The Official Irish Rugby Thread

[Willie Falloon]

The horrible thing about this match was at no point throughout it did it ever look like the lads thought "We can win this" or "We should be ahead". It reminds me of the players mentality of when they used to face the AIG (tm) Adidas (C) New Zealand All Blacks years ago. They were beaten before they got on to the pitch.

I think this came from the captain
Ryan looked a beaten man from the start

I think the head coach believes Irish rugby can produce enough quality rugby players to beat the mighty English at HQ. It's why he likes picking Jonny foreigners.

[feckwanker]

The horrible thing about this match was at no point throughout it did it ever look like the lads thought "We can win this" or "We should be ahead". It reminds me of the players mentality of when they used to face the AIG (tm) Adidas (C) New Zealand All Blacks years ago. They were beaten before they got on to the pitch.

I think this came from the captain
Ryan looked a beaten man from the start

Winnie in heaven

Tbf, Itojie has had Ryan in his pocket for a while now. Must be pretty demoralising to take to the pitch in front of the whole world knowing your opposite number could spank you.

[Flametop]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

[Jim Lahey]

The horrible thing about this match was at no point throughout it did it ever look like the lads thought "We can win this" or "We should be ahead". It reminds me of the players mentality of when they used to face the AIG (tm) Adidas (C) New Zealand All Blacks years ago. They were beaten before they got on to the pitch.

I think this came from the captain
Ryan looked a beaten man from the start

Winnie in heaven

Tbf, Itojie has had Ryan in his pocket for a while now. Must be pretty demoralising to take to the pitch in front of the whole world knowing your opposite number could spank you.

Especially when Shaggy blew his load using superlatives just before kick off describing how great Ryan was.

I know the lad has had injury that he probably hasn’t fully recovered from but today should be a massive wake up call for him.

Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes and AWJ are all probably going on the Lions tour (if it goes ahead). He needs to really put the foot down form-wise in the next five months to be in that conversation and duffing sides in a Leinster jersey won’t cut it if he’s not performing at international level.

He can do it, we know he has the ability. He just needs to start dominating games like POC did, like Itoje does at present.

[Mullet 2]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

[earl the beaver]

Twice at the end Murray passed flat to Farrell and both times he punched a hole over the gainline.

Like that is really basic stuff.

Big lad, play flay. Like really basic.

We played off 9 far more when Murray came on, JGP passed it to Byrne who was so deep our attacks were miles behind the gain line when contact happened.

I know it's hard when the pack is retreating but our inability to change approach kills us.

[Risteard]

Stepping away from the Irish team at the moment, anyone involved in clubs at the moment, how are ye finding things?

Imagine it's the same everywhere in terms of tightening of funds and trying to fundraise, curious as to what others are doing considering what I'd imagine is a major source of income, the club bar, being shut off as well as potentially reduced intake from more traditional fundraising as people not meeting others in person.

Difficult times, notwithstanding the uncertainty around playing. We got about three games under our belt with games being suspended just as the league was about to start.

We're ok for this season. Still taking in subs and no IRFU insurance or pitch rent to pay at the moment so the bank balance isn't dwindling too much.
Still scratching our heads because the usual fund raisers like pub quizzes are impossible to do at the moment but we have an idea or two to raise funds for specific equipment.
I reckon we'll be fine but I can see how bigger clubs are in big trouble.

You're Ravens IIRC LM?

Would you have much ongoing costs if you're not playing as opposed to clubs say which have their own grounds/clubhouses which would have say ESB costs? I'd imagine there's things like storage for you're equipment?

We run a weekly split the bucket at the moment and thinking of other options but as you say, things like quizzes or other nights which are often driven by word of mouth and meeting people in person are way down.

[Mullet 2]

Twice at the end Murray passed flat to Farrell and both times he punched a hole over the gainline.

Like that is really basic stuff.

Big lad, play flay. Like really basic.

We played off 9 far more when Murray came on, JGP passed it to Byrne who was so deep our attacks were miles behind the gain line when contact happened.

I know it's hard when the pack is retreating but our inability to change approach kills us.

Well that's the point isn't it.

We went out to play deep with two slumps that arent creative. Shouldn't have to change that.

