Ireland 6N Squad

[hellovating]

I have always found the French to be the most generous and friendly supporters at club and international level - outside of Munster and Ireland, of course (And even then I'd take the French over the Jacks and Billies).

the english are the best visitors to TP... esp those from the regional towns like leicester, bath, gloucester and northampton. the french are good too, but always a little mental.

[Stones of granite]

He took a holiday in Scotland - and that explains Neds and anyone from Dundee.

I think it must have been aliens to explain Dundee.

[paddy no 11]

Not impressed with the non selection of the foal, the jerseys his at this stage plus it buggers my fantasy rugby team

[hellovating]

yeah, i think it's a bit shit that he wasn't kept on too.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I have always found the French to be the most generous and friendly supporters at club and international level - outside of Munster and Ireland, of course (And even then I'd take the French over the Jacks and Billies).

the english are the best visitors to TP... esp those from the regional towns like leicester, bath, gloucester and northampton. the french are good too, but always a little mental.

I have to say one of my best r*gby memories was mixing with Sale fans ahead of the 2006 HC game at TP. Their sense of expectation was wonderful and they hadn't really got much of a clue as to what lay in store for them. The Gloster game will always have the Miracle Match tag, but for me, the Sale game was no less miraculous and all that more special as I got to enjoy it from the terrace about 10 feet from where Wally dotted down. The apres match in Fla's and the Bin was mighty and I struggle to remember a Sale fan who wasn't laughing their socks off at what had just happened to them (To be honest, I struggle to remember much, at all!). I've been fortunate to mix with Leicester and Wasps fans in Limerick and have to say that there is an abiding mutual respect.

All of those good things that the Tigers, Saints and Gloster fans bring, must be balanced against the Harlequins and Saracens fans who come with an equal air of expectation but leave behind an underlying sense that they feel they have been mugged by the lowly colonials. As for the English at LDR, they truly are the Curate's egg and almost insufferable at times (Then again, I'm sure they say the same of us at Twickenham).

[francoisfou]

My sole experience of Irish rugby hospitality was the 1970 Easter tour of my club (Loughborough) and it was superb. If my memory serves me correctly - which is highly doubtful, we played Ballynahinch (?) in Athlone, then Westport (strangely enough in Westport) and then a crazy sevens tournament in Galway. I "borrowed" a Guinness glass from a pub in the main drag in Galway and I've promised meself to this day that one day I'll take it back.
Singing and drinking all weekend!

[tigran]

Congrats, paddy, hellov, sarge, and co..

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Just sobered up? Some session, Tigs!

[hellovating]

on we go.... i doubt Joe will make any changes now but i'd bring in POM. is there talk Payne might be close to a comeback?

[SerjeantWildgoose]

He played at the weekend, I think. Too early for an international come-back in what is likely to be a tough game in Cardiff?

[kk67]

Just sobered up? Some session, Tigs!

Who said that,..is it Friday..?

[paddy no 11]

Im sure the ulshterfarians were delighted to hear loinster got to sign scott vardy while pienaar has to pack his bags

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Im sure the ulshterfarians were delighted to hear loinster got to sign scott vardy while pienaar has to pack his bags

The Pienaar thing seems ridiculous. I'm not against the rules in principle - well I am, but I understand it - but how has Nacewa been granted an extension if there's a ban on such things?

[Spiffy]

He played at the weekend, I think. Too early for an international come-back in what is likely to be a tough game in Cardiff?

It is a bit soon. Payne will have another run for Ulster tomorrow (at 13). Probably see him on the bench for Cardiff. I would not mind if Joe took a punt and started him at FB against the Welsh - probably the best man for he job, and if he's fit, he's fit.

[paddy no 11]

The one out runners no offloading gashfest needs to come to an end. taking on a team physically with a poor lineout,
a spoofer at 8 and a 6 at 7 up against tipuric just not clever. Wouldn't you love to play against a team who isn't going to challenge you other than to just make tackle after tackle

[Vengeful Glutton]

If we'd played for another hour we'd not have scored a try.

[Peat]

I would be very pleased on a number of levels if Payne wasn't involved against England.

[BBD]

Im beginning to feel that way about the Lions and our half back pairing tbh
Im sure they both want to play, great honour, pinnacle of your career but I cant help feeling their provinces and country will suffer as a result

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I cant help feeling their provinces and country will suffer as a result

Well Leinster, certainly, but we've got Dunc!

[BBD]

ahh Dunc, the only thing going back quicker than his pass is his hairline

[SerjeantWildgoose]

If we'd played for another hour we'd not have scored a try.

I disagree.

The Welsh would have been off, showered and in the pub. There is a moderate chance we might have scored a try with no opposition - but even then Rory is likely to have chucked the fecking thing wonky or the maul would have tripped over Robbie trying to join it from the front!

[BBD]

we'd have had time to re-group as the clock was stopped after Kearney decided to tackle the post using his face to break its will and impose some dominance in the contact

[Spiffy]

Joe has replaced one clapped out wing with another. Ferg is back in the fold! The game's as good as won - if only Kearney can stay fit.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Joe has replaced one clapped out wing with another. Ferg is back in the fold! The game's as good as won - if only Kearney can stay fit.

Jesus Christ. I thought the days of Ferg in the squad were firmly behind us. I really don't understand the justification for that. Quite clearly Schmidt sees something there that I just don't get. Friday's match was depressing enough without this bullshit. If he makes the 23 I'm going to be fucking livid.

[BBD]

Jeez we have young talented, exciting players in our provinces, why the feck are we resorting to Ferg ffs???????????

The championship is gone, lets give some game time to some of the young lads like Gilroy, Byrne or Sweetnam, at least give them a run at this level