Ireland, 2013 Six Nations

[big ginger 8]

Always good to see Ireland being put as underdogs.

 

[Joseph14]

The fixtures are pretty kind to the Irish this year, which gives them every chance in what should be a very tight tournament.

If they had to go to Paris and Twickenham, I wouldn't give them a chance of winning it. Starting off in Cardiff is a good fixture too given the amount of pressure Wales will be under and taking in to account how poor they have been.

 

[big ginger 8]

And btw, just checked the Ireland schedule again, and this isn't my heart speaking but a cerebral conclusion:

Loss in Wales

Personally, no offense to the Welsh but I see the Irish in top form this year despite key injuries...I'd imagine Ireland bettering the Welsh, but I may be horribly wrong.

Interesting.

 

[Big Ewis]

wow, I'm always amazed at how much time some ppl have on their hands on this forum to go and notice which user says what exactly.
That's quite some work big ginger ! Impressive ! Going from thread to thread and collecting a nice set of quotes from me ! :lol:

If you had to guess, a WILD wild guess, what would you imagine happened in my mind ??...
Perhaps I just changed my mind after thinking it through...what ?? no...sounds impossible !!...

And yeh srsly though, I've got Wales on this one...you can quote me as many times as you want ! It's certainly not what I want to happen, but yeh Wales at home...




...by 4.

 

[big ginger 8]

Clearly takes no more than 5 minutes. When you're sick you have a lot of 5 minutes. Looks a lot like you're just trying to wind people up. Also have you actually read the Welsh thread you posted on? Their top four locks will in all likelihood be injured as well as Dan Lydiate and Ashley Beck.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

The Ospreys picked up a good few injuries I think against Leicster too. Priestland is still out isnt he? But I suppose that can only be a good thing for Wales lol.

Imagine Eli Walker v Craig Gilroy - how exciting would that be!

Gatland not being there is the big one though.

 

[Big Ewis]

ohhh that's what this is about...right. I seriously didn't even understand, I thought you posted both quotes to assume I was insane or smt...which I am, regardless of those posts.
no no...not me style buddy ! Final word: I think Wales gets this one at home, stakes are too high for them that match, they can't make it 8 in a row and 5 at home...saying this to Welsh n Irish alike and whoever else is reading.
Boy, am I gonna get a spanking on the match thread when Ireland crushes Wales !!!.....
I don't mean to emphasize that, I'm no Nostradamus or nothin...just what I honestly would imagine.

Yeah I've hovered over that, I know they're missing guys...but all locks + Lydiate ??...ouch.
Meh, still that selection looks good at the start of the thread...

EDIT: oh ****, not even Ryan Jones huh !...yikes...I may have totally shat myself just now...Can...can I take it back ??

I dunno, just read up on it well...didn't realize they piled up that many injuries !! MY bad for speaking too soon...I'll have to stick to my word though...Wales by 1 !!

 

[coonor]

Some key areas for Ireland this year:

Second Row- I imagine we'll be starting McCarthy and Ryan, both of whom had a great November series. If they pick up where they left off I'm sure we'll be in a good position, however I have my doubts and in particular I worry that a lack of test experience as a duo and as individuals could become a problem against the likes of England and France. Dan Touhy is certainly solid at this level but has shown himself to be anything more. It is imperative that all three stay fit for the entire tournement. In terms of depth Stevenson is on good form, and Henderson may flourish in this environment but it's certainly not ideal.

Scrum Half- This is a very problematic area, Murray had a good game on Sunday and through lack of alternatives I would start him in the Wales game with Marshal on the bench. Reddan has in my opinion been very poor this season and he wouldn't make my squad. Although some have been calling for Marmion to be named in the squad, although he has great potential, I would not be comfortable with him playing and he would gain much more from the Wolfhound match and by continuing to play at Connacht. I would rather bring another experienced scrum half and Boss is on great form.

 

[mulldog]

ROG cited for kicking - http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28117.php



Hearing taking place on Thurs, may have a bearing on six nations squad if penalty is severe enough......could finally be a chance to see one of the young lads in action! Doesn't seem overly nasty but its a kick non the less.

 

[lucky number 7]

wow !! That is one confident Irishman right there !!...
To clarify: you still lost that match in '11, at home too. However many tries to however many. Props for the 3 to 1 though. And last year we underperformed the whole tournament, forget tying with Ireland at home, we never should've lost to THAT England team in Paris; on paper there's no way this should've happened. They're much improved now, but last year ??...

This France team, we've shown at least in November, is quite different. We may under-perform again, who knows ffs; but Ireland as FAVORITES ?...
I like Ireland a lot this year, they're fast, they run, they've injected good youth into the squad...they can srs attack.

But don't be surprised, and I don't mean for this to happen, but keep your hopes on the down-low coz I can easily see France, England and Wales finishing top 3 in which ever order with a Welsh resurgence, and Ireland falling to 4th...
I must say in all honesty, though being pro-Ireland generally, I rate them but I would be slightly, even quite a bit surprised if they won the tournament...
I must say I think they look a lot better this year than last...

