The Official Irish Rugby Thread

[camroc1]

If those stats are correct then SOB made more tackles against France than any other Irish player in only 65minutes,except for POC.

they may not be as they left out his turn over against France

Like all stats they're in or around correct. Himself and Ferris put in a good stint, Ferris gets the nod due to the extra offensive nature of his tackles.

Mike Ross has made more tackles than DOC. I thought he needed a taxi to get around the pitch?

Shame on you, that is Mike Ross : Destroyer of Worlds you are discussing.

[CM11]

If those stats are correct then SOB made more tackles against France than any other Irish player in only 65minutes,except for POC.

they may not be as they left out his turn over against France

Like all stats they're in or around correct. Himself and Ferris put in a good stint, Ferris gets the nod due to the extra offensive nature of his tackles.

Mike Ross has made more tackles than DOC. I thought he needed a taxi to get around the pitch?

Hadn't noticed that. Healy and Heaslip's tackle counts are poor too. They're either 2nd tackler in a lot or aren't getting through the work they once did.

[SASP]

McCarthy is a decent player tbf, is only 30.
At his peak probably now. Feel bad for Dan though.
There is no way to know how good he'll be at test level till he plays more games at that level.

[Arthur McBride]

Here ya go, forwards:

Spoiler: show

Healy:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 160
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 175
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 145
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 160
Total - 0 0 0 14 1 15 0 7 0 0 0 2 0 480

Best:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 1 0 0 5 0 5 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 310
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 6 1 7 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 250
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 4 0 6 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 210
Ave - 0 0 0 5 0 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 256
Total - 1 0 0 15 1 18 13 7 0 0 0 0 2 770

Ross:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 150
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 0 1 10 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 145
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 3 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 130
Ave - 0 0 0 2 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 141
Total - 0 0 0 7 1 23 1 6 0 0 0 1 1 425

DOC above

POC:

Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 5 1 7 2 0 3 0 0 1 0 255
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 210
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 8 2 7 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 300
Ave - 0 0 0 6 1 9 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 255
Total - 0 0 0 18 3 27 4 0 5 0 0 3 1 765

Ferris:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 1 9 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 215
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 240
Rd 3 ITA 0 1 1 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 195
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 216
Total - 0 1 1 12 2 27 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 650

SOB:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 2 5 1 16 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 400
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 4 0 13 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 220
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 3 0 8 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 100
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 12 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 240
Total - 0 0 2 12 1 37 1 0 8 0 0 6 0 720

Heaslip:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 6 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 210
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 3 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 130
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 5 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 210
Ave - 0 0 0 4 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 183
Total - 0 0 0 14 3 17 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 550

Backs to follow.

So from the forwards SOB have the highest tackle count even though he has been subbed around 65 minutes in both last two games.

He also has given away 6 penalties in that space of time as well.

Before you say he's playing 7 so is likely to give penalties away on the ground, he has done so while only getting 1 turnover!!

[SASP]

If those stats are correct then SOB made more tackles against France than any other Irish player in only 65minutes,except for POC.

they may not be as they left out his turn over against France

Like all stats they're in or around correct. Himself and Ferris put in a good stint, Ferris gets the nod due to the extra offensive nature of his tackles.

Mike Ross has made more tackles than DOC. I thought he needed a taxi to get around the pitch?

Hadn't noticed that. Healy and Heaslip's tackle counts are poor too. They're either 2nd tackler in a lot or aren't getting through the work they once did.

I was giving out about Healys tackling before. I noticed him going with his shoulder and not attempting to wrap. Got himself a kick in the head for his troubles against Italy.

As for Heaslip maybe it is time for SOB to go in there. According to an article on Leinsters website under SOB profile 8 is his favored position.

