Planet Rugby Forum

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:04 am Really feel shitty about that match this morning. We should have won. They weren’t great IMHO. Our starting pack was really good - lads I was worried about like Herring and Beirne really stood up. When the subs came on it fell to shit. The lineout was a joke. Just not acceptable at this level. You want impact players on your bench not the grey haired liginds on a farewell tour. POM thanks for the memories but time is up.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Jimmy O’Brien (20)
14. Cian Kelleher (15)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (71)
12. Tommy O’Brien (5)
11. Dave Kearney (150)
10. Harry Byrne (12)
9. Luke McGrath (130)
1. Peter Dooley (77)
2. James Tracy (112)
3. Michael Bent (143)
4. Ross Molony (98)
5. Devin Toner (250)
6. Josh Murphy (34)
7. Scott Penny (15)
8. Rhys Ruddock (176) CAPTAIN

16. Dan Sheehan (1)
17. Michael Milne (10)
18. Tom Clarkson (2)
19. Jack Dunne (8)
20. Scott Fardy (63)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (21)
22. David Hawkshaw
23. Dan Leavy (64)

Ulster team to play Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO14 Round 4, Monday 2 November 2020, at Rodney Parade (kick-off 6pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.

TheBouncer wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:59 pm

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:04 am Really feel shitty about that match this morning. We should have won. They weren’t great IMHO. Our starting pack was really good - lads I was worried about like Herring and Beirne really stood up. When the subs came on it fell to shit. The lineout was a joke. Just not acceptable at this level. You want impact players on your bench not the grey haired liginds on a farewell tour. POM thanks for the memories but time is up.

It completely unravelled long before the bench was emptied. All of the smarts and energy of the first half were left in the dressing room for some reason and then there was the litany of mistakes on top.

Leinsterman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:26 am

shabadoo wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:21 am

Ulsters Red Hand wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:13 am Yeah Stockdale ain't going anywhere, neither is Sexton, Murray etc

Despite his numerous fcuk ups costing us the match he was by a mile our best back ball in hand. Very frustrating but I think he is worth persevering with. Bench him maybe and bring him on when there is a bit more space later in the game and he'll tear teams up I think - help build up a bit of confidence.

He is a bit pea-hearted, both in tackling and afraid of getting tackled. Might need a good punch in the chops to get him riled up. The knock on that cost us the try was just pure fear...he was worried about getting smashed.

He also seems to want to do something super awesome every time the ball comes his way. Needs to learn sometimes you just need to be solid.

I think he has the potential to be a really good FB - time will tell.

We've had pea hearts at 15 before. One of them even manged to earn 72 caps.

ZuLu wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:34 am

EverReady wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:29 am

ZuLu wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:27 am

Mulleh wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:23 am Rewatching the first half, wtf was sexton thinking with that up and under with penalty advantage

Must have blocked that from my memory yesterday.

He's been doing that for a few seasons now, basically giving up the advantage with a shite up and under or kick out wide. I f**king hate the guy at this stage. Even his interview pre-match he came across as such a miserable plum

Calm down Tonto

You all right there mate?

His performances no longer back up how much of a plum he acts. Amazed Barnes didn't penalise him yesterday for all his whining. And the reaction when he came off? Deserves never to captain Ireland again. Players tend to get maturer with age, Sexton has gone the opposite way. At least Murray seems to have copped on.

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:08 pm

CM11 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am Sexton absolutely needs replacing but unlike with ROG, there isn't actually a better alternative.

That's no excuse, we either invest in the future or get someone as a stopgap that won't actively curtail our attack, R Byrne is perfect for that at the minute

SFBB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:46 pm

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:25 pm

SFBB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:43 am

rialtoblue wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:17 am His fundamentals are poor in some areas while his form and decision making are also lacking, therefore he's not in a position currently to reach any potential ceiling and should be dropped until those elements improve.

Clear enough for you?

I agree with all of that, basically. Who else can be put in ahead of him? Are they realistically going to elevate the side overall?

Ireland couldn't convert clean try line scrums into a try against a defence with no fullback. Had to just recycle and pick&go. The issues in the side are more significant than a young FB having a nightmare game, and we won't be any better purely by dropping him.

Nonsense, dropping him instantly makes us more solid at the back and that is the first rule.

If there was a Rob Kearney waiting to play, sure. I don't think Keenan would make it any better right now. What else can we do, call up Mike Haley?

