AI: Ireland v Fiji; Thomond Park, Sat 17 Nov 5.30, RTE/BBC2 NI [MOD WARNING POST 630]

leftleg

Where there is pleasure, there is also pain….

Ireland XV to play Fiji: D Hurley; F McFadden, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, S Cronin, M Ross, D O'Callaghan, D Tuohy, I Henderson, J Muldoon, J Heaslip
Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy, M Bent, D Ryan, C Henry, P Marshall, J Sexton, S Zebo

First The Pleasure
Declan has gone all Gatland circa 2000 on us in picking debutants a plenty. The trio are Ulster winger Craig Gilroy, Ulster Centre Luke Marshall and Ulster Fly Half Paddy Jackson. These three players have been in cracking form all season. Unbeaten in all competitions, Ulster are a side that simply can’t be ignored at this stage.




Also in to see starting game time is Dave Kilcoyne at 1, Iain Henderson as Kidneys much favoured 5.5 role and John Muldoon at 7. Sean Cronin gets a well-deserved start at 2 along with Dan Tuohy gets]ting his mits on the 5 shirt. Declan has finally decided to take the dip and give Darren Cave a shot at that 13 jersey and Charlie Chaplin Fergus McFadden gets a go on the wing. It’s all very exciting now that Declan has seemingly loosened the shackles of conventionalism and picked a team on form and a team of players that’s well deserving of their caps here. Or has he?



And again Declan has given a wink to the prodigal province that is Connacht. Again another Connacht enforcer comes in for his first cap since the baa baas game in the summer. Before that you’d have to go back to another mauling at the hands of the kiwis when Jamie saw the red mist. Muldoon left that game with a broken arm. I still remember when he broke his arm during the game but kept playing as Ireland were defending on there own line. What a beast. Congratulations indeed to John Muldoon. His form again this season has been impressive and its great to see Declan actually rewarding true form. Indeed I'm sure hell be looking to put in as big a game as his club compatriot did last week.


Now let’s pause for the Pain



Strangely Declan spoke during the week about continuity. When we hear Declan speak of continuity everyone face palms. But here he has decided to remove the exciting prospect of Simon Zebo at 15 and plumped for Denis Hurley at 15 instead with Simon on the bench. It’s an interesting choice and obviously on one hand you have a big strong 15 who will catch and carry all day and has enriched his talent as well with a penchant for a delicious offload or two in the tackle, with a younger, less experienced but far more exciting all-rounder in Zebo. Surely letting Zebo try and improve on any mistakes he made in the Bok game would make more sense even in a non-cap game. Remember Gilroy against the baa-baas in a non-cap game anyone??



About the 55th minute in the bok game it was obvious to me that Mike Ross was out on his feet and would have had trouble even chasing the local tuck van for a quick snack, such was the effort he'd put in at the coal face. Clearly Declan still doesn’t trust the Michael Bent show and has again decided to flog Mike Ross, this time in a non-cap international. This is another strange selection. Fiji aren’t known for their powers in the scrum and you have to think this game is perfect for Michael Bent to get a stronger taste for the International arena, kind of ease himself in and get a good 60 under his belt. Declan has gone and given 3 kids there starts in the backs and, then instead of some much needed squad building at the most important position for Ireland, the 3 jersey, he shirks the call and continues to keep it the same. I do hope the second half brings Michael Bent before anyone else. There is no point in bringing him from Taranaki asap to sit on the pine at international games. His show against the boks gives the inkling he may have more than Hagan or Archer (who apparently got shoved backwards like a scared ostrich by Jack McGrath in the B&I cup) have to offer at the moment.

In the lock partnership, again Declan hands you out the sweets and then mixes it with a rotten apple. Big Dan Touhy gets his go at 5. Im delighted for him. Last season he toiled all the way to the Rabo semis and the Heineken Cup Final alongside Johann Mueller and all he got for it was a ticket to New Zealand to get hockied by the All Blacks. He has been nothing short of immense and Ulsters position sky high in the Rabo and pretty much qualified in theeir group in the Heineken mirrors it. At 4, helicopter arms cum winger Donncha O’ Callaghan gets a start. Its again a bewildering call and a bit of a head scratcher. Then again apart from Donncha Ryan, who precedes him at 4? He will give 100%, but is that enough anymore?


