Planet Rugby Forum

DeDoc

iarmhiman wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 9:14 pm Kane Douglas was shite for Leinster

Only the poster diego ( remember him?) really stood up for him

As I recall he had one decent game and lots of 'no-shows'. Seems to be ticking the box for Bordeaux - maybe it was the weather!

DeDoc

Genuine question - several posters have hinted at or suggested loans etc How might that work? What players come under consideration? Does every province have a list of players who are available for loan? How does the 'home' province benefit? Likewise the 'away'. What is there to incentivise the play...

DeDoc

Munster-fogs wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:14 pm Where's the best place to see the Welsh reaction?

Not sure, but I'd like to thank them for all that glorious TV money without which this deal wouldn't be possible. I propose that when we complete the next blockbuster deal with TG4 we should return the favour

DeDoc

The endangerment of life charge alleges Garda Ryan drove westwards on the eastwards auxiliary lane between Rathcoole and Citywest in a reckless manner, which posed substantial risk of death or serious injury to a member of the public. That offence is under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences again...

DeDoc

I think Baxter makes a key point about stability. In a sense, it doesn't matter if individual changes are good or bad, if there are too many, too frequently, the constant change is bad for spectators, especially newer ones. Also, he is correct about maul defence - you can always stop it by throwing ...

DeDoc

he has lives in ireland a good few years so id assume he is qualified through residency or will do soon. both he and smyth look certs for academy after u20 level. Kids don't automatically obtain those rights iirc. Naturalisation often requires time as an adult in a country. You'd need to check both...

DeDoc

It is a difficult choice tbf. Leinster's potential run-in at the moment is: Bulls (H) Tigers (H) HEC QF vs Stormers/La Rochelle (H) Lions (A) Stormers (A) HEC SF (H) Ospreys (H) Ulster (A) HEC F (N) Connacht (H) With a relatively small lead in the URC table, I think Leinster will take a mixed/blende...

DeDoc

There is a lot to come from Jenkis. He is lucky and managed to stay injury free. He is one of the few players in World Rugby that can play at four, five, six (seven in SA) and eight. He is a great ball carrier. Sharks can field a mean pack with him and some others that are returning,. They already ...

DeDoc

Ulster suggesting a signing to be announced soon Werner Kok. What is the fúcking point. Cunningham signing wingers when we need forwards Kok probably hits more rucks per game than some of the Ulster forwards in the squad :lol: I agree though, strange signing. A baby eater or talisman figure (e.g. M...

DeDoc

When Woodward contrived to deliver the worst Lions performance in living memory by selecting the dads army four years later, he managed to combine poor selection (of the squad) with atrocious tactics and in-camp vibes. The selection he should have been able to get away with - they were still good e...

DeDoc

I won't get to see Portugal tomorrow, but I expect they'll take care of Spain. Portugal Georgia could be a great game - Georgia were pretty good today from what I saw.

DeDoc

Would be good to see Gunne fast tracked. agreed but it wont happen with Leo, he hasnt shown a willingness to pick anyone else at 9 unless McGrath is unavailable. I think you have to give Leo some credit for how he manages the squad. My read isn't that he is unwilling to pick other players, just tha...

DeDoc

Cascarino had a similar sort of story in his bio. He was never eligible to represent Ireland as his mother was adopted (or something like that) but sure look it was the 90s we were all having a great time. Yeah, I remember that but at least there was a reasonable link, even if it wasn't blood. I gu...

DeDoc

Interesting stuff :thumbup: Those scrum penalties from the NZ game are infuriating. What the fudge was Barnes on with the second one. I should really be enjoying what looks like a golden era in Irish rugby. Instead, I'm deeply frustrated by the directon of a game I've followed and loved for over 50...

DeDoc

Merit to this or just looking fit new followers ? https://x.com/rugby_scoop/status/1762561652376100877?s=46&t=20zh8BAsN6aL_dqlEjac_A Most of those are marginal and you could find loads of similar ones from any other team in the world. We say this all the time but if you pinged every infringement at...

DeDoc

I'd be surprised if VdM makes a test team. His try scoring is sensational, but the rest of his game is pretty weak. I also think it is notable that he has never scored a try against SA, Ireland or NZ (or Australia for that matter) Who would be the Lion wings? Lowe and Hansen. Yawn. Farrell has been...

DeDoc

If you did a head to head player wise, how many lion-hearted heroes would make the cut? None. Possibly have Earl in over POM. But I can’t think of any other opportunity. If you’re picking the Lions team right now, how do you not pick the Ireland side plus DVdM and Russell? I'd be surprised if VdM m...

DeDoc

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/02/six-nations-2024-stats-review-round-3/ Interesting expected points graph. Not sure how they generate it though. I read an explanation of this before, I think they assign points totals to certain actions and situations on the pitch. E.g. if historical data says a 5m...

DeDoc

Where did you say he was better than anyone? For the record I'd have Aki, Tuipilotu, Jones and Ringrose with either McCloskey or Henshaw as alternates. Henshaw marginally ahead as he covers 13. Anything can happen though, including as said above a 35 year old Aki not being able to go on forever. In...

DeDoc

And yet Ireland STILL hold the all-time 4/5/6 Nations record for wooden spoons, at 25. If, as expected, the Oirish walk this non-vintage year, they will STILL only equal the Welsh record for 6N Grand Slams (and be 7 behind us in the all-time records). Ireland are enjoying a historically rare purple...