I can't see any way in the short to medium term that we can make a change at 15 that actually makes the team better. Cut out a few errors, maybe, but functionally we wouldn't be a better team. Feels like repainting the guest bathroom when there is black mold in the kitchen.

cfm93 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:03 pm

Ulster team to play Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO14 Round 4, Monday 2 November 2020, at Rodney Parade (kick-off 6pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:14 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:08 pm

CM11 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am Sexton absolutely needs replacing but unlike with ROG, there isn't actually a better alternative.

That's no excuse, we either invest in the future or get someone as a stopgap that won't actively curtail our attack, R Byrne is perfect for that at the minute

Byrne is too slow for international rugby.

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:25 pm

cfm93 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:03 pm

Ulster team to play Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO14 Round 4, Monday 2 November 2020, at Rodney Parade (kick-off 6pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Luke Marshall, Ethan McIlroy.

Good to see Marshall back. It will be interesting to see what size he is . . .

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:27 pm

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:14 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:08 pm

CM11 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am Sexton absolutely needs replacing but unlike with ROG, there isn't actually a better alternative.

That's no excuse, we either invest in the future or get someone as a stopgap that won't actively curtail our attack, R Byrne is perfect for that at the minute

Byrne is too slow for international rugby.

And Sexton is ????

redderneck wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:54 pm Have asked the question before, in the vague hope, what with Ireland being a small place etc, someone might be able to share an opinion informed by better than my gut instinct on Stockdale - that he's as thick as mince?

Whatever about his skills, positioning etc. The biggest worry I have about him is that for me he seems to make a very high number of poor decisions compared to most of those around him. The contrast for me is Keenan, who is a knacky footballer who makes a high proportion of smart calls under pressure in the little enough I've seen of him.

Because if my suspicions are right about Stockdale, then he will ALWAYS be an issue.

Anyway, my overnight, calmed down and digested considered opinion about yesterday is that someone needs to give Easterby a kick in the nads.

Perhaps Jonny can do it, if he's not too busy sitting in a dark corner in the garage, avoiding people and pulling the legs off spiders.

danthefan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:29 pm Even just swapping Keenan and Stockdale would improve things. I suspect Lowe might be in shortly as well and as much as I also think we need to move on from him, Keet will be back in as well

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:25 pm

danthefan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:29 pm Even just swapping Keenan and Stockdale would improve things. I suspect Lowe might be in shortly as well and as much as I also think we need to move on from him, Keet will be back in as well

The problem lies further in. Centre is a blackhole. Has been for a while. None of Farrell, Aki or Henshaw has the skill to create space others, they are physically capable but you need more than that win tournaments. Stewart Moore has a massive opportunity to get the 12 jersey before the next RWC.

iarmhiman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:27 pm

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:25 pm

danthefan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:29 pm Even just swapping Keenan and Stockdale would improve things. I suspect Lowe might be in shortly as well and as much as I also think we need to move on from him, Keet will be back in as well

The problem lies further in. Centre is a blackhole. Has been for a while. None of Farrell, Aki or Henshaw has the skill to create space others, they are physically capable but you need more than that win tournaments. Stewart Moore has a massive opportunity to get the 12 jersey before the next RWC.

Problem is the SH is too slow and the FH has two moves every opposition knows

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:18 pm

redderneck wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:54 pm Have asked the question before, in the vague hope, what with Ireland being a small place etc, someone might be able to share an opinion informed by better than my gut instinct on Stockdale - that he's as thick as mince?

Whatever about his skills, positioning etc. The biggest worry I have about him is that for me he seems to make a very high number of poor decisions compared to most of those around him. The contrast for me is Keenan, who is a knacky footballer who makes a high proportion of smart calls under pressure in the little enough I've seen of him.

Because if my suspicions are right about Stockdale, then he will ALWAYS be an issue.

Anyway, my overnight, calmed down and digested considered opinion about yesterday is that someone needs to give Easterby a kick in the nads.

Perhaps Jonny can do it, if he's not too busy sitting in a dark corner in the garage, avoiding people and pulling the legs off spiders.

Classic big player syndrome. His brute strength and athleticism probably got him a pass all through the levels so he didn’t have to use his smarts to the same level as a less physically gifted player

Winnie wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:30 pm

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:18 pm

redderneck wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:54 pm Have asked the question before, in the vague hope, what with Ireland being a small place etc, someone might be able to share an opinion informed by better than my gut instinct on Stockdale - that he's as thick as mince?

