Ireland vs England - 6N 2025 match thread

I thought we went to the backs way too early when we were camped on the 5m line in the first half. Given the possesion and territory we had from the 15th minute to half time, 5 points was a poor return. The effort in the first half maybe fatigued england and we made a number of clean breaks. It was good to see the Munster, Leinster and Connacht players celebrating tries particularly when you listen to the provincial nonsense on here.

I think Aki and Hansen will be lucky to be in the 23 mext week. A week ago, I would have been worried about Sheehan and particularly Lowe but both excelled..

A win against England with their vast advantage in playing population should always be savoured. There will be days in the future when they hammer us. Enjoy today.

I thought the referee favoured us but a deserved win

Very encouraged by our set piece. Our lineout at one stage was 17 from 17 midway through the second half and I can't imagine we lost too many after.

Scrum was solid also. It's especially encouraging that Clarkson came on with 15-20 minutes left and kept his side of the scrum up well.

Virgin analysts not covering themselves in glory with SP. Sextons buddies bigging him up. He was ok but Crowley looked class when he came on. Took Trimble to come on and say it. Conan was outstanding when he came on. Really think that analysis team is generally very unbalanced.

Was not a form pick

It's always nice to beat England but I thought we were ordinary and on par with them most of the game.

Disappointed with the manner in which we gifted them a losing bonus point. Totally switched off.

To quote SydtheBeat

'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.'

I agree with him 💯

We’ve two very good young players, we can’t spend their whole careers claiming one or the other is dropped when not starting. I’d give Crowley the starting berth and let SP experience coming off the bench and having a good impact on the game. Last thing we need is a rigid hierarchy. Conan who seemed to me to have not got back to his lions form showed today how good he can be. I’d have him on instead of Baird and Izzy on the bench maybe, although Baird on the bench might suit our lineout situation better as Scotland will challenge there.

Dropping Sam is a kick he doesn't need but Crowley needs many kicks ?

Yeah but like what do they know? The guys here are all so much more qualified and say Sam, while he has some kinks to iron out (kicking, running, tackling) laid the table and it was the other guys on the bench that won the game, not that Munster bozo! So cool your heels there tonto!

My biggest criticism of SP would be the missed conversion in the first half. Has to nail that, but otherwise I thought he did well and grew into the game in the second half like most of the team once we started getting some momentum. That pass to Aki who barrelled over Smith to make it 10-10 was lovely and the kick to put us 13-10 was superb considering he had missed two kicks by that stage.

Crowley had a great cameo too. His passing looked crisp and brings a great energy and impact off the bench which actually might be to his detriment. He should have done better for the last England try though where he allowed Theo Dan to go outside him.

But jaysus lads, we have two great options at 10 who compliment each other and both look to have the temperament for the top level. It’s actually a strength that we can change the game up now.,Who would have thought this would have been the case in 2022 when we were praying for Sexton to make it to the WC?