Ireland v Scotland. Croke Park, March 20th, 17:00, Match Thread.

scudzilla

Doesn't seem to be one yet so here goes

|
|
15. Hugo Southwell | 15. Geordan Murphy
14. Sean Lamont | 14. Tommy Bowe
13. Nick De Luca | 13. Brian O'Driscoll (C)
12. Graeme Morrison | 12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Max Evans | 11. Keith Earls
10. Dan Parks | 10. Jonathan Sexton
09. Chris Cusiter (C) | 09. Tomas O'Leary
|
1. Allan Jacobsen | 1. Cian Healy
2. Ross Ford | 2. Rory Best
3. Euan Murray | 3. John Hayes
4. Jim Hamilton | 4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Alastair Kellock | 5. Paul O'Connell
6. Kelly Brown | 6. Stephen Ferris
7. John Barclay | 7. David Wallace
8. Johnnie Beattie | 8. Jamie Heaslip
|
Substitutes | Substitutes
16. Scott Lawson | 16. Sean Cronin
17. Alasdair Dickinson | 17. Tony Buckley
18. Richie Gray | 18. Leo Cullen
19. Alan MacDonald | 19. Shane Jennings
20. Mike Blair | 20. Eoin Reddan
21. Phil Godman | 21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Simon Danielli | 22. Rob Kearney



Date: Saturday, March 20
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Croke Park
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Jérôme Garces (France)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)




Players to watch:

For Ireland: We have yet to really see Paul O'Connell out-physical his opposite number in Six Nations 2010 with France winning well before England were not, and probably should have been, dominated in the lock department. Alastair Kellock and Jim Hamilton will be no walk in the park though as Steve Bortwick and Louis Deacon found, so the Big O's must lift their game if Ireland are to gain the ascendancy early on at Croke Park.

For Scotland: It will be a bit of a mismatch in terms of size on one wing this week, with powerful Scarlet Sean Lamont taking on the lighter feet of Munster's Keith Earls. Both have been impressive in recent rounds, the Scot against Wales while the Irishman was at his best in Round Four. So will it be brawn to beat the smaller man? One thing is for certain and that is that the former will fancy his chances if he gets a one-on-one...


Head-to-head:
The battle at eight and nine will be very interesting indeed. Discounting the form of Imanol Harinordoquy in French colours, Jamie Heaslip and Johnnie Beattie have been the strongest in their position in 2010 while Tomas O'Leary is not too far away from Morgan Parra. But Chris Cusiter has also not been too shabby and was impressive against England last week so if the Irish duo can halt their opposites, they should win.


Previous results:
2009: Ireland won 22-15 at Murrayfield
2008: Ireland won 34-13 at Croke Park
2007: Scotland won 31-21 at Murrayfield
2007: Ireland won 19-18 at Croke Park
2006: Ireland won 15-9 at Lansdowne Road
2005: Ireland won 40-13 at Murrayfield
2004: Ireland won 37-16 at Lansdowne Road
2003: Ireland won 29-10 at Murrayfield
2003: Ireland won 36-6 at Murrayfield
2002: Ireland won 43-22 at Lansdowne Road


Source: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_6036683,00.html





Small question, i picked up a ref radio at Croke last week, will it still work tomorrow?

dreamer_ire

scudzilla wrote: »

Small question, i picked up a ref radio at Croke last week, will it still work tomorrow?

It will but the battery has a rubbish life. Use it til it runs out and then use you phone/radio moving forward.

Theta

Yup its a standard frequency. You dont even need the ref radio you could have used a walkman or your mobile if it has a radio and tuned in.

PhatPiggins

What no Planet Rugby copy and pasting? This is not a real match day thread.

gavkm27

Wheres the big intro and head to heads? c'mon Thomond step in and fix this;)
Just landed 2 tickets for Upper Hogan right in the corner,cant wait:D:D

Theta

gavkm27 wrote: »

Wheres the big intro and head to heads? c'mon Thomond step in and fix this;)
Just landed 2 tickets for Upper Hogan right in the corner,cant wait:D:D

Damn you! Ill struggle to find somewhere to watch it. Ill have to rely on a dodgy online feed again!

