Ireland vs Wales, Six Nations 2016, Sunday 7th Feb, 2016. KO 3PMGMT

06-02-2016 9:32pm

andymx11 wrote: »

Jesus very quite around these parts considering 19 hours to kick off!!

Calm before the storm- moderators getting a night off. On that note, can't believe Jackson isn't on the bench tomorrow.....

Everyone is getting an extra prayer session in before bed!

phog · 06-02-2016 10:12pm

andymx11 wrote: »

Jesus very quite around these parts considering 19 hours to kick off!!

Calm before the storm- moderators getting a night off. On that note, can't believe Jackson isn't on the bench tomorrow.....

Tbh, I can see why some might not bother posting, the teams are selected and but if you're anyway critical of the Irish team selection you'll be accused of bias or get the #JoeKnowsBest line thrown out.

Billysays no · 06-02-2016 10:17pm

bilston wrote: »

Yeah you can catch them on BBC2 about 7pm tonight

Think that's bad you dont get to see muldowney, o'halloran or Healy on TV at all.

CMOTDibbler · 06-02-2016 10:32pm

phog wrote: »

Tbh, I can see why some might not bother posting, the teams are selected and but if you're anyway critical of the Irish team selection you'll be accused of bias or get the #JoeKnowsBest line thrown out.

Yep. Or some passive aggressive nonsense. You just can't win.

The Rape of Lucretia · 06-02-2016 10:46pm

phog wrote: »

#JoeKnowsBest line thrown out.

I dont think anyone throws out the Joe knows best line - we all agree that its fact - He does know best.
He is a superior rugby mind leading us to rugby win nirvana. We are just trying to make sense of our own mistakes and why our rugby judgment sometimes comes up with different selections or tactics than Joe does. But we know we are the ones in the wrong, not Him.
Hence the hot debates hereabouts betimes - none of us is truly playing at His level.

Billysays no · 06-02-2016 10:51pm

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Yep. Or some passive aggressive nonsense. You just can't win.

Its such a strange thing. Most folks would agree that its an absolutely shocking Irish team. Over the years we have lost players but the only players in the pack I consider quality are Rory best, devin toner and cj stander.

And then you get the insistence on henshaw and Payne to the extent that zebo is put at full back and he is shocking

Yes our pack is very weak. Yes our fullback is very weak. Yes conor is a great passer but he just passes possession away with his boxkicks.

At some point Joe has to stop this dependency on the usual. There is better. How many times does it need to be proven.

aimee1 · 06-02-2016 10:58pm

Billysays no wrote: »

Its such a strange thing. Most folks would agree that its an absolutely shocking Irish team. Over the years we have lost players but the only players in the pack I consider quality are Rory best, devin toner and cj stander.

And then you get the insistence on henshaw and Payne to the extent that zebo is put at full back and he is shocking

Yes our pack is very weak. Yes our fullback is very weak. Yes conor is a great passer but he just passes possession away with his boxkicks.

At some point Joe has to stop this dependency on the usual. There is better. How many times does it need to be proven.

1. McGrath is quality, as is Heaslip. They have both been part of the last two 6n which Ireland won. Stander is totally unproven at international level, so rating him as one of only 3 quality players and ahead of two guys who were regulars in back to back titles is utter nonsense.

2. JS spoke on friday about the logic behind this, that he did look at other options such as McCloskey/Marshall or McCloskey/Payne with Henshaw at 15 [its quoted in one of the papers today] but he felt the need for some continuity/experience. He also spoke about not wanting to lose a few days work in prep by making such a big change to the team when RK was ruled out.

3. So far in his reign he has proven to be getting it right a lot more then wrong.

Billysays no · 06-02-2016 11:15pm

aimee1 wrote: »

1. McGrath is quality, as is Heaslip. They have both been part of the last two 6n which Ireland won. Stander is totally unproven at international level, so rating him as one of only 3 quality players and ahead of two guys who were regulars in back to back titles is utter nonsense.

2. JS spoke on friday about the logic behind this, that he did look at other options such as McCloskey/Marshall or McCloskey/Payne with Henshaw at 15 [its quoted in one of the papers today] but he felt the need for some continuity/experience. He also spoke about not wanting to lose a few days work in prep by making such a big change to the team when RK was ruled out.

