Scotland v Ireland

[Feicarsinn]

Scrumtime will be very interesting

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

Mike Ross baby, Mike Ross.

I'm not too worried about the scrum anymore. We've played the best to units in the competition, if not the world, so it's going to be a lot easier in this department for the next few games.

Anyways, hopefully we'll win. Bowe will be back which is good. Ferris won't be, which is bad. If the weather is in any way decent I can see us taking it. A slog in Murrayfield certainly isn't an inviting prospect.

The centre issue is a big one. D'arcy has looked very poor in his recent outings and deserves to be dropped. While Paddy Wallace is a decent player, I don't think he's good enough to be an international starter. Bowe at 13 is certainly an option as Drico has everything required to make a very good 12. I'd like to see McFadden given a shot. Who'd have thought at the beginning of the season that we'd seriously be considering having Fergus as our starting 12 for the World Cup? What a season for the chap.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm not too worried about the scrum anymore. We've played the best to units in the competition, if not the world, so it's going to be a lot easier in this department for the next few games.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

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.

Oh dear oh dear. why do you think scoring 3 tries to 1 makes you deserving of the win? The whole point of penalties is that the team is being penalised, with an acknowledgement that the other team was in an advantageous position and if they didint take the penalty they might get points by other means. oh and Kearney!? sorry but a player is only as good as current form...i.e not so hot. Scotland were awful last weekend but against Ireland last year were great and deserve credit for taking the win.

By the way, whats this about ferris maybe being used at lock...? Few people have mentioned that and it sounds insane, why mess around with a good six. Realistically both teams should be afraid as both are underperforming. Ireland favourites but Scotland can win. i think Scotland need to tweak a few positions, and when I say tweak I mean throw Parks into the river, get R.Gray back into the forwards for some dynamism, and personally, I think they need a better 12.

Ireland should definitely start Reddan at 9, anyone but Thomas O Tool. And i'd say maybe give D'arcy another chance.

 

[munstermuffin]

Noone in Ireland has mentioned Ferris at 6 and he is ruled out.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Meh, no better than Castro or Domingo.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Ireland should definitely start Reddan at 9, anyone but Thomas O Tool. And i'd say maybe give D'arcy another chance.

*Tomás O'Tool

 

[Peat]

I rate Mincer. I think he's good enough for international level.

But there's not a way in hell you'd want to start him after his performance against Scarlets. Rarely has a player played himself so convincingly out of immediate international selection.

So he'll probably got the nod then

 

[THE_DINGMEISTER]

scotland scrum should be ok if Euan 'Road to Damascus' Murray is not starting. As it is a Sunday God has excused his servant Murray from doing his job so Low gets on (I thought he was a lot more solid against France and Ireland + has a game in the loose).

 

[seatea15]

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.

I've got to presume that this was only a half serious comment. True, based on Scotland's performance last weekend I could probably round up some mates and give them a good game.

Don't get too carried away over a good performance against France, I've been there a couple weeks ago and it doesn't end pretty!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

BBC Report: Scotland trio Joe Ansbro, Hugo Southwell and Rory Lamont out of match v Ireland on Sunday

 

[coonor]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/sixnations/22329.php

Eight players have been drafted into the Ireland squad and added to the match 22 that were on duty in the last round of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Andrew Trimble returned to competitive action for Ulster at the weekend following his hand injury and is included in the squad for this week's preparations ahead of the game against Scotland in Edinburgh.
Tommy Bowe also returned to play for Ospreys after recovering from the knee injury that has kept him out of the opening two rounds of the championship and has been included in the squad.

Backs Denis Hurley and Gavin Duffy came through unscathed from their provincial games in the Magners League and are named in the squad.

Second rows Mick O'Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan have also been called up as have Tony Buckley, who played for his province after returning from a hip injury, and back row Rhys Ruddock.

The Ireland squad will gather in Dublin this evening with the first training session scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Ireland Squad Additions

Andrew Trimble
Mick O'Driscoll
Donnacha Ryan
Gavin Duffy
Denis Hurley
Tony Buckley
Rhys Ruddock
Tommy Bowe

 

[munstermuffin]

Interesting to see Ruddock ahead of Jennings.
Nice to see Hurley added and well where is Stringer.

 

[Conal]

buckle mod hurley and trimble
please no

 

[durbutter]

No Stringer. **** off.

 

[munstermuffin]

In fairness Hurley has gone well

 

[Feicarsinn]

6 very average players, a young backrower who won't feature and a world class winger. Meh. If any of them save Tommy are in the 22 I'm shooting Deccie with a potato gun.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed that they not up to standard but they are probably the best of what's available

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Edit:
I can't read thread ***les

 

[Logorrhea]

Wales: Lee Byrne; Morgan Stoddart, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (capt), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Yydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Jonathan Thomas, Josh Turnbull, Tavis Knoyle, Rhys Priestland, Leigh Halfpenny

Pretty much what was expected

Not quite.

I expected a team of Scottish guys, not the Welsh. Thats probably the last thing I expected.

Very clever move by Robinson though.

 

[Seaton]

Above post is much more witty