Ireland

staph_glorious says...

sirjona,

That would require either Ronan O'Gara being sixty-six years old, or Paddy Wallace well past his one-hundred-and-elevenses, depending on your meaning.

What is Kidney doing capping a centenarian!??!

Posted 15:45 11th February 2012

blametheref says...

There's usually a weekend of upsets in the 6 Nations, hopefully this it, where we see Ireland hammer France by 40+, Scotland to beat Wales, and Italy to beat England and Ireland go top of the table! Nobody could accuse me of wishful thinking, or dreaming....But seriously, Italy could beat England as England are not the full shilling, and the Scots could pip Wales, as for France v Ireland, well it could end up a weird game with the weather aspect, as already we hear Vincent Clerc not happy and when the French aren't happy they really aren't happy, but when the Irish aren't happy, well we just go on the piss...

Posted 13:31 11th February 2012

Rosbif says...

Just to cheer the Irish fans a little....my sources tell me Medard is doubtful with a recurrence of a left foot injury. The hard ground has taken its toll. Fra has no other recognised 15 in the squad. Beauxis can play there, but hasn't run there at all in training. So wld potentially be very disruptive to patterns etc. Also, Medard's kicking game relies entirely on his left foot. Even if he plays, expect either 1) no distance or poor kicking on his left, or 2) comical air shots with his right, or 3) hurried passes to either Malzieu (who can't really kick either) or Clerc (who can kick but not with any distance).

If ROG plays, and he kicks the corners and puts up the garryowens, assuming a decent chase and secondary defensive line, Ire could gain a lot of territory.....

Speaking as a Frenchman, this game is far from over !!!

Posted 12:03 11th February 2012

damo says...

Kidney is again at fault here Wallace is not a 10, why call him up? Surely Keatley or Humphreys were the ones to call stupid call from the man who can do nothing right as Ireland manager

Posted 09:52 11th February 2012

blametheref says...

The loss of Sexton would be a huge blow for Ireland mainly because of his good defence and more decisive attacking skills, and with Ireland taking the field without a true 7 we could be in for a terrible night if he's unavailable, even for the bench at this stage...The other side of this coin is that ROG could take this opportunity with both hands and put in a stunning display if taking the 10 spot, when ROG clicks on a day he is unstoppable...if that were to happen it would be fantastic in one way but could be detrimental to Ireland in the long run as Sexton then will not be picked as No.1`for the next match, knowing Kidney, and it could seriously stunt his progress in the Irish shirt and Ireland for the future, because right now Ireland need a wake up call and a loss today might be a bitter pill but the necessary tonic if Sexton doesn't play...Put it this way, Ireland crucially need Sexton playing back to back games if the team are to progress from the stagnant place they are now, as he's the future of the team....But having the great ROG is an amazing alternative in this situation and he loves nothing more than an injury like this to prove a point, and he may well do, how many miracle matches has he steered?....Again, the prospect of Paddy Wallace taking the field is nonsense and it shows that Declan Kidney's thinking is 2/3 years out of date, why he has not progressed an other out half during his tenure speaks volumes...it's going to be an interesting 24 hours for Ireland!

Posted 09:05 11th February 2012

melkdave says...

Big blow for Ireland if he dosent play imo as ROGs game is so well known and easy to counter if french pack get any parity or get on top.Wjile Sexton at least offered the possability of a run line break

Posted 05:17 11th February 2012