Ireland to finish

[fivepointer]

From the same guy. I think he's on to something....

[jngf]

I'm assuming it is due to squad issues (which is ridiculous) but we have stuck with a number of players who don't appear to be international class through this series: Mako; Dombrandt; BYoungs; Isiekwe (maybe Walker but we have barely seen him, which I suppose says everything) plus the likes of Sinckler; George; Ludlam; Malins; Slade who don't appear consistent enough to be top tier internationals.

The elephant in the room is Farrell who has been re-instated as captain despite being fairly limited - sets quite a low ceiling on the team having him as 10.

The addition of TCurry, Lawes and Ford plus the integration of Arundell should see an improvement. Also personally a big fan of Freeman as he looked a natural international when he played and I'd also still have a look at Jonny Hill as he's a big unit who had started to impose himself on games.

Unsure if there will be time to integrate all of these pre World Cup but I think VRR, Mercer and Kelly could all be good internationals. Martin and / or Ted Hill are good big blindsides if Lawes is unavailable. Our 9s building experience will be helpful though I think Quirke has the highest ceiling and hes barely featured due to injury.

Tighthead and Hooker (unless LCD is available) look like key issues in the short and medium term - any chance Barbeary goes back to hooker when returning from injury otherwise I think we are pining over barely tested options at Prem level like Theo Dan!

Have to disagree with you about Ludlam’s consistency I think he’s shown this 6 Nations that he’s our best test 6 (or blindside flanker for those who don’t like shirt numbers) by a significant margin. Massive improvement on Lawtoje!

Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

I wouldn’t think playing for the Lions backs up your point much given the outcome of those tests and totally disagree with your ranking of Lawes in comparison to Ludlam

[Banquo]

Have to disagree with you about Ludlam’s consistency I think he’s shown this 6 Nations that he’s our best test 6 (or blindside flanker for those who don’t like shirt numbers) by a significant margin. Massive improvement on Lawtoje!

Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

I wouldn’t think playing for the Lions backs up your point much given the outcome of those tests and totally disagree with your ranking of Lawes in comparison to Ludlam

I'm shocked I tell ye.

[jngf]

Mate, you are the one obsessed with shirt numbers, I'm trying to get you to define the jobs that you expect these players to do. Blindside flanker meant something when you played about three phases...now, it means jack, other than packing down, and even then breaks down when in France.
Ludlam was out of his depth by a significant margin v France, and not a patch on the latter day Lawes at 6 ( I have ripped into Lawes for years as a 6, but his last few appearances he's been very good, which is why he played there for the Lions).

I wouldn’t think playing for the Lions backs up your point much given the outcome of those tests and totally disagree with your ranking of Lawes in comparison to Ludlam

I'm shocked I tell ye.

If he’d been fit I do think Underhill and T Curry in tandem might have improved that test series especially if Falatau had got the nod over the underpowered Conan at 8

[stepsider]

Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

[Banquo]

Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

Not sure this Ireland would be prone to complacency but fingers crossed.

[Spiffy]

Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

The fans may be complacent, but from what we hear coming out of the Ireland camp, the coaches and players are not. I think Farrell has the team in a very competitive mind set.

[16th man]

Bookies have the Handicap for evens set at 11pts. I've absolutely stuck on that. Also pushed it lout to 21 to get 13/8.

I'll be okay if were within 14, relieved at less than 21, expecting it to be pushing 30 to 40.

[Mr Mwenda]

Here in Ireland they've already won by at least 40 points, according to the general public.

Complacency is very dangerous. Just wondering if we'll spring a surprise.

Hope springs eternal!

[Oakboy]

Is anybody confident about a single unit of out team compared with Ireland's? If Chessum or Hill were alongside Itoje our 2nd row might be close. If a fully fit Lawes was at 6 that would help our back row but Dombrandt v Doris? Farrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

Our front row could make a game of it if they turn up and keep their discipline.

[p/d]

Is anybody confident about a single unit of out team compared with Ireland's? If Chessum or Hill were alongside Itoje our 2nd row might be close. If a fully fit Lawes was at 6 that would help our back row but Dombrandt v Doris? Farrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

Our front row could make a game of it if they turn up and keep their discipline.

Dors!!! Now is the time to get behind the boys

[Mikey Brown]

Farrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

This is a very strange point. I share your doubts about whether Tuilagi still has it, but Slade's best rugby has been outside Tuilagi's presence. I'd imagine precisely because he draws so much attention. I'm not expecting a lot, but I'm not really following the logic either.

There are lots of factors that will determine whether the Ireland half-backs can dominate the game, but I don't see how Farrell's feistiness is much to do with it, unless you mean he will shut them both down in defence?

[Banquo]

Farrell might be feisty enough for their 9/10 not to dominate but Tuilagi's presence will do little for Slade and therefore the back three.

This is a very strange point. I share your doubts about whether Tuilagi still has it, but Slade's best rugby has been outside Tuilagi's presence. I'd imagine precisely because he draws so much attention. I'm not expecting a lot, but I'm not really following the logic either.

There are lots of factors that will determine whether the Ireland half-backs can dominate the game, but I don't see how Farrell's feistiness is much to do with it, unless you mean he will shut them both down in defence?

Well yes, sticking two distributors in the centre doesn’t really work. At least Tuilagi’s rep should give Slade some more time to shape the plays, if we have any!

[loudnconfident]

Bookies have the Handicap for evens set at 11pts. I've absolutely stuck on that. Also pushed it lout to 21 to get 13/8.

I'll be okay if were within 14, relieved at less than 21, expecting it to be pushing 30 to 40.

Betfair exchange have England at 8/1 to win...

[Mikey Brown]

Well that's one halfback dominated. Good call Oakboy.

[Mr Mwenda]

Result. Managed to time turning the telly on to miss the anthems and the presidential pomp but not the kick off. Ireland can't take that from me.

[Mr Mwenda]

Arundel getting an education...

[Mr Mwenda]

That tap, why was it a penalty at all?

[Galfon]

Already Ire line breaks and Eng pen.counts a tadge concerning.
Tuilagi presence and raised intensity big pluses.
Ire 0 - 6 Ice.

[Mikey Brown]

The commentary team clearly haven't been paying attention to Banquo's seminars about Itoje's role/form.

[Galfon]

Sexton's tackle on Steward under sticks was a catalyst - could do without cheap-shot pens tbf

[Beasties]

Lovely try that tbf.

[Mikey Brown]

If sound had a colour it would be green? Did I imagine that or is that really what he just said?

[Beasties]

Glad to see Eng have decided to turn up this week.

[Galfon]

Steward's elbow gets head butted ?