Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Would disagree on that. I think Doris has a more complete game than Heaslip did. He does the grunt work, but has maintained an effective carrying game. I also think he's a better leader, he's frequently the best player on the pitch, in games full of star players

Stander was a very limited player in comparison.

Nah, he was a pretty straightforward player. Took ball, looked for contact

Both Heaslip and Stander were great players.

Just watched the Ulster match, each time I see McNabney he just gets better and better, some performance tonight. Really one to watch, would love to see him kick on beyond a development player and get into an Irish jersey.

There is a nice interview with BOD in today's Independent. Actually worth a read. Although it seems research is not a priority. It claims Brian's hat trick against France all those years ago was the last time an Irish player did so in the 6 nations. Craig Gilroy did it in 15 minutes against Italy (and was dropped from the team. He must have scored the tries in the wrong way for Joe..😉) Gilroy also scored a hat trick against Fiji. Brian was the greatest player of the modern era, on a par with the wonder that was Mike Gibson of the previous generation. I hope to see another stellar player in green among the many who are already there.

Agree & maybe he's not a fit for everyone.

Whatever happened in England he has blotted his CV a bit imo.

Whatever about the circumstances in leaving but to go straight back to Rassie…did nobody else see a role for him or he didn't fancy anything else.

Major major stats nerd by all accounts

Exactly....he is a young man & young coach who wanted out after 7 months into a contract....only those in the know can judge if it will blot his CV or not.

He has hit a bump on his career plan I think if he has gone straight back to Rassie again...maybe it was all a Rassie plan😁

Two of the greats of the game. Only 20 years separating the end-start of their eras

25 years since the seismic win in Paris and that BOD hat-trick.

Irelands first win v France in 18 games.

Which reminds me of this great quote:

"Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row" - Vitas Gerulaitis after ending losing streak to Jimmy Connors in 1980.

I didn't see indo interview but I did see this.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2025/0226/1499127-some-irish-fans-need-to-take-hard-look-at-themselves/

Brian O'Driscoll is in no doubt that arrogance is creeping into the Irish rugby fanbase and that many supporters need "to have a good hard look" at themselves.

"For sure, not like maybe," replied O’Driscoll when asked about Irish arrogance.

‘For sure’ Ughh (Irish people should not speak like Californians)

"I saw the article in the Telegraph the other day [asking] are Ireland a hard team to enjoy? Are they getting ahead of themselves?”

"I would say, the supporters, yes, the team, absolutely not."

Now I generally like BOD but attacking the supporters? FU! Over in his ITV studio and referring to the Telegraph and all! Cop on.

Anyway he’s another one on the very station (that shall remain nameless) that spew the sh!te hes talking about. The very same station that pays him. Child.

It's not the supporters. Its not just the lads going for plastic pints (which I dislike). We know the main issue is the corporate ticket shower that go to Lansdowne road.

O’Driscoll won’t call them out of course.

If you want to have a crack. Do it properly and speak the truth.

But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch.

I don't think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, never mind understand it.

20 years since The Benoit Baby Butt

Penalty. No YC. 4 week ban

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x229ml

Love French commentators reaction!