ScrubsfanChris

|
|
15. Hugo Southwell | 15. Geordan Murphy
14. Sean Lamont | 14. Tommy Bowe
13. Nick De Luca | 13. Brian O'Driscoll (C)
12. Graeme Morrison | 12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Max Evans | 11. Keith Earls
10. Dan Parks | 10. Jonathan Sexton
09. Chris Cusiter (C) | 09. Tomas O'Leary
|
1. Allan Jacobsen | 1. Cian Healy
2. Ross Ford | 2. Rory Best
3. Euan Murray | 3. John Hayes
4. Jim Hamilton | 4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Alastair Kellock | 5. Paul O'Connell
6. Kelly Brown | 6. Stephen Ferris
7. John Barclay | 7. David Wallace
8. Johnnie Beattie | 8. Jamie Heaslip
|
Substitutes | Substitutes
16. Scott Lawson | 16. Sean Cronin
17. Alasdair Dickinson | 17. Tony Buckley
18. Richie Gray | 18. Leo Cullen
19. Alan MacDonald | 19. Shane Jennings
20. Mike Blair | 20. Eoin Reddan
21. Phil Godman | 21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Simon Danielli | 22. Rob Kearney



Date: Saturday, March 20
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Croke Park
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Jérôme Garces (France)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)

PhatPiggins wrote: »

What no Planet Rugby copy and pasting? This is not a real match day thread.

Here you go

Players to watch:

For Ireland: We have yet to really see Paul O'Connell out-physical his opposite number in Six Nations 2010 with France winning well before England were not, and probably should have been, dominated in the lock department. Alastair Kellock and Jim Hamilton will be no walk in the park though as Steve Bortwick and Louis Deacon found, so the Big O's must lift their game if Ireland are to gain the ascendancy early on at Croke Park.

For Scotland: It will be a bit of a mismatch in terms of size on one wing this week, with powerful Scarlet Sean Lamont taking on the lighter feet of Munster's Keith Earls. Both have been impressive in recent rounds, the Scot against Wales while the Irishman was at his best in Round Four. So will it be brawn to beat the smaller man? One thing is for certain and that is that the former will fancy his chances if he gets a one-on-one...


Head-to-head:
The battle at eight and nine will be very interesting indeed. Discounting the form of Imanol Harinordoquy in French colours, Jamie Heaslip and Johnnie Beattie have been the strongest in their position in 2010 while Tomas O'Leary is not too far away from Morgan Parra. But Chris Cusiter has also not been too shabby and was impressive against England last week so if the Irish duo can halt their opposites, they should win.


Previous results:
2009: Ireland won 22-15 at Murrayfield
2008: Ireland won 34-13 at Croke Park
2007: Scotland won 31-21 at Murrayfield
2007: Ireland won 19-18 at Croke Park
2006: Ireland won 15-9 at Lansdowne Road
2005: Ireland won 40-13 at Murrayfield
2004: Ireland won 37-16 at Lansdowne Road
2003: Ireland won 29-10 at Murrayfield
2003: Ireland won 36-6 at Murrayfield
2002: Ireland won 43-22 at Lansdowne Road


Source: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_6036683,00.html

gavkm27

The lads looking relaxed on the way back from Croker today,pic from Guinness Rugby Supporters Ireland on Facebook

Theta

Haha shams!

thomond2006

gavkm27 wrote: »

Wheres the big intro and head to heads? c'mon Thomond step in and fix this;)

I'm being rested from Ireland duty this week, need to see the young lads like scrubsfanschris coming through.

ScrubsfanChris

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm being rested from Ireland duty this week, need to see the young lads like scrubsfanschris coming through.

Young?

I don't normally have the time for posts like that, but I have no lectures today, so I'm just at home watching How I Met your Mother while staring out at the rain.