Nearly right but not quite



And again Declan’s selections baffle everyone except Gerry in the Munster Romanticizer’s novel. His “probable” was nearly "it" bar the surprise of Bent not being the starting 3 and the amazement that the 9 jersey was “between” Reddan and Murray. I’d say bets were off on the scrum half pick quite early. Just what is Declan's undying man love in starting Conor in every single game there is? Surely a non-cap international against a hugely depleted and probably largely uninterested Fiji team is the perfect test bed for the hugely impressive Paul Marshall. Especially as his provincial team mate and link up partner Paddy Jackson is starting at 10. Yet again at half back, Declan has plumped for the opposites. Still Murray is a bit of a wunderkind, there is no denying that, but there is no hiding from the fact that this game is made for a player like Paul Marshall. On the other hand think about Marshall entering the fray at 55/60 minutes against a very tired Fiji defence. As the fight announcer used to say on Mortal Kombat “Finish Him!!”

Still let’s sit back and rub our hands at the thought of a largely ulster backline having a go at Fiji. The Fijians have great players. The problem is, they don’t want to play for the team.

Fiji:
Je Y Anuyanutawa; V Veikoso, D Manu, Leonenakarawa, A Naikatini, I Ratuva, Ravulo, N Nagusa, N Matawalu, J Ralulu, W Votu, J Matevesi, V Govena, S Koniferedi, M Talebula
Replacements: T Talemaitoga, M Saulo, S Somoca, A Ratuniyarawa, J Domolailai, K Bola, Saularadidi/R Fatiaki, T Matanavou

I actually don’t recognise any of the players with the exception of Toulouse wing Matanavou, but I do know they lost midweek to Gloucester. That apart, i'm sure the usual cliché’s abound of off the cuff plays and 7s style play with a terrible set piece. They looked awful and out of there depth against England last week. So much so that it made me think that England, hopefully, will not have elevated and misguided ambitions against the Australians. Under-estimate the Australians at your peril.

Still let’s hope this youthful (in places) Irish team gets a much needed victory and more importantly gives the right players the right amount of time in the right positions. Its tactics, not selections for the most part, which have killed us on that losing streak. No amount of “kidney speak” can hide this.

Changes are definitely happening in the Irish team. The questions remain though. Are they in any way permanent? Is this the start of a new Irish team like in 2000? Only time will tell.

C’mon Ireland

totallegend

Tip of the cap to you sir!

Fishooks12

Hopefully we'll see a nice few tries from an exciting team tomorrow (I'm right this time!) night!

locum-motion

Does anyone know why 'caps' aren't being awarded for this match?
I mean, it's not like playing the BaaBaas. Fiji are a country who are members of the IRB, and who have gone to the trouble of flying over to visit us. What kind of welcome is it when we say "Thanks for coming, lads, but we're not actually gonna count this match!"

Ps Were caps awarded against the Pacific Islanders team a couple of years back?

goreyguy

because only cap games can take place in the aviva

gally74

Delighted for Muldoon and the ulster backs

Funk It

I know that it has been flogged to death on the Connacht pages, but would have expected McSharry to be included.

It is still a very exciting backline, looking forward to it.

thomond2006

I hope Fiji throw it around like crazy, so that Ryle has to pronounce all those names!

jamiedav2011

We should really be looking to beat the lard out of these guys.
Structure alone should see us win this handily tbh.

Ross should have a field day in the scrum!

phog

It's Thomond

justsomebloke

Don't understand Ross starting to be truthful. With a massive game against Argentina next week I don't see why we are putting him through this game. Also given it's Argentina next week Bent is going to have to play an important role so getting him up to speed should of taken priority.

DOC seriously? As a bench option next week if needs be sure but starting in an uncapped game? WTF!!! There are enough good fringe second rowers that would of benefited of game time. If a less experience pack was playing I could understand his inclusion as an old head but there is enough experience there so that he isn't needed.

Although I'm not a massive fan of Zebo I do think if he is going to be starting next week he should of been given 50-60 minutes here to get used to playing at full back.

