Squad for Ireland

[p/d]

He really is putting two names in the hat and picking one out for the 13 shirt. I’m not sure if we have wasted 2 games with Daly there or about to waste 2 with Marchant.

As for the side. It is what it is.

[fivepointer]

Yep, it is what it is.
Big chances for a few players to now make a case for longer term retention.

[FKAS]

To be honest I'm struggling to see past an Irish victory based on form and selections. I think the Irish team is likely to grind us down up front and then open us up as we tire.

[p/d]

To be honest I'm struggling to see past an Irish victory based on form and selections. I think the Irish team is likely to grind us down up front and then open us up as we tire.

I’m struggling to see where we will suddenly click.
I might be totally wrong but that Irish outfit look to have the smarts to kill off any attacking ambition we have.. oh hell. England by 8

[fivepointer]

We've a good record at home but right now there looks to be quite a gap between the 2 sides.

Will require a very good performance for us to win. Frankly we dont look like we have it in us.

[Mikey Brown]

Reasons to be positive: Porter a > loss for Ireland; EfD is only on the bench; A selection that leaves Henshaw on the bench shows the Irish strength in the centre; WE'RE AT HOME ...............................
Negatives - we've been bloody ordinary thus far are we going to click this weekend?
Can Simmonds run the moves that Dominator does?
Fingers crossed Curry is fully fit and ready for a long day of tackling Aki & repeat..........

Forecast dry following heavy rain Friday

Run the moves?

[p/d]

Throw the shapes?

[Mikey Brown]

I don’t massively mind that team on paper, but we certainly have to hope for a bit more spark and cohesion to come from somewhere if we’re going to win.

I’m similarly frustrated with not playing our best wing on the wing and flip-flopping in the centre when we desperately need to forge some familiarity.

Fitness concerns over Sinkler, Curry and Dombrandt could be massive.

Now would be a great time for Launchbury to show he can still do it at this level.

[Galfon]

A good balance of strength, skill, youth and experience across the starting XV and bench - The Irish team that is...
Unusually, to win this one 'ugly' could be seen as some sort of achievement.

[Oakboy]

I applaud the continuity, especially at 9,12, 13. At 11 and 14, I'm not so sure.

Simmonds at 8, I prefer. If the front row competes, one glaring weakness remains with Ewels. The Irish 2nd row will give him a hard time.

[p/d]

I applaud the continuity, especially at 9,12, 13.

[Mikey Brown]

I applaud the continuity, especially at 9,12, 13.

I mean Marchant was at 13 for the final 6 minutes against Wales after all.

I’m sure he’ll have learned things from that and gone away and worked hard and come back a better player etc etc etc

[Oakboy]

I applaud the continuity, especially at 9,12, 13.

I mean Marchant was at 13 for the final 6 minutes against Wales after all.

I’m sure he’ll have learned things from that and gone away and worked hard and come back a better player etc etc etc

Slade/Marchant is as close to continuity at 12/13 as Jones could manage. Be thankful for small mercies.

[Mellsblue]

Joint slowest back 3 ever?

[p/d]

I blame Wells

[p/d]

Allan

[Banquo]

Key?

[32nd Man]

Again it's hard to see where that backline makes space, unless Simmonds pace advantage vs their backrow sucks defenders in.

You compare the teams across the pitch and where there may be the odd one on one where you'd take the English player (itoje, Curry) or its a close, you'd take the Irish unit pretty much everywhere other than front row, which is a toss up if the English guys are on their game.
Shift Lawes to lock and sack off Ewels and second row moves towards even / us, but that's a pipe dream.

Add in that not only do they have the edge in players and units, they're settled and have a cogent game plan which they're looking more and more confident in executing and it could be very messy.

[Spiffy]

Even without Porter that pack is frightening. O'Mahoney starting to maximise his shithousing too.

Yes. None better at stirring it up. But he is also one of the world's best lineout poachers and his overall game has livened up this season.
Looking forward to the open side battle - Curry/VDF (who is in the form of his life.)
(VDF is not, as Dewi Morris may believe, a transplanted Saffer. His Irish mum married a Dutch bloke and he was raised in Ireland.)
Sorry we are not seeing an Aki/Henshaw midfield. Ringrose is OK but overrated.

[twitchy]

I think until we get some fit ball carriers into our backline we will really struggle against teams like ireland and france who both have looked excellent.

[Banquo]

I think until we get some fit ball carriers into our backline we will really struggle against teams like ireland and france who both have looked excellent.

..assuming we have quality ball carriers up front and quick breakdown ball. Big IF for me.

[SDHoneymonster]

Even without Porter that pack is frightening. O'Mahoney starting to maximise his shithousing too.

Yes. None better at stirring it up. But he is also one of the world's best lineout poachers and his overall game has livened up this season.
Looking forward to the open side battle - Curry/VDF (who is in the form of his life.)
(VDF is not, as Dewi Morris may believe, a transplanted Saffer. His Irish mum married a Dutch bloke and he was raised in Ireland.)
Sorry we are not seeing an Aki/Henshaw midfield. Ringrose is OK but overrated.

Feel that Ringrose has never quite kicked on to become the player he could've been after a couple of pretty serious injuries. He was one of the better young centres I've seen when he originally broke through.

[SDHoneymonster]

Even without Porter that pack is frightening. O'Mahoney starting to maximise his shithousing too.

Yes. None better at stirring it up. But he is also one of the world's best lineout poachers and his overall game has livened up this season.
Looking forward to the open side battle - Curry/VDF (who is in the form of his life.)
(VDF is not, as Dewi Morris may believe, a transplanted Saffer. His Irish mum married a Dutch bloke and he was raised in Ireland.)
Sorry we are not seeing an Aki/Henshaw midfield. Ringrose is OK but overrated.

Feel that Ringrose has never quite kicked on to become the player he could've been after a couple of pretty serious injuries. He was one of the better young centres I've seen when he originally broke through.

That said, he's still a very tidy player, just perhaps more in the 'solid international' bracket than the 'world class' one.

[p/d]

I think until we get some fit ball carriers into our backline we will really struggle against teams like ireland and france who both have looked excellent.

I once new this girl…..

[p/d]

Yes. None better at stirring it up. But he is also one of the world's best lineout poachers and his overall game has livened up this season.
Looking forward to the open side battle - Curry/VDF (who is in the form of his life.)
(VDF is not, as Dewi Morris may believe, a transplanted Saffer. His Irish mum married a Dutch bloke and he was raised in Ireland.)
Sorry we are not seeing an Aki/Henshaw midfield. Ringrose is OK but overrated.

Feel that Ringrose has never quite kicked on to become the player he could've been after a couple of pretty serious injuries. He was one of the better young centres I've seen when he originally broke through.

That said, he's still a very tidy player, just perhaps more in the 'solid international' bracket than the 'world class' one.

I think he has looked really good. See him making quite a few clean breaks on Saturday