Wales v Ireland, 02/02/13

[Big Ewis]

That article really underrates Ireland's scrum but apart from that I'd agree with the article.

Irelands tournament really comes down to this match, a win and I think we'll get top 2 a loss and we're looking at bottom three.

Right. I'll be watching that scrum closely this year, surely they'll do a lot better than last year...and yeh, those two young wingers, should look good...a lot yet to prove, and Gilroy especially can be electric.

 

[Peat]

Jeez. The love for Olly Kohn on here is immense, it's as if he's become the new Ed Fairhurst or something.

If people on here are to believed, then Kohn is the sole reason behind James Johnston all of a sudden looking like one of the best scrummagers in the Premiership, and Joe Marler going from a poor scrummager 18 months ago into an England shirt.

I haven't seen an awful lot of him, but is Kohn really some "unstoppable tank of a scrummager" who can make a team's scrum from lock, and make bad props look good? Or is this just because he is a TRF friend?

If he is so good in the tight, then how come not even England Saxons have ever come calling? I will wait to see how he does for Wales, but if his scrummaging ability is proven true, then Paul Doran-Jones may have made a very good career move I guess.

Jeez man, take le chill pill, people are having a bit of a giggle about this.

That said, seriously, I'm fairly sure you can make a direct correlation between Kohn's fitness and Marler's reputation as a scrummager. Obviously, none of us can be utterly certain, but he is absolutely massive, clearly very powerful in loose exchanges, and Harlequins' scrum has kept mysteriously dropping form when he goes missing and finding it when he returns. There's a fairly safe bet he's a good scrummaging lock.

As for England - his limitation is obvious, at his size he's not going to get around the park and into the air like an international lock should. Maybe he should have got a go, would have been interesting, but I've got a long list of players who've been hard done by by England he's a fair way down.

Well, O'Brien's performances over the past year or so in the 7 shirt have probably been on a par to Henry's to be honest. He was excellent, and I really do mean excellent, in the lost series down in New Zealand - one of the very few bright lights of that tour. I do agree though that it'd be better to have him at 6 in this game, but when Ferris is fit again, or when Henderson breaks into the starting squad I'd probably prefer to have O'Brien at 7 than Henry.

I believe O'Brien could go to 6 for this match then return to 7 without affecting his own game at all. If that's the case, I don't see how it isn't Henry. He'd offer a better balance, in that he'd free up SOB and Heaslip to do the carrying that they're better at - not to criticise their grunt work at all, but they're better as carriers; it would reward the man who's been the better form player; and finally, it would seem the logical counter to a team who are fairly openly going to bring two opensides and have history for swallowing up ball carrying Irish back-rows without trace.

The most logical explanation is that Kidney wants to load towards the lineout and kick the corners all day to punish the Welsh lineout... last I checked Heaslip was quite good in the air though?

 

[coonor]

It has to be horses for courses and in this cases Henry should have gotten the jersey!

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times claiming that he has it 'On good authority' that Andrew Coombs & Dan Biggar are starting on Saturday...

 

[SelimNiai]

Come on Olly, make us proud.
He must be the best rugby-related Oliver yet.

Look at those lugoles. Those are a forwards ears for sure

 

[Stoney21]

I think he might be right with those calls. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the back row that started our last test. Looks like tips may miss out again. When will we get to see them play together?

 

[monkeypigeon]

Ah, Lads...why isn't there more Munster players?

 

[dullonien]

Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times claiming that he has it 'On good authority' that Andrew Coombs & Dan Biggar are starting on Saturday...

I think Biggar is a safe bet, but Coombs would be out of the blue, and a very weird decision. I'd have Kohn and King ahead of him, but they always put so much emphasis on training, Coombs has probably gone well there.

 

[profitius]

Theres been some whinging from Ulster supporters lately. First we hear complaints about Trimble, the same Andrew Trimble who has 50 caps and been very average at international level. Then we hear complaints about Tom Court. A player near 30, is a good scrummager, won't let the side down but again very average for international level. Now we're hearing about Chris Henry. He is playing well but so is POM. POM and SOB offers ball carrying options.

In case people think its another attack on Ulster players, I'd like to see Luke Marshall (when fit) starting at 12 and Henderson on the bench ahead of DOC and if Gilroy performs like he did in the autumn then I'd have himself and Bowe starting on the wings.

