Ireland v Scotland

[MunsterMan]

Well done Scotland

D'arcy is finished at this level, awful performance. We need to bring a new 12 through urgently, Wallace will have to do until then.
We need a new tighthead urgently, but that is nothing new.
Sexton is still awesome, goalkicking will recover. Still our best FH, just not out best goalkicker. Only in Ireland are they one and the same seems.

I have been disappointed with Kearney recently too, he is becoming Girve v2.0, hopeless in attack but solid as a rock, where as Geordan is excellent in attack and defence but can't tackle for peanuts.

I did like the way we played early on though, on another we would have been 20 points clear after 15 minutes, but the passes just didn't stick.

 

[elgringoborracho]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Mar 20 2010, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well done Scotland

D'arcy is finished at this level, awful performance. We need to bring a new 12 through urgently, Wallace will have to do until then.
We need a new tighthead urgently, but that is nothing new.
Sexton is still awesome, goalkicking will recover. Still our best FH, just not out best goalkicker. Only in Ireland are they one and the same seems.

I have been disappointed with Kearney recently too, he is becoming Girve v2.0, hopeless in attack but solid as a rock, where as Geordan is excellent in attack and defence but can't tackle for peanuts.

I did like the way we played early on though, on another we would have been 20 points clear after 15 minutes, but the passes just didn't stick.[/b]

I didnt see the game, what has he done so bad? He was the best Irish player against France I thought. Are you sure he should be dropped? I know a king who's not going to be happy with all that

 

[MunsterMan]

He just seemed to miss 2 of every 3 tackles he attempted, couldn't catch the ball, and was just comprehensively outplayed by Graham f***ing Morrison. Plenty of players had a bad day and will be disappointed, but D'arcy was particularly poor and had to be left on due to Murphy's injury, perhaps I wouldn't be saying this now if he had been hauled off after 45/50 minutes.

 

[dullonien]

Also want to congratulate Scotland. They have improved hugely and didn't deserve the wooden spoon. They played an intelligent game today and their pack simply outplayed Ireland's in just ebout every facet of play. Parks is a player reborn, great bottle at the end to convert that penalty! Still need some work in the outside backs (especially centre), but thought Lamont was busy and made plenty of yards.

That was probably the reality check Ireland needed. They have been clinical in the last few games and managed to live off opposition mistakes, but they really aren't creating enough. They came up against a good lineout today, which finally put them under pressure, and they cracked. Surprised not to see Leo Cullen come on to offer a better lineout option than O'Callaghan! Ireland's backrow was also overpowered by an impressive Scottish unit. The frailties in the front row was also exposed today, great game from Murray (who was still poorly treated by the ref imo).

Very enjoyable match, hopefully Scotland can move on from here and really start challenging in the 6 nations next year.

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Mar 21 2010, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well done Scotland

D'arcy is finished at this level, awful performance. We need to bring a new 12 through urgently, Wallace will have to do until then.
We need a new tighthead urgently, but that is nothing new.
Sexton is still awesome, goalkicking will recover. Still our best FH, just not out best goalkicker. Only in Ireland are they one and the same seems.

I have been disappointed with Kearney recently too, he is becoming Girve v2.0, hopeless in attack but solid as a rock, where as Geordan is excellent in attack and defence but can't tackle for peanuts.

I did like the way we played early on though, on another we would have been 20 points clear after 15 minutes, but the passes just didn't stick.[/b]

Oooh, that's harsh on Darse! Dropped one lovely pass that probably would have led to a try, but apart from that no worse than any other.

And harsh on Dempsey - he scored some of our greatest tries and unlike Kearney knew where to hit the line and feed off BOD and Horgan. Not flash, but an intelligent player. I really think Kearney is too slow, and that can't be fixed - so Murphy it is. Was Murphy really injured?

Sexton missing goal kicks is not on. If he can't improve then he's out. I'm sure he will improve, but there's always McFadden to kick at goal if you really insist on replacing Darse.

No need to panic about the backs. Today's action was all in the pack.

