RogueXV wrote

I too was disappointed Marmion didn't get more game time. From 60 minutes on I kept waiting for them to spring him from the bench. Boss did have a very good game and it waa close, but what is the purpose of the game? Certainly it's more important to see what the individual players have to offer than getting the win.

It's to give fringe players a chance to shine and to blood new players getting them used to the International set-up and the new combinations they will be required to use.

Apparently JS wanted to win this game as winning builds momentum and to an extent he's right. The boys got a win, morale will be up and if you listened to the Sky boys after they were critical of the Saxons which I'm sure has gone on this week in the papers giving them a knock. While I would have loved Marmion to get more gametime I think he will have to wait until the summer tests in Argentina. At least he's ineligible for Wales now.

I too was disappointed Marmion didn't get more game time. From 60 minutes on I kept waiting for them to spring him from the bench. Boss did have a very good game and it waa close, but what is the purpose of the game? Certainly it's more important to see what the individual players have to offer than getting the win. I would be a little critical of Marmion kicking the ball away towards the end. I thought it was premature as they were going through the phases and you want to keep possession and kill off the game. Munster have done this as well as any team over the years but oddly enough Keatley followed up shortly after with a kick of his own that didn't find touch and helped set up the nail biting finish.

There were a lot of positive performances from Ireland but England would be disappointed to lose that one.

Was a little annoyed with the lack of game time afforded to Marmion on Saturday. I don't think Boss played that well from 50m+ on to justify the 7 minute cameo Kieron was given.

Boss looked to be fading from this point on and I was really disappointed that seemingly securing the result outweighed having a proper look at Marmion.

Robbie's defensive reading was much improved and the one chance he has in attack he did really well. Wonder how much of this was down to playing with Cavey as opposed to Griffin? Both players not used to playing at 12 but Cavey's additional experience may really help Robbie out.

Outside of our boys thought Tuohy, Copeland and Ruddock were superb.

I've seen a lot of TOD so probably why I wasn't as impressed as I know he could do that and has regularly. Copeland impressed me though but still think it's an odd move to Munster. He would have being better off going to here or Ulster imo.

Same as GTTC... TOD I had only seen in cameos and was impressed. Copeland was great... to be honest we could really use him at Connacht.

Have to say I was mighty impressed by Tommy O'Donnell and Copeland. Hadn't seen either play much before. Looking like Munster could have a serious back row over the coming years.

Id put more the blame for Saxons try on Jones pass - thought he was rather poor last night

Henshaw made some monster tackles- the one on Calum Clarke was a personal fav

Delighted Marimon got capped!

It was best iv seen Madigan play this season

Crap conditions for either Robbie or Marmion. But. Have to say Robbie was immense in defence and was dangerous when he did get ball. Marmion really bossed the pack around and looked comfortable with the step up. Good night for our lads and very proud.

Madigan kicked well and kept England pushed back but didn't offer so much with ball in hand. If he is 5-10m from the gain line he seems to just shovel the ball on, whereas when he receives the ball close to the opposition he seems much more dangerous. A couple of times this left the player receiving his pass in an awkward position, the try being the most obvious example. Hope that makes sense.

I think I get your meaning but I wonder how much the wind was a factor in how he played the game? The pitch wasn't great and the conditions were icy all would have being factors to consider.

Pretty much agree with all your ratings, a very solid performance by all except one obvious exception who was more rusty than anything. Was impressed by some good tackles by Kilcoyne but surprised the sub th caused him a lot of trouble before McGrath came on. Scrum remained solid and indeed improved with substitutions which I didn't expect as outlined above and was pleasantly surprised.

Was watching Henshaw much more than Cave and thought he did very well, expected some defensive slip ups as he's still learning but no, he was very solid, always looking for the offload when he had the ball. Being substituted might be an indication that he'll take a sub spot against Scotland?

Madigan kicked well and kept England pushed back but didn't offer so much with ball in hand. If he is 5-10m from the gain line he seems to just shovel the ball on, whereas when he receives the ball close to the opposition he seems much more dangerous. A couple of times this left the player receiving his pass in an awkward position, the try being the most obvious example. Hope that makes sense.