 

[Peat]

Theres been some whinging from Ulster supporters lately. First we hear complaints about Trimble, the same Andrew Trimble who has 50 caps and been very average at international level. Then we hear complaints about Tom Court. A player near 30, is a good scrummager, won't let the side down but again very average for international level. Now we're hearing about Chris Henry. He is playing well but so is POM. POM and SOB offers ball carrying options.

In case people think its another attack on Ulster players, I'd like to see Luke Marshall (when fit) starting at 12 and Henderson on the bench ahead of DOC and if Gilroy performs like he did in the autumn then I'd have himself and Bowe starting on the wings.

You should try reading some of the other forums... or maybe better not. I don't think too many people here would be reacting any better if, with their side one of the form teams in Europe, their pivotal players were ignored for those with lesser club form with the result of a grand total of 2 starters and 2 subs in the national team.

Really, we should be celebrating. Players back for the league - check. Likelihood of injuries decrease - check. Further motivation - Oh god yes. But there we go. Most Ulster supporters want their players to get the recognition they deserve.

 

[coonor]

Theres been some whinging from Ulster supporters lately. First we hear complaints about Trimble, the same Andrew Trimble who has 50 caps and been very average at international level. Then we hear complaints about Tom Court. A player near 30, is a good scrummager, won't let the side down but again very average for international level. Now we're hearing about Chris Henry. He is playing well but so is POM. POM and SOB offers ball carrying options.

In case people think its another attack on Ulster players, I'd like to see Luke Marshall (when fit) starting at 12 and Henderson on the bench ahead of DOC and if Gilroy performs like he did in the autumn then I'd have himself and Bowe starting on the wings.

I dont think anyone is arguing that POM and SOB won't offer ball carrying abilities, however Ireland have what appears to be a very strong ball carrying pack but once again has little balance.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

You should try reading some of the other forums... or maybe better not. I don't think too many people here would be reacting any better if, with their side one of the form teams in Europe, their pivotal players were ignored for those with lesser club form with the result of a grand total of 2 starters and 2 subs in the national team.

Really, we should be celebrating. Players back for the league - check. Likelihood of injuries decrease - check. Further motivation - Oh god yes. But there we go. Most Ulster supporters want their players to get the recognition they deserve.

Exactly.

To be honest I don't mind about Trimble - he probably should have been in the whole 6N squad since he's been playing well but it doesn't really bother me. Murray's delivery is dreadful and POM is pretty average. Those 2 are the players I'd change. You also can't ignore the fact Tom Court has been destroying some scrums lately with the help of Afoa. 2 players from currently the #1 side in Ireland is a bit ridiculous. Yes Bowe and Ferris are injured, but there's still a few players I'd like to see in there.

It always seems there's a bias towards Munster from Kidney, Ie ROG, Earls...

 

[psychic duck]

Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times claiming that he has it 'On good authority' that Andrew Coombs & Dan Biggar are starting on Saturday...

Bad news. Out of all the locks in the squad, he'd be the last one I would have starting. I don't even rate him as the best lock at the Dragons tbh.

I would take King Kohn and even Reed ahead of him as locks.

 

[Amiga500]

He is playing well but so is POM. POM and SOB offers ball carrying options.

Bottom line is - you are playing the best 6 in Europe at 7 in place of the best 7 in Ireland (and probably top 3 in Europe on current form) to accommodate POM.

To be fair to him, POM is a good player, but not that good. Would he feature in the top 10 blindsides in Europe? Maybe scrape in at 9 or 10.

 

[big ginger 8]

Now a good time to mention PO'M getting a central contract?

 

[Groundhog]

My opinion. Chris Henry, yep fair enough deserves a spot. Andrew Trimble and Tom Court? **** off.

 

[TVH11]

I think he might be right with those calls. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the back row that started our last test. Looks like tips may miss out again. When will we get to see them play together?

I completely agree with this, even though I think Tip's deserves a spot.

Howley not taking any "chances" with backrow combo

 

[Amiga500]

Now a good time to mention PO'M getting a central contract?

I was aware of that... but chose not to mention it.

Surely selection is not biased on whether you've a central contract or not... is it?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

My opinion. Chris Henry, yep fair enough deserves a spot. Andrew Trimble and Tom Court? **** off.

Okay Trimble isn't that great tbh, but Tom Court? Why, have you not been watching any Ulster games this year?

 

[Draggs]

Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Phillips; Jenkins, Rees, Jones, Evans, Coombs, Shingler, Warburton, Faletau; that's one team I've heard. The selection of Jenkins and Rees does make sense when you consider it is Rob Howley.