Who would YOU pick; D'arce or Paddy?

Leggy Blonde

I personally feel Paddy Wallace will be a big mistake, and as such am surprised the press has not been covering this angle in the run up. So ahead of the game I think it would be interesting to see what the general public feels.

In my opinion, PWs form doesnt accomodate for the fact that he is by far the smallest inside centre. And in particular, in the Ireland set-up he is alongside, a defensively weak outhalf. I see a gaping hole in the middle of the pitch. While Darcy as a replacement would still be a fair deal smaller than the other inside centres, at least he would somewhat bridge the gap.

Comparitively massive units such as Mike Tindall (and when we play Wales, Jamie Roberts) will be able to make comfortable lay-offs to their on-rushing centre partner, which in Englands case will be Riki Flutey (who really shouldn't be allowed to play, but thats another story).

If you look at Ma'Nonu's 63rd minute try, it seemed so easy to make that space, with Paddy Wallace's weak smother tackle - and the missed tackle by one of the pair earlier in the move - he's just too small.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUmTOjiCghs

I dont think the 'dont judge a player on twenty minutes' argument is valid as Darce showed some of the flair that made him player of the tournament not too long ago. Needless to say, in both games when Darcy was on we were better. I think that is as justifiable evidence as one can hope to get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf_TvVxU73A&NR=1

Also, as for this rubbish about darcy having a poor pass...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdWnhH_Pj74&feature=related
ah them were the days

fifth

I'm a bigger darcy fan (wexford man) than wallace fan but Wallace feels right for the match on sat. I'd like to see him go a full game against england. Dunno if Darcy's back up to speed just yet (despite the try against the french).

NickNolte

I like Wallace. I'd like to believe in him and I think he has a great ability to distribute. I just feel that D'Arcy, although not fully match fit yet, is a much more capable and much better international standard player. D'Arcy for me.

maxxie

Gordon D'Arcy

if it aint broken dont fix it!

ScholesyIsGod

D'Arcy still isnt ready to start a 6N game he was out for a year after all, im not a huge Wallace fan but to be honest he hasnt really put a foot wrong thus far so i dont really have too many problems with him starting

Tristram

Gordon D'Arcy

Wallace for now.

eroo

Gordon D'Arcy

Wallace, but then pull on D'Arcy after 60 mins.

soundsham

Gordon D'Arcy

40 mins each i think is the way to go

competition for the place

SomeFool

I think it has to be Wallace starting. D'Arcy is not going to have the full 80 in him at test level and I'd prefer to see him coming on in the last 20 minutes when play is a bit more broken. Wallace deserves a run of games at 12, he has been the form player in Ireland.

keane2097

Gordon D'Arcy

I'd be very happy to see D'arcy coming off the bench to the same effect as in the last two games tbh.

I don't think Wallace would be half as good a sub to bring in if it was reversed - D'arcy's a superb impact sub...

anonymous_joe

Gordon D'Arcy

I'm a huge D'arcy fan, but Paddy Wallace has earned his place and deserves a chance.

Also, he offers a lot as a playmaker and auxiliary tactical kicker.

zAbbo

Wallace without a doubt, he's having a fantastic season - and if we're gonna to have outside backs who can run lines - we need someone who can put them into space.

Our game plan is geared around that, so it's a no brainer.

D'Arcy is only back from injury, and should be eased into the team, Kidney is picking players on form, which was the argument against O'Sullivan - and yet people still complain.

It's an insult some of the stuff I've read here and heard that Wallace is rubbish/only getting a game cause of the quota etc.

Noopti

Gordon D'Arcy

Right now Wallace. But if D'Arcy gets back to his best I would pick him.

Leggy Blonde

Its bizarre that currently all the posts are for paddy and yet the poll (currently) is quite even.

While yes Paddy hasn't done anything wrong, D'arcy has done a lot of good in the time hes been on the pitch. I dont think this game will be as easy as the bookies are making out. So far we have executed almost everyone one of our opportunities, France had far superior possesion and territory and we were losing for a large part of the italian game when wallace was on. Also, id say the outhalf/inside entre pairing is probably the smallest in the history of the six nations.

The quota thing is indeed curious.

But. I hope im wrong.

Brewster

Gordon D'Arcy

Leggy Blonde wrote: »

I personally feel Paddy Wallace will be a big mistake, and as such am surprised the press has not been covering this angle in the run up. So ahead of the game I think it would be interesting to see what the general public feels.

In my opinion, PWs form doesnt accomodate for the fact that he is by far the smallest inside centre. And in particular, in the Ireland set-up he is alongside, a defensively weak outhalf. I see a gaping hole in the middle of the pitch. While Darcy as a replacement would still be a fair deal smaller than the other inside centres, at least he would somewhat bridge the gap.

