Ireland vs England - 6N 2025 match thread

That's a good point. We were inaccurate in our attack close to the England line. But I think it was important that we kept possession on all of our throws. Even if we didn't score we kept the pressure on, forced England to make tackles and wore them down. Between 50-70 minutes, when our substituted raised the tempo, the England pack looked tired and couldn't match our intensity.

He was mediocre, as you said. Some here can't seem to allow SP to be criticised in any way. This also is nothing like ROG v Sexton. Sexton had steered Leinster to their 1st HC win and ROG was in the twilight of his career when their battle began. Now we have 2 guys under 25 battling for the shirt. Jack Crowley, who I believe is currently the more complete player. And SP who many believe has greater future potential. Potential that he hopefully delivers on. He had both good and bad moments today. As many 21 year olds do in their 1st 6N start. And in their 1st season at senior level.

What I think is rubbing people up the wrong way is that SP has been anointed as the 2nd coming of the messiah by the rugby media. Even Shaggy Horgan was bigging him up on VM pre game. I'm sure SP himself would rather not have that media circus following him around. Matt Williams talking about Crowley's poor kicking from the tee and he then nails a touchline conversion when brought on. How Matt Williams is managing to con a salary out of VM is beyond me.

The issue for me isn't that SP was picked ahead of Crowley today. It's likely a good move long term for Ireland. Giving the new guy with high potential the chance to step up to the highest level. The kind of selection decision we all want on here. The problem is the media circle jerk going on around a precocious 21 year old fly half who's only starting out. That's what creates the discourse.

I’d still pick Sam. He didn’t do anything to warrant getting dropped. And Crowley didn’t do anything to warrant starting over him. He kicked his points but he had no involvement in the 2 tries scored when he was on the pitch.
Sam got the assist for Aki and had a number of other passes creating line breaks.

Before the tournament I probably would have started with Jack. But Easterby picked Sam. I think he should stick with him.

Agree totally with you, why not sit back and watch the match and enjoy with out all the moaning here during the game, no player takes the field to play bad. The bench is a big thing and when to introduce and impact, the coaches have a plan and the players are directed to carry it and it’s all about the win.

O'Gara made some big mistakes early on especially for Munster but the massive difference between O'Gara or Sexton and the situation with Prendergast is neither of the former had a similar aged player of the same level.

And yet Crowley didn't make those passes. Is he not a top level player then? (He is, and played very well)

Nice easy way of saying you’re a donkey.

Ya I agree that he will edge him and probably more in the long run.

Not sure both can make 50+ full caps but we will probably see both make significant contributions over the next 10 years unless another prodigy comes along.

He is definitely gonna get blocked down a few more times with that long wind up spiral and people are gonna lose their minds about it but sure that's what young tens do.

Can a separate thread be opened on match day for the 10 debate?

It wasn't the 10 that was at fault for the ropey 20min start nor was it any 10 wonder play that opened them up for the tries, they both went fine, solid not spectacular...that'll do me nicely for a while yet

Pack was mostly v good, Conan was superb on restarts,aggression handling he ticked all boxes today.

Delighted for Sheehan to score on his return, he always goes well v eng.

Henderson did contribute but no more than anyone else would I thought.

Hansen I feel is lucky to be holding that shirt, he's in now with no previous form so will keep it, what have Nash & Osbourne to do to get in

Half backs went well enough I felt

Healy....God at this stage it's getting embarrassing, oi9f he has to play any meaningful minutes v decent opposition I fear for us.

He was caught badly for the try & looked like an old man trundling around....great servant but please pack it in & at this stage it's a v poor reflection on management to keep selecting him

Rog V Sexton is going to look like a walk in the park if this continues.

Some of the utter dross in here about Prendergast's performance is so hard to fathom bar the usual nonsense.

Lad has this season already nailed down the number 1 berth in Leinster and been given the nudge in the six nations to start at ten.

Personally thought he had a fantastic game, mistakes yes but his passing, ability to deliver the ball late and ability to make and find space looks good to me. Looks like a serious operator and yes I am also basing that on what I have seen in Leinster this year.

Let's just sit back and see what happens for the rest of this season. Looks to me that the Irish coaching setup is investing heavily in him as are Leinster and both know a hell of a lot more than anyone on here.

Pure provincal Bullshit saying Sam is 0.8 Ross. Crowley is better slightly than Sam at the moment and no one that follows rugby can honestly argue with that. But the irfu like any professional organisation plans for the future and see both lads as the future. I come from connacht and was at the game today and Sam did some lovely inter play with the backs but didn't command the game as number 10 and was to be honest 5 or 6 out of 10. I was dying form Crowley to come on as I thought Sam was out of his depth at times. But Ireland won and both 10's got further game time. Crowley is better at the moment but Sam has a higher ceiling end of story. I couldn't give a rats arse where the players come from as long as Ireland wins

I would encourage you to rewatch the game again. Very bad? Honestly after rewatching here - he wasn’t brilliant but he was not very bad. There is allot to be encouraged and enjoyed in his performance and I think most will agree on second viewing.

For context ‘very bad’ to me would be:

Another 21 year old outhalfs performance for Ireland v Scotland in 2013.

There was a player who was ill equipped to play test rugby against a rank average Scotland team.

He was too scared, stood too deep and offered nothing other than shuffling the ball on.

Today we have another 21 year old making his 6N debut. Prendergast missed a couple of convertions. Overcooked a couple of kicks. But look at how he took the ball to the line. His bravery. His organisation. His running angles and link play. Some lovely passes.

BB? That’s just an unfair comparison! He should never have been capped. BB, RB or even HB could start v Scotland and Ireland will still win.

For the record I thought Crowley should and would start this game. Now I would be happy with either of them starting v France.

Crowley vs Prendergast is one of those nice problems. I’d like to see more of them.

What a player Sheehan is. We immediately looked livelier when he appeared. He’s more like an extra wing than a centre.