Wales v Ireland, 02/02/13

[dullonien]

Who would you replace Jon Davies with, if you were to? Really looked the poorest of the backs to me.

Scott Williams is the obvious choice. But he has the same problems as Davies, without the flair. If Eli Walker is fit, we could try moving North, but that would be a huge gamble. Hook could come back in at centre as well.

Edit. So how confident are the Irish members now? I said beforehand that if you won this match you'd have a very good chance of winning the championship with England and France at home.

 

[SelimNiai]

Hook at centre. I seem to be one of the few that think he's best at 13 than at 10.

 

[Draggs]

Hook to midfield. North seemed to have a go at Sexton in a ruck, so he could be gone. Cuthbert has the raw skills but he really needs someone to help him with his alignment in defence.

 

[lynam1104]

Scott Williams is the obvious choice. But he has the same problems as Davies, without the flair. If Eli Walker is fit, we could try moving North, but that would be a huge gamble. Hook could come back in at centre as well.

Edit. So how confident are the Irish members now? I said beforehand that if you won this match you'd have a very good chance of winning the championship with England and France at home.

Not overly confident considering we didn't play for about 20 minuets also depends of how England go now.

 

[dullonien]

North seemed to have a go at Sexton in a ruck, so he could be gone.

Was it North then? Phillips and Tipuric's names have been said as well. It can't have been too bad, because Sexton was fine for the rest of the match, a propper stanp to the head would have done damage, didn't notice a scratch on Sexton.

 

[TVH11]

even the teams then managed to win at home occasionally. We've lost 5 in a row at home for the first time ever. So according to the record books its basically wales 1995> wales 2013

f!£k ......... In ............. Hell!

 

[Tony Manx]

Was it North then? Phillips and Tipuric's names have been said as well. It can't have been too bad, because Sexton was fine for the rest of the match, a propper stanp to the head would have done damage, didn't notice a scratch on Sexton.

Fact is that you cannot see who it is as whoever used his foot had his head down in the ruck and could not see where he was! No intent, accidental and will not even be cited! End of...

 

[dullonien]

What are people's opinions on the Lions 8 after this match. Faletau was great today, and his 1012 stats were impressive, even though most thought he had a poorish season.

 

[SelimNiai]

Was it North then? Phillips and Tipuric's names have been said as well. It can't have been too bad, because Sexton was fine for the rest of the match, a propper stanp to the head would have done damage, didn't notice a scratch on Sexton.

Whilst not condoning it, with what the Irish were contastntly doing at ruck time I have 0% sympathy and 100% "serves you right for being there interfering"

 

[Draggs]

Was it North then? Phillips and Tipuric's names have been said as well. It can't have been too bad, because Sexton was fine for the rest of the match, a propper stanp to the head would have done damage, didn't notice a scratch on Sexton.

I honestly don't know, I've heard North.
Tipuric is a great flanker, really a pesky ******* and I love it.

@Iain, I agree, but I don't want a ban.

 

[dullonien]

Fact is that you cannot see who it is as whoever used his foot had his head down in the ruck and could not see where he was! No intent, accidental and will not even be cited! End of...

Whilst I agree to some extent, Irish players were always on the wrong side, but every player must know where his studs are. This game would be carnage otherwise.

 

[TVH11]

Well just to be sure, whoever did the stamping needs to change his boots for next week. That way we'll never know

So replacement for the center, No debate really. Henson's back tomorrow for London Welsh!!! Call Nemo up!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

well well, the mainstream prognostics were right.
I'm an Ireland supporter, and even I started feeling bad for Wales...I'm glad they managed a nice comeback late; things looked absolutely bleak in the first half.
Entertaining match at least ! Well done Ireland...but despite a strong performance overall, a few flaws out in the open there for Ireland. But great defense, and some inspired attack.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What are people's opinions on the Lions 8 after this match. Faletau was great today, and his 1012 stats were impressive, even though most thought he had a poorish season.

Depends what Gatland wants. Heaslip bosses the breakdown and Lineout and has a huge defensive work rate and also is a good Leader.
Faletau is a great ball carrier and will make his hits and win a few turnovers.
Morgan is in between the two.

Against Australia I'd like Heaslip.

 

[dullonien]

Depends what Gatland wants. Heaslip bosses the breakdown and Lineout and has a huge defensive work rate and also is a good Leader.
Faletau is a great ball carrier and will make his hits and win a few turnovers.
Morgan is in between the two.

Against Australia I'd like Heaslip.

You don't lose much in defence or at the breakdown with Faletau imo, although Heaslip is very good ruck time it's got to be said. The 2012 head to head stats the bbc showed before the match was quite startling though. Faletau way more carries, double the meters made, and 17 defenders beaten to Heaslips 2. The turnover count was quite equal if I remember. Faletau looks to be in better form this season too.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

You don't lose much in defence or at the breakdown with Faletau imo, although Heaslip is very good ruck time it's got to be said. The 2012 head to head stats the bbc showed before the match was quite startling though. Faletau way more carries, double the meters made, and 17 defenders beaten to Heaslips 2. The turnover count was quite equal if I remember. Faletau looks to be in better form this season too.

Faletau is a stronger carrier but the link that Heaslip makes between forwards and backs is great. I am never disappointed to see him in the backline because he always draws his man and gives the ball whereas Faleau is a bit one dimensional.

 

[profitius]

Edit. So how confident are the Irish members now? I said beforehand that if you won this match you'd have a very good chance of winning the championship with England and France at home.

Not very. I'm confident we'll be the Italian and Scots but we need a bit of luck with injuries to beat France and England. Theres a big mental block there when playing France but on the plus side, if it is BODs last 6 nations then it could inspire the team.

 

[Big Ewis]

wow, they've already got that kick control by Zebo on animated gif ?!! :lol:

 

[coonor]

Whilst not condoning it, with what the Irish were contastntly doing at ruck time I have 0% sympathy and 100% "serves you right for being there interfering"

So you actually are condoning it...

I saw him get a boot to the face, it happens, move on!


Hopefully Ireland can learn from that performance. They have the ability within hem, now they just have to deploy it consistently.

Also,why is ROG on the bench? He's not even trusted to come on and close out a game anymore! What use is he?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Fact is that you cannot see who it is as whoever used his foot had his head down in the ruck and could not see where he was! No intent, accidental and will not even be cited! End of...

Like I've said it before, it was Justin Tipuric, as he's the only one wearing a bloody bright blue scrum hat. I don't know if it was completely deliberate, but it was extremely careless and he attempted to stamp on someone, not sure if he meant on Sextons head. I wish I recorded the programme to rewind it but the BBC did reply the incident slowed down.