Comparitively massive units such as Mike Tindall (and when we play Wales, Jamie Roberts) will be able to make comfortable lay-offs to their on-rushing centre partner, which in Englands case will be Riki Flutey (who really shouldn't be allowed to play, but thats another story).

If you look at Ma'Nonu's 63rd minute try, it seemed so easy to make that space, with Paddy Wallace's weak smother tackle - and the missed tackle by one of the pair earlier in the move - he's just too small.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUmTOjiCghs

I dont think the 'dont judge a player on twenty minutes' argument is valid as Darce showed some of the flair that made him player of the tournament not too long ago. Needless to say, in both games when Darcy was on we were better. I think that is as justifiable evidence as one can hope to get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf_TvVxU73A&NR=1

Also, as for this rubbish about darcy having a poor pass...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdWnhH_Pj74&feature=related
ah them were the days

Leggy Blonde, anyone can pull clips off the net to protray a player in a poor or positive light. You obviously aren't a fan of Ulster rugby, otherwise you would have watched Ulster games and would be in a position to appreciate the sparkling form Wallace has been in this season in a developing side whose confidence had hit rock bottom last season. Wallace has some skills that Gordon D'Arcy will never have. The question of which player on top form brings more to the Irish setup is an entirely different issue than who should be in the team at the moment, based on circumstances such as form/return from injury.

D'Arcy needs more game time, maybe in time he will come back into team, as I say thats another argument, but picking him over Wallace now is madness.

What Wallace lacks in size, he doesnt have make up for it in terms of heart and pride when he pulls on the green jersey, just like many proud Ulstermen before him.

What fecking quota are you talking about? We still have milk quotas in this country, are you a confused blonde by any chance?! Quotas never have and never will play a role in Irish rugby.

Diom

Gordon D'Arcy

That try was more the fault of DOC (if you can fault a single player in a team game!) than PWs. Wallace had made his tackle and DOC should have covered across instead of readying himself for the ruck that never happened.

I'd like to point out Wallaces try also! Jees! Wallace is a class player and able to look after himself.

Leggy Blonde

Leggy Blonde wrote: »

If you look at Ma'Nonu's 63rd minute try, it seemed so easy to make that space, with Paddy Wallace's weak smother tackle - and the missed tackle by one of the pair earlier in the move - he's just too small.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUmTOjiCghs

In fairness there aint many players in the world that would stop Ma'A Nonu.

He was the form centre in the world in that match.

gosplan

Firstly, I have to agree with the 'if it ain't broke' mantra - especially considering the steady progression this team seems to be making at the moment - things could always be better but it's fair to say that the Irish international team and this Six-Nations tournament is going about as well as anyone could have envisaged. I'm not saying 'never rock the boat' but we're laying foundations for the next few years at the moment so it might not be the best time to do so.

Secondly, and I think Kidney as a bit of a psychologist will be aware of this, it would be a really cruel blow to Wallace to bench him now. Basically, I can't see any reason to drop Wallace based on his Irish performances - most of which have been spent off the field ... and I think it's important to Kidney and the political quagmire lurking behind the national team that Irish performances are the benchmark by which the team will be selected (see BOD remaining as captain).

Maybe it will turn out that D'Arce is the better choice but TBH once Kidney promoted Wallace to the starting line-up, he has to give him a fair crack at it. Benching him now sends a clear message that there is actually no competition between him and D'Arce and would put his international career back a couple of years.

If Wallace had played most of the first two games, we might be making a fair and educated case for D'Arce based on the various strengths and weaknesses of the two players but we're unable to do so as he really hasn't gotten a chance yet.

To summarise - if it ain't broke don't drop the fella cause it would be lousy.

Micky Dolenz

Gordon D'Arcy

I agree with all of the above.

Wallace hasn't done anything wrong to be dropped and D'arcy is not 100% match sharp and he needs to be in test matchs.

I also agree that he is an awesome impact sub.

toomevara

Gordon D'Arcy

Wallace to start, he's on form and his kicking game give style Irish attack another valuable option, particularly against a misfiring england 3/4 line who look less than solid.

Fozzie Bear

Wallace for me too. He has done nothing wrong so far and is not afraid of getting stuck in as his mangled head will testify too! Been a bit unlucky to have had those two nasty head injuries end his games early. I think Darcy will in time reclaim his place in the team when he gets more games under his belt and is probably a more talented player then Wallace. But for now Paddy is more then deserving of his starting place plus Darcy is a great replacement to have sitting on the bench. He is itching to get back onto the team and any chance he does get to play he is going to give it 110%. Best of both worlds IMO at the moment with two talented players.