The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:13 pm

4 of the Ulster/Leinster side became first teamers for Ulster. 5 at a stretch if you want to include Warwick.
Maybe 2 for Leinster? Moore and Tracy?

Shows you the volume of decent players coming through each academy if Leinster can bin so many guys and still be a championship winning side. When we get a good thing up north, we need to keep them. Or sack them for misconduct.

Nolanator · Post by **Nolanator** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:47 pm

Think it also shows that that particular class for Ulster was exceptionally talented.
Not all went on to be international regulars, but good pros ATA high club level.

He Man Rugger Pints · Post by **He Man Rugger Pints** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:05 pm

crouchy wrote:10 years ago today, first game in the Aviva. 68-0.

Leinster/Ulster team
15. Sam Coghlan Murray (Leinster)
14. Craig Gilroy (Ulster)
13. Alex Kelly (Leinster)
12. Luke Marshall (Ulster) Captain
11. Andrew Boyle (Leinster)
10. Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
9. Peter du Toit (Leinster)
1. James Tracy (Leinster)
2. Jonny Murphy (Ulster)
3. Martin Moore (Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
5. Robert Hynes (Leinster)
6. Steven Lecky (Ulster)
7. Mark McGroarty (Leinster)
8. David McGuigan (Ulster)
Replacements
16. Paddy Carroll (Leinster)
17. Andy Warrick (Ulster)
18. Mark Fallon (Leinster)
19. Paddy Marks (Ulster)
20. Conor Spence (Ulster)
21. Cathal Marsh (Leinster)
22. Michael McAuley (Ulster)

Connacht/Munster
15. Callum Boland (Connacht)
14. Tadhg Leader (Connacht)
13. Daniel Horgan (Munster)
12. Ben Sargent (Munster)
11. Shane Leydon (Connacht)
10. Johnny Holland (Munster)
9. Mark Dolan (Connacht) Captain
1. Aaron Spring (Connacht)
2. Kieran Stokes (Munster)
3. Paul Mullen (Munster)
4. Rob O’Herlihy (Munster)
5. David O’Mahony (Munster)
6. Shane Buckley (Munster)
7. Aaron Conneely (Connacht
8. Danny Qualter (Connacht)
Replacements
16. James Rael (Munster)
17. Sean Wooton (Connacht)
18. Ian Mullarkey (Munster)
19. David Heffernan (Connacht)
20. Ronan Barry (Munster)
21. Gareth Quinn-McDonogh (Munster)
22. Jack Costigan (Munster)
23. Cathal Quinn (Munster)

Lots of future internationals in the Leinster/Ulster team, none for Connacht/Munster? Johnny Holland is the only Munster player I recognise.

Jackson and Marshall took the piss that day with how good they were. Jackson looked every inch a future superstar. Such a shame for Irish Rugby how that went.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:07 pm

Blame the permanently offended twitter warriors for that.

Hellraiser · Post by **Hellraiser** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:19 pm

earl the beaver wrote:Blame the permanently offended twitter warriors for that.

Jackson has no one to blame but himself.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:25 pm

Hellraiser wrote:
earl the beaver wrote:Blame the permanently offended twitter warriors for that.

Jackson has no one to blame but himself.

Well no, he was unanimously found not guilty, the case shouldn't have made it to court once the witness clearly backed up Olding and Jackson's version of events. If it hadn't made it to court would Jackson still be playing for Ulster?

After being found not guilty a swathe of twitter decided that they didn't believe the justice system and hounded them out, any time he's mentioned loads of people on twitter start talking about messages that weren't even from them and how it shows they are guilty.

It's a joke.

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:08 pm

This should be good for a few pages when Jumper and Sewa weigh in.
Our thread page per day ratio needs a Jacko/Olding argument to get back to respectable levels.

Nolanator · Post by **Nolanator** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:15 pm

Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.

He Man Rugger Pints · Post by **He Man Rugger Pints** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:22 pm

They put themselves in a shitty situation whatever way you paint it. There's a lot can go wrong when you carry on like that, especially in this day and age.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:27 pm

Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.

