Pro12 Round 15

[TRF_Olyy]

Haha, that is hilarious.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Really good Leinster win. Madigan, Ryan, Cronin and Goodman were the best performers. McGrath, Hagan, Murphy, McFadden and Fitzgerald put in good shifts. O'Malley was okay and will be better for the run out after so long out injured.

The top four is beginning to take shape.

 

[SelimNiai]

I hear ROG had a bit of a 'mare

 

[dullonien]

I hear ROG had a bit of a 'mare

He was bloody appalling. Had a load of tape around his head by the end, and that's never a good omen! Munster were rubbish in general, just shipping the ball on laterally until making a mistake or the Scarlets turned the ball over. Didn't put the Scarlets under any pressure whatsoever. Laulala was the only one to trouble the Scarlets defence when he came on.

Scarlets actually played ok. They were on top up front, and looked more dangerous behind. Gareth Owen in particular impressed me. If he can keep playing like this, the Scarlets should get him in at 12 inside Jon Davies so that offloading game of his can release Davies into space where he's most dangerous. Really enjoying seeing Owen playing well again, I'm a fan of the way he plays the game, always looking for the offload.

Also impressed with the halfback partership, and Fenby looked good on the wing again. Anyone know why he was dropped in favour of Phillips over the Christmas period, was Fenby injured?

It was a little disappointing that they failed to convert a couple of their chances into try's, but a very positive performance and result.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He was bloody appalling.

Yet he'll still start for Ireland against Scotland because he's experienced. There's no way he should be near the Ireland squad at this stage. I only caught the last 10 minutes of the game so can't judge his performance. I thought it was telling that former team mate Alan Quinlan and his head cheerleader George Hook were talking about his diminishing abilities post match. Before now he's been immune to criticism from the Irish press.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yet he'll still start for Ireland against Scotland because he's experienced. There's no way he should be near the Ireland squad at this stage. I only caught the last 10 minutes of the game so can't judge his performance. I thought it was telling that former team mate Alan Quinlan and his head cheerleader George Hook were talking about his diminishing abilities post match. Before now he's been immune to criticism from the Irish press.

In contrast I hear that Mads was very good against an admittedly awful Treviso.


Were you at the Leinster game Snoop? It's heartening to hear that Goodman and Madigan had good games, considering they're both going to be very important players for us next season. The presence of Fitz and O'Malley in the back line makes me much more confident about our prospects than I was earlier in the year.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Really good Leinster win. Madigan, Ryan, Cronin and Goodman were the best performers. McGrath, Hagan, Murphy, McFadden and Fitzgerald put in good shifts. O'Malley was okay and will be better for the run out after so long out injured.

The top four is beginning to take shape.

I missed the match but I heard Reid had a good cameo too?

 

[Peat]

Nevermind Reid, what's this I hear about Boss at 12?!

I really hope ROG walks at the end of this season. Given everything I've heard about his recent conduct, given everything he's done, it'd be nice to see him walk out head held fairly high rather than continue as a shadow of what was.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Nevermind Reid, what's this I hear about Boss at 12?!

I really hope ROG walks at the end of this season. Given everything I've heard about his recent conduct, given everything he's done, it'd be nice to see him walk out head held fairly high rather than continue as a shadow of what was.

Boss is generally used as a 3rd sub in the backs as well as a scrum half, if that makes any sense. I don't think this is the first time he's been used in the midfield and I know he's played on the wing quite a few times. Makes sense really, considering his skill set.

 

[Peat]

Boss is generally used as a 3rd sub in the backs as well as a scrum half, if that makes any sense. I don't think this is the first time he's been used in the midfield and I know he's played on the wing quite a few times. Makes sense really, considering his skill set.

I knew Hugo could play full-back and am not surprised to hear about him on the wing, but never heard of him being used at centre... old veteran at 12, I scent the fell hand of Kidney at play.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I knew Hugo could play full-back and am not surprised to hear about him on the wing, but never heard of him being used at centre... old veteran at 12, I scent the fell hand of Kidney at play.

I don't think so tbh. He's a good defender, excellent pass, could be used for crash ball too. Exactly the kind of guy Schmidt likes at 12. i wouldn't read much more into it than that.

 

[Draggs]

I think our second row was carrying an injury.
Those that saw him at the Not Nots said that he was decent, certainly better than that.

Appalling though.

Munster were awful. Nearly as bad as the Ospreys semi. The old man looks ready to retire, he'll be 36 in a few weeks, certainly not planning on another Lions tour? He's got the full set of Tri Nations defeats.

 

[Peat]

That was tongue in cheek. Even I don't think Kidney is that mad.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Tell you the Bennett lad from Glasgow can seriously play. I know the Dragons were poor but you could see he was a different quality to the rest. Can see his time in France has helped him. He put a MoM performance in for the U20s the week before, wonder how long before the national side look at him.

 

[psychic duck]

I think our second row was carrying an injury.
Those that saw him at the Not Nots said that he was decent, certainly better than that.

Appalling though.

He wasn't I don't think. I just saw on Gwlad his other attempted tackle and he was equally too slow and missed it, and he'd only been on a couple of minutes, he was running like that throughout. I've seen Dragons fans nicknaming him "Dross" Tyler btw, I shouldn't think we will see him again in RaboPro12 action again any time soon.