 

[gingergenius]

Things this match proved:

1. As always, whenever Geordan Murphy has to make a try saving tackle, he'll miss it.

2. Cian Healy is as poor as I've always said he was, and Hayes has accumulated so many caps simply because of a lack of decend tightheads in Ireland.

3. Scotland most definately have improved, and if they can keep their forwards fit they have the best pack in the British Isles.

4. Sexton > O'Gara in the same way that Flood > Wilkinson. Goalkicking is the only problem, and he needs to sort that one out fast. Other than that Ireland always look more dangerous with him at 10.

5. O'Leary remains ****.

6. David Wallace is still awesome, and Beattie has been arguably the best loose forward in the tournament.

 

[bristol-iain]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Mar 20 2010, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well done Scotland

D'arcy is finished at this level, awful performance. We need to bring a new 12 through urgently, Wallace will have to do until then.
We need a new tighthead urgently, but that is nothing new.
Sexton is still awesome, goalkicking will recover. Still our best FH, just not out best goalkicker. Only in Ireland are they one and the same seems.

I have been disappointed with Kearney recently too, he is becoming Girve v2.0, hopeless in attack but solid as a rock, where as Geordan is excellent in attack and defence but can't tackle for peanuts.

I did like the way we played early on though, on another we would have been 20 points clear after 15 minutes, but the passes just didn't stick.[/b]

You'll be in trouble when King reads that.

Cant say how pleased I was when Beattie scored, as a former back row player its great to see a player take on multiple defenders and score.

 

[Ozzay]

I'm actually Scotland won a game because they should of beat Wales, England, they'll be kicking themselves they didn't beat Italy, but today what a performance.

Dan Parks better play similar when he comes to cardiff. 3 MoM awards? gotta be in with a shout for player of the tournament.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Cons:

All jokes aside I'm just gonna say it, D'Arcy was cack. Morrisson schooled him. Any lack of fluidity seen in the backs was because of him. Totally flustered. Had Wallace been playing could've made all the difference.

Kearney has proven that he might've just been a flash in the pan (not just in this game but overall in this tournament). What were once the steadiest most reliable hands in international rugby are now jusrt a pair of slippery stubs

Sexton's goal kicking is seriously suffering. His confidence has hit rock bottom.

Ireland have proven again, like against france, that when they're on the backfoot they cannot deal with the pressure

Scrum was just... ugggghhhh

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.

Hayes is a SACK OF ****

Ireland's backrow, despite being world class, are put under pressure too easily

Kidney showed poor management by not bringing on Cronin, Court, Cullen or O'Gara early enough


Pros:

Murphy is still a great player (although not really a pro, we need the younger more promising Kearney to be better)

O'Gara's experience can really be shown when he comes off the bench (not much of a pro either)

David Wallace is a legend (again, I'd rather see the younger lads being the world beaters)

Sexton can be a lethal weapon in attack. Really smart and unpredictable with his play making. A constant threat imo

Tommy Bowe is a beacon of light. Despite what anyone may say he would be 1 of the first names on my team sheet for a world 15. What he might lack in pace compared to some SH number 14s he makes up for in intelligience, strength and work rate. An absolute legend. My ireland captain for when O'Driscoll retires.

Earls is a good player. possibly should be playing at 13




So where to now Deccie? Changes need to be made. This trip to Australia and New Zealand can be used to try new things. Like was suggested before O'Dirscoll 12, Earls or Bowe 13? It's a serious option. Once Luke is back (and that day cannot come soon enough) that'll probably be the best option. Let's keep Healy at 1. I would never move Healy from there. We need him to progress. Let's move that extra baggage from number 3 and put in Court. Hayes isn't cutting it on the international stage anymore. Mike Ross please improve. Cullen is my new 1st choice number 4. Keep Sexton at 10 but if he's having a cack day at kicking in the 1st half and we're under pressure bring on ROG.

My new and improved Ireland 22:

1. Healy
2. Best*
3. Court**
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary**
10. Sexton*
11. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Brian O'Driscoll
13. Tommy Bowe
14. Keith Earls
15. Geordan Murphy*

Replacements:
Flannery*
Ross**
O'Callaghan
O'Brien
Reddan*
O'Gara
Kearney*

* possibly should be on the bench/possibly should be starting

**For lack of a better choice


Ugh i feel horrible after yesterday's match. It's like I've woken up after having scored the fattest girl in the club.
I know people are probably shocked by my sac religious D'Arcy bashing. I'm sorry D'Arce!!! You're still a king amongst men...

