Ireland Team Talk X: The Long Hard Road to a Semi. MOD WARNING POSTS #1, #1474, #5707

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The Italian 10 or 15 should have been MOM.....

Surely it should have been the scrum-half?

bilston wrote: »

Surely it was the Italian broadcaster who would have decided the MOTM?

It’s not really an official thing, they probably did.
I think we all get very hung up on motm awards, it’s really a pile of nonsense. It’s picked generally by an ex player who may have warped picks, like picking someone from their old team or avoiding someone from their team so as not to be called biased. They may plump for say a forward as they played forward or a back because they don’t understand the finer points of a certain position. Often though they just pick someone who made a couple of show reel plays or the 10 because he kicked.
We then end up places like this claiming he is the best for that position because he got the award and happens to be from our province or that it was s joke he got it because he’s not from our province.

200 days to go to the RWC from today!

I don't know how it works out as such but we always seem to get France when they've a little bit more spring in their step.

This result is by no means a foregone conclusion. That back line is well able to hurt us from anywhere. We'll need to really put the squeeze on them up front early on and try to dampen their spirits.

For all the criticism they've taken, they've the makings of a side there that could be the core of their side for the next decade. Penaud (22), Ramos (23), Fickou (24), Ntamack (19), Dupont (22), Lambey (24), Bamba (20), Iturria (24). On the bench, aside from Medard, all subs are between 21 and 26 years of age.

If they actually stick with those lads and don't do the usual madness of sending them to purgatory after a single poor showing, France have the makings of a brilliant side.

Marmion called up to the Ireland squad after a great performance at the weekend.

I know it sounds a bit knee-jerk and sensationalist to call for Murray to be dropped but could a fastball scrum-half be the key to get Johnny Sexton ticking again?

Not sure how it would help the rusty Murray situation though

Was an updated Irish squad ever confirmed?

Last I checked the bookmakers had Ireland as 14 point favourites. Ireland has only ever covered that handicap once: 24-9 in RWC 2015. I think it's going to be a close one and a Sunday atmosphere won't help.

Squad confirmed tomorrow morning.


''The Ireland squad reconvened last night following last week’s training camp in Belfast. The following injury update has been issued:

Robbie Henshaw is improving more slowly than hoped and he will continue his rehab this week. Joey Carbery is progressing well through his hamstring rehab and will be managed across the early part of the week.

Andrew Conway has fully recovered from cramp suffered post the Italy game. Dan Leavy will continue to increase his running volume outside of team training in the early part of this week

All players in action for their provinces over the weekend in the Guinness PRO14 have reported no issues upon returning to national camp.

The Ireland squad for Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations Championship will be confirmed tomorrow morning.''

https://www.irishrugby.ie/?p=67153

I don't like watching rugby as much as I used to I must admit. There's very little offloading or backline moves. It's just players running into each other now. Referees have also clamped down on the holding the ball up turnover and there's very little competing at rucks anymore. In fact it's getting more like American Football and Rugby League. I like watching Ireland win but I don't like watching them play.