wrongly at the start of the tournament I we were destined to finish 3rd but it looks like 2nd place is going to be where we finish.
Its testament to AF ability as a coach but I think Richie Murphy has to be given serious credit for what he has done in Ulster since taking over and what those players have brought to the national side for this years 6N
When the time for AF’s replacement comes he has to be firmly in contention.
Casey is #2 as we will learn when he appears for the triple crown finale next week
Its ok to say Crowley was poor last night. Wales defence was so narrow but there zero variation to Irelands attack - no crossfield kicks, no dinks into space to get the exhausted Welsh pack turning around, no imagination at all. His goal kicking performance is a really concern again.
I still think he should start against Scotland and he is a better option than Sam or Harry Byrne at the moment.
From a confidence, rebuilding & righting previous wrongs Crowley should start and Sam on the bench
This nonsense needs to stop. Dickson had a fine game last night.
The one caveat to this is that Dickson, having penalised Ireland in the 2nd half for a deliberate knock on, kept explaining to Doris that "you got one (pen) for the same in the 1st half".
If you ask any Referee whether they ever 'balance out' their decisions they'll deny it. Yet here is Dickson doing exactly that. I'm all for consistency in officiating, but I'd prefer to have less talking from both Ref & players.
Doris goes up to Dickson complaining, Dickson reminds him that he's applying the same consistency that was applied to when Ireland got a penalty in the first half, and that's Dickson's problem?
Honestly, I don't know what it is people here want. They're complaining about a referee making the correct decision and the accusation is that he 'hate's Ireland'.
Seems people just want the referee to give us everything.
I havent watched game yet. was in stadium working and likely to be tomorrow night or more likely monday before i sit down to watch game but there will be an element of balancing decisions and i dont see an issue with it in right context but totally agree about less talking. some irish players are getting very bad for chat to officials.
Yeah think people are being unrealistic in what they want from officials. Think Doris isnt good in how he approaches refs or how he deals with them.
I think we saw it a bit last week with Piardi after he penalised O'Brien and denied Ireland a try. From memory he gave us a couple of soft decisions in the aftermath.
What would Doaks kicking percentages be playing for Ulster compared to Crowley for Munster and Prendergast for Leinster?
Think he has higher stats.
Two things on Doak as a goalkicker.
1) Recently Murphy has been Ulster's goalkicker.
2) Unless Doak is first choice 9 it's a red herring anyway, as he won't be on the pitch to kick. He isn't going to get selected ahead of Gibson Park just because he can goal kick.
I'm expressing my opinion. You might agree or not but I will not stop expressing it.
Crowley’s kicking game is very worrying. Didn’t get enough height on any of those high balls and left the wingers scrambling to catch it. Goal kicking seems a serious psychological issue too.
Can see Sam being brought onto the bench for Scotland next week to give us more threat.
You really have to spell it out for some people
Casey will probably be on the bench next week, lm a Munster supporter and have a lot of time for Craig, but l think by the world cup Doak will have overtaken him he's a much bigger man and has been in great form for Ulster and a great place kicker to boot.
Personal opinion. I think you’re under estimating Casey’s resolve & over estimating Doak’s ability at international level, but time will tell all and it’s in safer hands than us to opine
He trotted back in the first half when Wales got into our 22.
As I said, good going forward, liability once he has to turn and cover back or to make defensive decisions
Lads.
We're winning the Championship next week.
Either that or Scotland are going to batter us lol. Mental stuff at Murrayfield.
On a serious point I genuinely think England have (to steal an EOS quote) "the horses" to beat France so it really could be on.
Quite the opposite. That fix that Dunne is talking about is something thats literally the definition of a coaches job. Describe what the problem is and show how to fix it, Dunne can see it and Johnny can't, or Johny is seeing it, suggesting how to fix it and Crowley is ignoring him.
I'd rather if irish played..Scottish style rugby...
With that points difference? Not a chance.
Any win by France or Scotland next week, with the other losing gives them the tournament
Ireland need both France & Scotland to lose.
We'll all be shouting for England next week, even if we lose.
France 16 Scotland 16 Ireland 14
If we get 5 points against Scotland, then France are the only team that could catch us and would have to win (or draw with a try bonus) to finish first.
Points difference would only matter if we draw.
France at home, strong favourites.
Given how today had gone, real shame Crowley couldn't find touch from 10m out against Italy, missing that bonus point could turn out to be crucial.
Yeah, I’m personally happier with the fact that we’ve beaten them 10 times in a row, but whatever.
Or Dan Sheenan didn't try jumping the tackle with the try line at his mercy, went from a certain try to a penalty against us.
Fine margins
France at home after losing the weekend before is a very dangerous animal.
