[2025 Six Nations] Italy vs Ireland - 15/3/25

[OllyM97]

I sometimes flick through the Irish rugby fans page on FB and genuinely think they must be Russian **** stirring bots - it's so toxic. 4/5 is a good return.

I have to say I'm shocked by what some Irish fans are saying online - I get that they would have fancied winning the Slam with England and France in Dublin, but the characterisation of Ireland's campaign as a disaster by some people is just weird. They haven't been at their best, but they still should have probably finished second had they not been half asleep at the end of the England game. As recently as 2013 Ireland only won 1 out of 5 in the 6N, I think certain people need a bit of perspective.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

2013 is both not recent and Ireland's worst ever 6n finish so not really relevant.

4/5 isn't an issue but there is cause for concern, although somewhat diminished considering the the broken up coaching team.

4/5 in odd numbered years really should be the minimum and 3/5 in even number years.

Would say this 6n hasn't been a failure but it wasn't a success either. Very middle of the road.

 

[Jimbo]

Emerging Ireland and the A team is where to look, Farrell has always plucked his bolters from them.

I'd guess Kendellen, Murphy (maybe Gunne), Osborne and Bolton will all get capped in those positions over the summer.

Centre is stacked with u23 talent. Postlthwaite, Forde, Gavin and Cooney all look like excellent traditional centres.

I think the biggest challenge facing Irish rugby is that the Leinster school's cup isn't going to produce any world class 9s or wings. Wing seems to have taken over hooker as the other problem position. It's incredibly structured and system based rugby but if a Penaud, Dupont or Ramos type player showed up for example they'd soon have it coached out of them.

Then the odd time a player like this breaks the mould they don't seem as attractive yo the academy, Rob Russell comes to mind, he was picked up late. I do wonder how good he could have been had we let him cook.

I'm not all that worried. It feels like we're in a similar position to England in 2017. The age issue is overstated Henshaw and maybe Aki look like the only guys showing it, 30 - 32 year olds just aren't past it unless they rely heavily on pace and agility. A new approach started in the autumn, there's Neinaber's theory that it takes 14 games to master a new system and that would track with the amount of time it took for the team to click under Farrell, we're currently on 8 or 9 depending on whether a heavily rotated team v Fiji counts.

There's a strong core that needs to be complimented and pushed and the summer is a good opportunity to really get that process going.

Father Time catches up to all eventually, I wouldn't be surprised if both Aki and Henshaw are doing just enough to maintain selection and stay relevant with a view to excel during the last 18 months pre WC for one last hurrah, especially in Henshaw's case he's had quite a few injuries which might prolong his career slightly as not as much game time as he might have had.

 

[O’Doyle Rules]

Father Time catches up to all eventually, I wouldn't be surprised if both Aki and Henshaw are doing just enough to maintain selection and stay relevant with a view to excel during the last 18 months pre WC for one last hurrah, especially in Henshaw's case he's had quite a few injuries which might prolong his career slightly as not as much game time as he might have had.

I'm actually more worried Ringrose is losing a bit of a form. Think the remainder of this season will tell us where a lot of the Irish team are at. I just don't see Aki at the next World Cup nor should we be doing another Sexton and keeping these players out there with lead legs. Henshaw, Ringrose, Osbourne + someone breaking into the fold over the next 18 months I imagine - nice balance of age and experience.

Im annoyed at myself at getting sucked into "cycle" statements where England and SA have proven you just need to be good for 6-9 months that given WC year.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

I think for the summer tests you should be taking a look at most of:

Leinster:
Milne
Penny
Foley
T Obrien
Cooney

Munster;
Wycherley
Barron
Ahern
Hodnett
Kendellen

Connacht:
Lasisi
Obrien
Forde
Bolton

Ulster:
Wilson
McNabney
McCann
Doak
Morgan

Then add in a few other capped players like Deegan, Hume, Stewart, Loughman - and squad guys who won't be lions or first teamers like Izuchukwu, Nash, Frawley.