EDIT: Why do I use the full names of all the players from 10 - 15 on my team sheet but the surnames of everyone else? weird

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Mar 20 2010, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

As for Ireland, What have we learnt:
Sexton (after 3 starts) has a long way to go to be at O'Gara's level and beyond.
Healy and Hayes are struggling massively.
Our scrum is getting worst.
Earls and Bowe were our best players in 1st halk yet Keith got 1 touch of ball in 2nd half and Bowe not many more ????
Line-out was a joke and despite constant bad throwing we kept going long (only used the jumper at 2 once)
Is Leo Cullen and Sean Cronin decorations..... DOC and Paulie weren't bad but Cullen is a specialist in lineout and we needed that.
Cronin may have little experience but Best had a nightmare so how would his introduction have made things worst????
Ferris hasn't hit the peaks he had last year.
Kearney was extremely poor and Geordan Murphy is now by far our best 15 and.
And King D'Arcy will hate me for this but I think D'Arcy is in decline now and it may be time for change with maybe BOD reverting to 12.[/b]

There's a lot of truth in this. My only quibble is that I still think Sexton is the best option at flyhalf. I agree that Murphy is the form 15 but Kearney isn't far behind, he's just going through a poor patch. Healy, Hayes and D'arcy are potential fall guys for this defeat. David Wallace is another possible fall guy - he's still a terrific player but he's not capable of doing it week in, week out anymore. Munster and Ireland will have to use him more sparingly if he's to make an impact on the 2011 World Cup.

I'll give a full review into Ireland's campaign and where they're headed later on in another thread so as not to hijack this one.

 

[MunsterMan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Cons:

All jokes aside I'm just gonna say it, D'Arcy was cack. Morrisson schooled him. Any lack of fluidity seen in the backs was because of him. Totally flustered. Had Wallace been playing could've made all the difference.

Kearney has proven that he might've just been a flash in the pan (not just in this game but overall in this tournament). What were once the steadiest most reliable hands in international rugby are now jusrt a pair of slippery stubs

Sexton's goal kicking is seriously suffering. His confidence has hit rock bottom.

Ireland have proven again, like against france, that when they're on the backfoot they cannot deal with the pressure

Scrum was just... ugggghhhh

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.

Hayes is a SACK OF ****

Ireland's backrow, despite being world class, are put under pressure too easily

Kidney showed poor management by not bringing on Cronin, Court, Cullen or O'Gara early enough


Pros:

Murphy is still a great player (although not really a pro, we need the younger more promising Kearney to be better)

O'Gara's experience can really be shown when he comes off the bench (not much of a pro either)

David Wallace is a legend (again, I'd rather see the younger lads being the world beaters)

Sexton can be a lethal weapon in attack. Really smart and unpredictable with his play making. A constant threat imo

Tommy Bowe is a beacon of light. Despite what anyone may say he would be 1 of the first names on my team sheet for a world 15. What he might lack in pace compared to some SH number 14s he makes up for in intelligience, strength and work rate. An absolute legend. My ireland captain for when O'Driscoll retires.

Earls is a good player. possibly should be playing at 13




So where to now Deccie? Changes need to be made. This trip to Australia and New Zealand can be used to try new things. Like was suggested before O'Dirscoll 12, Earls or Bowe 13? It's a serious option. Once Luke is back (and that day cannot come soon enough) that'll probably be the best option. Let's keep Healy at 1. I would never move Healy from there. We need him to progress. Let's move that extra baggage from number 3 and put in Court. Hayes isn't cutting it on the international stage anymore. Mike Ross please improve. Cullen is my new 1st choice number 4. Keep Sexton at 10 but if he's having a cack day at kicking in the 1st half and we're under pressure bring on ROG.

