Something something Prendergoat
Have at it.
So you want to avoid the fact that crowley changed the game
What a player, now let’s get crowley starting and keep prendergast for wales and Italy.
Absolutely. What's better, two 10s a level below Sexton which is where I think we are, compared to 2015 RWC when Madigan started v Argentina.
SP and JC are both in between those two and that's great going fforward.we aren't overly reliant on one 10
Our problems in first half were down to awful breakdown work and poor handling. Conan or Izuchukwu at 6 next week with the other on bench. We started to win collisions in second half which was when we started to look better in attack.
Whatever about the tmo, the assistant ref is standing right there looking at it
SP was poor - no sugar coating it. Poor off tee and poor positional kicking. But no one is allowed to say it.
Sheehan is world class and has to start.
Great win. Really good second half. Jesus, the No. 10 pot shots stuff is embarrassing. But both did their bits and such an advantage to finally have to great options challenging eachother. Sheehan and Cohen off the bench were the game changers.
Conan and sheehan came on earlier and that's when we started to boss the game physially.
Happy with the win but far from perfect. We need to learn to take the 3pts when they're on offer, it'll catch us eventually. Can't keep going to the corner, putting it up the jumper and getting turned over. We're very wasteful.
Few players living off reputation too, Aki was poor, try finish aside. Hansen not great, Nash should be starting on current form. Prendergast was fine, no more no less. Crowley kicked better from hand and from tee when brought on and looked more dangerous in attack. Sam P threw a lovely pass for the Aki try but I don't see what others do in him, not yet anyway. He's a good player but needs more time to develop.
Ryan Baird again flattered to deceive, one good carry aside. I was happy at his inclusion and was hoping hed seize his opportunity, but he failed to do so. Jack Conan did twice the work and was on the field half the time. Has to start v Scotland. Conan really good in the lineout too so what does Baird offer over him?
Beirne good as always, lucky to have him. JGP excellent in all facets of the game. Lowe very good bar 2 kicks, good to see a return to form.
Doris improved as the game went on, same with JvDF. Our backrow got on top eventually. Glad to see the lineout go back to basics, yes it limits the strike play opportunities but at least we kept possession.
Tougher tests ahead. Scotland in Murrayfield will be a step up from this. They're better in attack than England.
Did Aki come off injured or was it just tactical?
I saw a bit of the Italian game. I grew up in the era where 2003 was our first Murrayfield win since 1985.. I'm scarred!
Is there some weird undercurrent of animosity between the virgin media commentary team or just me?
I don't think Kearney likes Matt w
Happy with the 5 points, but not happy with the finish. Much improved second half until the last 5 mins.
Lowe was outstanding. My motm, although I won't crib over JGP getting it. Hansen could be looking over his shoulder at Nash.
Prendergast looked nervous and played that way at times. Some good, some bad. He has the talent and he's going to be a great 10, but I don't know if he's being pushed too far too soon.
Anyways, roll on the Scots next week.
sure, give all the credit to the blue eyed boys.
Don't apologise for that.
I completely agree, as I said earlier. The Prendergast Crowley debate is perfectly reasonable to discuss, as long as its done with evidence, proportion and respect to all parties.
SP was monstered a bit early on by the England aggression, but he's a very inexperienced Test player and will learn massively from today. Crowley came on and looked the part completely, so the coach will have food for thought, thankfully!
But yes, neither 10 won or lost it, credit must go to the pack and the coaches who came up with an approach to negate the England breakdown of the first half, and thats hugely impressive.
We can go to Edinburgh with quiet confidence.
Who does???
So much of our win comes down to experience.
How many caps had we on the pitch and bench..
I thought we might have gone over the hill, but maybe not.
I LOVE the misery here by some of the seagulls.
Just beating England with a bonus point, and their misery never lifts.
Not real fans.
Is the squad gaining anything by Cian Healy getting minutes. Surely there is a younger player that should be gaining experience. C
I feel bad for Kelleher because he was excellent tonight and flawless from touch, but Sheehan is just next level.
Thought Kellleher was poor in open play, and Baird was poor. Conan and Sheehan made a huge differene when they came on and it led to the Aki try
Or is it Willem Defoe managing Ireland??
Any day you beat England is good day
Or fans who don't remember 1986 to 2003, when wins were as rare as hens' teeth. Or pre that era.
Matt Williams absolutely off his chops there
Conan replacing Baird was a huge moment , along with Sheehan coming in. Within minutes Aki scored when we were attacking off quick ruck ball.
It's Sexton/O'Gara again kinda. 😄
Great choice to have and both are still learning.
I feel if the prendergast highlights were shown for Crowley the panel would be highlighting the negatives. If Jack had started the game the question would be asked is there an argument for Sam to start. Matt Williams suggested Jack's future lies at 12 if he keeps putting in solid performances.
Conan massively underrated?
I'd say more Ward v Campbell. As they are around the one age.
ROG was 32 in 2009 when the Sexton challenge came.
Though I'd agree with the provincial rivalry. I don't think that was as pronounced in the late 70s.
Well the result is a good win for us.
However giving those 2 cheap tries to England should not have been on Ireland's watch when in play.
It was poor to give England a LBP in the end. However; if Ireland's performance was anything to go by; it was a mixed bag really in terms of performance & competency. It was tough to watch in one way but great in another.
The 1st half against England really didn't show us how well we were going at the races. It had no focus, no effort and no determination to even try a win a match. It felt really deflating seeing England go ahead by 5 points at the break.
It felt by half time that Ireland didn't have any intuition in them whatsoever to win this crucial encounter against England. There was a niggling feeling out there as we approached the 2nd half that Ireland's title race in this championship was potentially going to go off the rails after going through their 1st encounter against England this year.
But as soon as the 2nd half arrived; Ireland new tactics worked wonders for it's skill & intention. Ireland won the game with some slick skill with ball in hand and some wonderful line breaks & tries to keep us ahead until the final whistle was blown.
All of the tries from Ireland were formed with some of the best creativity out there on the field of play. They were simply superb. James Lowe was the major player in bringing 3 of those tries onto the board with JGP, Beirne & Sheehan alongside him. And Bundee Aki scored that fabulous try in-between those wonderful tries by the Lowe/Beirne & Lowe/Sheehan combos.
If I was looking at Scotland at Murrayfield next Sunday; I think that will be a tough game to watch as Scotland scored 6 tries against Italy today. They won't be many attempts by Scotland to backdown their intent on the pitch against Ireland next week. Ireland just need to be focused & to be clinical while they are looking at Scotland's game plan over the next eight days.
I feel that it will be a tough & tight game for us.
But it could be some showdown for us to see them go up against each other next weekend. I can't wait for it.
