[RWC2019][Pool A] Round 1 - Ireland vs. Scotland (22/09/2019)

[Amiga500]

Or as the Scots call it, a wee drizzle.

A saft rain.

 

[mosfeldt]

Even though we normally beat them, playing the Scots in recent years has tended to be a nervous, shaky affair. There's often a big scare in the first 60 minutes of the game, where we have to weather the storm before our superior pack closes the game out. They know if they lose this, they will have a huge challenge against Japan. The host nation playing against their home crowd with an almost guaranteed qualification if they win, against a T1 side. It will be hell. Same goes for us if we lose this.

Scotland are going to absolutely throw the kitchen sink at us. If we're able to force them to play our game we will win. If the cobwebs haven't been properly blown off and we're sloppy Scotland will shred us apart. I can just see the Scottish backs going mental, running in try after try against a shell-shocked and overwhelmed Irish team. Really hope it is p.issing tbh.

I'm anxious af about this one!

 

[General Melchett]

Wet and windy will be like manor from heaven for Ireland. I would take dry conditions even if it meant Henshaw and Kearney being fit and available.

 

[big ginger 8]

Wet and windy will be like manor from heaven for Ireland. I would take dry conditions even if it meant Henshaw and Kearney being fit and available.

Our game is based around possession, I really doubt we'd be happy with wet and windy.

 

[munstermuffin]

Earls and Kearney are fit. Trained fine.

 

[General Melchett]

Our game is based around possession, I really doubt we'd be happy with wet and windy.

Manor from heaven in the sense that the conditions and a slippery ball will hinder Scotland's faster game on a supposedly fast pitch.

 

[BPM]

I think you mean 'manna'. The 'manor from heaven' sounds like something from MTV Cribs.

 

[g6mcg]

Manor from heaven in the sense that the conditions and a slippery ball will hinder Scotland's faster game on a supposedly fast pitch.

Yeah, no way Scotland win a wet game - Ireland much better at tactical kicking and have more carrying options.

Edit: Tends to be fairly helpful in the dry too...

 

[General Melchett]

Yeah, no way Scotland win a wet game - Ireland much better at tactical kicking and have more carrying options.

Our best hope is some visible bastardry from Peter O'Mahony in the first five minutes that gets caught by the officials leading to a red card or that the entire Irish front row gets struck by lightning.

 

[g6mcg]

Dunno, my main hope is no controversial incidents that mean the rugby isn't discussed...

 

[General Melchett]

Forecast is now saying light rain or maybe even dry. Scotland soaking their balls in shampoo and conditioner in training.

 

[Amiga500]

Scotland soaking their balls in shampoo and conditioner in training.

Ah now... that's cos the Scots have never seen shampoo or conditioner before and are going off what Laidlaw told them that he once overheard someone in Gloucester say they used shampoo to clean their balls....

 

[dunney77]

I was saying at work today. If Ireland beat SA/NZ in a 1/4, I think they'll go on to win it all with the momentum.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

IRELAND (probable, versus Scotland)

A Conway; J Larmour, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, T Furlong, I Henderson, J Ryan, P O'Mahony, J van der Flier, CJ Stander.


Hmmmm... Don't like the back three or back row.

 

[Reiser99]

IRELAND (probable, versus Scotland)

A Conway; J Larmour, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, T Furlong, I Henderson, J Ryan, P O'Mahony, J van der Flier, CJ Stander.


Hmmmm... Don't like the back three or back row.

That looks conservative rather than ambitious. Scotland definitely got an opportunity.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That looks conservative rather than ambitious. Scotland definitely got an opportunity.

I don't think they've got much of one, a worse XV beat them away in the 6n fairly handy.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best (c), Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sean O'Brien, Jack Conan.

Sexton went off in the first half that day too.

 

[g6mcg]

I don't think they've got much of one, a worse XV beat them away in the 6n fairly handy.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best (c), Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sean O'Brien, Jack Conan.

Sexton went off in the first half that day too.

Think you've forgotten that was entirely due to foul play from O'Mahony

 

[sigesige00]

I think Scotland will have targeted this game more than the potential quarters/semis. Win and it gives them a huge confidence boost and momentum. They will have a tough quarter final regardless so the need to get some genuine belief going.

Scotland has never beaten the ABs (0 win, 2 ties, 29 defeats). How about the Springboks?

 

[Leinster Fan]

IRELAND (probable, versus Scotland)

A Conway; J Larmour, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, T Furlong, I Henderson, J Ryan, P O'Mahony, J van der Flier, CJ Stander.


Hmmmm... Don't like the back three or back row.

Don't hate the back three in all honestly, it'd be better with Kearney and Earls but it's worth seeing how Larmour and Conway do and the experience will be good for them.

Same with the backrow, I'd prefer Conan but we don't need as much ball carrying power against the Scots compared to other teams, other than Best that tight five's power in contact is ridiculous.

That looks conservative rather than ambitious. Scotland definitely got an opportunity.

Other than messing around with the backrow and/or dropping Best everyone there is much better than any other options. I'd say there's a decent chance Conan and Scannell with start the next game again Japan anyway, it's a six day turnaround.

 

[Groundhog]

Ah happy enough with that (apparent) team all in all. I trust Conway to do the job and Larmour on the wing should be fine. I'd love to have Kearney fit. Backrow is maybe conservative but was there any indication it would be otherwise? Still a very strong side out.