My new and improved Ireland 22:

1. Healy
2. Best*
3. Court**
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary**
10. Sexton*
11. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Brian O'Driscoll
13. Tommy Bowe
14. Keith Earls
15. Geordan Murphy*

Replacements:
Flannery*
Ross**
O'Callaghan
O'Brien
Reddan*
O'Gara
Kearney*

* possibly should be on the bench/possibly should be starting

**For lack of a better choice


Ugh i feel horrible after yesterday's match. It's like I've woken up after having scored the fattest girl in the club.
I know people are probably shocked by my sac religious D'Arcy bashing. I'm sorry D'Arce!!! You're still a king amongst men...

EDIT: Why do I use the full names of all the players from 10 - 15 on my team sheet but the surnames of everyone else? weird[/b]

Agree with pretty much everything, and that is a very good team to be honest, and that is hopefully where Ireland will be going. Summer tour will tell us a lot.

 

[Olyy]

I don't see why people are saying Sexton had a poor game. Didn't he only miss one kick? O'Gara would've got it, but O'Gara wouldn't have set up O'Driscolls try, so that puts sexton ahead on points there.
I think how Ireland are playing their FHs atm is the best way to do it. Have sexton on for the first half (at least) to try and create trys, and just generally be lively around the park, then if towards the end of the game you're trailing/winning by a very small margin, bring on O'Gara to kick some penalties.
Alot of people are writing Sexton off because he's missed a few penalties this 6N, but that should be shadowed by the threat he is in attack (and his defence ain't too shabby either, especially when compared to O'Gara).


I really didn't notice D'arcy this match, but that wasn't helped by the fact every time O'Driscoll got the ball the commentators would shout "D'ARCY! Oh wait, that's O'Driscoll"

 

[An Tarbh]

I think it's too easy to jump on D'Arcy and say he's finished. He wasn't even fit enough and you could see that from the first moment he took the ball into contact, the problem was with Murphy getting injured he couldn't come off. Wallace should have started.

Scrum was a mess and Healy didn't have his finest day but it's the job of the tighthead to hold the scrum together so we really need to start blooding other tightheads cause a near 38 year old Hayes won't cut the mustard in 2011 especially with the improvement in the Australian scrum not to mention the Italian challenge.

Kidney really has to take the flak that comes his way in the aftermath of this defeat. Just because he won a grand slam doesn't mean he should be free from criticism. I'd no issue with O'Gara coming on but Court and Cronin really should have come on with him, I know Best is a decent scrummager but we were going backwards in that department already so Cronin may not have made a difference there but he certainly could have with the throwing.

Robinson though has made great strides with the Scots, their pack can match any side on their day especially with such a strong set piece. The backrow were all over us yesterday, never expected to see Ferris beaten up so badly in an international.

Still don't rate Parks and don't believe the Scots can progress if they persist with him, he's not the man to get the backline moving, Jackson or Godman are. He may well have been man of the match in 3 games but that says more about the quality of those contests than it does about the quality of Parks as a player. It's also easy get man of the match as outhalf when you've got a disproportionate number of 10s as co-commentators.

 

[dullonien]

There's no need for Ireland to panic imo. A replacement is despirately needed for Hayes, but Healy looks to be a class prospect. He needs work on his scrummaging, but in open play he's one of the best runners with ball in hand I've seen in a prop. A bigger hooker might help somewhat aswell.

More lineout options are probably needed against the very best (Scotland and SA are the only two nations with superior lineout's). O'Connell cannot be expected to win them all. Wallace was used yesterday, but the hooker failed to find him. Cullen should probably come in for O'Callaghan.

The backrow is still a very good unit. Thought Heaslip and Ferris had quiet games, which is unlike them.

O'Leary is hit and miss at scrum half. His passing isn't up to scratch, with plenty of balls dying on Sexton. One example of this was one of Earls' tries against Wales. O'Driscoll had to pick up a pass from his boot laces before supplying the try scoring pass to Earls. Ireland don't quite have a world class 9, so O'leary is still the best option, but he needs to concentrate on doing the basics right, as the other parts of his game are good.

I'm sure Sexton will recover from his goal kicking nightmares this campaign. At least he doesn't allow it to effect the rest of his game! But if he doesn't, then he's simply not good enough. Without another kicker in the team, the 10 has to be a reliable kicker, so that would mean starting O'Gara (shudder).

