Scotland v Ireland

[Teh Mite]

The only thing positive to the Irish cause all game was the try - Quite significant you may say. But then again, he has a man waiting outside who could have strolled in yet instead he chose to ho himself, nearly dropped the ball in the process and then barely made it.

 

[munstermuffin]

Nearly dropped it when skidding on ground ha. Mustve be watching different game.

Anyway back on Scottish game.
I'd like to see Bowe back on wing. Stringer in at 9. Ferris maybe with Wally who was brilliant yesterday brought on with 25 mins to go.
I'd also like us to use our bench more smartly like no disrespect to Leo Cullen but I'd say he is even annoyed at earning a cap for 36 seconds on the pitch. What was the point

 

[Teh Mite]

Clearly you were, you claim he was good.

 

[munstermuffin]

Can you quote where I said he did GOOD.
I stated he did well and later commented by saying it was better than his recent outings and clearly said with him being well that he shouldn't be a 9 so obviously you weren't eagle eyed

 

[Logorrhea]

Look your missing point

You are just trying to get me to accept that O'Leary was kinda alright, or not as bad as I feared, or just a little better the complete shite. He wasnt.

Again, its nothing personal but his pass is just not quick enough. His thought process is not quick enough. Hes simply not good enough for this level at this time.

And yeah, back on topic. Kidney actually made a point of making changes during this fixture two years ago. I'd expect Cullen to get a run with Reddan at 12 and Cronin at 2. Wallace should be given a go at 12, but Kidney may wait until Wales in order to give Darcy another shot to regain form (stupid).

Oh but nobody worry. All those players will be dropped regardless of how they perform to make way for the returning favourites in the next game

 

[Teh Mite]

Can you quote where I said he did GOOD.
I stated he did well and later commented by saying it was better than his recent outings and clearly said with him being well that he shouldn't be a 9 so obviously you weren't eagle eyed

Semantics don't cover up what you said:

Logorrhea I agree TOL shouldve been dropped before Sunday but in fairness he did well but if we are looking to unleash backs we need a passing 9.
D'Arcy has been poor for 2 games now in a woeful way so maybe Wallace deserves a shot but in fairness against France we did do alot of right things. Our pack and the different units within the pack all did well and I don't think major changes will be on cards

TOl I thought linked up well with Headlip a few times and i'm not saying he should be starter but thought that while he had some shocking moments ie that kick he did somethings well. Let's not forget he overpowered 2 props for the try.

You're justifying the rather large errors he had by pointing out, erm, nothing. Especially the "Overpowering" word used to describe falling over. Almost short. Underneath the props.

So in other words he beat a prop for speed in falling over...

 

[munstermuffin]

I accept all that he is at 9 for definsive purposes only. Stringer is best option for Sexton and Boss probably suits ROG best. I'm not trying to say TOL is worthy of a spot in 22 because he isn't but welli thought he was bit better than displays with Munster etc

 

[munstermuffin]

Look to clear me up:
I thought O'Leary did ok compared to recent crap we got off him
Stringer and Boss are still the 2 options based on balance that I'd prefer
And I'm not defending TOL for his selection but commenting on what I saw and it is an opinion

 

[seatea15]

I'd like to see a few changes for Scotland (actually I'd have liked to see similar for the Wales game, but never mind) -

Low in for Murray - This is almost certain as this game is on a Sunday.
Jackson in for Parks - Might be a risk but I'm struggling to see what we have to loose.
S. Lamont in for De Luca - De Luca is utter mince.
R. Lamont/Paterson in for Southwell - Where is R. Lamont by the way?
Beatie in for Hines - For the killer B's reunion.

 

[minidod]

Shite. Murrayfield is a dreadful stadium with woeful atmosphere.

We will probably score 5 tries but lose 33 - 30 to 11 Dan Parks penalties. It'll be okay because we can point to the consistency we bring to out game. Like;

--> Our consistent error count (17-20 per game folks)
--> Our negative penalty count 15-6 against
--> Our unwillingness to use the bench
--> Our unwillingness to drop players that are playing shite (Darcy and O'Leary I'm talking to you)
--> Our inability to win decent linout ball

Ireland should win this game, but we wont.

Those Stats could be used for Scotland as well.

After the performance against Wales I'm pretty gutted but if I'm thinking with my head, it's an Ireland victory easily.

The sheer fact that Ireland can score tries consistently defines the match - with backs like BOD, Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe (if he's back) and forwards who can make cracking plays on the ball like Jamie Heaslip and POC. Scotland should be able to do the same thing but the team just doesn't seem to come together on attacking plays. Even with a first choice backline of Parks, Morrison, Ansboro, Evans and Lamont which on paper offers so many options, nothing happens. If Scotland can get better field position to try and win kickable penalties from and someone shoots Hugo Southwell, there is a chance that we could grind out a win but it certainly won't be an attractive one!

