dobby wrote: Welsh game getting farcical but definitely intriguing. Is this a record for the longest half of international rugby. And a guy who gets yellow carded in the 81st minute returns in the 91st minute. Now that must be a record

It'll delay the Ireland kick-off at this rate

Welsh game getting farcical but definitely intriguing. Is this a record for the longest half of international rugby. And a guy who gets yellow carded in the 81st minute returns in the 91st minute. Now that must be a record

dobby wrote:

Siob wrote: Difference between professionals and amateurs starting to show now though, Ireland tiring.

God, I know I'm harsh. But that's a very harsh viewpoint. I thought the Irish women did well. If you noticed Ireland won in every facet but simply their line got broken multiple times. Shock, horror its the same with the lads. All the statistics prove we are the best 6 nations team. Other than we lose most of our games. But at least statistically we are the best team. That should be a huge comfort to Joe.

I meant literally, the English women's full time job is Rugby, the Irish women have to fit in training around work. Being able to train full time is a huge advantage.

Statistically better. Does that somehow remind you of something. Anyway was really impressed with Sene, and George I was very sad to see you go. You always gave 100%

Siob wrote: Hopefully the Women's team will be able to have training camps together over the summer to prep for the world cup, the scrum was brilliant, England were the better team, but not by such a big margin.

I don't even know if I would call England the better team tbh. Ireland were utterly and completely dominant for a huge portion of that game and scored exactly nothing from it. England seemed to take points from any half chance offered to them.

Siob wrote: Difference between professionals and amateurs starting to show now though, Ireland tiring.

God, I know I'm harsh. But that's a very harsh viewpoint. I thought the Irish women did well. If you noticed Ireland won in every facet but simply their line got broken multiple times. Shock, horror its the same with the lads. All the statistics prove we are the best 6 nations team. Other than we lose most of our games. But at least statistically we are the best team. That should be a huge comfort to Joe.

Hopefully the Women's team will be able to have training camps together over the summer to prep for the world cup, the scrum was brilliant, England were the better team, but not by such a big margin.

Difference between professionals and amateurs starting to show now though, Ireland tiring.

Irish women playing a blinder at the moment.

An unstructured line break would be so foreign to Irish play that even England would be caught out! At that point Henshaw's hidden Connacht identity would bubble up and he would be on Marmion's shoulder before he knew what was happening! Payne as a NZ'er would always be expecting the offload from Henshaw as he takes out two England defenders, leaving space for Payne to make the final pass to Ringrose to go under the posts. It could happen ....

Siob wrote: The problem is that no one would follow an unplanned break. Ringrose got everyone all excited with his attacking play for the U20s and then Leinster, where has it gone? going for the gap in front of you works when your teammates run in support, unfortunately there's such emphasis on defense with Ireland that players don't risk being out of position in case of a turn-over, against decent teams, all Ireland's attacks come off set pieces, otherwise it's a chain of rucks until a penalty goes one way or the other.

Have I broken all your hearts with my negativity to the point you actually agree with me. If so I apologize profusely

The problem is that no one would follow an unplanned break. Ringrose got everyone all excited with his attacking play for the U20s and then Leinster, where has it gone? going for the gap in front of you works when your teammates run in support, unfortunately there's such emphasis on defense with Ireland that players don't risk being out of position in case of a turn-over, against decent teams, all Ireland's attacks come off set pieces, otherwise it's a chain of rucks until a penalty goes one way or the other.

we saw some of the contributions from Tiernan, Ultan and Finlay when they got their chance last year, suddenly players were offloading and making space for others

It seems all Schmidt is concerned with is playing conservatively and try to win by a few points in order to maintain Ireland's top 4 seeding, the defensive system is highly attritional on players, I remember hearing Lam asking the players whether they preferred to kick the ball away and have to continuously tackle or keep the ball in hand and have to tackle less.

it's becoming less and less enjoyable watching Ireland play Schmidt's system

phatguerilla wrote: Imagine if Marmion just threw caution to the wind from the first minute and started breaking the line and firing out skip passes and plays of his own...

What's to stop him? Not like Joe will send on Scissorhands McGrath if he wants to keep his job.

Imagine if Marmion just threw caution to the wind from the first minute and started breaking the line and firing out skip passes and plays of his own...

Yes, sadly Marmion will be playing very one dimensional again. His trademark breaks have obviously been discouraged either directly or indirectly by Schmidt and, as has been discuss here, his box kicking is not his strongest suit and it's a mistake to kick possession over to their back three anyway. Better to pass it along to Sexton and let him shoulder the responsibility of whether to pass, kick or run. All Keiran has to do is get his passing right as he did when he came on Friday. Unfortunately, the only way he will be able to express himself as he does for Connacht is if Ireland are chasing the game.

My money would be on Conway getting his first cap. If it ends up being a tight game it will be physical and if not the back will be tired from putting in the meters. I'll let you decide whether its from scoring tries on scrambling back in defense.