The Rugby Thread

[Rigadon]

I also think there are variations on it, the set up is always the same, but the key is ruck speed, giving Sexton the space and time to set up then run various plays through the forwards and backs. Ireland are an efficient unit now, every single player well drilled in his job, but also seemingly aware of the jobs of the men around him. It all starts with that incredible defence, and the fact that 5 of the pack, 9 of the team and 13 of the squad all play for the same team can’t hurt.

Sexton will be an incredible attack coach when he retires as he reads the game so well.

Also credit to Farrelll, how England have managed to not have him as head coach is genuinely remarkable.

Farrell as head coach and Shaun Edwards as defence coach. Would make a huge difference to England.

[Irishnev]

Sacked by Eddie Jones from his England coaching role after he had been part of Lancaster's disastrous World Cup tenure.

Although Eddie would have no doubt sacked him regardless.

And Mike Catt as well, he was getting dogs abuse over here when Farrell first started but now you see his finger prints on the attack

[bacon]

Looks like Eddie Jones is quitting Australia to join Japan ... what a disaster he has been for the Wallabies

[Cormack74]

Sacked by Eddie Jones from his England coaching role after he had been part of Lancaster's disastrous World Cup tenure.

Although Eddie would have no doubt sacked him regardless.

[Buzzo]

I also think there are variations on it, the set up is always the same, but the key is ruck speed, giving Sexton the space and time to set up then run various plays through the forwards and backs. Ireland are an efficient unit now, every single player well drilled in his job, but also seemingly aware of the jobs of the men around him. It all starts with that incredible defence, and the fact that 5 of the pack, 9 of the team and 13 of the squad all play for the same team can’t hurt.

Sexton will be an incredible attack coach when he retires as he reads the game so well.

Also credit to Farrelll, how England have managed to not have him as head coach is genuinely remarkable.

[Irishnev]

The fact that you have so many players who have come to their peak at that sort of bar is what gives me some mild hope for this Scotland team over the next say 2 W C cycles. Beyond that we are ****ed. 2 clubs and almost zero pipeline.

I’m reallly excited for you Irish - it’s there to be won for you. As you alluded to above Nev if every team plays to the best of their abilities then Ireland are definitely the best team. There’s obviously more to it than that and the other teams (well at least 3 of them) will also have a say.

But the way I look at of for you guys is ‘if not now, when?’.

We may never get a better chance than now until the WC is held in Ireland …. It’s the flip of a coin this weekend again, I’m listening to a lot of content and it could be the last dance for some of the NZ boys. They have real quality in their back line and are still the best broken field attacking team in the world

To beat them you need to go after their front 5 and outside of Ardie, their back row isn’t great. I’m optimistic but cautious as I was v SA and Scotland where I was more positive

Ireland’s system right now is ticking all the boxes and there is a conveyor belt of young players coming through. We’ve win the last 2 u-20 6 nations with grand slams and lost to France in the WC final earlier this year. There are some guys in that team who look absolute stars in the making

We have a schools system that feeds the provincial academies with ready made talent. Rugby is huge in Ireland now as success breeds following so many more kids are playing

Here's a question for you Nev that occurs to me every time I watch Ireland: it occurred to me again on the w/e but I'd had a few so promptly forgot it.

How does a pretty average 'play' that everyone knows is going to happen manage to constantly reap reward, even if reward is just improved field position (never to be sniffed at in rugby).

I mean of course the famous Sexton wrap around

I sit at home (or elsewhere) telling anyone who will listen that it's about to happen yet the opposing team whoever they might, be are utterly bamboozled like it's the famous All Blacks hide the ball up your shirt trick done for the first time.

Astonishing

Because it is so well rehearsed and because our set pieces are normally so good it allows time to pull off the strike plays at such pace and accuracy. I also think we use a lot of variations but people always think it’s wrap arounds. Sexton takes the ball so hard to the line and passes so late that it opens up gaps - he’s really brave

No doubt Joe Schmidt will have a few rabbits up his sleeve for the AB strike plays also.

[Cormack74]

Here's a question for you Nev that occurs to me every time I watch Ireland: it occurred to me again on the w/e but I'd had a few so promptly forgot it.

How does a pretty average 'play' that everyone knows is going to happen manage to constantly reap reward, even if reward is just improved field position (never to be sniffed at in rugby).

I mean of course the famous Sexton wrap around

I sit at home (or elsewhere) telling anyone who will listen that it's about to happen yet the opposing team whoever they might, be are utterly bamboozled like it's the famous All Blacks hide the ball up your shirt trick done for the first time.

Astonishing

[Cormack74]

He is / he was.

I always thought he was a very poor man's Tuilagi but he's been top notch for a while now.

[Buzzo]

Ringrose and Bundee is a great centre pairing.

Bundee is playing like a guy who knows this is his chance. He was ferocious on Sunday.

[Buzzo]

The fact that you have so many players who have come to their peak at that sort of bar is what gives me some mild hope for this Scotland team over the next say 2 W C cycles. Beyond that we are ****ed. 2 clubs and almost zero pipeline.

I’m reallly excited for you Irish - it’s there to be won for you. As you alluded to above Nev if every team plays to the best of their abilities then Ireland are definitely the best team. There’s obviously more to it than that and the other teams (well at least 3 of them) will also have a say.

But the way I look at of for you guys is ‘if not now, when?’.

[Irishnev]

Ringrose and Bundee is a great centre pairing.

Bundee is in the form if his life at 34 years young but the rugby world has been sleeping on Ringrose for me….. I think he’s great and should’ve been a test Lion

[RichC]

Ringrose and Bundee is a great centre pairing.

[Irishnev]

James Ryan out is a loss but Joe McCarthy is an absolute unit. Henshaw also still out so Jimmy O’Brien gets in for his versatility

[Irishnev]

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(35)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(20)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(56)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(51)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(25)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) (Captain) (117)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(29)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(58)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(20)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(71)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(45)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(78)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(100)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(56)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(35)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(25)
17. David Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)(55)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(35)
19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)(4)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)(40)
21. Conor Murray Munster/Garryowen)(111)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(9)
23. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)(6).

[Irishnev]

Wayne Barnes is your ref Nev.

I'm not a fan of his, but he does control games (even when he's getting things wrong ).

He reffed the third test away in NZ past year and missed a blatant red card from Andrew Porter. Our discipline has been excellent so hopefully we stay in his right side