Well having we come far when posters can feel nonchalant about the achievement of a win over England or a six nation title ,I wont rehearse how it was for us oldies back in the day,but remember golden days come and go,like the demise of the great Liverpool team of 90s or the Dubs back in 70s or Woods abrupt career stall.Anybody blase about the success of the last few years are really offering hostages to fortune ,we live in blessed times,Series win in NZ,multple 6 nations and 2 recent grand slams. My main ambition for 40 years for IRL was a win over the ABs and a Slam,I am losing count now how many times we have beaten NZ and each time is better than the last with 3 Slams for good measure.Maybe us oldies were too starved of success for too long ,but it sure makes it all the sweeter when its our turn,Long may it last.and remember Wales have 4 slams since 2000 ,how would they be feeling if they were in the running for a fifth.
Ireland have won just 15 championships in 129 years.
Until 24 years ago and the arrival of Italy, Ireland were historically the worst and least successful of the northern hemisphere sides. We have been, until relatively recently, a crap rugby nation.
I will never get tired of seeing Ireland winning championships and will never understand people acting like spoiled brats saying it doesn't matter because we didn't win the World Cup.
The Six nations matters.
Can't understand the negativity about the team. I'm hoping for a triumphant bounceback season. Perfect Slam, Leinster hopefully getting over the hump in the HC and the prospect of brilliant tour to South Africa to reclaim the Raeburn Shield.
ireland beat the reigning world champions on the way to them defending their title and came within a score of beating NZ in the quarters, they hardly sh!t the bed
the unfortunate truth is that the best overall team rarely wins the rwc, if that were the case then NZ would probably have won every tournament apart from 2003
Not at all. Just tired of the false dawns. It blows. A six nations glosses over the fact that once again we crapped the bed when it matters.
There are
Hi Ewan
Nice problem though isn't it?
I get that point. There was something about the absurd upsets of the 90s that were more enjoyable in a perverse way. But I 100% enjoy this more. The downside is that there is a scope for disappointment that just wasn't there in the 90s, and frankly even the 2000s because we expected failure at some point and when it came it was almost a relief we got it out of the way. Now there is real jeopardy because we expect to succeed.
I'm sure your not , but your post sounds like something a bandwagon supporter would say.
Bullshit. The 6N matters.
There are some tools around here.
I'd rather not be a fan boy, leppin up and down yelling " look at us, we beat Wales"
We're only good when it doesn't really matter. Beating the northern hemispheres teams really doesn't matter. Especially when they all are playing poorly.
Just the hangover of another failure when it mattered!
Weirdly it was almost more interesting when we didn't win virtually every match we played.
That said as a child of the 80s and 90s I say enjoy the good times because you never know what's around the corner.
Some people love doom porn
You're not excited by watching the most dominant Irish team in history? Would you rather we were worse?
I'm hoping for a better performance than the last couple of years. We've let them disrupt us far too much, given how limited they are.
Really ?
1st time in yonks that I really aren't excited playing England. I probably will watch it. Still haven't watched the match v Wales.
Don't see why Ringrose should walk back in. Henshaw and Frawley have been excellent. Bit it would be very Irish if he does.
Yeah, if Keenan comes back in Frawley/Murray seems obvious. Keenan just back from a bad knee injury needs coverage, Crowley becomes your 15 backup but who goes to ten? Bringing Ringrose in perhaps allows Henshaw to cover 15 but then you've no ten cover in the slim chance Crowley gets hurt. That's just not an option.
and if frawley isnt there, probably looking at murray or ringrose to cover 10 which wouldnt be ideal
If its 6-2 and keenan is fit, i don't see any selection other than Murray / Frawley.
Farrell has always been in favour of the guy in possession of the jersey. Therefore Aki / Henshaw and Frawley on the bench.
I absolutely do not see any world in which Nash is dropped for Ringrose on the wing, i think thats off the wall.
I have a feeling Farrell will go 6/2 with the plan to tire out the English forwards, as they will likely go 5/3 with Care / Smith (or Ford) and IFB on the bench.
will england be brave enough to go Itoje and Martin in the row, with Chessum at 6 and Roots at 7?
If we go 6-2 I'd say it's more likely to be Murray either Murray and Frawley or Murray and Byrne. Either Frawley or Crowley can cover 10, 12 & 15. Keenan can cover cover wing and Bundee covers 13. In a pinch Nash could go to 13 or JGP on a wing.
Not Ideal but it's as good as it gets with a 6-2
Obviously Crowley is more than capable of playing the full 80 minutes unless he gets injured.. but if he got a HIA or a hamstring tweak your are very light on cover at 10.
I'd be surprised if it's anything other than a 6-2 with Murray and Ringrose as the two. If Keenan is fit then Frawley misses out entirely.
If both Keenan and Ringrose are fit could Nash miss out to accomodate the 6 2 split?
I know people have previously suggested Ringrose could play 14 and it been discussed previously.
but what about a different left field call...
Could Frawley retain the 15 jersey with Keenan starting on the wing and Ringrose in the 23 jersey?
Obviously Keenan is without doubt the top full back in the country but he started his International career on the Wing playing I think 4 of his first 5 tests on the wings before nailing down the 15 jersey.
Would it be the best solution to get all your best players within the 23?
I wonder do we go with a 5-3 split if Ringrose is fit. I cant see Henshaw,Ringrose or Aki being left out.
If Keenan is in the team, you'd have to think Frawley goes on the bench. Particularly if we go for the 6-2 split. Even if Ringrose is back, I'd rather not have two just-recovered backs in the 23.