I think once again the Ireland selectors have made a balls of this and aren't giving the right people game time. we keep getting the excuse that games are too important to throw in an experimental side yet in a game with nothing on the line (As an uncapped match it won't even break our losing streak) we are still focusing on the wrong things.

That said I'm looking forward to the out half pairing and hopefully marshall has a good game with sexton and can hopefully push reddan from the first team

Fishooks12

justsomebloke wrote: »

Don't understand Ross starting to be truthful. With a massive game against Argentina next week I don't see why we are putting him through this game. Also given it's Argentina next week Bent is going to have to play an important role so getting him up to speed should of taken priority.

DOC seriously? As a bench option next week if needs be sure but starting in an uncapped game? WTF!!! There are enough good fringe second rowers that would of benefited of game time. If a less experience pack was playing I could understand his inclusion as an old head but there is enough experience there so that he isn't needed.

Although I'm not a massive fan of Zebo I do think if he is going to be starting next week he should of been given 50-60 minutes here to get used to playing at full back.

I think once again the Ireland selectors have made a balls of this and aren't giving the right people game time. we keep getting the excuse that games are too important to throw in an experimental side yet in a game with nothing on the line (As an uncapped match it won't even break our losing streak) we are still focusing on the wrong things.

That said I'm looking forward to the out half pairing and hopefully marshall has a good game with sexton and can hopefully push reddan from the first team

tbh, while you have a point with the individuals you highlight, and I wouldn't be starting Ross for one second. It's kind of pointless blooding a completely green team. You need some of the older guys to help the likes of Marshell assimilate to international rugby

CatFromHue

I think Hurley will surprise a lot of people, he's a handy player that offers alot to the team.

He's not/wasn't utilized at Munster and unfairly gets dropped whenever Jones is fit.

Neil3030

Very nice writeup. My concerns about the selection match a lot of those raised above:

1. O'Callaghan. Would much rather see Toner get a game.

2. Hurley. As mentioned above, Zebo should be starting here to find form and confidence in the position for the Pumas.

3. Healy. Shouldn't be anywhere near this squad. Wrap him in bubblewrap and store him somewhere safe and warm for the Argentinian onslaught.

4. Marshall's omission. OK, if Jackson is ever to play 10 for Ireland, he'll probably be playing with Murray, so makes sense to see them together. But I really think not starting Marshall is harsh. Sparing injuries, he probably won't be near the Ireland setup again for a while, so why not give him a full run?

5. Ross. Worst decision of the lot. Bent to start, Fitzpatrick on the bench for me.

Tox56

CatFromHue wrote: »

I think Hurley will surprise a lot of people, he's a handy player that offers alot to the team.

He's not/wasn't utilized at Munster and unfairly gets dropped whenever Jones is fit.

He's handy and won't let the side down, but I'm not convinced he's an international.

irishbucsfan

There really isn't that much experience in the team, as JSB suggests. The only experienced internationals there are Ross, DOC and Heaslip (plus McFadden and Murray to a lesser extent). I don't think you can overstate how valuable experience can be, as we saw last week.

I don't see any issue at all with DOC playing. Not sure who else should be involved? DOC has been great this season so far and is deserving of his place on the team, this gives him a runout and ensures all our locks are rollong ahead of the Argentina game.

As for Ross, I don't like to see him playing but we needed to retain someone in the front row. I'd have preferred Strauss... But then maybe he's not involved because of his cut. This seemed like a great game to start Bent to me... Then again maybe Feek has reservations about him starting for some reason. Hopefully we see Bent play at least 30 minutes.

I also would've preferred to see Zebo at 15, but the Fijians are not exactly the e to put fullbacks under pressure, so they may have decided the benefit he'd get would be limited while the risk of injury wouldn't be worth it. But then if that's the case why not give somebody more exciting a shot at 15, like Earls or Gilroy with TOH on the wing? Hurley is a good player though and the best actual 15 available so I wouldn't take it away from him.

