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Ireland v England

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An Tarbh

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Ireland v England
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Ireland will be looking to continue in their quest for their first championship since 1985 and possible grand slam. England showed signs of promise against the Welsh but indiscipline cost them big time.

England certainly won't have good memories of Croke Park after their last visit but no doubt Johnson will have England well fired up after their spirited performance against the Welsh.

If the sight of a Johnson led England side coming to Croke Park isn't motivation enough for the Ireland side then God help them.

There may be plenty of improvement in the English side but the same is also true of Ireland.
 
I can only see Ireland winning this, for f*** sake i think If I was Ireland coach they would still win. Losing isn't a possibility against England in Croke Park.
 
Oh, it's possible.


However it's just as likely as, say, Eddie Jone admitting the team he's coaching was beat by a better side and not a bent ref... Never gonna happen.
 
Well, based on last Saturday, England have shown at least a competitive streak which has been missing all season. So expect them to bring the physical challenge.

Ireland have been a bad team pretending to be good for the last few years as well. Just that with that win over France, and a stuffing of Italy, they now have every right to call themselves a good team.

So predictions wise, I'd go for an Ireland win because the game's at Croke Park. And apart from the fact that any away game is difficult, Croke Park for Englishmen is something else. I went there and was told about Paddy O'Putupon who was shot on the tryline and the origins of Hill 16 and saw all the plaques around the ground commemorating things in gaelic only... and I felt guilty. Let's face it, the British weren't very nice to the Irish and Croke Park is a more effective Nationalist monument than any obelisk or statue. So already the Irish ought to have the psychological edge.

I'd hope England make a few changes as well. Worsley's played himself into the 7 shirt again, which means we'll need more pace in the back row to compensate. I'd swap Easter for Narraway... Easter has never done less than his best for England but he is a limited player, and Narraway offers more.

Even if Care is fit, I'd keep Ellis. Though Care has to come into the match squad. Ellis is slow at getting the ball out, but his defence, awareness and danger on the break make him worth his place. Care's decision making is what really lets him down...

I'd change Goode for Flood as well, and bring Cipriani into the match squad. Goode is there for his kicking, and this is not going well for him so he has to go.

Obviously Tait in for Tindall.

And I'd bring JSD into the 22, with Croft at 18 and Armitage 19.
 
no doubt the D'Arcy Wallace debate will rumble on, still think Wallace should get the nod though. D'Arcy will probably play a full game for Leinster this weekend so a little more match sharpness may give him a better chance of starting but I think Kidney will give Paddy another chance
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 16 2009, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
no doubt the D'Arcy Wallace debate will rumble on, still think Wallace should get the nod though. D'Arcy will probably play a full game for Leinster this weekend so a little more match sharpness may give him a better chance of starting but I think Kidney will give Paddy another chance[/b]


well that's only if paddy is able to see!


and Yeah I think Goode is just good going forward but no control of the game



Personally I feel sorry for England, because I can assure you.. the irish lads will really really be fired up for the white shirts
 
Only Changes I would make would be Tait - Tindall,, and Flood - Goode.

Apart from that I would keep the side the same,

It's going to be a tight physical game, lot of passion in this one!!!

Can't wait!
 
....I think England will loose by a bazillion points.


Hey, if it almost worked against Wales, its bound to work against the Irish!!!
 
What did happen to Lora, he made a brief comeback before the Summer Tour to SA? then dissapeared again. He didn't get banned again did he? I know he said some retarded things, but he was kinda loveable wasn't he?
 
certainly brightened up the place but no doubt some will think we're better off without him.
 
I think I'll only try and predict this match once I know who the ref is XD

A wild stab would be Ireland to win by the tiniest of margins.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nidhogg @ Feb 16 2009, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
I think I'll only try and predict this match once I know who the ref is XD

A wild stab would be Ireland to win by the tiniest of margins.[/b]

Craig Joubert.
 
If Care is healthy, I would bring him back into the Squad, along with Flood in for Goode, and Tait in for Tindall. I'd keep tindall on the bench though, because we could end up needing the physicality in the back line, and tindall is a monster.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 16 2009, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Feb 16 2009, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 16 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Craig Joubert.[/b]
WHO? :eek:

He doesnt sound like much of a referee to me!
[/b][/quote]

the one what posed the question wrong in Paris in 2007.
[/b][/quote]

A referee who has previously cost us a 6N championship you say? excellent. At least we Won't have Steve Walsh against Wales.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PommyDave @ Feb 17 2009, 12:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
We'll win comfortably at Joke Park.[/b]

Yes England will. I 100% agree that they will win at 'Joke Park', as you have some wittily parodied the name.

It's absolutely definite now. Infact, I don't think the game is worth playing. Put it down as a 3 - 70 win to England.

For anyone who missed that, he ryhmed Croke and Joke.
 

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