Fully behind this view as well. Duffy leads from the back but he's too far away to have a word with the ref (even though it shouldn't come to this because Munster's infringements were so glaring and not picked up on).

I'd hand the captaincy to Johnny O Connor with Muldoon as vice. Won't happen though

i agree with you totally on captain issue seapoint. it has to be a forward or even scrumhalf but fullback is too far away from it all.

Robbo wrote: Left 9 on the pitch this evening, gifted Munster 7 and generally looked like a rattled man. I'm an optimist and I've always been prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially after last week but if he starts another game when we have 2 other fit outhalves, I'll be raging.

Any finger pointing should be first at Eric not Niall, he's selecting him and keeps him on the pitch while games are going out of reach and I'm sure he didn't choose the hoof the ball away constantly tactic either.

And also question the leadership on the pitch. Some dreadful decisions being made out there (Who told O'Connor to go for three points after O'Callaghan was yellow carded, absolutely blody criminal, just plain fecking incompetent.), never mind the discipline any time we scored. Sorry but our Captain needs to be in the pack and should probably be O'Connor, Wilko or Macca maybe even George.....

Left 9 on the pitch this evening, gifted Munster 7 and generally looked like a rattled man. I'm an optimist and I've always been prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially after last week but if he starts another game when we have 2 other fit outhalves, I'll be raging.

100% ronanl. wouldnt even play for an ail team

I'd like to retract anything positive I've ever said about NOC.

I've been unimpressed with the NOC signing since it was announced, I'll admit. That doesn't mean I want him to fail. I'd love if he proved me wrong.

On other boards I've seen Pro12 fans getting digs in on Aviva premiership fans because of the spate of better results from Pro12 teams in the first three weeks. This week the AP teams did very well, all of a sudden the retaliation is everywhere. Why is that? Because it's easy. Things change week to week.

It's also easy to suggest NOC's performance proves the doubters wrong. I disagree. This could be a start of a decent outing for him, in which case great, everyone will be happy. But there are still plenty of poor performances already this season that should not be forgotten. If he can be consistent (and not kick garryowens in our own 22!!!) then we can say he's the right choice, but until then I think at this point the jury is still out.

The fact that the jury is out is a positive, only a week ago the jury had their minds made up and were ready to find NOC guilty of impersonating a professional rugby player.

Baby steps

NO'C's and Murphy's performance was facilitated largely by the appearence of the other O'Connor. JO'C was outstanding and did a massive amount to free up quick ball breakdown. Without quick ball the best backling in the world would look useless. Our pack as a whole were determined to get on the front foot, you could see it in the tackling and carrying they were well up for it, Wilko, Ronnie, George, Macca, Gannon (who put in a BIG 60mins). They really put the squeeze on the home side for possesion...

Best game I've seen Murphy play in awhile as well. Passing was extremely crisp and no step before the pass.

I say we stick with NOC and Murphy for 3 games and see where it gets us.

I have to say I've been pretty critical of NOC in the past but on Sat he looked pretty solid. Lets not forget that Keatley was no great shapes when he arrived either and its only when he got the consistent game time that he started to improve. Some of the kicks Niall got at the weekend were impressive, even the one he missed was on target just a bit short. I know he used the garryowen alot but that may have been a direction from EE. The forwards had a much improved preformance at the weekend and gave NOC/Murphy much better ball to use. I think we are seeing good things in patches all over the pitch and I think NOC's game on sat was another one to add to the list. Lets hope we can start being more consistent going in to the new year and I'm sure the wins will start to come.

I was about to reply to the Gloucester thread, but I figured what I'm planning to say will be more at home here. And that is, I think people need to get behind NOC after his excellent performance on Saturday. I know some people think he uses the garryowen too much, and I kindof agree, but when he does choose to do one, he generally does it well (good height and depth, normally landing just outside the opposition 22). Our pack put in a better performance on Saturday, and I felt that helped the half backs.

Anyway, my feeling is that some people had NOC written off before he even pulled on a green shirt, and some people claimed to be giving him the benefit of the doubt, when really they seemed happy to see him playing badly. So, fingers crossed he/we can push on from here, and this time next year we'll all be calling for NOC to be named in the Irish squad (or is that pushing it?!).

Reckon he's a real coaches player: carries out his instruction to the letter, real trier, probably a totally nice guy and a conscientious trainer.

Just the other week I heard Matt & Franno - usually the first man to put the boot into Connacht - on the Breakdown waxing on about how he was a late developer and would be a great outhalf.

I reckon he's a cargo cult selection - the look and form may be perfect but that won't bring a result.

This issue is done to death at this stage. Obviously Eric see something that no-one else sees. For me it would be Jarvis with Nikora on the bench. I cannot see what NOC is bringing but I don't expect Eric will be dropping him any time soon.

Bloody hell someone talking sense !!!

He's rubbish. Looks like a player, talks like a player ..................but isn't.

He reminds me of a story John Giles once said of a large centre forward who was 6'2'' in his socks and was 5'1'' when he jusmped for a ball!!

I cannot understand him or what he is about and he gives me heart-burn when I hear that Elwood has started him again. He can only kick high (even in hurricane winds) and does nothing to give the back-row some forward impetus whenever I have seen him.


I know the scrum is weak , but for God's sakes Eric , will you not start young Jarvis and let the boy have a go at running a game because HE CAN!!!!

I am happy with the 3 options we have.

I am not happy with how they have been selected or deployed tactically.

Anyone of the 3 should be given a full game, and a run if games. The constant changing is doing no one any favors.