[CM11]

Here ya go, forwards:

Spoiler: show

Healy:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 160
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 175
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 145
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 160
Total - 0 0 0 14 1 15 0 7 0 0 0 2 0 480

Best:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 1 0 0 5 0 5 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 310
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 6 1 7 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 250
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 4 0 6 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 210
Ave - 0 0 0 5 0 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 256
Total - 1 0 0 15 1 18 13 7 0 0 0 0 2 770

Ross:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 150
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 0 1 10 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 145
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 3 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 130
Ave - 0 0 0 2 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 141
Total - 0 0 0 7 1 23 1 6 0 0 0 1 1 425

DOC above

POC:

Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 5 1 7 2 0 3 0 0 1 0 255
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 210
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 8 2 7 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 300
Ave - 0 0 0 6 1 9 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 255
Total - 0 0 0 18 3 27 4 0 5 0 0 3 1 765

Ferris:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 4 1 9 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 215
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 5 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 240
Rd 3 ITA 0 1 1 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 195
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 216
Total - 0 1 1 12 2 27 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 650

SOB:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 2 5 1 16 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 400
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 4 0 13 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 220
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 3 0 8 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 100
Ave - 0 0 0 4 0 12 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 240
Total - 0 0 2 12 1 37 1 0 8 0 0 6 0 720

Heaslip:

Rnd Versus Try Ast L-brk G-fwd T-o Tkl L-o Scr Cat G-kck G-mis Pen L-pos Pts
Rd 1 WAL 0 0 0 6 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 210
Rd 2 FRA 0 0 0 3 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 130
Rd 3 ITA 0 0 0 5 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 210
Ave - 0 0 0 4 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 183
Total - 0 0 0 14 3 17 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 550

Backs to follow.

So from the forwards SOB have the highest tackle count even though he has been subbed around 65 minutes in both last two games.

He also has given away 6 penalties in that space of time as well.

Before you say he's playing 7 so is likely to give penalties away on the ground, he has done so while only getting 1 turnover!!

Well it's at least two because they don't have him down for the one against France.

But it's understandable as he learns the position at international level. Hopefully he'll turn at least half of those penalties into turnovers and then some as he gets better at playing 7.

[massivepr1ck]

Jesus Christ how is it so impossible to discover a reliable set of stats on the internet

[CM11]

Jesus Christ how is it so impossible to discover a reliable set of stats on the internet

All stats are done by humans so human error will come into play. testrugby are quite good in that they'll update stats if someone points out something obvious they've missed so they may well add SOB's turnover yet.

I think the problem with scrum.com is that their definition of some stats (in particuar tackle count) isn't clear and they miss loads live, the stats from just after the game vary dramatically from the stats on display today.

[SASP]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

[anonymous_joe]

We're going to be picking an awful pack against Scotland. fudge.

[massivepr1ck]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

I'd really question whether this man has ever jumped in a lineout in his life to he honest. I normally find him a very good read though tbf.

[camroc1]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Another good blog.

I can't wait to see the end of Kiddinme !

[soyhmf]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Stakhanov O'Callaghan's

There's always Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig Bob Casey, who at least has the same physique as Big Jim Hamilton, but its hardly fair to deny Mike Ross the title of heaviest forward,

Personally, we would have plumped for Big Dev, given his towering presence in the lineout, vastly improved performances this season, and how he has outperformed Richie Gray on both occasions when they went head-to-head against Glasgow in the HEC this year - but it's much of a muchness, and every time we've seen McCarthy (not enough, perhaps) he has impressed us. Plus, he'll up the handsome quotient in the pack.

good read...cheers

Some very good analysis, but don't agree on PO'M for S'OB..but then I wouldn't mind seeing a young fella get his first start..

[SASP]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

I'd really question whether this man has ever jumped in a lineout in his life to he honest. I normally find him a very good read though tbf.

Why do you say that? Being a front rower I know nothing of this jumping at lineouts I hear its all the rage in paris though.

[Floppykid]

Some very good analysis, but don't agree on PO'M for S'OB..but then I wouldn't mind seeing a young fella get his first start..

I'm still undecided as to whether or not one of our backrow players should be given a rest.
It's a toss up between Heaslip and SO'B for me.
SO'B for the sake of giving him a rest, but at the same time it looks like he's just starting to grow a little into playing 7, that'd also leave a problem if you were to drop Heaslip, as you'd move O'Brien back to 8 to accomodate POM.

Heaslip, while quite good before the France game, hasn't been at his best. A bit of bench duty mightn't do any harm.

