The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

He;s had some class responses.

Nigel Owens offering to ref one of their games.

Jerome Kaino, Matthieu Jalibert, Bryan Moore Liam Williams, Robbie Fowler, Rees-Zammit, Agustin Creevy, World Rugby etc. etc.

[Buzzo]

Decent article on Keith Earles.

[Irishnev]

Decent article on Keith Earles.

Thanks for sharing - I read his book and he did a bunch of Irish tv shows around that time. He’s a Munster legend and could have been even more if he had been able to overcome some of his challenges

He’s from a tough part of Limerick - REALLY TOUGH part. Limerick is the only City in Ireland where rugby is also played by the working class as well. Leinster is built on the private school structure and similar to Cork (Munster) and a few elite schools in Limerick like St Munchins. I used to play football against clubs where he was from and you’d be worried about getting out of there unscathed post game. Cars would be on fire, horses looking out the windows of houses and all sorts of bad ****.

He did well to avoid that - his Uncle was also a big rugby man with Young Munster and Paul O Connell came through the same club.

[Saveloy]

Thanks for sharing - I read his book and he did a bunch of Irish tv shows around that time. He’s a Munster legend and could have been even more if he had been able to overcome some of his challenges

He’s from a tough part of Limerick - REALLY TOUGH part. Limerick is the only City in Ireland where rugby is also played by the working class as well. Leinster is built on the private school structure and similar to Cork (Munster) and a few elite schools in Limerick like St Munchins. I used to play football against clubs where he was from and you’d be worried about getting out of there unscathed post game. Cars would be on fire, horses looking out the windows of houses and all sorts of bad ****.

He did well to avoid that - his Uncle was also a big rugby man with Young Munster and Paul O Connell came through the same club.

Really good article

But wtf is this?

[badpiggy]

Moyross baby

It's the equivalent of an alsatian in a pram in Sunderland

[Irishnev]

Really good article

But wtf is this?

Yep - no word of a lie, many times after games you’d see houses with horses in the front room sticking their head out of an open window

Another famous Limerick image - https://www.facebook.com/TheRubberba...6041319017200/

[Irishnev]

We miss Cormac - no 6 nations chat. Looking forward as always - hard to see beyond France but we’ll have a punt and Scotland with their most settled and in form squad in years

[Buzzo]

Yeah we have easily the strongest squad we have ever had. Some amazing players not even in the squad let alone 23.

Looks like rain on Saturday.

Even with a fair few injuries and suspensions England have a ridiculous amount of talent to choose from. There are 5 teams who on their day all have the potential to beat eeach other.

It is a really brutally hard tournament to win.

Ireland look in fine form also, and Wales are somehow always good no matter how **** the club teas are. Looking forward to it/nervous!

[Buzzo]

Yeah Cormack is a real miss. Easily the most balanced England Rugby supporter I have exchanged views with.

Also amusing to read the (justified) praise of Markus Smith, he is a real talent for sure. Apparently he and Finn Russell get on well, share an agent and bonded on the Lions tour. However, the amusing part if that Smith doesnt seem to get all the 'maverick' stuff thrown at him that Russell does.

[Irishnev]

Yeah Cormack is a real miss. Easily the most balanced England Rugby supporter I have exchanged views with.

Also amusing to read the (justified) praise of Markus Smith, he is a real talent for sure. Apparently he and Finn Russell get on well, share an agent and bonded on the Lions tour. However, the amusing part if that Smith doesnt seem to get all the 'maverick' stuff thrown at him that Russell does.

Cormack was a goodun all right…… building the Scots up already, I love it the bloody Welsh - no form, loads of injuries yet gone 6 Nations they channel the spirit of JPR, Evans and the Jones…… they always step up.

As you said all 5 can beat anyone on their day - I’d fancy us if we had France/England at home but I think it will be France. They’ve finally got their **** together. We are still hugely reliant on 35 year old Sexton……he’ll be cracked after Saturday anyway

Smith is a massively talented player, very rounded with the ability to play off the cuff when needed. Russell is streaky and flakes under pressure……. The epitome of a maverick




White chocolate is brilliant - just wish he was Irish

[Buzzo]

Cormack was a goodun all right…… building the Scots up already, I love it the bloody Welsh - no form, loads of injuries yet gone 6 Nations they channel the spirit of JPR, Evans and the Jones…… they always step up.

As you said all 5 can beat anyone on their day - I’d fancy us if we had France/England at home but I think it will be France. They’ve finally got their **** together. We are still hugely reliant on 35 year old Sexton……he’ll be cracked after Saturday anyway

Smith is a massively talented player, very rounded with the ability to play off the cuff when needed. Russell is streaky and flakes under pressure……. The epitome of a maverick




White chocolate is brilliant - just wish he was Irish

No, I'm not feeling confident at all.

I agree with France the way they played taking apart the AB's was incredible, you guys are in a great place.

England have an amazing set of players.

****ing Wales are Wales never rule them out.

We have the strongest squad we ever have had and absolutely nothing is guaranteed. You need it all - Form, favour and luck to win the 6Ns - we never, ever have all three.

Russell vs Smith is a tantalising prospect, it will be - easily the most hostile atmosphere Smith has ever played in on Sat... can he handle that - we will wait and see. One thing with Farrell was he was utterly unflappable no matter the occassion, we wait to see if Smith is the same. Great to see England moving to an all court game though. Very un-Eddie... I am not sure what to expect from them.

[Buzzo]

Eddie Jones mentioning us as 'red hot favourites'.

I mean, he does know that we all know about how many amazing players he has to choose from in the Gallagher Prem?

It is a pretty unexpected England team though and the absence of the Vunipolas is noticeable. Strong front row and some class operators throughout. I thought Dombrandt may get the nod over Simmonds, but both are class.

[Irishnev]

Liking the Irish pack

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, James Hume

[Buzzo]

Yeah your pack is ferocious.

Have you seen the England team? Pretty inexperienced at test level, but some class players. I just can’t believe Eddie will take the handbrake off.

[Irishnev]

I don’t watch Premiership rugby so some names I’m unfamiliar with - it’s England….. they will be strong

England team: Steward; Malins, Daly, Slade, Marchant; Smith, Youngs; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Isiekwe, Ludlam, Curry (capt), Simmonds.

Replacements: George, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Nowell.