---

How will we play the game? I think the best thing to do is attack Fiji's weaknesses. All of the key guys have been in this squad for weeks now and even though they are relatively inexperienced they are miles ahead of Fiji in terms of structure. I'd expect we'd look to attack them from set pieces as much as possible, and retain possession creating mismatches. I'd expect the major mismatch will be in defensive organisation and we'll use guys like Kilcoyne, Tuohy and Henderson to carry the ball in slightly wider channels. With quick phases we can create mismatches and with distributors galore (seriously: Jackson, Marshall, Cave, Hurley!) we can put our backs through holes created by forwards hanging about in their defense as well as put big carrying forwards through holes created by backs close to the breakdown. It's Fijian side should really by the defensive antithesis to South Africa.

It could all go wrong in two areas imo. Firstly, the half back play. Murray has been far quicker this season and I have no worries about his speed to the breakdown any more (its as good as any other 9 at this stage, or at least as good as most good ones, detractors just highlight it by default). What I do worry about is the fact that himself and Jackson are both young guys and both are usually accompanied by a more experienced halfback. Hopefully they will be able to gel pretty quickly... They suit each other on paper.

I think the other area we could struggle in is the breakdown. Breakdown dominance only really needs strong individual performances and that's where this Fijian team could be strong. I think that fact goes a long way to explaining our extra blindside and a long way to explaining the experience up front. We really need to give these guys no opportunity to beat us to the ball in any phase of the game. Maintaining good support and control of the ball is essential to allow our backs to cut them apart like the miserable 3rd-tier IRB-hated swine they are! Particularly need Ross, DOC, Henderson, Muldoon and Heaslip for this (allowing guys like Kilcoyne, Cronin and Tuohy the freedom to hang out looking for halfbacks to mangle in open play).

Overall I would be dissapointed with anything less than 6 or 7 tries. I'm not expecting any major set piece performances, or a defensive shutout. Just hoping for evidence that this team can be clinical against unorganised defenses.

billybonds

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Overall I would be dissapointed with anything less than 6 or 7 tries. I'm not expecting any major set piece performances, or a defensive shutout. Just hoping for evidence that this team can be clinical against unorganised defenses.

A full strength English side, playing in Twickenham, only scored 6 tries against this Fijian side. I'd prepare to be disappointed....

Losty Dublin

I would also plumb for Toner or Ryan at a push to get a game here over Donncha and for Ross to have been given a welcome day off. Cronin, while we know what he can and can't do, needs a lot of game time so his call up has merit.

Any reason why Sexton is even on the bench for this?

irishbucsfan

billybonds wrote: »

A full strength English side, playing in Twickenham, only scored 6 tries against this Fijian side. I'd prepare to be disappointed....

Major difference. Different Fiji team (8 changes):

15 Simeli Koniferedi, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Metuisela Talebula, 9 Nicola Matawalu, 8 Akapusi Qera 7 Malaki Ravulo, 6 Api Naikatani, 5 Apisolame Ratuniyarawa, 4 Leone Nakawara, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Ratu Makutu.

Also, England were picking a full strength side and used the game as a step towards their big 3. That's a hindrance, not a help. We have picked a side specifically for this game, so we should be looking to open up thanks to the extra creativity we can afford ourselves (even if we are a little light on strike runners)

danthefan

I've just about zero excitement about this game.

Will be a facile win after which Kidney will dismiss any half decent performances and just pick the same team for the Argies as he did for SA.

Plus Denis Hurley.

irishbucsfan

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Any reason why Sexton is even on the bench for this?

Murray and Sexton are our starting halfbacks. Murray starts with Jackson to give Jackson a chance to show what he can do beside Murray (to make a claim for the bench spot). Then hopefully Sexton beside Marshall to give Marshall the same opportunity

irishbucsfan

danthefan wrote: »

I've just about zero excitement about this game.

Will be a facile win after which Kidney will dismiss any half decent performances and just pick the same team for the Argies as he did for SA.

Plus Denis Hurley.

In fairness Sexton's half decent performance on his debut against the same opposition in 2009 was rewarded with a starting position against the Springboks, which was pretty revolutionary at the time. Interestingly Sexton had only really played 2 H Cup knockout games and the start of the 09/10 H Cup season (fair enough with a lot more first team experience before that), interesting comparison to draw against Jackon's current position.

