Ireland - England @ New Landsdowne Road, Dublin (27-08-2011, 14:30 GMT)

[OnTheBall]

I would have preferred McFadden alongside D'Arcy. He has had much less gametime in the warm ups.
Also, I think at this stage Earls may be the utility back on the bench for the big games. Bowe is probably undroppable and Trimble has played himself into the first team and should be well ahead of Earls on form.

 

[big ginger 8]

Despite playing well Trimble should probably be rested and McFadden starting. Not happy with Earls at 13 but there's not many alternatives, if it wasn't his first game back expect Bowe would be there. Bowe will score it's just something he does against England. First half not expecting the best defence Ferris and Wallace will have to protect RO'G and Earls when they should be worrying more about themselves. It'll be better once Murray and Sexton are on. Not worried about D'Arcy his defense is 99% of the time solid.

More worried about England than usual as they're playing there strongest backline available. If they'd played Palmer I'd be more worried about the lineout but there secondrow selections cancel out their backrow jumpers. Scrum should be even enough and Easter of the back isn't exactly scary. Neither side has a fetcher so with that and Irelands defense tactic breakdown will be more about intensity then skill.

Ireland to win and Bowe to make a try scoring return.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie Ireland v. Wales

Hey guys,

I got the request from big ginger 8 to add the vBookie (he called it vBokkie, which I like much more to be honest haha).


Enjoy betting!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

You got the vBookie ***le wrong, though. It says Wales instead of England.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I know... I just like Wales more than England

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Racist....

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

To be honest, I do like England better than France

 

[Jockstap]

Anyone else think one of Flannery, Ferris or Murphy won't make it through this game unscathed.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

To be honest, I do like England better than France

There are only two things I hate; those who are intolerant of other people's cultures. (pause) And the Dutch.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

There are only two things I hate; those who are intolerant of other people's cultures. (pause) And the Dutch.

Way-o!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Anyone else think one of Flannery, Ferris or Murphy won't make it through this game unscathed.

Might not be one of these 3 but it is tradition that someone will suffer from injury and well the original 30 won't make it past the Aus game.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

There are only two things I hate; those who are intolerant of other people's cultures. (pause) And the Dutch.

I also hate the Dutch, so we can shake hands on that

To be fair, I do like the French better than the Germans hahahaha

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wood out with a calf strain

Do they call up Robshaw?
Do they call up Fourie?

No, they put Palmer on the bench - so no backrow cover at all there then. Presume Lawes would be moved back a row if injury arose

 

[big ginger 8]

I'd say for Ferris just to punch Haskell in the jaw but he'd probably break his hand off that thing. Hopefully Easter doesn't get injured.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I also hate the Dutch, so we can shake hands on that

To be fair, I do like the French better than the Germans hahahaha

Well, I'll take that as a compliment .

Btw, that's a quote from an Austin Powers film. I happen to like the Dutch (I have a whole theory of why the Dutch and the Norwegians are the best peoples in Europe, but I won't elaborate here)

 

[big ginger 8]

Btw the vBokkie thing was a joke I live Dublin therefore there are 5 bookies within walking distance. So yeah.

 

[Peat]

Wood out with a calf strain

Do they call up Robshaw?
Do they call up Fourie?

No, they put Palmer on the bench - so no backrow cover at all there then. Presume Lawes would be moved back a row if injury arose

Of course they sodding do. It would be ridiculous at this stage not to work with the limitations of the squad we picked, and Lawes was always going to cover back row if needed.

I'm more angry about the possibility that Palmer is considered 4th choice lock.

 

[gingergenius]

Well, I'll take that as a compliment .

Btw, that's a quote from an Austin Powers film. I happen to like the Dutch (I have a whole theory of why the Dutch and the Norwegians are the best peoples in Europe, but I won't elaborate here)

I will elaborate. Dutch women are goddesses.

 

[gingergenius]

Wood out with a calf strain

Do they call up Robshaw?
Do they call up Fourie?

No, they put Palmer on the bench - so no backrow cover at all there then. Presume Lawes would be moved back a row if injury arose

In fairness, from now on it's the 30 man squad, and Moody isn't fit so Palmer's the best option. No point picking Robshaw on the bench for this one when he's not even going to the RWC.

 

[Izzoard]

I'm gonna go with England by a short margin after a hard fought battle from both teams. WIthout BOD, I think the zest will not be there for IReland (sad but he really brings the best out of IReland in his lead from the front mentality).

I really hope Tulangi spends 80 mins running hard at ROG ;-)