Edwards is only one cog in the machine. We dropped Turner and things only got worse.
It's deeper than the coaching staff.

You seen his rants on Twitter following this result?

Maybe one of the young props would be acceptable on the bench, but tbh I've not seen too much in any of them to suggest they'll become quality regional players. Only Coombs since his international performances is of a decent enough quality in the second row. Honestly, the fact that Sidoli is still playing at regional level is a joke. There is a little quality in the back-row, but there's a chance Faletau will leave, and Ieuan Jones lacks experience at present, but will hopefully develop.

In the back-line, it's a case of not quite good enough and too young/inexperienced to really be playing at this level. Jonathan Evans is the main exception, as he's been performing on a consistent basis. Even Chavhanga has looked decidedly rubbish thus far, although I think he'd look better on the end of a decent back-line. Tom Prydie is good enough imo. The rest are either hugely inconsistent (Ashley Smith, Hughes, Tuilagi, Dan Evans, Leach), not the player they once were (Harries) or yet again to young (Amos, Steffan Jones).

I'd say that a good 50% of the Dragons squad aren't of the necessary standard, with many of the youngsters likely not ever going to be good enough (sorry but the likes of Robbling are never going to cut it imo). There's only a hand-full of players good enough to be starting big regional games, and a further few good enough to be sitting on the bench. That's far from good enough.

On top of this, the coaching looks terrible.

No offence Dullonien. But it's a bit strange that given the plethora of jokes on the field for the Dragons in that 60-3 result, you single out Sidoli a player who wasn't in the match 23. And his replacement Ian Nimmo has been dire for most of the season anyway. Dragons got worse problems than old Sidoli.

Whilst a couple of the players mention positively such as Jonathan Evans and Tom Prydie both were absolutely dreadful. Prydie has especially been very mediocre these last couple months or so I feel, hardly contributes anything other than so-so goal kicking.

Tell you the Bennett lad from Glasgow can seriously play. I know the Dragons were poor but you could see he was a different quality to the rest. Can see his time in France has helped him. He put a MoM performance in for the U20s the week before, wonder how long before the national side look at him.

Just a shame for Glasgow that he's only back with them on a temporary season long loan to get game time. Great news for Scotland though, they have been crying out for a talented centre for years now. Just look at their centres they have had over the past decade or so.

 

[big ginger 8]

In contrast I hear that Mads was very good against an admittedly awful Treviso.


Were you at the Leinster game Snoop? It's heartening to hear that Goodman and Madigan had good games, considering they're both going to be very important players for us next season. The presence of Fitz and O'Malley in the back line makes me much more confident about our prospects than I was earlier in the year.

Thought Madigan was excellent only missed one kick which was right out on the right hand side tackled well, passed excellently and had one very nice break. The usual.

I missed the match but I heard Reid had a good cameo too?

Yeah he is a player that when he spots a gap can really take it still more of a 12 I'd say.

Also a pity no one will see Cronin's tries any winger would have been happy to score them.

 

[dullonien]

No offence Dullonien. But it's a bit strange that given the plethora of jokes on the field for the Dragons in that 60-3 result, you single out Sidoli a player who wasn't in the match 23. And his replacement Ian Nimmo has been dire for most of the season anyway. Dragons got worse problems than old Sidoli.

Whilst a couple of the players mention positively such as Jonathan Evans and Tom Prydie both were absolutely dreadful. Prydie has especially been very mediocre these last couple months or so I feel, hardly contributes anything other than so-so goal kicking.

Yeah I know, I just constantly find it crazy that Sidoli is still playing regional rugby, whether he's their worst second-row or not. He's an experienced ex international, so should be performing to a higher level than he does, and to be someone to lead this inexperienced side, but is constantly no more than meh! I know he wasn't playing tonight, but I was commenting on the squad as a whole.

Jonathan Evans was poor tonight, but has been in fine form all season otherwise. I also agree that Prydie has been poor of late, but I have a gut feeling that he's better than he looks, but is being dragged down to the standards of those inside him. Look at how Coombs has shone with decent players around him for Wales, he'll probably return to the Dragons and look no more than average again. This just shows that it's not always easy to shine in a poor team, giving those that do extra credit, the likes of Parise for Italy or Lydiate and Faletau for the Dragons.

 

[psychic duck]

I think our second row was carrying an injury.
Those that saw him at the Not Nots said that he was decent, certainly better than that.

Appalling though.

By the way Draggs. It was the same player who missed that tackle for Swinson's second try (http://youtu.be/dghE2cjM2dI?t=1h26m14s). So he was on for 9 minutes and made 0 tackles but missed 3 and 2 of which led to tries. Appalling as you say.

 

[LittleGuy]

By the way Draggs. It was the same player who missed that tackle for Swinson's second try (http://youtu.be/dghE2cjM2dI?t=1h26m14s). So he was on for 9 minutes and made 0 tackles but missed 3 and 2 of which led to tries. Appalling as you say.

Nine minutes HAHAHAHA, he's running around out there like he's been on for 90. Could we have a candidate for TRF's worst ever XV?

 

[psychic duck]

Nine minutes HAHAHAHA, he's running around out there like he's been on for 90. Could we have a candidate for TRF's worst ever XV?

A shoo in for lock. Joining Campese Ma'afu (Cardiff Blues) at prop and Piers Francis (Edinburgh) at 10 ...