I am frustrated though that there are positions (like center) where I don't think he'll reward a strong performance. I think if there was any chance of that Earls would have started in the back 3 tomorrow.

Losty Dublin

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Murray and Sexton are our starting halfbacks. Murray starts with Jackson to give Jackson a chance to show what he can do beside Murray (to make a claim for the bench spot). Then hopefully Sexton beside Marshall to give Marshall the same opportunity

That makes more sense than I'd give to Kidney

thomond2006

RIP Maleli Kunavore, former Fiji player who played for Toulouse against Munster in the 2008 Heineken Cup final.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_8251403,00.html

ray jay

Is this on TV and if so what time & channel?

.ak

Jesus he's only a kid.

totallegend

ray jay wrote: »

Is this on TV and if so what time & channel?

5.30, RTE and BBC2 NI.

Perhaps leftleg or one of the mods could update the thread title?

phog

totallegend wrote: »

5.30, RTE and BBC2 NI.

Perhaps leftleg or one of the mods could update the thread title?

They might also correct the spelling of Thomond Park.

danthefan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

In fairness Sexton's half decent performance on his debut against the same opposition in 2009 was rewarded with a starting position against the Springboks, which was pretty revolutionary at the time. Interestingly Sexton had only really played 2 H Cup knockout games and the start of the 09/10 H Cup season (fair enough with a lot more first team experience before that), interesting comparison to draw against Jackon's current position.

I am frustrated though that there are positions (like center) where I don't think he'll reward a strong performance. I think if there was any chance of that Earls would have started in the back 3 tomorrow.

Sexton should have started against Aus that year.

shuffol

irishbucsfan wrote: »

In fairness Sexton's half decent performance on his debut against the same opposition in 2009 was rewarded with a starting position against the Springboks, which was pretty revolutionary at the time. Interestingly Sexton had only really played 2 H Cup knockout games and the start of the 09/10 H Cup season (fair enough with a lot more first team experience before that), interesting comparison to draw against Jackon's current position.

I am frustrated though that there are positions (like center) where I don't think he'll reward a strong performance. I think if there was any chance of that Earls would have started in the back 3 tomorrow.

Those were the heady days of 2009, Kidney was a different beast back then, capped SOB against the Boks too. You couldnt really fault any of his selections that year except of course Sexton not starting against Aus.

Digifriendly

Fiji lost to Gloucester midweek 31-29. Highlights here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysm0ZhQ_-TU&feature=plcp

irishbucsfan

danthefan wrote: »

Sexton should have started against Aus that year.

shuffol wrote: »

Those were the heady days of 2009, Kidney was a different beast back then, capped SOB against the Boks too. You couldnt really fault any of his selections that year.

:pac:

buck65

Any chance of Ireland losing this one? In fairness we have a poor side out. No problem with that as we have to look at options but at least 5 of that team are not or no longer international standard.

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There really isn't that much experience in the team, as JSB suggests. The only experienced internationals there are Ross, DOC and Heaslip (plus McFadden and Murray to a lesser extent). I don't think you can overstate how valuable experience can be, as we saw last week.

This seemed like a great game to start Bent to me... Spot on.

I also would've preferred to see Zebo at 15, but the Fijians are not exactly the e to put fullbacks under pressure, so they may have decided the benefit he'd get would be limited while the risk of injury wouldn't be worth it. But then if that's the case why not give somebody more exciting a shot at 15, like Earls or Gilroy with TOH on the wing? Hurley is a good player though and the best actual 15 available so I wouldn't take it away from him. Yes. I would agree with all that. Zebo should be in the starting 15.



It could all go wrong in two areas imo. Firstly, the half back play. Murray has been far quicker this season and I have no worries about his speed to the breakdown any more (its as good as any other 9 at this stage, or at least as good as most good ones, detractors just highlight it by default). What I do worry about is the fact that himself and Jackson are both young guys and both are usually accompanied by a more experienced halfback. You are right about Jackson playing week in and week out with a more experienced player. He plays every week with Paul Marshall....The guy who has played 87 times for his Province.As you say above, "I don't think you can overstate how valuable experience can be." Hopefully they will be able to gel pretty quickly... They suit each other on paper. In what way?