Deedsie

I know its a ridiculous long shot, but does anyone think if Ireland can get ahead of Scotland early, Will they go for putting up as many oints as they can and see what England can muster in Paris?

I am happy with the triple crown this year, but i do hope the lads go for it if the game is pretty much over early on.

Theta

Its a longshot a very longshot but stranger things have happened!

pappyodaniel

Deedsie wrote: »

I know its a ridiculous long shot, but does anyone think if Ireland can get ahead of Scotland early, Will they go for putting up as many oints as they can and see what England can muster in Paris?

I am happy with the triple crown this year, but i do hope the lads go for it if the game is pretty much over early on.

It's possible, if Eng could win by about 10 or 11 and we hammer Scotland by around 40 it's possible, never say never, pity both games aren't on at the same time. France had the advantage a couple of years ago by playing the evening game against Scotland on Paddys Day and knew exactly what they had to score to win the Championship.

But realistically, how in God's name are Eng gonna beat France in Paris? I'd say Johnson feels like putting on his boots for this one.

andrewdcs

I think we'll be comfortable enough, but I think France will run riot over England, revenge for last year, Grand Slam at home etc. they'll put 40 on the board.

Just wish I'd been a bit smarter and held back a few subs for this weekend on the fantasy....

pappyodaniel

andrewdcs wrote: »

Just wish I'd been a bit smarter and held back a few subs for this weekend on the fantasy....

I've got about 4 transfers left, only made one last week. How are you doing in that league? Was thinking of changing my outhalf from S Jones to J Sexton, thing is i'm expecting Ireland and Wales to rake up high scores against their opposition this wknd.

stephen_n

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I've got about 4 transfers left, only made one last week. How are you doing in that league? Was thinking of changing my outhalf from S Jones to J Sexton, thing is i'm expecting Ireland and Wales to rake up high scores against their opposition this wknd.

Why do you think that? I would say that the Italians might upset the Welsh and get their highest finish so far!

Theta

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I've got about 4 transfers left, only made one last week. How are you doing in that league? Was thinking of changing my outhalf from S Jones to J Sexton, thing is i'm expecting Ireland and Wales to rake up high scores against their opposition this wknd.

Im leaving S Jones in. If anything at least he is consistant!

How many points is everyone on?

gavkm27

So got my tickets this evening for the game,in upper hogan section 725 right in the corner,We are Row V,i'm guessing it's up pretty high in the nose bleed section??:D anyone know/remember?

Ian_K

gavkm27 wrote: »

So got my tickets this evening for the game,in upper hogan section 725 right in the corner,We are Row V,i'm guessing it's up pretty high in the nose bleed section??:D anyone know/remember?

Afaik there's 26 rows in the upper tier so ya you're 5 rows from the back

Theta

Anyone know what french TV stations are showing the matches tomorrow? I have a shed load of french stations but I cant track down listings to see whats on where

Anyone know?

Fits Morris

The stage

The ARP (Andy Robinson Productions) Theatre Company are on the road once again with their ever popular rugby comedy “Singin’ I’m no’ a Paddy, he’s a Jock!” What could be worse for an Ireland supporter than being locked up in a police cell on the day of a Triple Crown game? For Sean FitzPaddy, there, is one thing worse - being banged up with Jock, a fervent Scotland supporter. “Singin I’m no’ a Paddy, he’s a Jock!” comes to Dublin this Saturday evening, March 20th, for one performance only.

What’s that I hear? It’s been cancelled due to FitzPaddy getting out? Ah feck...if only the laws of the land were as easy to change as the laws of rugby, he’d still be behind bars.

The picture

Well I suppose I’ll have to be content with the actual match itself now. Just down the canal from where the bould Seanie should have been en-Joy-ing his evening, the Irish rugby team enter the Croke Park cauldron for the final time. One last highland fling against the Scots, with the first throw in at 5:01. The kick-off precedes that by about a minute.

