Ireland Team Talk X: The Long Hard Road to a Semi. MOD WARNING POSTS #1, #1474, #5707

lawrencesummers wrote: »

In 15 minutes today henshaw has nailed down the 13 jersey.
Aki and Bungee will be our first choice midfield.

I presume you mean Aki and Henshaw? I don't agree with you either. Henshaw scrambles a lot in defence at outside centre. Just never looks fully comfortable. In terms of dynamic carrying and workrate he was excellent. Ringrose is still better.

We were excellent in the second half. Bossed the Welsh up front for the full 40. They're a side that prides themselves on their fitness but we ran them ragged.

I still have concerns about how hard we have to work to score trys though. We had a lot of possession in and around their 22 but couldn't penetrate the Welsh defence.

Rory Best and Joe Schmidt's last home game for Ireland sees Ireland move to the #1 spot in the World Rugby rankings.

What a storyline.

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Clegg wrote: »

We were excellent in the second half. Bossed the Welsh up front for the full 40. They're a side that prides themselves on their fitness but we ran them ragged.

I still have concerns about how hard we have to work to score trys though. We had a lot of possession in and around their 22 but couldn't penetrate the Welsh defence.

We looked very unorganised at times, all bunched up around the ruck. Still struggling to do much beyond one out runners. Abet against an excellent Welsh defense.

Welsh defense wasn’t that good. Nowhere near there normal intensity.

I really enjoyed that (-5) win! LOL

We've definitely got two more gears.

Bit worried about Sexy, I thought he was deliberately avoided on all first phase ball. He didn't look fit to me :-(

Thanks joe and rory best for the memories

First game in there Reign I attended in 2013 was when the Aussies beat us handy but then the next week the All Blacks narrowly beat us in what was an amazing Irish performance. Last game I was at was last Novembers All Blacks when we finally beat them. What a night. Amazing reign in charge 2x six nations and a grand slam, wins over the top SH teams both at home and abroad

Omissions XV (maybe posted already)

Interesting all the number 7s are Irish. Although seems a bit disingenuous to include SOB as the main 7 maybe. Then again they always rated him very highly in NZ.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-world-cup-omissions-xv

Jesus that match thread was tough reading. Creeping in here too unfortunately.

Anyways, very much encouraged today. Murray looked sharper than any time I’ve seen him since his injury. His passing was accurate in the most part. He attacked the gain line at times and was even back to tackling and helping at some rucks.

I’d say if sexton didn’t kick that restart out on the full, it wouldn’t even be in people’s heads to question his performance. First game of preseason and looks fit and strong. I’ve no doubt he’ll be firing for Scotland and beyond.

I know I’ve said this previously but im just so convinced we have been building the whole year to this point. I think we sacrificed the 6 nations for this. We are going to Japan with the intention of winning the World Cup. We used last year as a trial run to peak at a specific time and it looks like we are starting to hit our markers.

We dominated wales for the most part today and we still have shown absolutely nothing attacking wise. I think it’s all been kept bottled up. I’d say there are a fair few who think im talking nonsense but I strongly feel we will light up come the quarters. Hopefully it’s enough to get past what I (dangerously) presume will be a rejuvenated SA team.

As for the team that starts against Scotland I think Henshaw should start 12 with a Ringrose at 13. Although I’d say joe will go with Aki at 12. To be fair Aki has done well and looks sharp but I think Henshaw does everything he does and more. Fact he only has the 1 preseason game will work against him.

If it wasn’t for our defensive lineout, O’Mahony would have huge cause for concern. CJ is way more effective at 6 in the loose. Took a good line out too today.

Today showed exactly why joe likes Larmour. Conway is better in the air and is as capable as opening the game up but he doesn’t do the small things like Larmour does as well. Larmour hits rucks and is as brave in the tackle. Does the small things well. Conway however might find himself starting in 2 weeks if Earls doesn’t make it.

Anyway, bit long winded that. Safe trip to anyone travelling over. Meant to be an amazing country. Was very close to pulling the trigger myself but had one too many commitments this year unfortunately.

Oh and James Ryan would walk into any team in the world. Mans a freak.