Well Done Ireland

[GB72]

Well, Grand Slam gone but well done Ireland, we were outclassed today, experience showed so congratulations on the win. We will probably win the title but seems a bit hollow on the back of that match. England are young and will be a great team but congratulations to Ireland for making experience count.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Totally agree. England were outplayed in every department and made to look very ordinary. I don't think we're anything like strong enough to win the world cup on that display and the one last week

 

[bayjon14]

Thanks Lads,

It was a performance that the Irish team really needed. They were rightfully getting a slatting for their poor performances to date.

Hard luck England, a Grand Slam really is a difficult achievement, remember the great England team of the 90's lost 3 before winning a slam.

The Irish team now has to produce that performance consistently and in the Southern Hemisphere.

Well done England, a good group of lads, playing well.

 

[GB72]

The problem that I see with Ireland is that they are an aging team in a lot of key positions. This world cup is really the last chance for alot of them and I hope they perform in the same way that I was desperate for Munster to win the Heinekin Cup as there were a lot of great players running out of chances.

The current England Team averages under 25 so the 2015 World Cup is the target. Still think that we should have had Manu Tuillagi at centre but he is one for the future.

But still, we won the under 20 Grand Slam and the Ladies Grand Slam (who only conceded 8 points in the whole tournament) so we are not that bad overall.

 

[chris661]

I watched the game and was really surprised at both how great Ireland were and how poor England were, but more importantly Scotland escaped the clutches of the dreaded wooden spoon, woo and indeed hoo!!!!

 

[Macster]

Yup, Ireland were awesome, didnt give us a sniff all game.

When we did get the ball, the backs didnt seem to have a clue either, - I know Banahan is a man-mountain, but apart from bulldozing, seemed pretty clueless to be honest.
Only one who looked truly world class was Ashton again, on the rare bits of space he got.
Flood - quite why he's keeping JW out of the side is beyond me......or is JW not fully fit ?

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Top performance from the Irish - really delivered when it counted and their big game experience really showed. It shouldn't be forgotten that Ireland were only a couple of minutes or two pieces of composure (against France and Wales) from actually going for the Slam themselves yesterday, which shows what a good side they are. However huge plus points from a young English side over the 5 games - to take the title given where they were a year ago is a massive improvement and only bodes well for the future. Let's not forget that the nucleus of the World Cup winning squad lost 3 grand slams before eventually winning won.

It is also debateable that, bar Italy, it's actually harder for England to win a grand slam than the other four nations if you take into account the political, social and cultural histories between all the nations and everyone wanting to beat England. But that's what makes the 6 nations so special and why it takes a really great side to win a Grand Slam.

 

[bayjon14]

Pieman,
England are like Man Utd, it is every other countries "cup final" for a group of decent players they are doing very well and has to be commended.
Honestly I would only take 3 players max from the English team to play for Ireland, so well done on your 6 nations.
It is amazing that no one has won the treble crown this year either. I really hope that at the World Cup we put up a decent fight to our SOuthern Hemisphere friends.

 

[vig]

I read before the 6 nations started that 2nd or better was the Target.
Objective achieved.
Youngster looked like a rabbit job the headlights but he'll learn.
We need two quality centres, tingle in the twilight of his career, hale just not an international. Banahan looked a little lost.

Still, I'm more optimistic than I have been after a couple of woeful years

 

[GB72]

I read before the 6 nations started that 2nd or better was the Target.
Objective achieved.
Youngster looked like a rabbit job the headlights but he'll learn.
We need two quality centres, tingle in the twilight of his career, hale just not an international. Banahan looked a little lost.

Still, I'm more optimistic than I have been after a couple of woeful years

Manu Tuillagi is what we need.

Watch this and remember he is only 19 and is this powerful and also quick (can double up as a winger)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXvVwlO1JeM

 

[Screwback]

Flood - quite why he's keeping JW out of the side is beyond me......or is JW not fully fit ?

I agree, aye he is young and will learn but in an important game such as that i would have thought JW would have been the better pick..his kicking/leadership skills could well have changed the game!

 

[Aztecs27]

Flood - quite why he's keeping JW out of the side is beyond me......or is JW not fully fit ?

Really? He played a shocker on Saturday but he is maturing into a world class 10. He was incredible against the Aussies and for the majority of the Six Nations.

He's still got a bit of a way to go, but I think Johno is doing the right thing in the way he's being developed for International Rugby - The evidence of that is clear if you watch Toby Flood of 18 months ago and now.

Oh and I'm the biggest JW fan around BTW! I'm hoping they find some way to get them both on the field at the same time.

Regarding Saturday, we were totally outclassed, so congrats to the Irish. Your new stadium is BEAUTIFUL and it was a fitting setting for such an emphatic win.

I think it's a loss which England needed though. And although the Slam hopes were dashed, I think it will stand them in VERY good stead by the time the world cup rolls round as it will have given them a big wake up call and they've now experienced a "pressure" game.

I was made up for Steve-o getting his try though! That man has some motors for a big lad!"

 

[Deleted member 1418]

I agree that, although Flood had a shocker, overall he has had a very good 6 Nations. Perhaps Wilko could've been bought on sooner, perhaps in place of Banahan at centre and taken a bit of pressure off of Flood, but on the day Ireland were better from 1 - 15 so no shame in being beaten by a side that contains guys who have won a Grand Slam and a number of Heineken Cups.

