6N ? Now that we've seen what they've got !

hallelujajordan · 17-02-2003 8:05am #1

OK, so now that we've seen all the sides in action, lets run another poll . . .

France, to me were a big disappointment . . . they lacked spirit and creativity but England didn't turn them over like they would have done in the past. England pride themselves on being able to close out games and they will be disappointed that they failed to close this one out.. . . . but for some dodgy decision making and some woeful kicking by Merceron, France would have been in with a shout towards the end !

Regarding Ireland, I feel we are heading towards the 'complete' team . . . Admittedly, the scottish passing was dreadful, but they ran the ball from everywhere and prior to the Mike Ford era, I'm sure they would have scored a couple of tries. . . . O'Sullivan now has some difficult decisions to make . . . . Humphries or O'Gara (I'd bring O'Gara back) . . . Wood (if he's fit) or Byrne (I'd stick with Byrne) Horgan or Murphy ? Nice, but difficult decisions ?

The only significance in the Wales Italy game is that Wales will now take the wooden spoon !

So, I'll go out on a limb here . . . I always said that England would only lose one game this year, so I'm glad they beat France . . . I expect a Grand-slam decider, last game of the year, in Landsdowne Rd . . .and I think we might do it !

daveirl · 17-02-2003 6:24pm

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MarVeL · 17-02-2003 9:59pm

I think the Humphreys O'Gara arguement has indeed been reopened (again!) by Humphreys performance in Scotland. Personally I'd probably go for O'Gara based on consistency of performance but I'd have to say that you're unlikely to see as impressive a performance from O'Gara as Sunday. Still a lovely decision to have to make.

For the record I think this may be Ireland's best chance at the tournament in many years. On this weekends performances we could have beaten anyone in the competition. Only trouble is I'm sure the others will improve and Im not so sure Ireland will

daveirl · 17-02-2003 11:57pm

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MarVeL · 18-02-2003 12:44am

True but Humphreys had a mare of a game for Ulster last time out and has had a few bad games foe Ireland as well. On his day he's a better player than O'Gara. But O'Gara is a more consistent player. Having said that either one will do :-). With the strength of the Irish back line perhaps we can afford to take the risk of Humphreys in the same way Australia used to be able to afford the risk of Campese.

hallelujajordan · 18-02-2003 8:15am

I think the question is who do we want for the big games against France and England . . . . O'Gara would be my first choice, and I'd have him in for a large part of the Italy game to restore his match fitness a little . . .

A bigger question is will Keith Wood get his place back. Leaving aside the terrific performances at hooker by Shane Byrne, the team seem to be really reacting to the captaincy / vice-captaincy of O'Driscoll / Foley . . . What effect would bringing Keith Wood back in have on this ??

PH01 · 18-02-2003 9:31am

Ireland are the only ones whocan stop England now but it a tall order.
Both teams have very good defences, but Ireland will give away more penalties and Wilkilson will pop them over. So on paper England to win.

It wasn't me! · 18-02-2003 9:49pm

I'm going to stick with Ireland, because I think after the weekend's performances, the only real challenge will be sinking England. And we all know what Ireland are capable of in Lansdowne Road. This could be the season for the boys in green.

They're undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world at the moment. One England slip up and Ireland have it in the bag, although the opposite is also true. Eddie O' Sullivan can't afford mistakes.

By the way, is anyone interested in seeing whether the Italians attack Peter Stringer as per usual this year?

hallelujajordan · 19-02-2003 8:48am

Originally posted by daveirl
I dunno O'Gara had a habit of missing kicks. Anyone have a record of when he last had a perfect record?
!

Didn't he kick 100% against Australia / Argentina ? ?

daveirl · 19-02-2003 7:07pm

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b20uvkft6m5xwg · 21-02-2003 3:26pm

Prolly england unfortunatley

It wasn't me! · 21-02-2003 11:08pm

From the poll I would say nobody credits either France, Italy or Wales with a shot in hell at the trophy.

I'd say a final between Ireland and England. If we lose at Lansdowne it'll be England. But if we win the match at Lansdowne, Ireland are in with a shot.

Bard · 24-02-2003 11:23am

Originally posted by It wasn't me!
From the poll I would say nobody credits either France, Italy or Wales with a shot in hell at the trophy.

I wouldn't credit Scotland, Italy or Wales with a shot at the trophy. I'd imagine the final placings will be:

1st: England
2nd: Ireland
3rd: France
4th: Scotland
5th: Italy
6th: Wales

- although I'd like to see the top two places reversed, obviously, - and yes - as you say - if Ireland manage a repeat performance of last years magnificent victory over the old foes at home in Landsdowne Road (probably completing a Grand Slam in doing so), then they could very well take the championship.