Yup. If he'd had an ounce of self-restraint and/or cop-on on the night in question, he would've been playing at the World Cup last year.

Probably dodged a bullet there, in fairness.

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:32 pm

DOB wrote:
Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.
Yup. If he'd had an ounce of self-restraint and/or cop-on on the night in question, he would've been playing at the World Cup last year.

Probably dodged a bullet there, in fairness.

Schmidt-ocaust or being in Reading?
Tough dilemma tbf.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:39 pm

Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.

Ah here, he had a threesome which he believed was consensual, are you going to suggest other pros haven't done that? How was he to know how it would end up?

If it hadn't gone to court and charges were dropped he'd still be playing for Ulster.

Lazy Couch potato · Post by **Lazy Couch potato** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:44 pm

The messages sunk them. And post court case a lack of pr advise on Jackson part not to at least pretend sympathy to the other side no matter what his personal feelings

danthefan · Post by **danthefan** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:48 pm

Why are we talking about this again

Blackrock Bullet · Post by **Blackrock Bullet** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:48 pm

Even before the court case and the rest, Jackson was harshly treated as a youngster going into the Irish team above the precious ROG. I always thought that knocked his confidence.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:50 pm

Lazy Couch potato wrote:The messages sunk them. And post court case a lack of pr advise on Jackson part not to at least pretend sympathy to the other side no matter what his personal feelings

The messages weren't even from Jackson though, this is what is mad.

JoeMangled · Post by **JoeMangled** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:54 pm

Robbed of a cracking 10. Shame it didn't go better for him at Perpignan.

JoeMangled · Post by **JoeMangled** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:55 pm

CM11 wrote:I'll believe it when I see it.

Quite.

Would be nice though.

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:44 pm

From those XXIII's, Dave McGuigan played a bit for the 7's team. He was a good player, top lad too.

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:45 pm

Blackrock Bullet wrote:Even before the court case and the rest, Jackson was harshly treated as a youngster going into the Irish team above the precious ROG. I always thought that knocked his confidence.

Prod, innit

Hobo Hooker · Post by **Hobo Hooker** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:53 pm

Blackrock Bullet wrote:Even before the court case and the rest, Jackson was harshly treated as a youngster going into the Irish team above the precious ROG. I always thought that knocked his confidence.

hahaha, that is some tasty bait!

Hellraiser · Post by **Hellraiser** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:07 pm

danthefan wrote:Why are we talking about this again

Because Earl just can't let it go.

camroc1 · Post by **camroc1** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:12 pm

Hellraiser wrote:
danthefan wrote:Why are we talking about this again

Because Earl just can't let it go.

Wasn't that one of their problems ?

Nolanator · Post by **Nolanator** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:20 pm

earl the beaver wrote:
Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.
Ah here, he had a threesome which he believed was consensual, are you going to suggest other pros haven't done that? How was he to know how it would end up?

If it hadn't gone to court and charges were dropped he'd still be playing for Ulster.

Of course he thought it was consensual. He was just unfortunate that he was the first high profile rugby player to get caught up in such a situation. It's happened plenty other sports stars in the past.

anonymous_joe · Post by **anonymous_joe** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:59 pm

Nolanator wrote:
earl the beaver wrote:
Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.
Ah here, he had a threesome which he believed was consensual, are you going to suggest other pros haven't done that? How was he to know how it would end up?

If it hadn't gone to court and charges were dropped he'd still be playing for Ulster.
Of course he thought it was consensual. He was just unfortunate that he was the first high profile rugby player to get caught up in such a situation. It's happened plenty other sports stars in the past.

Never in Ireland.

The real mistake they made was not being whiter than white when there aren't really any other pro sports people of national stature in either Ireland or Nordie land.

Winnie · Post by **Winnie** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 8:51 am

anonymous_joe wrote:
Nolanator wrote:
earl the beaver wrote:
Nolanator wrote:Much as I dislike a Twitter mob pile on, the only person who put Jackson in the position he was in, was himself.
Ah here, he had a threesome which he believed was consensual, are you going to suggest other pros haven't done that? How was he to know how it would end up?