I think the other area we could struggle in is the breakdown. Breakdown dominance only really needs strong individual performances and that's where this Fijian team could be strong. I think that fact goes a long way to explaining our extra blindside and a long way to explaining the experience up front. We really need to give these guys no opportunity to beat us to the ball in any phase of the game. Maintaining good support and control of the ball is essential to allow our backs to cut them apart like the miserable 3rd-tier IRB-hated swine they are! Particularly need Ross, DOC, Henderson, Muldoon and Heaslip for this (allowing guys like Kilcoyne, Cronin and Tuohy the freedom to hang out looking for halfbacks to mangle in open play).

Overall I would be dissapointed with anything less than 6 or 7 tries. I'm not expecting any major set piece performances, or a defensive shutout. Just hoping for evidence that this team can be clinical against unorganised defenses.

I think you are being wildly over-optimistic. One good thing is that Kilcoyne will be up against Manu who was totally butchered in the scrum against Ulster. He is barely better than Archer as a t.h. these days.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Also, England were picking a full strength side and used the game as a step towards their big 3. That's a hindrance, not a help.

Why is a decent warm up game a hindrance? I'd have thought it was ideal preparation.

danthefan wrote: »

I've just about zero excitement about this game.

Will be a facile win after which Kidney will dismiss any half decent performances and just pick the same team for the Argies as he did for SA.

Plus Denis Hurley.

Yep. Sadly. It would be hard to get any realistic view anyway as this is a real mongrel of a team. Missed opportunites and the usual stuff mixed in with a few new faces. He pays lip service to the future and then chucks in DOC, Ross, Muldoon, Sexton, Hurley etc. Some of them are the present, some are on the verge of going and some will never be international class.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Murray and Sexton are our starting halfbacks. Murray starts with Jackson to give Jackson a chance to show what he can do beside Murray (to make a claim for the bench spot). Then hopefully Sexton beside Marshall to give Marshall the same opportunity

Jackson won't get within a continent of the 6 nations side unless ROG retires. It would be far better to let him play alongside the very experienced guy who chucks him the ball in training and on the field rather than a guy who wouldn't recognise him if he fell on him. I would also bet that when we get a new coach we will also get a new starting scrum half.

jamiedav2011

buck65 wrote: »

Any chance of Ireland losing this one? In fairness we have a poor side out. No problem with that as we have to look at options but at least 5 of that team are not or no longer international standard.

Ah come on, we should win this by 40 points, they've an A team out also, and got absolutely killed by England last week.

Don't agree that 5 of our team are not international standard too, where do you get that from?!

Hurley maybe, DOC maybe, but not much after that!

jacothelad

buck65 wrote: »

Any chance of Ireland losing this one? In fairness we have a poor side out. No problem with that as we have to look at options but at least 5 of that team are not or no longer international standard.

..and we don't know if the rest are either. I'm happy to see the new guys get a bit of a run out and they look possibly decent. Ireland could actually lose this quite easily. It's a dogs dinner of a side.

bamboozle

really looking forward to seeing Henderson play tomorrow & the broken field running of Gilroy, Marshall, Cronin & Kilcoyne.

locum-motion

goreyguy wrote: »

because only cap games can take place in the aviva

I think that what you actually wanted to say was "Because cap games can only take place in the Aviva". The different placing of the word only completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

However, even if that's the case: Why?
Ireland used to play some of its internationals in Ravenhill, and caps were awarded for them. How does one introduce such a rule? Is it something to do with the naming rights for the stadium?
Either way, if there is such a rule, it's an exceptionally stupid one and needs to be removed ASAP!

overshoot

locum-motion wrote: »

I think that what you actually wanted to say was "Because cap games can only take place in the Aviva". The different placing of the word only completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

However, even if that's the case: Why?
Ireland used to play some of its internationals in Ravenhill, and caps were awarded for them. How does one introduce such a rule? Is it something to do with the naming rights for the stadium?
Either way, if there is such a rule, it's an exceptionally stupid one and needs to be removed ASAP!

just to do with the naming rights of the stadium... aviva have to get their moneys worth and as much exposure as possible so all full internationals have to be there under the contract. its all about the money

JustinDee

locum-motion wrote: »

I think that what you actually wanted to say was "Because cap games can only take place in the Aviva". The different placing of the word only completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

However, even if that's the case: Why?
Ireland used to play some of its internationals in Ravenhill, and caps were awarded for them. How does one introduce such a rule? Is it something to do with the naming rights for the stadium?
Either way, if there is such a rule, it's an exceptionally stupid one and needs to be removed ASAP!