The championship looks like it’s slipping away, and it will take an unprecedented set of Anglo-Irish results tomorrow for our heroes to retain the Six Nations trophy. Unfortunately Anglo stock has collapsed under new CEO Martin Johnson, and looks set to plunge further in value tomorrow night at the Stade de France. The RFU should have heeded the warnings - past performance is no indicator of future gains. It would take the greatest French collapse since Waterloo to give Ireland a chance.

But if everything goes to plan, and there’s no reason to think it won’t, tomorrow should see a first Crown victory at Croke Park since November 21st, 1920. On that day the Imperial Commander decided to shoot up the Hill, much like what happened at Cheltenham today. Tomorrow, it’s an Irish Crown, a Triple Crown, that should be in the bag-pipes.

Traditionally, Irish fans never talked about the Grand Slam. It was always about the Triple Crown, about defeating the other Home Nations, as Mark McDermott likes to call them. Win tomorrow and it’s five Triple Crowns in seven years. Wales can keep their Grand Slams. We know the score.

The match

Last week Ireland easily kept up with the Joneses on Jones’s Road. The Welsh were beaten comfortably. Johnny Sexton had a fine game and was at the heart of most of Ireland’s creativity. But this was overshadowed in the minds of many Munster-centric pundits by his failings from placed balls. This criticism was short-sighted in the extreme and I expect the St. Mary’s man to cement his place as Ireland’s number one stand-off half tomorrow. He should match the St. Patrick’s Day Croke Park performance of another of Ireland’s brightest young sports stars, Joe Canning, by scoring at least 12 points.

The end of the Croke Park era could see the end of another era – that of the Bull. It’s 102 not out for John Hayes tomorrow. Father time is catching up however, and one fears that for the Limerick folk hero, “This Sporting Life”, at least at international level, is at an end. I expect the scrum tomorrow to be under pressure from the start. Euan Murray has already caused Munster problems this season. We’ll see a lot more of him over the next three weeks. This is one man who Paul O’Connell won’t be able to put the fear of God into. As a strict Free Presbyterian, Murray is a prisoner of God. He already has a serious fear of God, and he instills it in most of his opponents. Young Cian Healy has a tough job ahead of him tomorrow.

Irish teams have been stung by Wasps in the past and if there’s a sting in the tail tomorrow it could be provided by the “Killer Bees”. Kelly Brown has overcome injury to take his place in the Scots’ fabled back row line. They’ll be banking on John Barclay having a profitable evening. Our Celtic cousins will also be looking to former Rangers youth player Johnnie Beattie turning in a hun-believeable performance. But the Irish back row is arguably the strongest in the world, so it’s not an area where Scotland should gain an advantage.

The Munster boys turned up last week for the first time in this championship. Tomas O’Leary, Keith Earls and Paul O’Connell at last justified their places. Leinster fans have questioned some of the Munster players’ commitment to the Irish cause (excluding Hayes and Wallace who always give their all) and the first three matches of the tournament showed why. But with the European Cup on the horizon, the Munster lads know that they have to find their form now in order to be at their peak come April 10th and Northampton. Hopefully they'll bother to make an effort again this week and we will see their upward graph continue.

I think it may be a harder fought game than many expect. Only in the last quarter do I expect it to become safe. At the home of hurling, the last 20 minutes could see Scotland on the Rackard, Ireland running Rings around them with a devil may Keher attitude. An Irish win, and an Irish crown. Something like 25-13.

The scrap

Since Ronan O’Gara won’t be playing tomorrow he’s decided to use the trip up to Dublin to take care of some unfinished business. This hasn’t been generally publicised but ROG and Kevin Myers have decided to settle their recent squabble by fighting it out in an old-style playground scrap. It’s tentatively down for lunchtime tomorrow in the yard of O’Connell’s schools just behind the Canal End. O’Gara is bringing his mates Bully, Wally, POC and DOC in case he starts getting a beating while Myers won’t be bringing anybody as he has no friends. Apparently he’s also under the impression that he’ll be able to win with his acerbic wit, the pen being mightier than the sword and all that. I think he’ll be mistaken on this occasion, although one can never rule out the chance that O’Gara will have bet heavily on himself to lose. A gambler often has no pride.