If it hadn't gone to court and charges were dropped he'd still be playing for Ulster.
Of course he thought it was consensual. He was just unfortunate that he was the first high profile rugby player to get caught up in such a situation. It's happened plenty other sports stars in the past.
Never in Ireland.

The real mistake they made was not being whiter than white when there aren't really any other pro sports people of national stature in either Ireland or Nordie land.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:19 am

Mullet 2 · Post by **Mullet 2** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:20 am

#cancelulster

EverReady · Post by **EverReady** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:23 am

They should be made stand somewhere on the way to Lansdowne as penance. Like outside the Shelbourne

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:32 am

Rob Balacoune looking in serious shape judging by Ulster social media.

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:34 am

EverReady wrote:They should be made stand somewhere on the way to Lansdowne as penance. Like outside the Shelbourne

I’m sure Seanie could piss on them. That might take the paint off and lets him display his sweet Dublin bants

EverReady · Post by **EverReady** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:37 am

You keep implying being pissed on is something people don't want. I should introduce you to the internet

Mullet 2 · Post by **Mullet 2** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:40 am

Ulsters Red Hand wrote:
EverReady wrote:They should be made stand somewhere on the way to Lansdowne as penance. Like outside the Shelbourne
I’m sure Seanie could piss on them. That might take the paint off and lets him display his sweet Dublin bants

He's from Carlow.

You saying we all look the same?

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:59 am

Ulsters Red Hand wrote:Rob Balacoune looking in serious shape judging by Ulster social media.

Huge year ahead for him. He has a genuine shot of breaking into the international scene given our fairly average options there at the moment. He certainly has the attacking and defensive game for it, and seems to have the intelligence. Just needs to keep the consistency.

Leinsterman · Post by **Leinsterman** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:33 am

Just thinking about back three options but who is our first choice FB once Kearney goes? Larmour?
After him, who's next? Conway? Addison? Or am I missing someone?

EverReady · Post by **EverReady** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:35 am

I'd like to see somebody dominant in the air come through. Some lad who spent the Covid having balls rained down on him and I am not talking about an Ulster night out

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:42 am

EverReady wrote:I'd like to see somebody dominant in the air come through. Some lad who spent the Covid having balls rained down on him and I am not talking about an Ulster night out

We also need some tough bastard back rowers as well, who aren’t afraid of having the living piss knocked out of them in public, and I’m not talking about an end of season Leinster bash.

Ulsters Red Hand · Post by **Ulsters Red Hand** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:50 am

Jim Lahey wrote:
Ulsters Red Hand wrote:Rob Balacoune looking in serious shape judging by Ulster social media.
Huge year ahead for him. He has a genuine shot of breaking into the international scene given our fairly average options there at the moment. He certainly has the attacking and defensive game for it, and seems to have the intelligence. Just needs to keep the consistency.

Agreed. At international level i’d say your defensive abilities probably are more important than your attacking game and Balacoune’s a natural defender. Don’t think his kicking game is up to it yet but it was clearly improving this season, hopefully he’s working on it during lockdown.

danthefan · Post by **danthefan** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:14 pm

Leinsterman wrote:Just thinking about back three options but who is our first choice FB once Kearney goes? Larmour?
After him, who's next? Conway? Addison? Or am I missing someone?

Kearney hasn't been first choice since the RWC. He's been left out entirely by Farrell.

On Balacoune, good player imo, he's been better than Stockdale for the last while for Ulster I think. Lowe is available as of November as well.

PornDog · Post by **PornDog** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 12:18 pm

Jim Lahey wrote:
Ulsters Red Hand wrote:Rob Balacoune looking in serious shape judging by Ulster social media.
Huge year ahead for him. He has a genuine shot of breaking into the international scene given our fairly average options there at the moment. He certainly has the attacking and defensive game for it, and seems to have the intelligence. Just needs to keep the consistency.

I'm a big fan I have to say. Back three of Stockdale, Balacoune and Larmour, with Conway reserve. Pretty tasty.