Great win but my god the back three are awful and uninspiring.

I feel for TOH as I would argue he is probably the best strike runner right now in Ireland and has found some good consistency.

I can accept his defence can be shaky at times but Kearney is like a turnstile and Zebo is a complete liability.

I suspect Schmidt will persevere/ or go with Zebo or perhaps see how Payne's return goes but I genuinely don't think they have the strike quality of T.

Real shame also our wingers form has dropped off as Ireland are just not scoring many tries really.

Love to see TOH, Stockdale and Sweetnam given a go in the summer!!!!!!

It wasn't even a good dummy

Amsterdamage wrote: Most annoying is the repeated reasons for his inclusion and Tiernan's purported lack of defensive skills. Kearney (and Zebo) were sold down the river on numerous occasions today. Absolute joke!

I hope he has a receipt for that dummy he bought from Serin

dobby wrote: what a shocking game of rugby. if this is what joe schmidt brings to ireland well its a very hard watch. Kearney is getting beyond a joke these days. He is taking up a physical position on a pitch. He doesn't offer much else

Most annoying is the repeated reasons for his inclusion and Tiernan's purported lack of defensive skills. Kearney (and Zebo) were sold down the river on numerous occasions today. Absolute joke!

what a shocking game of rugby. if this is what joe schmidt brings to ireland well its a very hard watch. Kearney is getting beyond a joke these days. He is taking up a physical position on a pitch. He doesn't offer much else

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Looks like Joe will get away without looking at Tiernan - again.
www.the42.ie/johnny-sexton-ireland-france-3250825-Feb2017/

Kearney probably available.

You may have noticed that Marmion was rushed to Monaghan when it was thought Murray might be injured. There was no such need for Tiernan when Rob was doubtful. This would lead you to surmise that even if Rob was unavailable Tiernan would not be required

Looks like Joe will get away without looking at Tiernan - again.
www.the42.ie/johnny-sexton-ireland-france-3250825-Feb2017/

Kearney probably available.

Bazzo wrote: I'd probably go the complete opposite way on that. I think Bealham's scrummaging probably isn't quite as strong as Ryan's but he's far more dynamic around the park.

Finlay more mobile yes but what i meant in relation to way Irelands uses their props as battering rams I wouldn't say would suit Bealham, Ryan is more well versed in being told to going through lads rather than around them

Gonna have to disagree on the scrummaging

I'd probably go the complete opposite way on that. I think Bealham's scrummaging probably isn't quite as strong as Ryan's but he's far more dynamic around the park.

Even taking into account my clear Connacht bias, For me:
Bealham's scrummaging > Ryan's scrummaging
Ryan is probably the better ball carrier, but against France you need strong scrum bench as French 16,17,18 are usually just ridiculous.

If Kearney is out i say will be Zebo 15 and either Trimble or Bowe on the wing ..

eezipc wrote:

salmson wrote: Quinn Roux back in Ireland squad for France game. Bealham & Dillane dropped.

www.irishrugby.ie/news/39131.php#.WKnZyGinwwg

Tiernan is in the squad as well but then he is probably 4th choice full back after Zebo, Keatley, an injured Kearney and probably Rory Best...... :woohoo:

Yeah that's my biggest disagreement. I get why Dillane/Bealham are dropped, I get why Heenan/Buckley aren't in (too many competitors).
But I don't for TOH. Kearney isn't who he was and it will worsen as 33 and a half y.o for RWC 2019. Zebo is a winger mainly. Keatley an outhalf.
TOH is in his best form ever. He should start, at least wear the n°23 jersey.

salmson wrote: Quinn Roux back in Ireland squad for France game. Bealham & Dillane dropped.

www.irishrugby.ie/news/39131.php#.WKnZyGinwwg

Tiernan is in the squad as well but then he is probably 4th choice full back after Zebo, Keatley, an injured Kearney and probably Rory Best...... :woohoo:

Quinn Roux back in Ireland squad for France game. Bealham & Dillane dropped.

www.irishrugby.ie/news/39131.php#.WKnZyGinwwg

Newname wrote:

connachta wrote: TOH is in form. And I don't see Joe silly enough to go with 3 wingers (Trimble, Gilroy, D.K, even Zebo) for all the 14/15/23 spots, without a good specialized FB
Tiernan has a decent chance to end on the bench...

Zebo could well go to full back, perhaps Tiernan on the bench. Tiernan is a classy act, excellent attacking player, great under high ball, able to read an opportunity and drift up into the line and also kick important drop goals . But the elephant in the room nobody is mentioning is his tackling it can sometimes let him down, and Joe is about defence first and foremost, and it takes a long time to win his trust - look how long before Zebo took to get regular game time under Joe.

I don't think that Tiernan's tackling is an elephant in the room. Myself, among others, have passed similar comments in times past. That said (and maybe its just me) but I think his tackling has improved. In the last games he can't be held at fault for any of his tackles. It can also be seen that he is oozing confidence under the high ball and when going forward. I remember passing a comment about Kieran and Tiernan and how Kieran can bring down a man twice his size. But he has a lower centre of gravity, which is a huge advantage. Like any backrow player you generally are facing players coming at pace. Its so much more difficult to bring them down. I believe Tiernan's exposure to the Irish training staff is definitely improving his game. From a confidence point of view, I don't think I have seen the guy more confident in his own ability, which is hugely important in the game of rugby

Rob Kearney wouldn't exactly be renowned for his amazing tackling either though his positioning is usually spot on.

Very true, he (Zebo) was awol, he tends to do stuff like this every now and again, which was my point about how long it took him to make the Irish team.
Ireland also defended very narrowly throughout the first half, which contributed to the some of the tries.
But in fairness my point wasn't about Tiernan's defensive positioning, his reading of the game is excellent.