3. So far in his reign he has proven to be getting it right a lot more then wrong.

Buckley is so better than McGrath. So that's my plus for Connacht. Then Nathan would never my choice 3 on an international squad. Then McCarthy is just ordinary these days. Then tod is just back. So no, our pack will be nailed. And then we have a shocking back line. I have no problem being wrong but I hope I'm right. Then we don't have to watch this again, please god

aimee1 · 06-02-2016 11:27pm

Billysays no wrote: »

Buckley is so better than McGrath. So that's my plus for Connacht. Then Nathan would never my choice 3 on an international squad. Then McCarthy is just ordinary these days. Then tod is just back. So no, our pack will be nailed. And then we have a shocking back line. I have no problem being wrong but I hope I'm right. Then we don't have to watch this again, please god

This would be McGrath with two 6n winners medals? He is far better than Buckley. White is in because Ross and Moore are injured. Furlong is on the bench. That was the order at RWC.

McCarthy has had a good season for leinster. POC is gone, Henderson is injured. Not exactly spoiled for choice at second row. This team isnt picked by choice largely. It is picked by default. The backline is far from shocking, all bar Earls have a 6n winners medal under JS. So they know what it takes to be winners.

Moore, Healy, Ross, Henderson, SOB, Henry, POM, Bowe, Fitz, RK are all out injured this weekend and at least half of them wont play at all in the 6n.

irishbucsfan · 06-02-2016 11:29pm

I really like Buckley but obviously Feek/Easterby/Schmidt see him as being quite far down the pecking order.

I've been bitten before on Connacht props after seeing how Jamie Hagan turned out, so I'll remain bearish on him until we see him given a shot.

irishbucsfan · 06-02-2016 11:29pm

I really like Buckley but obviously Feek/Easterby/Schmidt see him as being quite far down the pecking order.

I've been bitten before on Connacht props after seeing how Jamie Hagan turned out, so I'll remain bearish on him until we see him given a shot.

thomond2006 · 07-02-2016 12:22am

Billysays no wrote: »

Its such a strange thing. Most folks would agree that its an absolutely shocking Irish team. Over the years we have lost players but the only players in the pack I consider quality are Rory best, devin toner and cj stander.

And then you get the insistence on henshaw and Payne to the extent that zebo is put at full back and he is shocking

Yes our pack is very weak. Yes our fullback is very weak. Yes conor is a great passer but he just passes possession away with his boxkicks.

At some point Joe has to stop this dependency on the usual. There is better. How many times does it need to be proven.

I think you'll find that's not true. Most may disagree with a few selections (I'm one), not that it's an "absolutely shocking Irish team".

Some posters will have a big slice of humble pie to eat tomorrow if Ireland win. Let's hope that's the case.

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 12:23am

aimee1 wrote: »

This would be McGrath with two 6n winners medals.

That's the guy.

irishbucsfan · 07-02-2016 12:26am

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think you'll find that's not true. Most may disagree with a few selections (I'm one), not that it's an "absolutely shocking Irish team".

Some posters will have a big slice of humble pie to eat tomorrow if Ireland win. Let's hope that's the case.

I was just thinking about this.

I wonder what would happen to the Championship odds if we won convincingly

aimee1 · 07-02-2016 12:28am

Billysays no wrote: »

That's the guy.

great comeback. a well thought out response :cool:

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 12:28am

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think you'll find that's not true. Most may disagree with a few selections (I'm one), not that it's an "absolutely shocking Irish team".

Some posters will have a big slice of humble pie to eat tomorrow if Ireland win. Let's hope that's the case.

Ain't that the truth :-)

thomond2006 · 07-02-2016 12:28am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I was just thinking about this.

I wonder what would happen to the Championship odds if we won convincingly

I think tomorrow's winner might possibly come the favourite. However, England have both Wales and Ireland at home and their record against France is excellent.

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 12:31am

aimee1 wrote: »

great comeback. a well thought out response :cool:

Didn't want to go all out on response :-)

penybont exile · 07-02-2016 12:44am

Just watched a re-run of 2013 massacre of England ......