The visitors

4:55 pm tomorrow will be a time to welcome back some familiar faces to these shores. Our politicians! How we’ve missed them. Biffo is back from the drowning o’ the Shamrock with his fellow Offaly man Barack Obama. Mary Harney will have returned from her vital rugby fact finding mission to New Zealand, just in time to pass on those tips to the team. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it, and fair play to her. She deserves a right good piss up tomorrow for her great efforts and I know she’ll get it. A drink to her health!

Some unfortunate breaking news, Scottish Rugby Union patron HRH Princess Anne won’t be able to make it after injuring herself in a race at Cheltenham today. The soft ground didn’t suit her and she clipped a fetlock on one of those tricky fences on the far side of the course. Thankfully she didn’t have to be put down, although screens were put up to shield the crowd from her face. Both Anne and her jockey are expected to make a full recovery.

But better news for the Scots in that one of the Reid brothers of Proclaimers fame has arrived in Dublin for the match. Charlie Reid walked the 300 odd miles from Edinburgh just to be here, and exclusively told me: “It was a doddle. Sure I’m used to walking 500 miles. And I didn’t even have to swim between Stranraer and Larne, I got the ferry instead. It was nothing.” Great modesty. Brother Craig won’t be able to make it Croke Park, but the fanatical rugby fan sent a Letter from America in support of the Scottish team.

The pub

We all enjoy the social aspect of Six Nations weekends, and with a few drinks on board, the Casanovas amongst us begin to fancy their chances with the ladies of the visiting team’s support. There’s nothing like chasing a bit of skirt. However, I feel it my duty to warn any randy Irish lads who may be looking for a nice Scots girl. Before putting your hand up any skirt, make sure that it in fact belongs to a female. Scottish men also have a liking for wearing strange looking skirts, and they often wear nothing, I repeat, nothing, underneath. Acting without thinking could lead to a potentially humiliating situation resulting in extensive mental scarring, so please be extra careful.

Pub goers will be hoping that the Scottish kilt wearers don’t go commando tomorrow, as extensive consumption of Guinness amongst people who aren’t used to it does have consequences when it gets to the other end, if you catch my drift (not theirs!). It’s at times like this that the flaws in the smoking ban become apparent.

The venue

February 11th, 2007. Before that date it was hard to imagine rugby at Croke Park. Now it’s hard to imagine Croke Park without rugby.

Memories, oh the memories. POC’S dropped re-start and the heartbreak of Vincent Clerc’s killer try in the first match against France. The tears of John Hayes. Two weeks later, the day we collectively matured as a nation, the day we got revenge for Cromwell, for 1798, for 1916. The day our hearts beat collectively to the sound of rugby union football. That day it was obvious which team would get to the World Cup Final and which team would be eliminated in the first round. The French returned in 2009, vanquished this time. Martin Johnson and his new England could not breach the Fenian fortress. The World Champions, South Africa, also came and were beaten.

Next Autumn it will be back to Ballsbridge. A Ballsbridge that has changed in so many ways. No more Celtic Tiger. No more Berkeley Court. Jury’s is out.

For four seasons Irish rugby made Croke Park its home. Tomorrow, those four seasons will be remembered in one day. For the last time Irish rugby fans will walk up Clonliffe Road, Jones’s Road and Dorset Street. For the the last time they will throng the pubs like Quinns, the Big Tree, Gill’s and McGraths. It’s time to go home, but somehow it feels like leaving home. So if we are leaving home, let’s leave home in style.

pikachucheeks

I'm going to this! Can't wait
I usually get to a few of the Six Nations games, but this is my only one this year!
Looking forward to a good game.