Sposs · 24-02-2003 5:04pm

Originally posted by MarVeL
the risk of Humphreys in the same way Australia used to be able to afford the risk of Campese.

I would hardly call Campese a risk? 65 International try's,i wish Ireland had him to "risk".

b20uvkft6m5xwg · 24-02-2003 5:09pm

Exactly, I think Ireland would call Campese a "Godsend"

MarVeL · 24-02-2003 9:42pm

Campo's try rate was, obviously, phenomenal. AFAIK he is still the world record holder for trys scored. But his defensive play was atrocious. There are many examples of him giving away tries in matches as well, possibly even more than he scored. In particular I seem to remember him chasing after an Irish back row and not coming near catching him, fortunately. :-)

spanner · 24-02-2003 10:08pm

Originally posted by It wasn't me!
From the poll I would say nobody credits either France, Italy or Wales with a shot in hell at the trophy.

I'd say a final between Ireland and England. If we lose at Lansdowne it'll be England. But if we win the match at Lansdowne, Ireland are in with a shot.

id say underestimate france at your own risk, fair enough their

preformances againist england and scotland were not the usual

galic flare however does everyone remeber the last world cup

were france look very flat in the group stages but came out

gainist the all backs and played one of the best games in rugby

world cup history, it is the most inconsistant team in the 6 nations

PH01 · 25-02-2003 9:13am

Ireland should beat France if we're any good and we maintain our discipline on match day. The French will come to Lansdowne Road with nothing to lose and under no pressure so expect to see the ball moving about the place. Ireland should be OK with this and defending against the French open rugby shouldn't be a problem.
But Ireland will need to control this match and for that they'll need possession and not kicking it away at every opportunity as in the Scottish and Italian matches.
And if Humphs is starting he'll need to be on his game from the start. Any mistakes will cost us against the French. So lets hope O'Gara is fit to step in.

daveirl · 25-02-2003 9:49am

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Sposs · 25-02-2003 11:25am

Humphreys on his day is a more natural player than O Gara and has more flair,but when he plays bad he's crap.

Loomer · 25-02-2003 1:51pm

Originally posted by MarVeL
With the strength of the Irish back line perhaps we can afford to take the risk of Humphreys in the same way Australia used to be able to afford the risk of Campese.

Are you taking the mickey, Campese was a legend (wan teh goooose step). And thats coming from a Kiwi. Lynagh was the nancy boy, are you confusing the two?

LizardKing · 26-02-2003 11:55am

I voted for Ireland but in all honesty its more out of patriotism than actual confidence in the team winning.

From the look of the Poll there are a good few patriots voting for the boys in Green too

It would be great if they could win it but I'm still a little bit fearful of the French and English teams ....

MarVeL · 26-02-2003 10:52pm

Ireland are looking a better bet now against the French. We have a good team (best we've had in a long while I believe) and we're playing at home (though that doesn't mean as much as it did, unless you're England). Added to this Galthie is out and it looks like there's a question mark over Crenca (article on planet rugby saying he may be suspended).

Q_Ball · 26-02-2003 11:11pm

I think that people are letting france's and england's reps go a little further than they should.

Fair enough france are playing well and england have the potential to be one of the strongest teams in the world but i think ireland are finally coming into their own and it's no longer a 2 horse race. It'll be interesting to see the final results with the fixtures we have. England have a lot to prove when they come here and i expect them to fight like a cornered something-or-other.

Sorry for stating the obvious

daveirl · 27-02-2003 6:18pm

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It wasn't me! · 02-03-2003 1:18pm

Yay! I have ticket to the France match! Pity it's in the south terrace!

Hairy Homer · 04-03-2003 10:38am

Originally posted by MarVeL
Campo's try rate was, obviously, phenomenal. AFAIK he is still the world record holder for trys scored. But his defensive play was atrocious.

AFAIK Campo's mother is called Murphy. Could he be related to the bould Geordan? The similarities are frightening.

GM is breathtaking going forward in space, but he is suspect in defence. I hope Eddie O'Sullivan wasn't watching the Leicester-Gloucester Cup semi final on Saturday. Murphy had a mare and was probably to blame for both Gloucester tries.

6N ? Now that we've seen what they've got !

6 Nations . . . Now that we've seen them in action ! 23 votes

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