[Trostan]

The horrible thing about this match was at no point throughout it did it ever look like the lads thought "We can win this" or "We should be ahead". It reminds me of the players mentality of when they used to face the AIG (tm) Adidas (C) New Zealand All Blacks years ago. They were beaten before they got on to the pitch.

I think this came from the captain
Ryan looked a beaten man from the start

Winnie in heaven

Tbf, Itojie has had Ryan in his pocket for a while now. Must be pretty demoralising to take to the pitch in front of the whole world knowing your opposite number could spank you.

Especially when Shaggy blew his load using superlatives just before kick off describing how great Ryan was.

I know the lad has had injury that he probably hasn’t fully recovered from but today should be a massive wake up call for him.

Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes and AWJ are all probably going on the Lions tour (if it goes ahead). He needs to really put the foot down form-wise in the next five months to be in that conversation and duffing sides in a Leinster jersey won’t cut it if he’s not performing at international level.

He can do it, we know he has the ability. He just needs to start dominating games like POC did, like Itoje does at present.

Its in my head, but we don't need decent young guys from Belfast or Dublin privileged schools, we need a few hungry hoors from Munster

[camroc1]

This was a nothing match in a nothing competition, and Farrell decided on an approach that didn't work.

Doesn't matter a damn in the long run, bar he learns and plans different strategies against England next 6N.

FWIW I think England are busy learning how to run up their own arse, and their approach won't work against France or SA. I also think that refs will be made aware of their 'cuteness' at the breakdown.

I'm more interested to see does Farrell,and therefore the team, learn from todays experience. The new year will tell us.

[Winnie]

The horrible thing about this match was at no point throughout it did it ever look like the lads thought "We can win this" or "We should be ahead". It reminds me of the players mentality of when they used to face the AIG (tm) Adidas (C) New Zealand All Blacks years ago. They were beaten before they got on to the pitch.

I think this came from the captain
Ryan looked a beaten man from the start

Winnie in heaven

Tbf, Itojie has had Ryan in his pocket for a while now. Must be pretty demoralising to take to the pitch in front of the whole world knowing your opposite number could spank you.

Careful now
You don’t want to be seen backing nordies up

[redderneck]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

[Flametop]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

Team GB. Ahem.

[feckwanker]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

Do you honestly believe that we're squeaky clean?

[Flametop]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

This.

Get Neil Best as our forward coach.

[Flametop]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

Do you honestly believe that we're squeaky clean?

Are we just shit at juicing as well.

[Nolanator]

I'm more interested to see does Farrell,and therefore the team, learn from todays experience. The new year will tell us.

I'd be pretty confident in hazarding a guess at the answer now.

[feckwanker]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

Yep he's too nice. He needs to learn the dark arts - how to give sly digs in rucks, holding lads on the ground long after the tackle is complete and other such shithousery.

[Jim Lahey]

This was a nothing match in a nothing competition, and Farrell decided on an approach that didn't work.

Doesn't matter a damn in the long run, bar he learns and plans different strategies against England next 6N.

FWIW I think England are busy learning how to run up their own arse, and their approach won't work against France or SA. I also think that refs will be made aware of their 'cuteness' at the breakdown.

I'm more interested to see does Farrell,and therefore the team, learn from todays experience. The new year will tell us.

Farrell hasn’t seemed to have learned from the experiences of being physically beasted by England as an Assistant Coach twice in 2019, and then twice again as Head Coach in 2020. I’m struggling to see any optimism in him making us competitive against them in a couple of months time.

[Bogbunny]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

Yep he's too nice. He needs to learn the dark arts - how to give sly digs in rucks, holding lads on the ground long after the tackle is complete and other such shithousery.

Don't forget the clapping, yelling and hollering.

[Flametop]

Why was Farrell deemed to deserve to be head coach of Ireland? What had he achieved to merit getting the head coach gig?

Particularly having no head coaching experience to base the decision on.

[camroc1]

Farrell has been head coach for a wet week, much of which was spent in Covid lockdown.

I'm not shy about calling out coaches, but I do like to give them a fair chance first.

[Bogbunny]

Why was Farrell deemed to deserve to be head coach of Ireland? What had he achieved to merit getting the head coach gig?

Particularly having no head coaching experience to base the decision on.

Phillip fukin Browne ????

[Flametop]

Farrell has been head coach for a wet week, much of which was spent in Covid lockdown.