DeDoc

Records of the Irish and Welsh teams in the 5/6N since 1920 Wales Decade Win % Av. Score 20s 42.5% 10-9 30s 53.1% 8-6 40s 41.7% 6-5 50s 67.5% 9-6 60s 47.5% 9-8 70s 76.9% 18-10 80s 45% 15-16 90s 30% 15-23 00s 46% 23-24 10s 68% 24-16 20s 32% 22-23 Ireland Decade Win % Av. Score 20s 45% 8-9 30s 46.9% ...

DeDoc

Records of the Irish and Welsh teams in the 5/6N since 1920 Wales Decade Win % Av. Score 20s 42.5% 10-9 30s 53.1% 8-6 40s 41.7% 6-5 50s 67.5% 9-6 60s 47.5% 9-8 70s 76.9% 18-10 80s 45% 15-16 90s 30% 15-23 00s 46% 23-24 10s 68% 24-16 20s 32% 22-23 Ireland Decade Win % Av. Score 20s 45% 8-9 30s 46.9% 7...

DeDoc

If you've a good job you will have, or at least can have, private health insurance. Some would argue you should have. I hear this all the time and I hate to break it to you but private health insurance makes zero difference if you are acutely unwell you will be triaged in A&E like everyone else Yup...

DeDoc

How much of an impact is the reduced number of URC games having on the Ulster squad do you think? Back in 2018/19 and the few years before that, there were 21 games and then play-offs, with games played through the 6N. Those games played when the internationals were unavailable were great opportunit...

DeDoc

Flannery was shite yesterday tbf. But I do think he could become a decent player, just not under this coaching regime. I didn't watch all of the game, but he had 2 big plus points in my book a) he chased the Welsh player all the way when a try looked certain and caught him (try still scored, but no...

DeDoc

Doak to 10 is intereresting. I liked the look of him at 9 when he came on the scene first, but his style of play isn't perhaps the best for an Irish 9 right now, where tempo on the ball is key. He doesn't seem to have pushed on much, if at all, in the meantime - noting what others have done, that it...

DeDoc

There are some key economic realities here. The only countries that have demonstrated potential to fund domestic professional rugby are: - England, albeit not at the salary levels that were - France, albeit helped by access to municipal stadia - NZ, with the ABs brand helping to keep players in the ...

DeDoc

What is the story with this weekend's games lads? Do the teams have access to their players, or is the full programme in France going to see a lot of missing stars? You can take it as given that the teams will always struggle to have access to the french based players. 2 of Germanys best players ha...

DeDoc

What is the story with this weekend's games lads? Do the teams have access to their players, or is the full programme in France going to see a lot of missing stars?

DeDoc

Honestly, I'd say that on the basis of individual talent and physical attributes, not many Irish lads make it into a world XV head and shoulders above the next nearest. If you can name one, I can probably give a strong argument why someone else should be there. Put those players into an Andy Farrel...

DeDoc

P in VG wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:16 pm The best Irish players are from NZ

3 of them are. I'll give you that!

One Aussie too for full disclosure.....

DeDoc

I would agree they don’t have the sort of superiority of talent that perhaps characterises the very, very best sides in history such as England 2000-2003 and the Kiwis under Henry and Hansen but they’ve depth and quality across the pitch. That is quite a high bar tbf. My clear recollection of the E...

DeDoc

Real rugby is back (SA Times) Round 10 fixtures: Friday, 16 February Zebre v Edinburgh (9:35pm) Scarlets v Munster (9:35pm) Saturday, 17 February Lions v Bulls (3pm) Leinster v Benetton (5pm) Sharks v Stormers (5pm) Cardiff v Connacht (7:15pm) Glasgow v Dragons (9:35pm) Sunday, 18 February Ospreys ...

DeDoc

Dupont has everything you'd expect of a 7s player though. If you could clone any player in the world for 7s it'd probably be him. Dupont is special, you won't find me arguing otherwise obviously. But there are aspects of Larmour's game that are world class also. Attributes that work particularly we...

DeDoc

I watched a little of the Georgia game - Netherlands were pretty game, picking up on last weeks performance against Spain. Portugal beating Poland fairly handily. I know Portugal had a couple of retirements post WC, but how are the other sides compared to then - you said Georgia rotated last week - ...

DeDoc

I watched Netherlands-Spain yesterday and most of the the Belgium-Portugal game (second screen) - enjoyed them both - real old school dogfights in both cases. Portugal and Georgia fancied to beat Belgium and Germany out the gates, but a lot closer in the end. I suspect it'll be a similar story with ...

DeDoc

It is worth pointing out that France weren't just missing Dupont. They were nearly down to the equivalent of Treadwell and Molony in the row and also missing Jelonch. We've been here before where we think our depth would hold and it didn't. At all. I still expected more from them at home though. Ah...

DeDoc

Ireland Team 15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(36) 14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(1) 13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(67) 12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(52) 11. James Lowe (Leinster)(26) 10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(9) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(30) 1. And...

DeDoc

I just feel that even if you engage some new potential fans via the human interest, what happends when they go to watch a game - WTF is this would be the reaction I'd expect. Don't make them experts, but give them enough that the casual fan with some idea of the rules now has the human interest, and...

DeDoc

There's a rivalry aspect which would be risky as feck, but fascinating, to expose: for me, the most intense rugby rivalries are within squads, rather than between them. Doesn't suit the genre though. Also think the genre would be better suited to the grind of a long season: ie. club level rugby. I ...

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