What was good to see from the English perspective was the fact that, despite being so outplayed and realising the game was gone, the likes of Corbisiero and Wood just kept on pounding away and never let their heads go down - that will benefit England in the long run. Look at BOD's interview afterwards "At half-time we said we wanted to put them to the sword" that didn't happen so I think there's a lot of pride and a bit of steele to this England squad that has been missing for a long time.

And as for Thommo - what a guy! Love that man; reminds me of myself over 20 yards!!!!

 

[Aztecs27]

I agree that, although Flood had a shocker, overall he has had a very good 6 Nations. Perhaps Wilko could've been bought on sooner, perhaps in place of Banahan at centre and taken a bit of pressure off of Flood, but on the day Ireland were better from 1 - 15 so no shame in being beaten by a side that contains guys who have won a Grand Slam and a number of Heineken Cups.

What was good to see from the English perspective was the fact that, despite being so outplayed and realising the game was gone, the likes of Corbisiero and Wood just kept on pounding away and never let their heads go down - that will benefit England in the long run. Look at BOD's interview afterwards "At half-time we said we wanted to put them to the sword" that didn't happen so I think there's a lot of pride and a bit of steele to this England squad that has been missing for a long time.

And as for Thommo - what a guy! Love that man; reminds me of myself over 20 yards!!!!

Couldn't agree more with all this.

The thing that is promising about this England squad is the talent we have...It's just lacking experience. But the wins down under, the Six Nations title and this loss against Ireland is all massive experience which I believe will show during the World Cup.

 

[bladeplayer]

Well, Grand Slam gone but well done Ireland, we were outclassed today, experience showed so congratulations on the win. We will probably win the title but seems a bit hollow on the back of that match. England are young and will be a great team but congratulations to Ireland for making experience count.

had to read this mate coz i didnt know whether you meant . cricket , cheltenham or rubgy .. .. sad part for us tho why did it take facing england to get such a good performance , we were rubbish the rest of the time , we beat ye at cricket but ye are in the quarters,our boys are at home watching on tele. we beat you at rubgy but you finished top, we have same out half issues as your selves , it would be ogara 4me but we need to blood young guys like sexton as someone corectly posted this irish team is ageing a bit ..

 

[daveyc2k2]

I agree with almost all the statements on here and well done to the Irish, they played much better than us on the day, although the ref didn't do us many favours, but even still Ireland were without a doubt the better team.

However I disagree that Ashton is world class. Yes he is an amazing try scorer and runs superb lines but when he does get tackled he always throws the ball away. He has to look more to see if the pass is on and not just fling it out. I'm pretty sure D'Arcy must have called for the pass from him, but there were other occasions where he threw it to no-one. If he can turn this part of his game around he will be one of the most dangerous players in world rugby.

In respect of our centre pairing, Tins is getting too old and Banahan is not good enough for outsidfe centre and Hape is just simply not good enough. Personally I would be looking at Manu Tuilangi at 13 and Brad Barrett of Saracens at 12. Both are young and very powerful and strong in both defence and attack. I think they could be a very very dangerous centre pairing.

 

[Aztecs27]

I agree with almost all the statements on here and well done to the Irish, they played much better than us on the day, although the ref didn't do us many favours, but even still Ireland were without a doubt the better team.

However I disagree that Ashton is world class. Yes he is an amazing try scorer and runs superb lines but when he does get tackled he always throws the ball away. He has to look more to see if the pass is on and not just fling it out. I'm pretty sure D'Arcy must have called for the pass from him, but there were other occasions where he threw it to no-one. If he can turn this part of his game around he will be one of the most dangerous players in world rugby.

In respect of our centre pairing, Tins is getting too old and Banahan is not good enough for outsidfe centre and Hape is just simply not good enough. Personally I would be looking at Manu Tuilangi at 13 and Brad Barrett of Saracens at 12. Both are young and very powerful and strong in both defence and attack. I think they could be a very very dangerous centre pairing.

Erm...The Tuilangi brothers aren't eligable are they? I'm fairly sure they've played for Samoa (at least two of them have I think).

Oh and I know he was the 7th replacement, but Dave Strettle? Really?

 

[daveyc2k2]

Aztecs I agree with your Strettle comment, he is not good enough for England (even as a Saracens fan I can see that). Manu Tuilangi is eligible to play for England and I believe he is currently in the Saxons squad. I imagine he will be in the full squad come the world cup if he keeps up his current form. He has been devastating for Leicester this season.

Him and Barrett could be amazing together.

 

[Aztecs27]

Aztecs I agree with your Strettle comment, he is not good enough for England (even as a Saracens fan I can see that). Manu Tuilangi is eligible to play for England and I believe he is currently in the Saxons squad. I imagine he will be in the full squad come the world cup if he keeps up his current form. He has been devastating for Leicester this season.

Him and Barrett could be amazing together.

Ah! Marvellous news! Is he the youngest? Perhaps it's his two older brothers who have played for the Samoan national team.

There's alot of good talent in the Saxons. As a Gloucester fan, I'm biased but Olly Morgan (more so Olly) should have a shot at England 1st XV at fullback...He plays with absolutely no fear.

 

[bladeplayer]

i see ieland are up to 4th in world rankings behind NZ,OZ &SA... Best team in this hemisphere .. im irish . are ya kidding me ??italy should have beaten us , scotland could have , ironacly we shoulda beaten wales . & england didnt turn up .. what ye think ? top 3 as they are then (sorry) france england ireland ??