The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

You ready Nev?

I’m not. Not feeling it at all this year. Will depend if we bring Glasgow form or Edinburgh form.

You guys are decimated for early rounds.

I bet you definitely are feeling it now

[Buzzo]

This weather is unreal. Just torrential rain all match.

8 points in it 30 to go.

8 points is massive in this weather.

[Buzzo]

Absolutely pissing it down with rain in Rome and Italy 15-7 up just before half time.

I don’t see us seeing this out, not the conditions for our sort of game. We should have taken points a few times in the first half. This will all be on the kicking game, and the ref.

[Irishnev]

I forgot about your front row actually, that's a good point. Aki and his physicality in particular was missed last night. I'm not sure of the stats, but I can't remember Ireland missing as many tackles in games in the last couple of years as they did last night

And something looked off in the defensive system, there was constantly space out on the left for the French, they were clearly trying to get the red matchstick away whenever they could. Not sure if this was tactics by France or the Irish being a little undercooked, for whatever reason

However, when you got some possession in the second half and kept it simple with the forwards, you started getting over the gain line and turning the French around.

Just frustrating that you couldn't keep the ball in hand long enough in the first half to apply that pressure

I think France eased off a bit and got tired which allowed us back into tge game. TBH I was worried about set piece, particularly the scrum but we handled that well. Their guys just looked bigger, faster, stronger and fitter - sometimes that’s the difference

[Sus]

We are decimated with injuries and the quality replacements for past stars are not there yet. O’Mahony, Sexton, Murray were Lions test starters with two of them captains for test games. Yes we have Gibson Park but he’s early 30s now as well

I don’t watch do much domestic rugby but my mate says the two Wards at Ulster are unlucky not to be involved.

We are missing - Furlong and Porter ftom the front row - the Lions props. We are also missing Porter’s backup and his backup. Ryan Baird, Hugo Keenan, Bundee (his own stupidity), Mac Hansen, Henshaw and a few fringe players are out.

France are superb and first up away in Paris was never going to be easy. I think the biggest issue for me was being back to the old days or our lads looking slower and less powerful. They bounced off tackles and couldnt stop them at source. They also have real game breakers in DuPont, BB and others and we don’t have that elite ability.

I’ve said it for a while that we’re at the end of an era and it might be the best we’ll ever get. 6 Nations regular winners, 2 grand slams, a few triple crowns, win a test series in NZ, win an away test in SA and no1 in the world. Halcyon days

I forgot about your front row actually, that's a good point. Aki and his physicality in particular was missed last night. I'm not sure of the stats, but I can't remember Ireland missing as many tackles in games in the last couple of years as they did last night

And something looked off in the defensive system, there was constantly space out on the left for the French, they were clearly trying to get the red matchstick away whenever they could. Not sure if this was tactics by France or the Irish being a little undercooked, for whatever reason

However, when you got some possession in the second half and kept it simple with the forwards, you started getting over the gain line and turning the French around.

Just frustrating that you couldn't keep the ball in hand long enough in the first half to apply that pressure

[Irishnev]

Who would you bring in for the next game, Nev? I don't follow Irish rugbly cloesly enough to know who the ones kocking at the door are

We are decimated with injuries and the quality replacements for past stars are not there yet. O’Mahony, Sexton, Murray were Lions test starters with two of them captains for test games. Yes we have Gibson Park but he’s early 30s now as well

I don’t watch do much domestic rugby but my mate says the two Wards at Ulster are unlucky not to be involved.

We are missing - Furlong and Porter ftom the front row - the Lions props. We are also missing Porter’s backup and his backup. Ryan Baird, Hugo Keenan, Bundee (his own stupidity), Mac Hansen, Henshaw and a few fringe players are out.

France are superb and first up away in Paris was never going to be easy. I think the biggest issue for me was being back to the old days or our lads looking slower and less powerful. They bounced off tackles and couldnt stop them at source. They also have real game breakers in DuPont, BB and others and we don’t have that elite ability.

I’ve said it for a while that we’re at the end of an era and it might be the best we’ll ever get. 6 Nations regular winners, 2 grand slams, a few triple crowns, win a test series in NZ, win an away test in SA and no1 in the world. Halcyon days

[Doc_Piptorious]

That first half was as bad as Ireland have played in a generation. Second half much more like it, getting away with murder at the breakdown but far better intensity when Conan, Bealham etc came on.

Was a throwback to the late 1990s where the wooden spoon was almost nailed on before the opening game was even played.

[Sus]

Too old, too slow, too weak - like the bad old days. France will hammer most and play the game at a different pace to us these days

Farrell’s lack of willingness to go beyond Leinster in recent years is coming home to roost and their stockpiling of players has meant many good guys haven’t hit the level they should’ve

Who would you bring in for the next game, Nev? I don't follow Irish rugbly cloesly enough to know who the ones kocking at the door are

[Irishnev]

I see what you are doing here - it was only - what, 2 years ago.

Some of us dream of being ****e again after a period of dominance!

I also think the second half showed that no team will take you lot lightly. I don’t see you guys putting in a lnother 40 like that first half.

Too old, too slow, too weak - like the bad old days. France will hammer most and play the game at a different pace to us these days

Farrell’s lack of willingness to go beyond Leinster in recent years is coming home to roost and their stockpiling of players has meant many good guys haven’t hit the level they should’ve

[Buzzo]

I said it about both, we are playing at a different speed to France , I fear a 40 point hammering and did all week when I thought about it.

Prendergast is so ****ing over rated it’s ridiculous, he can’t defend and waddles around the pitch. We are an old team without the depth to handle such an injury crisis.

I remember the halcyon days of recent years though

I see what you are doing here - it was only - what, 2 years ago.

Some of us dream of being ****e again after a period of dominance!

I also think the second half showed that no team will take you lot lightly. I don’t see you guys putting in a lnother 40 like that first half.

[Buzzo]

That first half was as bad as Ireland have played in a generation. Second half much more like it, getting away with murder at the breakdown but far better intensity when Conan, Bealham etc came on.

[Buzzo]

Tiink that was the wingers issue not prendegast. Though he’s had a rough game

He had to target something!

Fair play to Ireland, France had a break up the middle at 29-0 that made you fear it was going to be a 50 plus. They knocked on and Ireland came back into it and even had France rattled.

36-14 seems about right.

Jalibert is absolutely class.

[Sus]

****ing hell. Prendergast is shocking at tackling. WTF was that on the second French try?

Tiink that was the wingers issue not prendegast. Though he’s had a rough game

[Buzzo]

A bit more like it from Ireland since the bench came on. Better intensity.

[Buzzo]

Think tactically you are playing into French hands. Kicking way too much.

A very un Irish performance so far - but think the volume of players missing is a huge factor.

And playing Prendergast instead of Crowley. Being able to tackle is surely a non negotiable at levels of Rugby far below this?