I agree with King D'arcy, Bowe should come in at 13. Earls did well there against Wales, but he's still a little small to be an international centre and would get smashed v the likes of NZ. Bowe looked very good in that position for the O's. Fitz onto the wing then.

I'll say the same for Kearney that I said for Sexton. He might not be quite as good as he promised on the Lions tour, but he's not become a poor player overnight. He's taken a few wrong options in this 6 nations (like trying to run out of trouble yesterday instead of getting it off the park, giving away that final penalty), so needs to look at that. He hasn't been great under the high ball, but that won't continue imo. He's just a little short on gametime and confidence, both should return soon.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Mar 21 2010, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I think it's too easy to jump on D'Arcy and say he's finished. He wasn't even fit enough and you could see that from the first moment he took the ball into contact, the problem was with Murphy getting injured he couldn't come off. Wallace should have started.[/b]

I'd like to clarify, my criticism of D'Arcy's game is independent to my suggestion to drop D'Arcy in future. I think D'Arcy has actually been on form this six nations. I just think it's time to start looking towards 2011. Despite what Kidney may say that's what he's doing right now. It's what every international coach is doing. And I think for 2011 D'Arcy just won't be our best option. We should probably start looking at moving Earls or Bowe into outside centre and O'Driscoll to inside centre. It's just when Luke comes back we'll have so much quality to choose from for the wing and centre. D'Arcy would probably be first choice to make room for someone.
The same could be said about David Wallace really. Maybe it's time to start letting O'Brien start at 7 occassionally. I know he's pretty badly injured atm but when he's better. Wallace probably won't have that lightning pace he has now when he's 35.

 

[gingergenius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.[/b]

There has never, in the history of rugby, been a prop considered world class who couldn't scrum. And Healy is incapable of scrummaging. If I was picking a Lions team now, I'd have Jenkins, Jacobsen, James and even Tim bloody Payne ahead of Healy... not to mention Sheridan.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Mar 21 2010, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.[/b]

There has never, in the history of rugby, been a prop considered world class who couldn't scrum. And Healy is incapable of scrummaging. If I was picking a Lions team now, I'd have Jenkins, Jacobsen, James and even Tim bloody Payne ahead of Healy... not to mention Sheridan.
[/b][/quote]


He'll improve in the scrum

 

[Gavin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Mar 22 2010, 03:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.[/b]

There has never, in the history of rugby, been a prop considered world class who couldn't scrum. And Healy is incapable of scrummaging. If I was picking a Lions team now, I'd have Jenkins, Jacobsen, James and even Tim bloody Payne ahead of Healy... not to mention Sheridan.
[/b][/quote]

You've got to be kidding. Healy is a strong prop but he was up against, possibly, the best prop in the world.

 

[Rocket Singh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Mar 21 2010, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (King D'arcy @ Mar 21 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cian Healy looks like a lost child at times... not too much to worry about I guess. I still think he'll mature into a world class prop.[/b]

There has never, in the history of rugby, been a prop considered world class who couldn't scrum. And Healy is incapable of scrummaging. If I was picking a Lions team now, I'd have Jenkins, Jacobsen, James and even Tim bloody Payne ahead of Healy... not to mention Sheridan.
[/b][/quote]


He'll improve in the scrum
[/b][/quote]


He'd better hurry up and improve because after a high profile poor performance like that he's going to be targeted by every scrum coach from Denver to Dunedin for special attention from every prop worth his salt.

They're going to get their white board, pin Healey's photo on there and say "there, there is Ireland's weak link in the scrum." Then they're going to pour over every bit of video to nail everything from his technique to his temperament.

He needs a big scrummaging performance this season, he seriously cannot let someone completely pwn him like Murray did yesterday.

 

[dullonien]

He is only 22 though (I think). That's very young for a prop who traditionally don't peak till their very late 20's/early 30's. He will certainly be targetted scrum time, but Murray was the first prop to really expose him to this extent. Murray is one of the best scrummaging tight heads around aswell, so it's kinda understandable.