The first player to be shoot should be that utter waste of space with 10 on his back (use the 0 as a target). Parks brings nothing to the game other than someone to shout at from the stands. Let Jackson and David Blair have a go it's not like we've really got anything to lose. Leave Southwell at full back I think he's learnt his lesson, or if R Lamont is fit put him or his brother there and the other on the wing, the only other option is Jim Thompson who is playing well for Edinburgh and Scotland A.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Is there a reason why Jackson is not preferred at fly half?

 

[Seaton]

Is there a reason why Jackson is not preferred at fly half?

Off the bat I would say experience, and that Robinson is hoping that Park kicks on for the world cup.


The last 2 games have shown that we don't really need Parks anymore (especially an out of form Parks)
We needed him because we could only play one brand of rugby, but now that we have Evans, Ansbro and a performing Lamont- whom are all, atm, confident in a passing game- we don't need a fly-half that sits so deep, and his latest attempts at cross field kicks (which cost us the 2007 RWC quaterfinal) have reminded me why I always used to hate him prior to 2009/2010

I would also say that if Jackson starts, so should Paterson, so that Jackson can just focus on playing and leave the pens/ (hopefully) conversions to Mosey
Looking back, I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Walker's performance, but he should still go out for somone who can actually run faster than a sumo wrestler

 

[THE_DINGMEISTER]

whilst I don't want to lay the blame on someone who is not parks or de luca, I think chunk got too involved in backline moves for my liking which sometimes led to knock ons, key example walker's inside ball in the second half which led to the william's try. Both lawson and blair were pretty aimless, possible alternatives of gregor and laidlaw?
Need R.Gray and John Beattie back.

 

[coonor]

I think Reddan or Stringer should start. Reddan has really upped the pace when ever he has came on and we all know stringer provides a slick pass.

I don't think Wallace is our answer to the problem at 12. He isn't really standing out for Ulster this season. Earls still has tackling problems.

I wouldn't mind seeing abit of bravery to Kidney's selection and in the long run it could pay off.

10) Sexton
11) Earls
12) Mcfadden
13) BOD
14) Bowe
15) Fitz

Mcfadden has the penetration that might be needed at inside and he has good footballing skills to. His passing ability is still questionable though

maybe even

10) Sexton
11) Earls
12) BOD
13) Bowe
14) McFadden/Trimble
15) Fitz

 

[banksy33]

Scotland are so hit and miss though aren't they, I'm putting down Ireland to win it, but it's not going to be the best match of the tournament :L

 

[coonor]

With lots of injured players coming back into contention how will the Ireland team be effected. Both Bowe and Ferris are major boosts for Ireland that are expected to make the Scottish game. Trimble should get some game time with Ulster as will Court and P. Wallace and all of those will be hoping to put in a performance that will convince Kidney to select them. Horgan is expected to be playing the next Fortnight but he may not be in contention for Ireland. A big performance from P.Wallace may see him take the 12 shirt in which D'arcy has looked poor. I think both Bowe and Ferris should be both put straight back into the Irish team if 100% fit.

My back row would be
6) Ferris
7) O'brien
8) Heaslip
20) D. Wallace

Tommy Bowe has really been missed by Ireland and he should walk back into the team however I think McFadden has taken his first caps well and he should maybe move to 12. Earls needs to get more ball in hand and he should look to come off the wing. Fitz looks very threatening and he would benefit by having the quality and experience of Bowe in the back 3 with him.

 

[conorjnr]

There is only 1 team in this game. Ireland should have beaten France last weekend but indisipline got the better of them. The try count was 3-1 in favour of Ireland. And lest ye not forget, that was a severely weakened Irish line up. No Tommy Bowe (won player of the tournament last year and Irelands biggest try scoring threat) and no Stephen Ferris, who is one of the best no 6s in world rugby, his running game is great and he tackles like a beast. Ireland were also missing there 2 starting full backs, Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy, both of them are quality. I wouldnt give Scotland a prayer, especially after Irelands embarrassing cock up last year. Ireland will be baying for blood.

Yes Scotland be afraid.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Scotland by 50+

 

[Seaton]

Scotland by 50+

Ah yes, the re-incarnation of Nostradamus has spoken



I'm going back to my routine of "All I expect of the troops is a performance worthy of the shirt, etc..."

Couldn't be arsed with result after last week

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Scrumtime will be very interesting

A massively under-performing Scottish scrum vs an oddly decent Irish scrum