It is part of the stadium deal which yields a lot of money to the game in Ireland in return for naming rights. Worth it, I would say.
Were crowds likely to fill the Aviva Stadium for games against opposition such as Fiji, it would probably be played there.
Bear in mind that the RDS didn't even fill the last time Fiji were here.

Foxtrol

JustinDee wrote: »

It is part of the stadium deal which yields a lot of money to the game in Ireland in return for naming rights. Worth it, I would say.
Were crowds likely to fill the Aviva Stadium for games against opposition such as Fiji, it would probably be played there.
Bear in mind that the RDS didn't even fill the last time Fiji were here.

Doesnt look much better this time for attendances seeing as they're offering free in for kids (which is much better than an even emptier stadium btw).

Fishooks12

Foxtrol wrote: »

Doesnt look much better this time for attendances seeing as they're offering free in for kids (which is much better than an even emptier stadium btw).

Most of the stands are sold out, although tickets could still be bought for all four terraces last night

Foxtrol

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Most of the stands are sold out, although tickets could still be bought for all four terraces last night

Actually, I just checked the figures for the Fiji game in the RDS which is 17,427 (94% capacity) which isn't bad at all. These fixtures arent as poorly attended as we thought (though they'd have massive issues trying to fill Landsdowne). Would be nice to see a senior game up in Ravenhill soon.

Fishooks12

Foxtrol wrote: »

Actually, I just checked the figures for the Fiji game in the RDS which is 17,427 (94% capacity) which isn't bad at all. These fixtures arent as poorly attended as we thought (though they'd have massive issues trying to fill Landsdowne). Would be nice to see a senior game up in Ravenhill soon.

It's mad that England could sell out Twickenham for the same fixture last week though!

CIARAN_BOYLE

locum-motion wrote: »

I think that what you actually wanted to say was "Because cap games can only take place in the Aviva". The different placing of the word only completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

However, even if that's the case: Why?
Ireland used to play some of its internationals in Ravenhill, and caps were awarded for them. How does one introduce such a rule? Is it something to do with the naming rights for the stadium?
Either way, if there is such a rule, it's an exceptionally stupid one and needs to be removed ASAP!

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's mad that England could sell out Twickenham for the same fixture last week though!

People will be more likely to show up for a capped game than a meaningless friendly

jacothelad

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's mad that England could sell out Twickenham for the same fixture last week though!

Well, suppose 20% of all rugby supporters in Ireland went to that game. If the same English percentage went to see England v. Fiji how many would that be given that the greater London area alone has two or three times Ireland's total population?

buck65

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Ah come on, we should win this by 40 points, they've an A team out also, and got absolutely killed by England last week.

Don't agree that 5 of our team are not international standard too, where do you get that from?!

Hurley maybe, DOC maybe, but not much after that!

I would seriously wonder about some of the Ulster lads, Marshall and Cave for instance, Muldoon is a decent club player, Hurley is not international, DOC is past it at this level, Again no problem with the team as it is not a real game as such - give youth a chance and all that but 40 points ?

buck65

jacothelad wrote: »

Well, suppose 20% of all rugby supporters in Ireland went to that game. If the same English percentage went to see England v. Fiji how many would that be given that the greater London area alone has two or three times Ireland's total population?

Would the answer be 7 times pi?

.ak

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's mad that England could sell out Twickenham for the same fixture last week though!

England are also an exciting prospect for their fans, plenty of youth coming through and players being tested in positions constantly.

Ireland on the other hand are playing like drains.

totallegend

Doesn't seem to have been posted already, but Ryan out through illness, McCarthy on the bench.

jacothelad

buck65 wrote: »

Would the answer be 7 times pi?

Only on a Tuesday.