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

[Jockstap]

I know you have to consider the opposition but thought Earls was solid today. Hopefully Kidney will see Ryan should be starting next week, along with Reddan. Overall good result but patchy performance. We needed that.

 

[big ginger 8]

I think he means Tom Court's try.

Might look back at that one but didn't see it myself. Don't think anyone in the stadium apart from Court expected him to go.

 

[coonor]

We need to identify the difference between the first and second half and for me it clearly was playing off 10. I have said it time and again Ireland play their best rugby off 10 not 9. In the scecond half we put our big runners like Ferris in channels where they could break through and we saw how well that works.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

So we saw that Ireland perform better with Sexton and Reddan at 10 and 9. Quelle surprise.

Don't get too carried away. It was only Italy. France will be a proper test. Reddan and Ryan should start that one.

 

[Jockstap]

So we saw that Ireland perform better with Sexton and Reddan at 10 and 9. Quelle surprise.

Don't get too carried away. It was only Italy. France will be a proper test. Reddan and Ryan should start that one.

Hopefully, they've given Kidney no choice but I still think O'Callaghan will start over Ryan, Kidney loves DOC.

 

[lucky number 7]

Lads sexton at 12 was bloody tasty there was an instance where the ball was at the Wing in 2 passes like a bullet .. Was properly brilliant

 

[monkeypigeon]

I don't know who's coaching the scrumhalves at Munster. Because they turned O'Leary from a decent scrummie into a **** one, and Murray has gone from a snappyish scrumhalf who made the odd-run into the next Harry Ellis (but with the Box kick habit of Tomas O'Leary).

Earls has had three matches at centre in a row without being **** now...clearly saving it for France.

 

[lucky number 7]

Sexton at 12 was beautiful...If madigan steps up I reckon it could work..

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sexton at 12 was beautiful...If madigan steps up I reckon it could work..

How long was he playing twelve. I take it it was quite effective I remember calling for it pre World Cup.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Sexton at 12 was beautiful...If madigan steps up I reckon it could work..

I've heard that idea floated a few times now. It's certainly a possibility. That said, Johnny 10 is the best flyhalf in Europe, Madigan would have to really tear it up over the next two seasons for it to become a possibility. I'd be a lot happier with Sexton at 10 for the moment and Fitzgerald at 12.

 

[lucky number 7]

I've heard that idea floated a few times now. It's certainly a possibility. That said, Johnny 10 is the best flyhalf in Europe, Madigan would have to really tear it up over the next two seasons for it to become a possibility. I'd be a lot happier with Sexton at 10 for the moment and Fitzgerald at 12.

That's probably true but by god were there passes floated beautifully and threats posed by Johnny 12...

 

[lynam1104]

Dose anyone reckon Madigan could move to Munster to ensure a starting spot? ROG will probably leave in the next two years and in that time Madigan could easily become a top operator.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Dose anyone reckon Madigan could move to Munster to ensure a starting spot? ROG will probably leave in the next two years and in that time Madigan could easily become a top operator.

Couldn't see it happening really. Firstly because by all accounts Madigan is a cocky little ****, he'll fully back himself to win the 10 shirt off Sexton. couldn't see him essentially saying he's not as good a player as Johnny by moving down to Munster. Secondly, Madigan is a running fly half. His first option will always be to get his head up and look for the gap. Next option would be to pass, then finally he'd think of the kick if nothing else was on. That's not how Munster like to play. I don't think it'd work for Madigan or Munster. Anyway, they'll probably be looking for Hanrahan to take over from ROG eventually.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Couldn't see it happening really. Firstly because by all accounts Madigan is a cocky little ****, he'll fully back himself to win the 10 shirt off Sexton. couldn't see him essentially saying he's not as good a player as Johnny by moving down to Munster. Secondly, Madigan is a running fly half. His first option will always be to get his head up and look for the gap. Next option would be to pass, then finally he'd think of the kick if nothing else was on. That's not how Munster like to play. I don't think it'd work for Madigan or Munster. Anyway, they'll probably be looking for Hanrahan to take over from ROG eventually.

Is Hanrahan's primary position centre or outhalf?

 

[big ginger 8]

Is Hanrahan's primary position centre or outhalf?

Outhalf though he seems equally comfortable in both positions.

Think D'arcy actually had his best game for a good while, Kearney was running brilliantly as well AND O'Connell was brilliant IMO.

 

[SelimNiai]

Kearney was terrific, looks like hes back to his best

 

[Groundhog]

Kearney was man of the match for me. The Irish backs were good (apart from Murray really). As much as I hate to say it Reddan brought a lot to Ireland's game when he came on. From where I was in the stand it looked like the Irish pack were muscled off the ball too easily early on in the game

 

[bushytop]

Ferris, Kerney, O'connel were awesome. Bowe was class as per, Healy manned up and Ryan should always start.

With a bit of common sence Ireland will be quality.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ferris, Kerney, O'connel were awesome. Bowe was class as per, Healy manned up and Ryan should always start.

With a bit of common sence Ireland will be quality.

Unfortunately Kidney doesn't seem to have any.

Kidney is willing to experiment when it doesn't matter (warm-up games, last 20 minutes here) but won't when it matters.

 

[shtove]

We've never had a complete player at 9, but Murray is shy of quality in every department - good but not good enough. Worried that he's the difference between winning and losing tight matches.

Some poor stuff from Sexton as well, but he made up for it.