and is in great form seems an obvious choice.

 

[Crash Hamster]

So yes, EJ doesnt think they should be in his squad, he wont play them so why have them in? Its not saying they're not good players, they are. Clearly. But they dont fit what he's looking for, and he feels he at least has the outhalf spots covered well. Might make extended squads however in case of an injury to Ford/Farrell, as a third choice outhalf

So you agree with me that only players who are likely to be selected should be in the squad? That that's how EJ feels?

Odogwu's in the squad, so he should be likely to play.

He's not playing. Someone from outside the squad is. So either he shouldn't have been there or he should have played.

 

[Jakedood]

So you agree with me that only players who are likely to be selected should be in the squad? That that's how EJ feels?

Odogwu's in the squad, so he should be likely to play.

He's not playing. Someone from outside the squad is. So either he shouldn't have been there or he should have played.

Odogwu is in the squad with an eye to playing in the future, barr injury the others wont be. thats the difference I'd think

I think i may have mentioned this, I think Im having the same argument in two different threads so getting confused

 

[big ginger 8]

On its own in an otherwise well functioning outfit it's nothing to be upset about. As one of many examples of shortsighted selection I'm sure as hell bringing it up. Harry Byrne wasn't considered because he hasn't played European rugby well Hume has played it three times including a knockout game and a pro14 semi and final too. We picked a squad with one injury prone 13 and a bunch of crash ball 12s who pretend to be 13s for their provinces, a lad who has 33 games for Ulster and is in great form seems an obvious choice.

The take that he should look for big money elsewhere because he wasn't included for this weekend is a bit much though. Wouldn't classify him as in great form either but that's a more minor quibble.

 

[Jakedood]

On its own in an otherwise well functioning outfit it's nothing to be upset about. As one of many examples of shortsighted selection I'm sure as hell bringing it up. Harry Byrne wasn't considered because he hasn't played European rugby well Hume has played it three times including a knockout game and a pro14 semi and final too. We picked a squad with one injury prone 13 and a bunch of crash ball 12s who pretend to be 13s for their provinces, a lad who has 33 games for Ulster and is in great form seems an obvious choice.

This is true also. He's a cracking player, and his defense is getting better and better, likewise he's making more big game moments in a match than at the start of the season, even the little things where he's in the right position (even when its not affecting play) or the work rate and intelligence to make a difference. He will be a cracking player, as will Moore if he adds a little size to his frame. What is it with Ulster producing talented centres the last decade or so... we had too many at once, then lost a few to provinces and a few for other reasons, now we've got em coming through again. Its a nice little assembly line

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Happier to see Henshaw at 13 than 12, but not overly enthused about him running at Daly
Don't rate Aki, so glad he's at 12
Stockdale's been injured and his form, recently, hasn't reached the heights that we saw when he first broke into the Ireland squad, but still someone you have to keep your eye on
Our scrum is gonna get munched up by Furlong/Porter
Hopefully Keenan plays less like he did last week and more like he did earlier in the tournament when he forgot how to pass the ball

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The take that he should look for big money elsewhere because he wasn't included for this weekend is a bit much though. Wouldn't classify him as in great form either but that's a more minor quibble.

That was hyperbolic to be fair.

8/15 are 30+. Fairly depressing for a 50% team (minus Italy and T2 games) who haven't won an away game and are in the second year of a RWC cycle. If we lose Farrell is going to have a lot of ex internationals and journos on his back, even Thornley had an article criticising the game plan somewhat during the week, bad sign.

 

[Jakedood]

Happier to see Henshaw at 13 than 12, but not overly enthused about him running at Daly
Don't rate Aki, so glad he's at 12
Stockdale's been injured and his form, recently, hasn't reached the heights that we saw when he first broke into the Ireland squad, but still someone you have to keep your eye on
Our scrum is gonna get munched up by Furlong/Porter
Hopefully Keenan plays less like he did last week and more like he did earlier in the tournament when he forgot how to pass the ball

He's played a combined 80 minutes post injury and been cracking so watch out. I also think he is better as a winger, purely because his finishing is so effective, and less chance to show that at 15. Although he does run so damn well ball in hand too with some space

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Max Malins comes from good Fenian stock, his great grandfather was a president of the GAA and an IRB (Not the organisation now known as World Rugby) man. Hopefully he's a sleeper agent, or gets absolutely pummeled for being a turncoat!

 

[big ginger 8]

That was hyperbolic to be fair.

8/15 are 30+. Fairly depressing for a 50% team (minus Italy and T2 games) who haven't won an away game and are in the second year of a RWC cycle. If we lose Farrell is going to have a lot of ex internationals and journos on his back, even Thornley had an article criticising the game plan somewhat during the week, bad sign.

You have to stop being racist to Scotland.

I agree a loss will see a massive backlash in the media. The age profile is certainly not ideal. Look on Groundhog's bright side, one of the 30+ definitely won't be selected next year.

 

[Jakedood]

Wait what happened to Connors?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Wait what happened to Connors?

Knee injury in training yesterday.

@munstermuffin do IRFU physios have a lower tolerance for letting players play when carrying smaller injuries than other clubs and unions would you know? It might be confirmation bias but we always seem to have an injury list as long as Dev's arm.

 

[TommiG88]

I'm chilled about this. The 2 best teams of the Lions contingent facing each other.

May the best team win on the day.

 

[munstermuffin]

Knee injury in training yesterday.

@munstermuffin do IRFU physios have a lower tolerance for letting players play when carrying smaller injuries than other clubs and unions would you know? It might be confirmation bias but we always seem to have an injury list as long as Dev's arm.

Well alot more cauyion is applied as well any error can be linked to insurance etc. And we all the one and player welfare comes first. It different in an English or French set up where club is independent. Like say a Munster academy player is injured. Nowhere near Ireland team. I can loose job if I don't report to IRFU

 

[Reiser99]

Very worried about Daly's defending at 13. I imagine Ireland will just target it there.

 

[munstermuffin]

Very worried about Daly's defending at 13. I imagine Ireland will just target it there.

I dontknow. Henshaw a superb player in form but as a 12. To get Aki in we could be loosing a bit of Robbie. Hope I'm wrong

 

[Reiser99]

I dontknow. Henshaw a superb player in form but as a 12. To get Aki in we could be loosing a bit of Robbie. Hope I'm wrong

To echo the words of @noah_jo, have you seen Daly tackle?

I think I did once back in 2017.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Honestly pretty happy with that team. Kilcoyne in for Healy is the right call, as is starting Stockdale, and we've avoided the trap of starting POM. Pretty happy with our bench in all honestly, three dynamic guys and then Healy and POM in there in case the set piece needs shoring up. Not too fussed about our other changes, Josh is the best option with Connors out and it's hard to feel motivated about which 9 we pick.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I'm chilled about this. The 2 best teams of the Lions contingent facing each other.

May the best team win on the day.

ummm......................

 

[big ginger 8]

'I think Mike Catt and Andy Farrell have misjudged the way the game is going' https://the42.ie/5385555

Whatever about Farrell, Catt's time certainly has to be up. I briefly thought they were building to something more but we have seemed bereft of ideas at times and some of the phases against Scotland would look poor at a J3 match.