It's amazing we're still at the point where people won't accept that Sam Prendergast was picked ahead of Crowley because he was playing better than the latter. He hasn't been perfect but there have been enough good performances in blue and green to justify his continued selection.
the point where people won't accept that Sam Prendergast was picked ahead of Crowley because he was playing better
As a matter of interest, where are seeing this?
A France England draw, unlikely as it is, and an Irish win without a TBP leaves us level with France but they have a better PD. So there is a scenario where missing out on BPs matters.
Big Moments. Like Billy Burns v Wales in 2021, poor kick cost us an opportunity of a win.
Like george ford missing touch twice in the first 20 minutes in Twickenham cost England big time.
For all those blaming Sexton for the place kicking issues, Crowley is working with Dave Aldred according to an article in the papers today
If Scotland can even play to 80% of that France performance against us we are beat. We're operating a good bit lower than our form of 2024. Ignore our performance against England as they are shambles. Put Finn Russell under pressure and we have a chance
Scotland had ridiculously quick ball yesterday. We need Beirne, VDF and Doris to be lurking behind tackles looking to get on the ball at rucks.
It’s very hard to put in big back to back performances. We see it all the time.
2019 NZ hammering us in the QF, then getting hammered the following week by England who then got hammered by SA.
2023 Us hammering Scotland then not getting to the same peak against NZ. SA beating France and then limping past a poor England team in the semi final.
Us struggling to find the same intensity and accuracy we showed against England when we played Wales on Friday despite having a rest week. Scotland hammered England and just about got over the line against Wales a week later.
I’d be more worried if Scotland had been blown away. They’re obviously a very talented team who can tear you apart but they struggle to put it together consistently. I don’t think they’ll manage to do it two weeks in a row. Famous last words and all that..
If people are being haunted now by that unlikely scenario then that's on them.
But assuming that's how it works out, surely Dan Sheenan gets some of the blame too, I mean had he not jumped that tackle, there's every possibility that we score and that score that early in the game might have changed the whole game and led a bigger PD against Italy too
Sheehan scored a try for the Lions whilst diving over a player. It was allowed on the basis that it was in the act of scoring a try. Did the same not apply here?
Obviously not
Biggest issue is definitely our scrum. Scotland managed to put France under a lot of pressure in the scrum yesterday. We can't afford to allow our scrum to give Scotland access to our 22 next Saturday because they will score tries if given easy access.
Discipline will be a key component of a win next Saturday. France lost the heads completely in that regard, they played with 14 men for 20mins of the game yesterday.
A well organised and disciplined defensive effort will ask a lot more questions of the Scottish attack than France did yesterday.
You knew France had gone full French when Dupont was picked off for an intercept and followed it up by throwing the ball 5m forward behind his own try line in the next play. There were several illegal clearouts and a late tackle too. It was a real throwback to France of 10 years ago, lose the heads totally when the game isn't going your way.
How does it look like Byrne is ahead of him for Leinster? They are splitting time almost entirely 50/50
Maybe but 4 months ago you wouldnt have given Harry byrne a chance at any CC games for Leinster. It all depends on how prendergast reacts to his first real test as a player. Technically, phsyically and mentally he has to look for some answers.
Will any of Irelands injured players be recovered for the Scotland game or will it be the same 23?
I think Josh & Joe start and Sheehan comes back into the 23, Casey might get back in too. Hard to know what he does with Sam or TOB and if be surprised if Aki gets a spot at this stage in the 6Ns
Some achievement 👏👏👏
Pack for Scotland? O’Toole, Kelleher, Furlong Beirne, Ryan Conan, Doris, Van der Flier
Bench: Sheehan/Stewart, Milne/Loughman, Clarkson/Bealham, McCarthy, Timoney/Izuchukwu
You’re some PR man. And working overtime this weekend, I’ll give you that 👏👏👏 😂😂😂
Interesting to see that Paddy Jackson makes it in the top 10 with 195 points from 25 games. Sexton and then O’Gara way out ahead of next best Humphries. Ollie Campbell managing 217 points in 22 tests is some achievement considering the advances in pitches, the ball and technique over the last 40 years
And/or prevented Italy from stealing the line out and winning the game.
Well obviously, it is a great achievement when you consider some of the greats that have gone before him.
Where were Sexton & ROG on the list of point scorers at the age of 26
Not sure how many points they had by 26 years old. Or by what age they had made 35 appearances for Ireland. Any idea yourself?
that's some serious straw clutching, fair play.
soft lad. Draw at most
No, but should that stop you celebrating Jack's achievement
You’re right, it shouldn’t do. Why did you bring it up in that case?
Ref for next weekend
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
I think ‘Tempo’ is the only TMO I know by name. That can’t be a good thing.
Because it was worth mentioning, sorry, if that bothers you.
Backline for Scotland?
JGP, Crowley Stockdale, McCloskey, Ringrose, Baloucoune Osborne.
Bench: Doak, Frawley, Farrell.
Edited my original post because I didn't read the above properly.
StIll, it's the third time we've had an English ref in this Championship which given all the noise beforehand about Ireland not having a good relationship with them is interesting.
