RBS 6 Nations - Ireland vs Italy - 25/02/2012, 13:30

[munstermuffin]

Tried not to comment but what a bad team and well we are probably 1 team who have talent but will do our best to let Italy win.

Donnacha Ryan again not rewarded for form.
Backrow again totally unbalanced.
The midfield is suspect.
And well we'll probably play the best running 10 in a kicking game and to mix it up bring on the best tactical kicking 10 to play running game.

 

[big ginger 8]

Interesting article about bigger backs.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0221/1224312115246.html

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

In addition, the percentage of collective experience among forwards increased steadily from 33 per cent in teams reaching the quarter-finals to 40 per cent for the team winning a World Cup.

I found this really interesting. Have they just forgot about backs or does sticking around with experienced backs not make a huge difference. If that were the case I wish Deco would realise that experience isn't the be all and end all and just drop D'Arcy.

 

[big ginger 8]

Think most realise backs is more about pace and agility which starts to wane in the late 20's whereas the tight five at least is more pure strength which will keep improving and at the least won't get worse till around the 50's.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Interesting article about bigger backs.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0221/1224312115246.html

Bugger that. I don't buy this size thing one bit. If you're good enough then you're big enough. Is Brian O'Driscoll particularly massive? Conrad Smith? James O'Connor? Wesley Fofana? I could go on and on. A centre doesn't have to be any bigger than around 6 foot to be effective, he just needs to be a good defender and offer something beside raw physicality in attack. The problem is that none of the three centres we'll have played in this tournament can do this at an international level.

It's a shame that we have a few injuries in this position (and that steady Deccie is in charge) because I'd love to see a midfield of Luke Fitzgerald & Darren Cave at some point. Both very impressive players and with the skill sets to succeed in an international midfield. Oh, and they're both over 6 foot if that's what you're looking for.

 

[big ginger 8]

Bugger that. I don't buy this size thing one bit. If you're good enough then you're big enough. Is Brian O'Driscoll particularly massive? Conrad Smith? James O'Connor? Wesley Fofana? I could go on and on. A centre doesn't have to be any bigger than around 6 foot to be effective, he just needs to be a good defender and offer something beside raw physicality in attack. The problem is that none of the three centres we'll have played in this tournament can do this at an international level.

It's a shame that we have a few injuries in this position (and that steady Deccie is in charge) because I'd love to see a midfield of Luke Fitzgerald & Darren Cave at some point. Both very impressive players and with the skill sets to succeed in an international midfield. Oh, and they're both over 6 foot if that's what you're looking for.

I agree I've always said the skill set is more important. Just thought I'd post it because it's what plenty of people are talking about. Simply because of Wales' big backs but as many have said before they are skillful big men.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I agree I've always said the skill set is more important. Just thought I'd post it because it's what plenty of people are talking about. Simply because of Wales' big backs but as many have said before they are skillful big men.

It's not like we're terribly tiny in the back line. If we went with the centres I mentioned (and we should, because I'm such a legend) they'd all be over 6 foot, apart from Earls.

 

[big ginger 8]

Don't think it's even pure size power can make up for it.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

It's not like we're terribly tiny in the back line. If we went with the centres I mentioned (and we should, because I'm such a legend) they'd all be over 6 foot, apart from Earls.

I can't stop laughing after reading that. It's so true.

 

[big ginger 8]

I can't stop laughing after reading that. It's so true.

Flirting much? Paul and James will be jealous.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Flirting much? Paul and James will be jealous.http://www.therugbyforum.com/forumOLD/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif

Yeah yeah I make one joke and admit over the internet that I love James O'Connor and Paul Marshall and now all of a sudden I'm homosexual.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Don't think it's even pure size power can make up for it.

Very true. In his heyday it seemed like Gordon D'arcy would make an extra 3 or 4 metres in the tackle because he had so much power in his legs. Hasn't been up to it since he picked up that ankle injury last year unfortunately.

 

[big ginger 8]

Very true. In his heyday it seemed like Gordon D'arcy would make an extra 3 or 4 metres in the tackle because he had so much power in his legs. Hasn't been up to it since he picked up that ankle injury last year unfortunately.

Yeah one of McFadden's best attributes is his leg drive which as you say enables him to gain the extra few metres.

 

[munstermuffin]

But in fairness Ireland don't have that big physical centre like Nonu (NZ) Roberts (Wales) Tuilagi (Eng) the French have a few and well Downey is probably th closest but not sure is he international class

 

[big ginger 8]

But in fairness Ireland don't have that big physical centre like Nonu (NZ) Roberts (Wales) Tuilagi (Eng) the French have a few and well Downey is probably th closest but not sure is he international class

Which is true and I wish some friends would listen to that have heard some insane arguments for moving Ferris or SO'B to centre or as one guy just keeps saying Simon Zebo. Ridiculous.

 

[lucky number 7]

I can't stop laughing after reading that. It's so true.

Ah here lad...That's how you pull a bird at a junior cert disco..

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We definitely don't need a big centre we just don't need Earls or D'Arcy either.... I would also preferably stay away from Zebo.

 

[big ginger 8]

ah here lad...that's how you pull a bird at a junior cert disco..

wezz!!!:d

 

[lucky number 7]

I would say Fitzgerald deserves centre to be honest...as Fiec said his skillset is brilliant..and he is handsome.

 

[lucky number 7]

wezz!!!:d

I was meant to go once back in my prime...