JustinDee

Fits Morris wrote: »

Martin Johnson and his new England could not breach the Fenian fortress

Edit: ffs :rolleyes:

PhatPiggins

JustinDee wrote: »

Edit: ffs :rolleyes:

Why? You need to lighten up.

Theta

Theta wrote: »

Anyone know what french TV stations are showing the matches tomorrow? I have a shed load of french stations but I cant track down listings to see whats on where

Anyone know?

France 2 usually carry the 6 nations afaik

JustinDee

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Why? You need to lighten up.

I'm fine.
Just think it was tosh.

Alicat

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I'm going to this! Can't wait
I usually get to a few of the Six Nations games, but this is my only one this year!
Looking forward to a good game.

I'm going too, yay! \o/

ScrubsfanChris

Hey Scudzilla,
If you are going to copy and paste my entire post the least thing you can do is credit me, those team tables take time you know.
I'm not asking you to remove it, but having the same huge post including the PlanetRugby.com stuff on one page is a bit stupid.
Try and respect other peoples effort, you can keep the table in your post if you want but get rid of the other stuff.

matt-dublin

<snip>

_blank_

That's not allowed

Blut2

Why in gods name is Hayes starting? Whatever about having to play a full strength side in the backs to try and get points on the board surely this would be a good match to both give Buckley and a start and give Court another appearance from the bench.

anonymous_joe

Cannae wait for this now.

Only down side is I'll miss the afternoon's piss up in my mate's place.

Still, there's always tonight.

Sangre

Anyone know ref link frequency?

Blut2

It was 95.6ish I think during the AIs from what I remember, probably the same now. You'll prob find it easy enough just scanning around that whenever you see the ref talking to players

Theta

Deleted User wrote: »

France 2 usually carry the 6 nations afaik

Yup they do! Yes no crap ass internet streams for me! Although French commentary is rubbish!

athtrasna

20 mins til Ireland's Call is sung in Croker for the last time!

Aidric

Anyone see the shots of the Aviva there? Class apart from that end with one tier. That just looks pitiful and strange.

evil_seed

pity it wasnt 20 minutes until its never sung again

_blank_

Lets not have a silly anthems discussion, please.

Noffles

Aidric wrote: »

Anyone see the shots of the Aviva there? Class apart from that end with one tier. That just looks pitiful and strange.

It looks ****, surely that can't be the way it'll be at the finish... Shame, it's gonna be too small.

evil_seed

too bad its scotland that we are playing. this is gonna be a battle. would prefer to have a free flowing game as the last game in croke park

athtrasna

Microphones up very close for anthems!

pappyodaniel

Aidric wrote: »

Anyone see the shots of the Aviva there? Class apart from that end with one tier. That just looks pitiful and strange.

It looks like Arsenal's Emirates Stadium but with a big bite taken out of it. So will you still call it Lansdowne Rd or will you call it the Aviva? I'm gonna try stick with the tried and tested.

Anyway I'm really looking forward to this game, I'd like to see Ireland do better on the possession and territory stakes and if we do then i'd expect us to win by a big margin. So far our finishing has been lethal.

~Come on Ireland!

.DarDarBinks

COME ON IRELAND!

MissHoneyBun

This might sound a bit naff but I love the way all the lads are not afraid to really belt out the National Anthem. They respect it and sing it with pride.
Fock Bowe's off the mark already, c'mon boys, the Triple Crown is Irish!

athtrasna

slippery ball or over anxious players?

irishbucsfan

Quick reminder there of why the team prefers box kicks!

MissHoneyBun

athtrasna wrote: »

slippery ball or over anxious players?

A little from Column A....
Just the day that's in it I'd say. Need to watch the unforced errors though

Noffles

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

This might sound a bit naff but I love the way all the lads are not afraid to really belt out the National Anthem. They respect it and sing it with pride.

You're right it does sound naff, why would they be afraid to sing thr national anthem...??

Aidric

Good offloading there. Sexton with the ball in one hand caused the knock on.