Not sure I entirely follow but the two sides of the draw are separate from the R16. This is the same as in the past (winner of a group went to one side of the draw, RU went to the other). You can no longer guarantee you won't play a team from the same group before the final again however (you could end up against a 3rd place team from your group).
He always plays well v France
He hasn’t played against them in 2 years???
Jack boyle going off on a stretcher. Who's next up?
Loughman and Milne I guess are the 23 LH props now but this is seriously, seriously bad.
I wonder if they say “f*ck it, we’re going to get destroyed in the scrum either way” and just start Tom O’Toole at 1
I imagine putting Bealham to 1 is massively on the cards.
Dont see that happening as furlong is not exactly reliable injury wise
I am already assuming he isn't gonna be back. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone but do we just go
1 Milne 3 Clarkson
17 Bealham 18 TOT
And put Bealham on for whoever goes off first? We are in serious trouble now at prop.
you’d have to go for Eric O’Sullivan. He’d do a job, more than a rookie URC prop.
There is no-one, literally no-one.
Munster providing all the LH props to the Irish squad wasn't on the cards.
Billy Bohan is looking good for a squad call up.
MOD EDIT poster warned
Utterly pointless comment in an Ire thread
gutted for Boyle and ireland IRFU
Our cheeks are spread at this stage..
Anything to be said for bringing back Cian Healy 😀
Andy Farrell to Cian Healy right now
Anyone else think there is a case for Ahern starting at 6 against France? Then we could apply pressure to them at least one of the set pieces (they'll be really going after us in the other). Just throw him up every time on their throw, they'll be looking to do damage through their maul so best to try stop them even forming one, particularly close to the line when YC will also be a risk. The issue is it means you can't have all of Beirne, JoeMc, Ryan and Edogbo involved, which Farrell likely wants.
I'd also like to see Stewart as reserve hooker, Kelleher is quite limited. Might even be a case for Stewart starting and then unleashing Sheehan for the last ~35 mins.
I think Porter is suffering from serious reputational damage and the opposition exploit that. Maybe not a bad thing that he is out entirely. Ireland will probably be giving away more scrum penalties in his absence so he may have lost that reputation by the time he makes his return.
Leinster can bring him back if they need him but as a player he should be no where near an Irish squad.
Less munster players the better
Mod: Warned
I'd like to see Ahern given a chance, wouldn't mind that at all.
Maybe Farrell will.mix things up but I doubt it, I fully expect the team to be named as follows..(usual fitness caveats apply of course).
15 Keenan/Osborne/Stockdale (all depends on fitness
14 O'Brien
13 Ringrose
12 McCloskey
11 Lowe
10 Prendergast
09 Gibson Park
01 Milne
02 Sheehan
03 Furlong
04 Ryan
05 McCarthy
06 Beirne
07 Van Der Flier
08 Doris
16 Kelleher, 17 Loughman, 18 Bealham 19 Edogbo, 20 Conan, 21 Casey, 22 Crowley, 23 Depends on FB really, if Keenan starts we'd need Osborne or Stockdale on the bench to cover on his first game in 6 months, but Farrell being Farrell he'll probably pick Aki.
This is an excellent example of a players point of view vs some fella on the Internet who think reinforced online opinions are gospel. Not one thing Murray said is unreasonable.
I'd like to see him go more than 5 minutes without getting injured...
I wouldn't particularly mind but I'd be shocked if it was anyone but Beirne.
I thought Lowe was a non entity last night.
he’s done. Go for Stockdale, at least he’s in form.
exactly my thoughts . I read it and felt it was a great piece and very good advice to the many aspiring or current professionals out there in sport. I do worry about the mental health for those participating with access to such destructive commentary, some intentionally so and some not but equally damaging. Good advice and perspective
Is there a formal process for players at provincial level and above for managing social media? It can be a serious distraction for a young person these days, especially the negativity for a player starting out. At first, you’d be better off having somebody else taking charge of it and giving you the highlights on an occasional basis.
I assume so, but fear not as effectively implemented as needed
Izuchukwu has replaced Tom Ahern in the squad for 6n
Bohan looks a top prospect. Give another highly touted prop in Niall Smyth a difficult time last night.
Ahern picking up another injury is unfortunate, but sort of expected at this stage. He seems incapable of sustaining an injury free run of games.