Warburton, Faletau and especially Tipuric awesome that day.

Let's hope it's a good match and ........

....... good luck ladies & gents ..................... for next week.

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 12:45am

My objection is simple. Buckley is far and above anybody else in his position. Kilcoyne next. McGrath third. Its just an opinion but it gets to play out tomorrow. Its not a Munster thing, its not a Leinster thing, its not an ulster thing. Its just shocking. At least Connacht and ulster will win games while Joe provides the mundane

irishbucsfan · 07-02-2016 12:48am

Billysays no wrote: »

My objection is simple. Buckley is far and above anybody else in his position. Kilcoyne next. McGrath third. Its just an opinion but it gets to play out tomorrow. Its not a Munster thing, its not a Leinster thing, its not an ulster thing. Its just shocking. At least Connacht and ulster will win games while Joe provides the mundane

Joe isn't the only coach who has rated Buckley over McGrath

Korat · 07-02-2016 12:50am

I have a bad feeling about this one. McCarthy, White, TOD and Zebo are my biggest worries. Still can't help be thinking of anything but a win against Wales

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 12:55am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Joe isn't the only coach who has rated Buckley over McGrath

???? Buckley is not rated over mcgrath????. I assume u meant Joe is the only coach who HASN'T rated Buckley over mcgrath?

LorMal · 07-02-2016 1:23am

Think we will be slaughtered tomorrow. That team just doesn't look right to me. My biggest worries are at 9 and 10.

molloyjh · 07-02-2016 1:43am

LorMal wrote: »

Think we will be slaughtered tomorrow. That team just doesn't look right to me. My biggest worries are at 9 and 10.

Hang on we're at 3rd choice at TH, 3rd choice at lock, 3rd choice at open side and a poor 2nd choice FB and you're worried about our first choice 9 & 10?

I want Ireland to win for obvious reasons. However I now also want Ireland to win to shut up ridiculous, alarmist, reactionary posts like this. Slaughtered? Seriously?

I think Wales will win it by single digits but we'll run them very close. We will not be slaughtered.

LorMal · 07-02-2016 1:45am

molloyjh wrote: »

Hang on we're at 3rd choice at TH, 3rd choice at lock, 3rd choice at open side and a poor 2nd choice FB and you're worried about our first choice 9 & 10?

I want Ireland to win for obvious reasons. However I now also want Ireland to win to shut up ridiculous, alarmist, reactionary posts like this. Slaughtered? Seriously?

I think Wales will win it by single digits but we'll run them very close. We will not be slaughtered.

Ah Jaysus Molloy, you're back to ill using 'reactionary' again! After me teaching you and everything.
Sigh.

captbarnacles · 07-02-2016 1:54am

9 and 10 are biggest worries for me. If they don't perform we have little advantage elsewhere.

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 1:57am

molloyjh wrote: »

you're worried about our first choice 9 & 10?

So to compound the issue is two players I wouldn't start for Connacht. And god knows we have problems in these areas. Murray is so far out there he is on his own. Sexton gives as much direction as a flag flapping all over the place. I don't say many positive things but even marmion can break a gain line without this murray absolute bollox.

stephen_n · 07-02-2016 2:11am

Billysays no wrote: »

So to compound the issue is two players I wouldn't start for Connacht. And god knows we have problems in these areas. Murray is so far out there he is on his own. Sexton gives as much direction as a flag flapping all over the place. I don't say many positive things but even marmion can break a gain line without this murray absolute bollox.

It took me a while to figure out where I recognized your irational ramblings from, the new user name is so far from the original one. That though is genius even for you, well played.

Journeyman_1 · 07-02-2016 2:26am

With so many big players missing, this game will be tough. I can see three main challenges for Ireland.

No. 7; TOD is going to play as well as he can with at least good performances from the rest of the back row.

FB; Wales keep the ball in play from their relieving kicks, or at least they do with Halfpenny playing. If they continue with this Zebo will have a long day running back and sideways collecting high balls. The re-assurance of Kearneys positional play against the inexperienced (and potentially vulnerable) Anscombe would be greatly appreciated.

Centre; J Davies is a class act at 13 and has caused us endless pain in the past. If we allow him to get the ball in space or gather offloads from Roberts we could struggle.

