Can it really happen that quickly?

vorbis

I've heard a whole lot of talk about the crisis in Irish rugby regarding props and the front row. Then I think about the welsh. Last year even though they won the grand slam, there scrum was generally pushed all over the pitch. It was a miracle that they survived.

Fast forward just one year and the introduction of Horsmann and a new hooker has revitalised their front row. They outmuscled the Australians up fron on Saturday even gaining a peanalty try out of it. I also remember them winning a scrum against the head when playing South Africa. In general, whilst not equal to the SA forwards, they weren't too far off.

I guess the point is that all this crisis talk is a bit ott.

JuliusFranco

vorbis wrote:

...
I guess the point is that all this crisis talk is a bit ott.

I agree!

There are some serious problems that will need to be adressed

However, only 12 months ago we had just beaten SA in one of our best performances for years. We had a good 2004 (albetit after a dodgy trips to France and SA)
I find it difficult to believe that in 12 months it can go so tits up

That said, there are still some serious problems on and off the pitch

Snickers Man

JuliusFranco wrote:

I find it difficult to believe that in 12 months it can go so tits up

God bless your (presumably) youthful innocence.

Those of us who remember the 1980s can recall the following sequence:
1980
Two home wins (to Scotland and Wales--our first victory over the Trogs for 10 years) two away defeats to England (a massacre) and France (a one-point nail biter during which we scored our only EVER try at Parc des Princes)
An average season.

1981
Whitewash. Two narrow home defeats to FRance and England, both down to the same tactical blunder by Ollie Campbell. Two one point defeats away to Scotland and Wales, in the latter of which Tony Ward at out half had one of his best displays in an Ireland shirt.
Followed in the summer by two defeats on tour against South Africa and in the autumn by home defeat against Australia.

SEVEN DEFEATS IN A ROW.

1982
Triple Crown!!! Stirring victories over England and Wales. Kickfest to beat Scotland. Didn't turn up for last match in Paris because hey, nobody was interested in Grand Slams back then. Triple Crown was everything.

1983
Shared Championship. Slipped up against Wales in Cardiff.

1984
Whitewash. Inept at best, hopeless at worst. Dire games against England and Wales when they were just slightly less awful than we were. Hammered away to France and at home by Scotland in their grand slam season.

1985
Triple Crown again!!!
First win in Cardiff for 18 years. (would stay unbeaten there for the next 20) Great comeback victory against Scotland. Dogged defeat of England and scrappy draw with France. Triple Crown achieved with out a tight forward game.

1986
Forced to play a tight forward game and whitewashed. England score three pushover tries from scrums starting on the 22m line. A nadir.

So what I'm basically saying is:
1) I'm old
2) Yes. Your fortunes can fluctuate wildly from one season to another and if you don't have tight forwards, you'll be killed by those who do.

mchurl

12 months is a long time in any sport lads