Ire v Wal rte 2 mar 6 26

Do you think he’s leapfrogged Casey?

It was directed at ujjjjjjj, didn't quote the post properly.

I did not come in here after the English game as I wanted to see how they tonight.

There is no doubt in my mind that it is the coaching ticket that is the problem.

either Farrell replaces fogarty sexton and O’Connell soon or he will be the one being replaced. It’s really as simple as that.

Our scrum and lineout are poorly coached, our 10s look like men who are petrified they are going to miss a placed ball and then end up doing so further compounding the problem.

We need better coaches and we need them fast.

As much as i want Jack to succeed unless he ups his kicking stats he is always going to be looking over his shoulder at those waiting to replace him .He must be the worst out half in the 6 Nations when it comes to kicking even his kicking from hand is not great. His tackling is first rate but constant goal kicking for an out half is a must

Wales had more 0-3 second rucks tonight than us. Slow ball is dead ball.

you can not like a player but at least show some bit of objectivity and realism, jut piling on crowley is a bit ridiculous. very little of it actually being true too

both JC & SP have been mismanaged

Harry Byrne is decent but he is being overhyped a bit due to performances that were decent enough but nothing special, along with a kick which took alot of bottle to be fair. dont really see him as anything past a 3rd choice option at this stage

Frawley is much better suited to 12 than 10

Ryan had a few moments, but I thought he was our best carrier.

How a kick or two in front of the posts is a coaching issue I know not but whatever deflects.

I generally still feel the trajectory is upwards, even if today was extremely sloppy. That said, Wales are improving every game and will be better yet next year if their URC teams are anything to go by. Glad to see that as Wales in the toilet is terrible for the 6N. We are still going into the last game with a lot of new caps and a few real prospects in Balacoune, Timoney, Osbourne and maybe Doak. I'd love to see him get more minutes next week. Issue around ten are still there though we've known for a while that even at their best neither SP nor Crowley are stand outs in the test arena, neither would be close to any other top 5 or 6 team's 23. For me kicking points is absolutely crucial for this Irish team, we aren't ripping teams apart and scoring tries off nothing so 3 pointers will make a huge difference for us. It's a basic skill and if the tens aren't up to it we need to look elsewhere on the team.

Crowley was ok again, no better or worse that his trend for Ireland. He isn't a bad game manager but he is very predicable and lateral in his movement and passing. Rarely see him make a killer pass or grubber, slow and steady I guess. BU thats where we are at ten, we have 3 or 4 guys in or around the same level, all of whom can do the job ot a satisfactory level but no real difference maker on the level of Johnny or JGP.

Look, put yourself in Crowley's shoes. It's a wonder he has any individuality left. Last week he was being praised for just sticking to "the system". It's like all the talent is being coached out of him.

Also he was huge in defence. He had to secure way too many rucks.

My 2c player ratings:

O'Toole 6 - a good shift for Tom in an unfamiliar position. Good in the loose too.

Kelliher 6 - lively in contact and strong defence. A narrowing gap between him and Sheahan of late

Furlong 4 - some props improve with more miles on the clock. I don't think Tadhg is one of those props.

Beirne 7.5 - not sensational today but he sets a very high bar. Lucky to have him.

Ryan 7 - very solid performance this evening. We will miss him when he's gone.

Conan 8.5 - Mr consistency does it again. Would like to see him start at 8 next week.

Timoney 4.5 - I was really looking forward to his first start but it wasn't a great night for him. VdF won't be too worried.

Doris 7 - a relatively good night for the captain. Played the ref well and his own game was solid.

Park 5 - not at his best. And it effected everyone outside him

Crowley 6 - solid but not spectacular. Some obvious negatives with kicking off the tee. But that's fixable. Too predictable in attack though.

McCloskey 6 - didn't really impose himself on the game.

Ringrose 6 - all his good play was in defence. Probably need a 13 with the same defence but with more of an attacking threat.

Stockdale 5 - I don't see him getting many more caps. He's a solid URC level player at this stage in his career.

Balacounne 7 - some glimpses of brilliance but they were few. But he did shine in a largely dull lineup of backs.

Osbourne 5.5 - seemed to drop every high ball and moved very slowly in defence allow Wales to exploit gaps. Really need Keenan back & to get Osbourne into the centre

Clarkson 5 - don't think he's a test level front row. Didn't do much to impact the game.

Stewart 5.5 - was lively and physical but a bit of the levels of Kelliher & Sheahan

Milne 5.5 - didn't do much of note. But no glaring errors.

Doak 7 - a very good debut. Not that many minutes but looked very comfortable. Crisp passing. Quick ruck speed.

Frawley 7 - another brief cameo. Some lovely link play with Balacounne.

Farrell ? - had a brief run around and the only positive, for him, is that it counts as a cap.

VdF 7 - impressive in his short outing. He's under no threat from Timoney, based on current form

McCarthy 7.5 - several crucial interventions during his outing this evening. No brain farts. A good day at the office.