I'm not shy about calling out coaches, but I do like to give them a fair chance first.

That’s not the point I raised.
I questioned why he was given the job in the first place.

[camroc1]

Farrell has been head coach for a wet week, much of which was spent in Covid lockdown.

I'm not shy about calling out coaches, but I do like to give them a fair chance first.

That’s not the point I raised.
I questioned why he was given the job in the first place.

Continuity, for starters.

[Flametop]

Have to say I was surprised by just how fast JGP is.
Bad game aside he was nearly keeping up in the foot race with May.

[Winnie]

I'm more interested to see does Farrell,and therefore the team, learn from todays experience. The new year will tell us.

I'd be pretty confident in hazarding a guess at the answer now.

Well he sat there in Japan and saw us being shit and has changed nothing

[Flametop]

Farrell has been head coach for a wet week, much of which was spent in Covid lockdown.

I'm not shy about calling out coaches, but I do like to give them a fair chance first.

That’s not the point I raised.
I questioned why he was given the job in the first place.

Continuity, for starters.

We were shit, we needed change not continuity.
Schmidt was/is Ireland’s most successful coach and he’s brought a few best ever moments but he was a busted flush by the end.

[Fruit and Nutt]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

Michelle says hi

[Flametop]

Can she play 10?

*rubs hands together*

[camroc1]

I believe she's a barrister these days, so watch what you say.

[Bogbunny]

I believe she's a barrister these days, so watch what you say.

and just when you thought she couldn't get any lower !!

[Winnie]

I believe she's a barrister these days, so watch what you say.

She was a cheat
She could be the best barrister Ireland ever produced

[Flametop]

It’s a bit ironic after all this time that McGregor makes a fortune pretending piss is whiskey.

[alliswell]

Can she play 10?

*rubs hands together*

With shoulders like that she could play Hooker

[alliswell]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

Yep he's too nice. He needs to learn the dark arts - how to give sly digs in rucks, holding lads on the ground long after the tackle is complete and other such shithousery.

Would be nice. I saw a gif being given the big thumbs up the other day of Itoje getting roughed up by Stander and someone (maybe Ryan) at a ruck. If you looked at it closely though, play was moving on and our two lads were trying to free themselves to follow it. Itoje no doubt delighted to take our two hardest working forwards out of the game for a bit.

[Jumper]

Twice at the end Murray passed flat to Farrell and both times he punched a hole over the gainline.

Like that is really basic stuff.

Big lad, play flay. Like really basic.

That was when Murray took things on himself and began to bypass the empty jersey at 10. It was great leadership from Murray after his introduction.

[Jumper]

Have to say I was surprised by just how fast JGP is.
Bad game aside he was nearly keeping up in the foot race with May.

Lowe wasn't even arsed to jog back.

[EverReady]

He's too nice.

Even Leo FFS, the Curly Wurly head on him, had an edge to him that comes from looking at an ugly fcuker in the mirror every morning when you're shaving and knowing it's only going to get worse. He was by no means a thug, but he got the max out of himself.

Ryan's not doing that. I hope it's the shoulder hangover and hope it's only a matter of time.

Not enthused by the job Easterby is doing. At all.

At all.

Yep he's too nice. He needs to learn the dark arts - how to give sly digs in rucks, holding lads on the ground long after the tackle is complete and other such shithousery.

Would be nice. I saw a gif being given the big thumbs up the other day of Itoje getting roughed up by Stander and someone (maybe Ryan) at a ruck. If you looked at it closely though, play was moving on and our two lads were trying to free themselves to follow it. Itoje no doubt delighted to take our two hardest working forwards out of the game for a bit.

Without even looking I remember that vividly. It was another Itoje makes a mockery of Irish forwards moment. It was also striking as it was the moment you knew Irish forwards were now playing a different game to the new power one. I say it again but the fact Leinster and Ireland haven't navigated a way towards counter acting it is just shit. As noted earlier imagine we faced the Saffers currently. That would be hilariously bad

[Mullet 2]

Have to say that even England’s smaller players smashed our bigger ones.

Limited team but terrific defence both individually and as a unit.

Yeah I do also firmly believe they are juiced to their eyeballs

Do you honestly believe that we're squeaky clean?

Seems we need a new chemist so