Why is rugby/the Irish rugby team so popular?

Zeno was dropped because he went to France. The IRFU famously don’t play foreign based players, there are rare exceptions to the rule, but Zeebs wasn’t one of them. He was a consistent fixture in Joe’s teams until the announcement of his move!

No that was not my intended point. Clondalkin Rugby club is in my area so that was a token example. As a Dub, I dislike Dublin and would live outside it in a heartbeat!

The substance of my point being that I'd view it more as a national sport when it's a balanced representation of the diverse makeup of the country and not majority represented by lads who went through the private school system. I would prefer a system of sport whereby athletes are given the chance to excel by their natural abilities/passion, not just as a product of parental wealth.

If I am wrong on that representational makeup, then I am happy to stand corrected.

Btw, your username is class!

With that post you have shown your ignorance. If the hooker kicked the ball in the scrum, the other team wins it. So why would they kick it. That would show a lack of skill.

You seem to think skill is equated with kicking. It's not. Scrums rely a lot on technique, timing and skill. More so than size and strength. Same with line outs. Also staying on your feet to steal a ball after a tackle is made is very valuable skill. Hell, tackling is a skill that has to be learnt.

As for which sport is the most skillful, that is a debate for the ages. Like which sport is the toughest. Different for every person. I just enjoy watching elite athletes compete in most sports and can appreciate it.

I'm afraid you have shown your ignorance, why is the Number 2 called a hooker? I would say that is kicking the ball.

I have never seen a defender in soccer/GAA being called skilful because he is good at tackling or shepherding players away from goal. Skill is displayed when in possession of the ball, a sidestep, a feint, a chip or a kick etc. mastery of touch handling etc. We don't see much of it in rugby, the game can still be entertaining without it.

Rugby is probably the toughest, the modern game anyway but again not the most skilful.

Could you see a lad playing soccer at 18 for the first time and becoming an international player? No you cannot because the skill level is too high to master over a few years.

Tell me how often a forward has to pass the ball more than 5 feet left or right during the course of a game?

My point is it is relatively low skilled to other field sports and even rugby people will admit that. The physicality makes up for the lack of skills and it's still a fascinating sport to watch.

You've never heard a defender being lauded for a good tackle? Do you watch everything on mute?

Lauded for it yes but not considered a skilful player for winning it back. Tomas & Marc O'Se were known as skilful players because they could beat players when in possession of the ball but Francie Bellew for example even though he was probably a better defender because he wasn't able to do much with it when he won it back.

Oh right, skills are only when you have the ball, so jumping for a ball isn't a skill? Timing a perfect tackle isn't a skill? Hooking a hurley isn't a skill? Saving a shot isn't a skill?

Looks like you've forgotten loads about sport alright...

Just admit it, rugby is low skilled compared to the other field sports played in the country.

Jumping, timing a tackle, hooking/blocking/ saving shots are skills in all the other sports too. These are not what the skilful players are renowned for.

They are part and parcel of the game but more than half the rugby team don't kick the ball😂

Be good if you actually read the post before jumping in with both feet, a skill you seem to have mastered.

Can't remember many hurleys been hooked or shots saved in rugby.