Whatever about his skills, positioning etc. The biggest worry I have about him is that for me he seems to make a very high number of poor decisions compared to most of those around him. The contrast for me is Keenan, who is a knacky footballer who makes a high proportion of smart calls under pressure in the little enough I've seen of him.

Because if my suspicions are right about Stockdale, then he will ALWAYS be an issue.

Anyway, my overnight, calmed down and digested considered opinion about yesterday is that someone needs to give Easterby a kick in the nads.

Perhaps Jonny can do it, if he's not too busy sitting in a dark corner in the garage, avoiding people and pulling the legs off spiders.

Classic big player syndrome. His brute strength and athleticism probably got him a pass all through the levels so he didn’t have to use his smarts to the same level as a less physically gifted player

That’s the thing it didn’t
He was medallion bs for Wallace
It was only in sixth form did he blossom and he was a classy centre
I do think he lacks courage
He looks afraid of getting hurt and still reminds me very much of a medallion B player in that aspect
Going forward last night he was out best weapon
I really don’t know what the solution is to the lad
He certainly doesn’t deserve some of the vitriol he receives on here

Winnie wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:30 pm

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:18 pm

redderneck wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:54 pm Have asked the question before, in the vague hope, what with Ireland being a small place etc, someone might be able to share an opinion informed by better than my gut instinct on Stockdale - that he's as thick as mince?

Whatever about his skills, positioning etc. The biggest worry I have about him is that for me he seems to make a very high number of poor decisions compared to most of those around him. The contrast for me is Keenan, who is a knacky footballer who makes a high proportion of smart calls under pressure in the little enough I've seen of him.

Because if my suspicions are right about Stockdale, then he will ALWAYS be an issue.

Anyway, my overnight, calmed down and digested considered opinion about yesterday is that someone needs to give Easterby a kick in the nads.

Perhaps Jonny can do it, if he's not too busy sitting in a dark corner in the garage, avoiding people and pulling the legs off spiders.

Classic big player syndrome. His brute strength and athleticism probably got him a pass all through the levels so he didn’t have to use his smarts to the same level as a less physically gifted player

That’s the thing it didn’t
He was medallion bs for Wallace
It was only in sixth form did he blossom and he was a classy centre
I do think he lacks courage
He looks afraid of getting hurt and still reminds me very much of a medallion B player in that aspect
Going forward last night he was out best weapon
I really don’t know what the solution is to the lad
He certainly doesn’t deserve some of the vitriol he receives on here

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:35 pm People hanging their hopes of Harry Byrne - yes he looks good but I like the look of Munster’s two out halves who both looked very handy at the international U20’s level

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:35 pm People hanging their hopes of Harry Byrne - yes he looks good but I like the look of Munster’s two out halves who both looked very handy at the international U20’s level

Lazy Couch potato wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:41 pm Hodnett starting instead of cloete today for Munster at Dave parade. Hopefully he can build in previous performance

Conspicuous wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:16 pm I’m not sure what’s happened with Andrew Conway since lockdown, his acceleration just seems to have gone

Iar I’d be very disappointed if HB didn’t get any opportunities in green for another 3 years

Munster-fogs wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:53 pm

Lazy Couch potato wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:41 pm Hodnett starting instead of cloete today for Munster at Dave parade. Hopefully he can build in previous performance

What happened Cloete? Good for Hodnett.

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:54 pm

Conspicuous wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:16 pm I’m not sure what’s happened with Andrew Conway since lockdown, his acceleration just seems to have gone

Iar I’d be very disappointed if HB didn’t get any opportunities in green for another 3 years

He's a winger over 30.

We need to learn this lesson.

Lazy Couch potato wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:45 pm

Duff Paddy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:35 pm People hanging their hopes of Harry Byrne - yes he looks good but I like the look of Munster’s two out halves who both looked very handy at the international U20’s level

Flannery on the bench today. Looks a tidy footballer. I think healy is going to be a very solid Ross Byrne level player. I really wonder if carbery gets back will we see him at 15

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:27 pm

Hellraiser wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:14 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:08 pm

CM11 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am Sexton absolutely needs replacing but unlike with ROG, there isn't actually a better alternative.

That's no excuse, we either invest in the future or get someone as a stopgap that won't actively curtail our attack, R Byrne is perfect for that at the minute

Byrne is too slow for international rugby.

And Sexton is ????