You're talking a considerable amount of shite.

 

[Tony Manx]

ROG cited for kicking ! Doesn't seem overly nasty but its a kick non the less.

Quite right to cite him.....as for not overly nasty....he ran after him and lamped out with his foot so hard that, had it commected fully, he could have broken a leg (even his own!).

It was spiteful, cowardly and intentful.........Dare I say....if he was French..............................!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

You're talking a considerable amount of shite.

^_^ I bet I do, Christmas Island, I bet I do !
There's a far more considerable amount of it in that ridiculous signature of yours for example, but I was courteous enough to keep my mouth shut though !

But anyways:
yup this is a pretty exciting Irish team, too bad for Bowe and big Paul...

 

[Peat]

Quite right to cite him.....as for not overly nasty....he ran after him and lamped out with his foot so hard that, had it commected fully, he could have broken a leg (even his own!).

It was spiteful, cowardly and intentful.........Dare I say....if he was French..............................!!!

If he were French he'd have gouged him!

 

[Tony Manx]

If he were French he'd have gouged him!

..............and immediately banned for a year. Interesting to see if ROG gets more than a week!

 

[Peat]

..............and immediately banned for a year. Interesting to see if ROG gets more than a week!

Wasn't that the guy who tried to claim the images had been doctored though?


Anyway. Irish rugby squad.

BG8 - see what you mean by lack of options, I just don't think he is one. He's the 4th best lock at Ulster, if that. It would be like picking Flanagan or Foley.

Also, I'd be completely serious about throwing in McSharry and maybe even Henshaw, depending on how he went in training. D'Arcy's been playing well but I still think he's done at international level, while Henshaw looks like a shooting star.

 

[coonor]

Wasn't that the guy who tried to claim the images had been doctored though?


Anyway. Irish rugby squad.

BG8 - see what you mean by lack of options, I just don't think he is one. He's the 4th best lock at Ulster, if that. It would be like picking Flanagan or Foley.

Also, I'd be completely serious about throwing in McSharry and maybe even Henshaw, depending on how he went in training. D'Arcy's been playing well but I still think he's done at international level, while Henshaw looks like a shooting star.

I agree with the Henderson point, if he's being selected as a lock then I'd have the likes of Stevenson, and possibly even Toner ahead of him. Having said that his ability to play in the second row aswell as the back row, where he has proven quality in, means he's ahead of his closest competitors in terms of squad positions

Id also like to see McSharry there but Henshaw simply isn't at the level of other options at full back. Just thinking about it, Ireland have some serious options in the back three for the World Cup:

Zebo, Bowe, Gilroy, Trimble, D. Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald, Henshaw, O'Halloran, D.Kearney, Conway, Jones....

 

[Feicarsinn]

I agree with the Henderson point, if he's being selected as a lock then I'd have the likes of Stevenson, and possibly even Toner ahead of him. Having said that his ability to play in the second row aswell as the back row, where he has proven quality in, means he's ahead of his closest competitors in terms of squad positions

Id also like to see McSharry there but Henshaw simply isn't at the level of other options at full back. Just thinking about it, Ireland have some serious options in the back three for the World Cup:

Zebo, Bowe, Gilroy, Trimble, D. Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald, Henshaw, O'Halloran, D.Kearney, Conway, Jones....

An awful lot of those players aren't anywhere near good enough to play for Ireland.

 

[Peat]

An awful lot of those players aren't anywhere near good enough to play for Ireland.

He did say World Cup, some of those guys mighta made it by then...

Also, that post needed names.

 

[coonor]

An awful lot of those players aren't anywhere near good enough to play for Ireland.

As Peat has said I mentioned it for the World Cup, when a lot of those players, albeit probably not all, will be very much in the mix.

And I don't think an awful lot of those players aren't at Ireland standard currently. In my opinion only Henshaw, Conway, D.Kearney and Jones aren't at a good enough standard currently, with the latter two having been in the mix within the last 2 seasons. O'Halloran, you could argue is not at that level but hes never been given an opportunity even after consistent top performances for that last 2 seasons. If he were a Munster, Ulster or Leinster player people would have been calling for him to have been capped along time ago.

 

[Groundhog]

As Peat has said I mentioned it for the World Cup, when a lot of those players, albeit probably not all, will be very much in the mix. And I don't think an awful lot of those players aren't at Ireland standard currently. In my opinion only Henshaw, Conway, D.Kearney and Jones aren't at a good enough standard currently, with the latter two having been in the mix within the last 2 seasons. O'Halloran, you could argue is not at that level but hes never been given an opportunity even after consistent top performances for that last 2 seasons. If he were a Munster, Ulster or Leinster player people would have been calling for him to have been capped along time ago.

Here here. O'Halloran is my favorite player. If we don't try them we can't discount them. Felix Jones is a shame though. He's been poor since his injury, I really hope he can get his form back. I think O'Halloran Conway and McSharry need to be tested, the others a season.