The positives to combat those though are that Wales also have a much weaker FB than they would like and their wingers wouldn't be renowned for catch-and-kick rugby (afaik anyway). Henshaw and Payne are a solid defensive option in midfield and Davies has been playing in a misfiring Clermont team since returning from a long injury, has he found form yet?

The breakdown is the area we could struggle in the most with Warburton and Faletau being strong in this area. Best, McGrath and Stander will need to have strong games defensively at the ruck and try to win some turnovers or at least slow down their ball. TOD and Tipuric will likely be found a little bit wider imo and do more carrying for both teams in attack.

Set piece is interesting as both teams will see this as a potential area to capitalise on and neither will worry too much about the other team. I envisage turnovers for each team at scrum and lineout.

Come on Ireland!

Billysays no · 07-02-2016 2:36am

I'm terribly sorry. I don't want us to lose. I just want us to learn

Korat · 07-02-2016 2:39am

If we've to worry about 9 and 10 then the wooden spoon is on the cards this year.

andymx11 · 07-02-2016 2:39am

PP have George North and Keith Earls to both score at try at 20-1. I'll take that! Just need the weather forecast to be inaccurate in order to cash in!

jm08 · 07-02-2016 3:02am

andymx11 wrote: »

PP have George North and Keith Earls to both score at try at 20-1. I'll take that! Just need the weather forecast to be inaccurate in order to cash in!

Keith Earls has 4 tries in 6 games v Wales which is pretty good considering Tommy Bowe has only 2 in 7 games.

swiwi_ · 07-02-2016 8:24am

Deleted User wrote: »

I agree with Pickarney

You can have yourself a "thanks" for that venjur. Very witty. Post envy if I'm honest.

The Rape of Lucretia · 07-02-2016 9:24am

jm08 wrote: »

Keith Earls has 4 tries in 6 games v Wales which is pretty good considering Tommy Bowe has only 2 in 7 games.

Random statistical noise.
No conclusion can be drawn.

jm08 · 07-02-2016 9:50am

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Random statistical noise.
No conclusion can be drawn.

how about George North has scored one try v Ireland in his 6 games? I'd conclude that Earls is more likely to score against Wales than North is against Ireland.

clsmooth · 07-02-2016 10:00am

jm08 wrote: »

how about George North has scored one try v Ireland in his 6 games? I'd conclude that Earls is more likely to score against Wales than North is against Ireland.

Are you one of these people who think they can predict the lottery numbers too? A few Earls tries would go down nicely today but I'm not holding my breath. It'll be an interesting barometer of where we're at today. Before the Argentina game we all felt that we could miss a few players and we could replace them without too much of a drop in performance standards. I think it's going to be a tight game, I feel Sexton has a big performance in him up against Biggar as he did last month v Ospreys. All comes down to the pack, and I think I'm more worried about the back row and Wales ground work then the front 5. SOB is a huge loss going up against two 7s.

aimee1 · 07-02-2016 10:11am

jm08 wrote: »

how about George North has scored one try v Ireland in his 6 games? I'd conclude that Earls is more likely to score against Wales than North is against Ireland.

Thats just random. Earls could score a try today, or north could, or they both could. Or neither of them.

North's only try came at the aviva 4 years ago but i dont think earls has scored at the aviva v wales, think wellington, croker and cardiff. So is north more likely to score at the aviva today or is earls?

sydthebeat · 07-02-2016 10:32am

A back row forward is more likely to score for ireland than a winger, based on how we play in tight games.

S12b · 07-02-2016 10:56am

Anybody know what time Ireland are due to do their little throw about in Stephens Green and leave the Shelbourne??

ionadnapokot · 07-02-2016 11:03am

sydthebeat wrote: »

A back row forward is more likely to score for ireland than a winger, based on how we play in tight games.

Yea. Esp how we have played v Wales in the last two 6N
Going to be a real struggle for Ireland to score a try....even from a maul( Henry. Pen try)

The Rape of Lucretia · 07-02-2016 11:10am

jm08 wrote: »

how about George North has scored one try v Ireland in his 6 games? I'd conclude that Earls is more likely to score against Wales than North is against Ireland.

