Italy vs Ireland - 16/03/2013

[Peat]

Eoin McLove at standoff again.
What is the general feeling of him?

He's brill sure. He just is.

That said, I want with all my heart to see Marshall and Madigan brought on for 15-20 minutes of absolute madness.

As for lock - I'd have started O'Callaghan, as McCarthy is turning into the Irish version of Mouritz Botha (or maybe that should be the English version #trollin) - but he offers very little impact off a bench and risks a dysfunctional lineout, particularly as Ryan's fitness seems very dubious. Ulster only really have one lock who'd be suitable for replacing Ryan and that's Tuohy. His last game was good, but his form was indifferent leading up to that, and Kidney doesn't seem to rate him anyway. Will be interesting to see how Toner goes.

 

[Amiga500]

I'd like to see weeP get about 15 mins with PJ outside of him.

I don't want to see a scenario where everyone is raving about Madigan being so much better than PJ... due to Madigan not having to wait on Murray to actually get and pass the fekking ball. Its not as if the Irish meeja have ever picked up on his (Murray's) slow service.

 

[munstermuffin]

It's strange so when Murray went off last week PJ disappeared. But agree hope Murray and rest of Munster lads are replaced fast and healthy.
As for locks Peat I think it true Kidney doesn't rate Tuohy but if he rates Toner then there is an issue. I just think it dodgy having Toner for the lineout alone when he'll be blown away physically if called upon early.

 

[big ginger 8]

It's strange so when Murray went off last week PJ disappeared. But agree hope Murray and rest of Munster lads are replaced fast and healthy.
As for locks Peat I think it true Kidney doesn't rate Tuohy but if he rates Toner then there is an issue. I just think it dodgy having Toner for the lineout alone when he'll be blown away physically if called upon early.

Think you are underrating Toner and if Tuohy's picked we seriously need him for the lineout I know you feel it's not important enough to warrant his inclusion but just look at what happened in the Scotland game when we didn't have a lineout. Toners carrying won't matter if we don't have a platform from which to attack it's vital especially with our maul going strong. The coaching staff had said the 23 was going to be picked from the training squad so in need of an experience middle jumper and caller Toner was the best option. I don't think he's going to be amazing but he's our best option from essentially nothing.

Anyway I don't thik it really matters who Kidney rates anymore (hopefully).

 

[Big Ewis]

I don't even know what to want for this match. Of course I want a pretty match and a tight one with suspense but...
if Italy lose this, then France doesn't get the spoon. We're good. But I can't really wish that, coz they're on such a high right now after Twickenham's performance, and it would be awesome for the Azzurri would they finish as they've started this 6N. A solid, well run victory in Rome.

On the other hand, I like Ireland too. And they deserved so much more than this, this year. To think they were "favorites". But we'll have to crap all over Scotland scoring wise to get the points way up if Italy wins. We'll be tied at 3 points on the table for 1 win and 1 draw with Ireland.

In pts diff.: they're -2 right now, and if they lose necessarily they drop even more...and we're -25. If Italy can beat Ireland by like 5-8 pts, we need to beat Scotland by about 16-19....

 

[munstermuffin]

Think you are underrating Toner and if Tuohy's picked we seriously need him for the lineout I know you feel it's not important enough to warrant his inclusion but just look at what happened in the Scotland game when we didn't have a lineout. Toners carrying won't matter if we don't have a platform from which to attack it's vital especially with our maul going strong. The coaching staff had said the 23 was going to be picked from the training squad so in need of an experience middle jumper and caller Toner was the best option. I don't think he's going to be amazing but he's our best option from essentially nothing.

Anyway I don't thik it really matters who Kidney rates anymore (hopefully).

Agreed like I accept he is the best available for the lineout but as I say I just don't rate him at this level but I suppose given circumstances and major injury list but I wouldn't be 100% confident in him. Like I accept your reasoning and understand logic but as you say I do underrate/ don't rate Toner.

 

[Tony Manx]

On paper this is an ireland win...on the pitch in Italy away from home...not sure!

Both teams have huge weaknesses due to lack of depth of decent players (Italy) and injuries (Ireland)..............but I really hope that BOD has a great game and that Ireland wins on what is probably his last international for Ireland after the service, blood and sweat he has given "to the cause".

I presume it will be his last match - if there is a new coach very probably but may not be so if Kidney remains in situ as he will keep BOD in there when he is has to be brought to the game in a bathchair and is playing alongside the two sons he will have over the next few years!!!

All that being said, I will not be upset by an Italian win by a team that has played well mostly in this 6N.............

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

It's strange so when Murray went off last week PJ disappeared. But agree hope Murray and rest of Munster lads are replaced fast and healthy.
As for locks Peat I think it true Kidney doesn't rate Tuohy but if he rates Toner then there is an issue. I just think it dodgy having Toner for the lineout alone when he'll be blown away physically if called upon early.

Jackson didn't really do much for the whole game. He kicked well but we really didn't spin it wide very well, we ran switch lines all day long and it didn't work. Reddan tried two kicks, one bad and one very unlucky and then he broke his leg and Madigan played 9.

 

[big ginger 8]

O'Driscoll to score 13 tries.

 

[jkUNCAcap]

O'Driscoll to score 13 tries.

If he ran support for me, I'd give him the ball to touch down every single time.

 

[Big Ewis]

 

[Peat]

Love it.

Right, best of luck to the Irish (Ginger Prince, Skywalker, Rory, Betfair, Babyface and Small P in particular) - time I was out and about getting slowly shatfaced. If Ireland win, it'll be down to them, and if they lose, it's because NEUM.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who's betfair?

Speaking of: I've got a fiver on Gilroy first try, and a tenner Italy to win.
Kerching...hopefully.

 

[Peat]

Who's betfair?

Speaking of: I've got a fiver on Gilroy first try, and a tenner Italy to win.
Kerching...hopefully.

Because he was going to stick a tenner on himself to score first try at the Aviva Opener until he was told he couldn't, or so I am told.

 

[lynam1104]

Because he was going to stick a tenner on himself to score first try at the Aviva Opener until he was told he couldn't, or so I am told.

That is brilliant story, confidant young man for sure.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Switched to RTE, cba listening to the BBC talking about England constantly when they aren't even playing now.

 

[big ginger 8]

Really nice tribute by RTE for O'Driscoll....for the second week in a row.

Good to see the sun shining.

 

[dualtamac]

Italy's pack doing to us what we did to France last week.

 

[dualtamac]

Jeez, lineout is atrociously bad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rory Best's throwing.....

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