Three away games in a row next year for Ireland…
what is it with Ireland and Friday night games…really makes it difficult to go to for anyone down the country
Tickets maybe easy but accommodation definitely isn't - so would urge advance planning
The Italy game always appeals to me as a great weekend away though I might try Cardiff next year as tickets seems easy enough to come by
Ireland and England begin next year’s championship…..
Friday, February 5th, at 8.10pm in Lansdowne Road
Then Rome on Saturday, February 13th, (kick-off 3.10pm local time/2.10pm Irish)
That is the first of successive early Saturday afternoon slots, as a week later Wales host Ireland (kick-off 2.10pm).
Ireland face Scotland in Murrayfield on Friday, March 5th,
Finishing v France, on Saturday, March 13th (kick-off 8.10pm).
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/03/09/six-nations-2027-fixtures-ireland-to-have-two-more-friday-night-games-next-year/
Will probably get English officials for 3 of those games. Again.
100%. The difference between winning (and finishing second) and losing (third) is over a million euro in prize money; nothing we could learn about any fringe player is worth that. Plus going into the evening with a remote chance of a 6N title would be amazing. Full strength all the way.
Next question is what full strength looks like. I think Kelleher can argue he's earned a start, but probably the biggest question is whether McCarthy comes back in and Beirne moves to 6, or we go with Conan again.
Who I'd like to see;
TOT Kelleher Furlong
Ryan Beirne
Conan Doris VDF
JGP Crowley
Stockdale McCloskey Henshaw Baloucoune
Osborne
Subs: Sheehan Loughman Clarkson McCarthy Timoney Casey Prendergast TOB
We will not be working on squad depth on Saturday, it will be best available.
Doak's 10 minutes off the bench is the quickest I've seen someone anointed on here I think!
That said I wouldn't object to him benching over Casey, we need more depth at 9.
Cards on the table, I think Doak will bench this week, if I'm wrong I'm wrong!
*”to maintain his place on the bench”
Doak has done enough in a 10 minute first cap cameo “to keep his position”? Really? Casey holds a lot more chips on the table, that’s at best unrealistic in my view. Let’s see how that one plays out
Sam will be rebuilding confidence back at Leinster. He would have been released during the fallow week to play if rebuilding confidence was the goal. He's being kept in the squad for his own protection more than anything else, I doubt he's in any position to play for anyone right now.
I think Doak has done enough to maintain his place on the bench also.
SP won’t be in 23. He had his numerous chances and stank the gaff out
All of the above I suspect except Casey is on the bench not Doak and I think Sam also as it’s the last chance to rebuild confidence
anyone got good intel on the Scotland team, likely 15/23 and any comments on them?
As you posted, but TOB for Stockdale and Stockdale as 23 cover for me.
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.
Backline for Scotland?
JGP, Crowley Stockdale, McCloskey, Ringrose, Baloucoune Osborne.
Bench: Doak, Frawley, Farrell.
Because it was worth mentioning, sorry, if that bothers you.
I think ‘Tempo’ is the only TMO I know by name. That can’t be a good thing.
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)
You’re right, it shouldn’t do. Why did you bring it up in that case?
No, but should that stop you celebrating Jack's achievement
soft lad. Draw at most
that's some serious straw clutching, fair play.
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?
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
And/or prevented Italy from stealing the line out and winning the game.
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
Pack for Scotland? O’Toole, Kelleher, Furlong Beirne, Ryan Conan, Doris, Van der Flier
Bench: Sheehan/Stewart, Milne/Loughman, Clarkson/Bealham, McCarthy, Timoney/Izuchukwu
