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bilston · 10-03-2012, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by boynesider

I'll admit that he has impressed me for Ulster but this is what makes his consistently average/poor performances for the u20's all the more inexplicable to me. Maybe it's a higher standard of rugby than we would think?

I think you're confusing poor goal kicking with poor oveall out half play.

shuffol · 10-03-2012, 10:29

Jackson cant be that poor a kicker though otherwise they'd have McGrath or Hanrahan kicking from the start, maybe its just the pressure of being captain thats affecting him.

danthefan · 10-03-2012, 10:32

I really like the way Jackson varies his distribution, always looking for a short ball or an inside runner or whatever, you really need a 10 who can play that sort of game to keep defences on their toes. I'm sure his kicking will come good.

**.ak** · 10-03-2012, 11:52

I'm surprised at the criticism to be honest. Aside from his place kicking, and being out of position once or twice I'd give him an 8/10. His passing was sublime at times, and knew exactly when to make the switch out to the backs. Unfortunately the team often went too wide too early. The team probably averaged 7/10. They were decent but far from firing on all cylinders.

Digifriendly · 10-03-2012, 14:07

Saw both U20 games last night and couldn't help but notice the difference in the venues. Dubarry Park pitch looked dreadful (albeit there was rain during the second half) while the pitch at Colwyn Bay for Wales vs Italy was in perfect condition. BTW the Wales game was a sell out at a superb venue. While Athlone is very central for U20 games is it the best avaliable venue I wonder?

dougieruggie · 10-03-2012, 20:04

Luke McGrath.

Best young scrum half in the country. (I include Murray in that)

The guy is going to be a Lions tourist one day if he keeps it up.

Hagz · 10-03-2012, 20:35

6-3 to France at Half-time.

Hagz · 10-03-2012, 21:27

5mins left and France still have the lead.

EDIT: England try, they take the lead

Hagz · 10-03-2012, 21:32

France take the lead back. 9-8 to France with only a minute or so left.

EDIT: 12-8 to France, 1 minute to go.

**.ak** · 10-03-2012, 21:32

Damnit... Gonna be a tense final game then. The U20s has been far more enjoyable than the seniors this year. More close games and drama!

Hagz · 10-03-2012, 21:40

Game Over. France win 12-8.

bilston · 10-03-2012, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougieruggie

Luke McGrath.

Best young scrum half in the country. (I include Murray in that)

The guy is going to be a Lions tourist one day if he keeps it up.

McGrath is very good and I tend to agree that he could potentially be a Lion (long way to go though).

However I think his passing needs a bit of work. I read someone on another MB compare him to Paul Marshall and actually you know what I can see the comparison only that McGrath appears to have a bit more control for the level he plays at anyway. However he just needs to improve that pass a bit, if he does, and I'm sure he will when is becomes a full time pro, he'll be very good.

Fireball07 · 10-03-2012, 22:44

Hagz, did you watch the game? How good were England?

I really hope they do it. Their defence has been incredible to date, particularly against France, so if they can continue that, they must have a great chance.

From a provincial point-of-view, Munster don't have a lot of players on the team but luckily, they do have one of the best ones. Hanrahan, along with Layden, Henderson and Gilsenan, look like they could be top class players.

Henderson reminds me of POC tbh, loads of aggression and seems to get what he wants through sheer force of will.

boynesider · 10-03-2012, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilston

I think you're confusing poor goal kicking with poor oveall out half play.

No I'm not actually. I mean in overall play, he is capable of so much more than what he has been producing. Loads of kicks straight into touch, poor restarts and some suicide passes to teammates. Last night wasn't too bad, but against France and Wales it was a serious issue. Plenty of flashes of brilliance at the same time however and I'm sure he'll be a full international. He's just not showing the control and leadership you would want from your captain and most experienced player. Cathal Marsh on the bench is a special talent with the ball in hand and I would love to see him get a start, but I think his kicking game is probably holding him back.

Hagz · 10-03-2012, 23:14

I don't understand why McGrath doesn't have the goal kicking duties anyway. Anyone who watched him play at u19 level will know that he's very capable off the tee. It might even take some pressure off Jackson. Or are we as a country just allergic to letting someone other than the 10 kick.

10-03-2012, 21:27	#563
Hagz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,980 Adverts \| Friends	5mins left and France still have the lead. EDIT: England try, they take the lead Last edited by Hagz; 10-03-2012 at 21:29.

10-03-2012, 21:32	#564
Hagz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,980 Adverts \| Friends	France take the lead back. 9-8 to France with only a minute or so left. EDIT: 12-8 to France, 1 minute to go. Last edited by Hagz; 10-03-2012 at 21:37.

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10-03-2012, 10:29	#557
shuffol Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,621 Adverts \| Friends	Jackson cant be that poor a kicker though otherwise they'd have McGrath or Hanrahan kicking from the start, maybe its just the pressure of being captain thats affecting him.

10-03-2012, 10:32	#558
danthefan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 7,031 Adverts \| Friends	I really like the way Jackson varies his distribution, always looking for a short ball or an inside runner or whatever, you really need a 10 who can play that sort of game to keep defences on their toes. I'm sure his kicking will come good.

10-03-2012, 11:52	#559
.ak Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dublin Posts: 8,961 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Rugby, Rugby League	I'm surprised at the criticism to be honest. Aside from his place kicking, and being out of position once or twice I'd give him an 8/10. His passing was sublime at times, and knew exactly when to make the switch out to the backs. Unfortunately the team often went too wide too early. The team probably averaged 7/10. They were decent but far from firing on all cylinders.

10-03-2012, 14:07	#560
Digifriendly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,933 Adverts \| Friends	Saw both U20 games last night and couldn't help but notice the difference in the venues. Dubarry Park pitch looked dreadful (albeit there was rain during the second half) while the pitch at Colwyn Bay for Wales vs Italy was in perfect condition. BTW the Wales game was a sell out at a superb venue. While Athlone is very central for U20 games is it the best avaliable venue I wonder?

10-03-2012, 20:04	#561
dougieruggie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 484 Adverts \| Friends	Luke McGrath. Best young scrum half in the country. (I include Murray in that) The guy is going to be a Lions tourist one day if he keeps it up.

10-03-2012, 20:35	#562
Hagz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,980 Adverts \| Friends	6-3 to France at Half-time.

10-03-2012, 21:32	#565
.ak Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dublin Posts: 8,961 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Rugby, Rugby League	Damnit... Gonna be a tense final game then. The U20s has been far more enjoyable than the seniors this year. More close games and drama!

10-03-2012, 21:40	#566
Hagz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,980 Adverts \| Friends	Game Over. France win 12-8.

10-03-2012, 22:44	#568
Fireball07 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Co. Limerick Posts: 4,912 Adverts \| Friends	Hagz, did you watch the game? How good were England? I really hope they do it. Their defence has been incredible to date, particularly against France, so if they can continue that, they must have a great chance. From a provincial point-of-view, Munster don't have a lot of players on the team but luckily, they do have one of the best ones. Hanrahan, along with Layden, Henderson and Gilsenan, look like they could be top class players. Henderson reminds me of POC tbh, loads of aggression and seems to get what he wants through sheer force of will.

10-03-2012, 23:14	#570
Hagz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,980 Adverts \| Friends	I don't understand why McGrath doesn't have the goal kicking duties anyway. Anyone who watched him play at u19 level will know that he's very capable off the tee. It might even take some pressure off Jackson. Or are we as a country just allergic to letting someone other than the 10 kick.