[Despot]

On the captaincy, I seem to recall a discussion a while back about future Irish captains in the post BOD/POC era and Heaslips name was frequently mentioned, especially the Leinster guys in the know saying he was definitely a candidate. I havent heard his name mentioned much now that the time has arrived. While Best is the clear favourite i would have thoght that he would have been a contender.

[Porterbelly1]

Delighted if McCarthy gets the nod. It's tough on Tuohy who's been good all season, but so has McCarthy. If it came down to experience in running a lineout then McCarthy would obviously get the nod, as Muller runs the show in Ulster. McCarthy is the top lineout taker in the Pro 12 so he aint no mug in that department

[Despot]

Some very good analysis, but don't agree on PO'M for S'OB..but then I wouldn't mind seeing a young fella get his first start..

I'm still undecided as to whether or not one of our backrow players should be given a rest.
It's a toss up between Heaslip and SO'B for me.
SO'B for the sake of giving him a rest, but at the same time it looks like he's just starting to grow a little into playing 7, that'd also leave a problem if you were to drop Heaslip, as you'd move O'Brien back to 8 to accomodate POM.

Heaslip, while quite good before the France game, hasn't been at his best. A bit of bench duty mightn't do any harm.

If its a rest because of effort expended then it would be Ferris. If its a rest because of form its between the other two, with imo Heaslip edging it- neither are in bad form though.

[MunsterMan!!!!!]

If those stats are correct then SOB made more tackles against France than any other Irish player in only 65minutes,except for POC.

they may not be as they left out his turn over against France

Like all stats they're in or around correct. Himself and Ferris put in a good stint, Ferris gets the nod due to the extra offensive nature of his tackles.

Mike Ross has made more tackles than DOC. I thought he needed a taxi to get around the pitch?

Hadn't noticed that. Healy and Heaslip's tackle counts are poor too. They're either 2nd tackler in a lot or aren't getting through the work they once did.

It's the unseen work similar to DOC!

[SASP]

Mike Ross has made more tackles than DOC. I thought he needed a taxi to get around the pitch?

Hadn't noticed that. Healy and Heaslip's tackle counts are poor too. They're either 2nd tackler in a lot or aren't getting through the work they once did.

It's the unseen work similar to DOC!

You left yourself open for that CM

[Armchair_Superstar]

Delighted if McCarthy gets the nod. It's tough on Tuohy who's been good all season, but so has McCarthy. If it came down to experience in running a lineout then McCarthy would obviously get the nod, as Muller runs the show in Ulster. McCarthy is the top lineout taker in the Pro 12 so he aint no mug in that department

Muller runs the lineout when he plays. When Muller doesn't play, Tuohy runs the lineout and does a very good job of it. I like the whiff of cordite blog but that facet of Tuohy's game seems to have escaped him as well.

[CambridgeFergal]

Interesting reading this thread.
The Leinster heads were screaming blue murder about the team Kidney picked for Paris.
"DOC - WTF? Murray- WTF? Earls at centre? We're going to get hammered..."
That's the team that racked up a 17-6 lead, our highest lead ever at half-time in Paris.

Unsurprisingly, any acknowledgement of this in the last few pages - that Kidney was right to name an unchanged team, as evidenced by what happened - is extremely thin on the ground.
Someone with a more jaundiced view of things than me might think that demonstrates bias among our Leinster friends...

[SASP]

Interesting reading this thread.
The Leinster heads were screaming blue murder about the team Kidney picked for Paris.
"DOC - WTF? Murray- WTF? Earls at centre? We're going to get hammered..."
That's the team that racked up a 17-6 lead, our highest lead ever at half-time in Paris.

Unsurprisingly, any acknowledgement of this in the last few pages - that Kidney was right to name an unchanged team, as evidenced by what happened - is extremely thin on the ground.
Someone with a more jaundiced view of things than me might think that demonstrates bias among our Leinster friends...

And then blew it again.

[Porterbelly1]

Delighted if McCarthy gets the nod. It's tough on Tuohy who's been good all season, but so has McCarthy. If it came down to experience in running a lineout then McCarthy would obviously get the nod, as Muller runs the show in Ulster. McCarthy is the top lineout taker in the Pro 12 so he aint no mug in that department

Muller runs the lineout when he plays. When Muller doesn't play, Tuohy runs the lineout and does a very good job of it. I like the whiff of cordite blog but that facet of Tuohy's game seems to have escaped him as well.

