Who? Us?
Yeah. I haven't looked but multiple commentators have said that.
Beg your pardon - just checked on the site shared above and we're second last - better only than Scotland.
We're last in goal kick % and successful tackle %.
I think if you look at it all things being equal, the scrum is the least of our problems and was actually quite decent considering we blooded 3 new guys and were didn't 1st choice players for the majority.
Like, our scrum didn't really cost us anything and it gained us vital field position on our own 5m line vs Wales late on
Did we not give away a raft of scrum penalties against Wales?
Yes in the first half....but I mean , first test start fir our 3rd choice TH ( who looked fine other than that 40 mins)
I really think if we are actively looking for problems, the scrum is waaaay down the list
Fair enough, I don't disagree with that.
The tournament is over. I think it's time to look forward and talk about what we expect and what we hope for. Will it be Baird or Prendergast who takes POM's spot or out of left field Coombes?
Who is the third choice scrum-half, Blade was fourth but he's lost his spot in Connacht to Ben Murphy.
Who is the third choice out-half?
Personally I think Furlong is done, he just doesn't seem to be able to stay healthy. That then leads to the question as to who comes in? I'd imagine it will be Clarkson?
Personally I'd like to see Osbourne play 13.
9 - Murphy & Gunne. Blade & Doak not at Test level. Doak is a 10 but can’t take on Frawley
10 - Frawley , but don’t rule out Bristols Harry B
Great to see Casey is back in training and may make Munster game next week. Real shame he wasn’t around for the 6N he brings great energy
Sure start a summer tour thread.
Summer tour is different. I'm looking at the future, not the summer. I'm looking at where we might be and where people would like us to be for the Six Nations next year.
The summer tour & the November internationals are the first steps into the future.
If we don't get bodies in at 6,7,9, 12 & at least 1 wing then I'd be disappointed.
I don't think people get how few test windows are left til RWC
Conan is unquestionably the next 6 for Ireland. I wouldn't have Baird near the squad, he's not at this level.
I'd rather see Osborne play 12 than 13. Ringrose is grand.
Aki is still top notch, the only Irish centre guaranteed to be a Lion.
The fact Osbourne has played wing and full back suggests he'd be a great 13.
There's a young 12 coming through in Connacht and I'll be shocked if he isn't the starting 12 for Ireland in two years time. That young man is 21 year old Hugh Gavin who started for the A team against England and played very well. Osbourne's route into a long term starting role for Ireland is at 13.
Cathal Forde is a very talented young 12 who has been around the Irish panel in recent times but he's been moved to 13 because he's behind Aki and now Gavin.
Thought Aki in particular looked past it. Desperately slow, failed to make the sort of impact carrying that he has had previously, try vs England notwithstanding. Both he and Henshaw looked old and slow. Ringrose did little to impress.
How about a backline of Hansen, Forde, Gavin, Bolton and Devine plus others! Not beyond the bounds of possibility.
😁
Gavin is the only one I expect to make it big. Although there's an 18 year old hooker I'm trying to get people to look at, I think he's very special. A few years in the academy and he could be a great one. He's playing with men at 18 and he's well able for it physically. .
Who is the player you are talking about?
Gavin has started all his games for Connacht since coming back from injury at 13, with Forde at 12. I’d also assume that it’ll be Bundee at 12 and Gavin at 13 for the rest of the season. Gavin looks a very similar mould to Henshaw.
I think the Italy game was a missed opportunity to get Osborne in, but on hindsight maybe the coaches wanted a bit more experience in 12 with the quality that Italy have there.
Aki looks like he’s on the slide although still capable of some big moments like the England try and Wales impact from the bench. Henshaw shouldn’t be played at 13 again, but still has something to offer at 12 pending on staying fit. He missed a lot of his prime years through niggles.
Next 6 months is a great opportunity for Gavin if he can stay fit-have a good end to the URC campaign and summer tour and he’ll be in the mix for the AI. As always, injuries are the unknowable factor. Would be good to see Hume get a good run too for Ulster.
Definitely hoping that at least one of Osborne, Gavin, Postlewaith, Forde or Cooney can make a breakthrough to the starting team by next 6Ns
I've incredibly high hopes for Hugh Gavin. His power, athleticism, and skill was already stressing seasoned pro defenders as soon as Connacht played him. It was as if he took one Summer in the gym to go from big at u20 to big at pro level. He seems to be adapting to 13 fast. The feedback I've heard from inside camp is that the coaching team are very impressed by how fast he learns.
With this summer tour being key in integrating new players to the squad the IRFU should put their foot down and not permit any more contracted coaches join the Lions. If they can’t stop them going they should be replaced.
He was fine at the start of the 6N. That boot to the face against France seemed to knock the stuffing out of him. Didn't think it would affect him in the next game, but he looked subdued.
Conan's role as sub seems to suit him very well.
Do you see McNabney or McCann as potential flankers for Ireland over the next year or two?
Personally, I think McNabney's more eye-catching, but McCann has a fantastic skillset - he's the better backrower. But he might be like Hodnett - just doesn't fit, for whatever reason.
There was a very good post on this recently where someone pointed out McCann doesn't have a USP. He's so important to Ulster, and such a good player, but you know with McNabney you're getting extraordinary physicality. With McCann, you're getting so much at 80%+, but nothing where you can say "let's bring him into the team, we know he'll markedly improve the ball-carrying /turnovers /tackling / lineout etc"
Having said that, McCann will be 25 later in the year, McNabney just turned 22.
He was poor vs England. Got absolutely burnt by Smith, looked like Ross Bryne trying to chase him
I really like McCann. Would love to see him or Hodnett get some time at 7
I think he's brilliant. He and Sheridan carried Ulster last season.
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