You would be wrong to conclude that. Although Earlsie might indeed score and North not - the number of games and tries you are using to draw your conclusion, and the number of other variables that influence tries scored in a game, are insufficient to really do so. It will be coincidence if that happens.

Its a bit like making a selection decision based on who got a man of the match in a pre-world cup warm up match.

ionadnapokot · 07-02-2016 11:16am

S12b wrote: »

Anybody know what time Ireland are due to do their little throw about in Stephens Green and leave the Shelbourne??

Can't remember exactly but for Eng game last year I saw them crossing the road around 1030sh. 3 o'clock ko that day too

awec · 07-02-2016 11:21am

Where is handy to go for a pint if you're in the east stand? I am usually at the other side of the ground but don't fancy having to walk the whole way round if I go to the landsdowne hotel as usual.

chupacabra · 07-02-2016 11:22am

Ah, another Six Nations championship, another championship of previously invisible posters coming out of the woodwork to cause havoc in match threads.

On topic, is it just me or is there a heavy sense of apathy around this tournament? I'm not hearing much buzz from back home and nothing but doom and gloom from m8's on various social media gutters. The loss to Argentina was rough but I mean come on, where's that tell tale excitement from opening weekend?

I for one am looking forward to a brutal, heavy handed, tactical battle today. A proper test match.

Ireland by a score I say, and I am almost always wrong. So sorry in advance.

ionadnapokot · 07-02-2016 11:24am

awec wrote: »

Where is handy to go for a pint if you're in the east stand? I am usually at the other side of the ground but don't fancy having to walk the whole way round if I go to the landsdowne hotel as usual.

Sandymount hotel

MJohnston · 07-02-2016 11:29am

awec wrote: »

Where is handy to go for a pint if you're in the east stand? I am usually at the other side of the ground but don't fancy having to walk the whole way round if I go to the landsdowne hotel as usual.

Red or purple? If Red go for The Bath Pub, or Slatterys. If Purple, Sandymount Hotel would probably do, although the Dodder towpath would make the aforementioned pubs not too much of a walk.

turnikett1 · 07-02-2016 11:32am

chupacabra wrote: »

Ah, another Six Nations championship, another championship of previously invisible posters coming out of the woodwork to cause havoc in match threads.

On topic, is it just me or is there a heavy sense of apathy around this tournament? I'm not hearing much buzz from back home and nothing but doom and gloom from m8's on various social media gutters. The loss to Argentina was rough but I mean come on, where's that tell tale excitement from opening weekend?

Ha, well, in my case, I watch club rugby too, I just never comment on it because I'm not as familiar with club level as I am international and don't want to make uninformed stupid opinions (on the internet!? Never!)

With regards your second point I feel you exactly. I'm living in France at the moment and there doesn't seem to be the same buzz both here and in Ireland. Most of my rugby friends are a bit more apathetic than usual. Think the WC burst everyone's bubble a bit. I have to say though this is the indeed the 6N that I've anticipated the least. I've been genuinely excited by it since Friday, and I'm really glad to witness another one, but I dunno, doesn't feel the same for some reason.

It's not even the end of week 1 though, so hopefully things turn around. Despite the same ol-same ol that we saw yesterday, I still have a feeling that this is going to be a very good 6N. Maybe I'm daydreaming a bit but I feel that Scotland have one really good performance in them, as do Italy - and hopefully it's not against each other! I think that by the end of it France will look more dangerous than recent years, and England more confident (not that they've been bad the past few years, small margins etc). I have no idea what's going to happen to Ireland! And a part of me feels that Wales won't do as well as anticipated...

All amateurish speculation though. I really hope it's full of surprises and shocks, as does everyone I assume. I'm looking forward to it anyways. I'm over the WC. Bring on 3-in-a-row.

awec · 07-02-2016 11:34am

MJohnston wrote: »

Red or purple? If Red go for The Bath Pub, or Slatterys. If Purple, Sandymount Hotel would probably do, although the Dodder towpath would make the aforementioned pubs not too much of a walk.

Purple. Will head to the sandymount hotel.

Ireland vs Wales, Six Nations 2016, Sunday 7th Feb, 2016. KO 3PMGMT

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