It's either or for me between Tuohy and McCarthy, obviously I'd pluck for McCarthy being the Connacht man, but I've seen enough of him over the past 2 seasons to know that he's a quality player. It remains to be seen whether he's up to 6 nations standard, but we'll find that out at the weekend. Delighted to have a Connacht representative in the team and I hope he can do himself justice

[binge90]

Delighted if McCarthy gets the nod. It's tough on Tuohy who's been good all season, but so has McCarthy. If it came down to experience in running a lineout then McCarthy would obviously get the nod, as Muller runs the show in Ulster. McCarthy is the top lineout taker in the Pro 12 so he aint no mug in that department

Muller runs the lineout when he plays. When Muller doesn't play, Tuohy runs the lineout and does a very good job of it. I like the whiff of cordite blog but that facet of Tuohy's game seems to have escaped him as well.

It's either or for me between Tuohy and McCarthy, obviously I'd pluck for McCarthy being the Connacht man, but I've seen enough of him over the past 2 seasons to know that he's a quality player. It remains to be seen whether he's up to 6 nations standard, but we'll find that out at the weekend. Delighted to have a Connacht representative in the team and I hope he can do himself justice

Really? That's mad! Wouldn't have expected that at all!

[DiscoHips D'Arcy]

Do we even think McCarthy will get the nod to start?

He should as a lineout caller but will he.

[Uncle Fester]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

[SASP]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

McCarthy is only 6'4". And if height is your worry then Devin Toner should be in.

[Uncle Fester]

Possibly.

[Luckycharmer]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

No they didn't they were pretty shit they did 2 years ago though

[piaras]

Can someone explain what the hell is going on, presumed Tuohy was still in the extended squad so he was likely to get the nod because he was there ahead of McCarthy, but has he tweeted something to say he is not in? I am rather confused. Would have Tuohy in myself but have a big feeling we are going to struggle against the Scottish lineout.

[Porterbelly1]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

It's case of having no other candidate really though

We could play Toner but would it be worth it for all we'd lose in the loose?

[Porterbelly1]

Can someone explain what the hell is going on, presumed Tuohy was still in the extended squad so he was likely to get the nod because he was there ahead of McCarthy, but has he tweeted something to say he is not in? I am rather confused. Would have Tuohy in myself but have a big feeling we are going to struggle against the Scottish lineout.

McCarthy was on standby for the match in France which would suggest he's ahead of Tuohy

[piaras]

Can someone explain what the hell is going on, presumed Tuohy was still in the extended squad so he was likely to get the nod because he was there ahead of McCarthy, but has he tweeted something to say he is not in? I am rather confused. Would have Tuohy in myself but have a big feeling we are going to struggle against the Scottish lineout.

McCarthy was on standby for the match in France which would suggest he's ahead of Tuohy

Oh right, fair enough so.

[SASP]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

It's case of having no other candidate really though

We could play Toner but would it be worth it for all we'd lose in the loose?

Wtf? You'd loose nothing with the side stepping skyscraper.

[camroc1]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

It's case of having no other candidate really though

We could play Toner but would it be worth it for all we'd lose in the loose?

Over DOC ?

[SASP]

Almost 100 pages

[Porterbelly1]

Whiff of cordite, latest blog.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012 ... nnell.html

Interesting points on the second rows but I worry about the ability of 6'5" McCarthy to step up to international level lineout work. The Scots gave our first choice pack a going over last year so without O'Connell and Best probably having the captaincy on his shoulders, we could get raped out of touch.

It's case of having no other candidate really though

We could play Toner but would it be worth it for all we'd lose in the loose?

Over DOC ?

Over McCarthy I'm saying

DOC is a waste of time, Ryan should be at 4 and DOC should be playing for Cork Con

[piaras]

Almost 100 pages

Would that be the first 100 pager of the new forum?

[Mr. Very Popular]

Do we even think McCarthy will get the nod to start?

He should as a lineout caller but will he.

He doesn't call the lineouts for Connacht,when he does he isn't great.
Tell him what to do,point him in the right direction and he's very good,off the cuff or leading,not so great.