Even though the wolfhounds won the game England could have won it easily if Burns had kicked properly, that has to be a concern considering the Irish back row did seem to dominate the breakdown as you said.

A win by the Wolfhounds then against a tough England side in a game were the weather played a big part. Here's my breakdown

1. Dave Kilcoyne - did well and was defensively sound but nowhere close to knocking Healy of the no. 1 spot for Ireland.

2. Rob Herring - Another impressive performance in a game were the wind played a big part he make all his throws as was good around the park. Not as dynamic as Strauss is around the looses but by no means a liability.

3. Martin Moore - a lot of hype and again did well, showed inexperience at this level though and shows he still has a lot to learn.

4. Ian Henderson - some big tackles and showed up around the park. Still have no idea if he is a flanker or a second row.

5. Dan Tuohy - Another good game and the line out worked well tonight. Solid.

6. Rhys Ruddock - Led by example and should push POM hard for the no. 6 shirt.

7. Tommy O'Donnell - another good performance and while i think he will be sorry he didn't have any big ball carrying runs he was part of a backrow that dominated the breakdown. Don't think he did enough to usurp Henry from the 7 shirt though.

8. Robin Copeland - was impressive shows he has a good brain with all that bulk. Munster have got an asset.

9. Isaac Boss - Man of the match and deserving of it.

10. Ian Madigan - did really well and mixed up his game in bad conditions. Showed how tuned in he was by scoring the second try.

11. Craig Gilroy - worse player on the pitch for Ireland. Knocked on twice costing us a try and missed at least one big tackle. Not at peak yet so makes JS's job that little easier by dropping him.

12. Cave - Impressive in a position he doesn't play often. Not the paciest but has great positioning and him and Henshaw made a great pairing.

13. Henshaw - Best performance so far by Robbie in a green shirt. Won't hurt his chances in getting picked in the Irish 23 at all.

14. Fergus McFadden - hungry for work and sharp as a tack. Great work.

15. Felix Jones - Didn't get to do much in attack but cleaned up the ball well in defense. Solid.

16. Richardt Strauss - Was massive in the loose making some big hits looks back to his best.

17. Jack McGrath - Solid again and did his job well but again nowhere near knocking Healy off the No. 1 spot.

18. Sean Archer - his best performance in a green shirt so far making some big tackles when he came on.

19. Robbie Diack - Only got a 10 min cameo but showed up well.

20. Jordi Murphy - Did well at the breakdown and gave a solid performance.

21 Kieran Marmion - Did well and communicated brilliantly when the forwards mauled 10 yards. A good debut.

22. Ian Keatley - Played well and kept England pinged back.

23. Simon Zebo - came on for Gilroy and looked dangerous. One class run by him in broken play.

connachtexile wrote: Is the wolfhounds game being televised? I couldn't see it on any of the channels.

Is on Sky Sports 1 @ 4:45 on Sat

connachtexile wrote: Is the wolfhounds game being televised? I couldn't see it on any of the channels.

It's on SKY

Is the wolfhounds game being televised? I couldn't see it on any of the channels.

wp_rathead wrote: any unoffical Clan meet up to watch this game?

I'm staying put for the WH game, but I'm hoping to make it to the Dail for most if not all of the 6N.

Randon thoughts on the team.

Really happy for Diack shows that the project player system is working with him and Straus now IQ and Ah You on the fringes. White and Payne next season touch wood.

Herring is making more progress and is now considered fourth choice Hooker in Ireland, will be interesting to see how this affects Sherry when he comes back. Varley while playing well this season had a mare last year in the sportsground and I think that's sunk any chance he has of earning more senior caps.

Felix Jones has being doing well and is good to see him recalled.

Marmion is the Wolfhounds squad Yay! while Henshaw is also there. That's two Connacht academy lads in the extended squad showing that the academy is beginning to feed into the senior team which can only be a good thing for Ireland.