Author: Brendan

Ireland Results Ireland had the best November of all the Northern Hemisphere teams. They beat South Africa 29-15, where disciplined defence and ruthless attack saw them home. An Irish team with 13 changes then beat Georgia in a one-sided game 49-7. Ireland then pipped the Wallabies in a cracker of a game 23-20 to end the year on a high. Joe Schmidt – ruthless obsession with basics #458787096 / gettyimages.com Strengths & Weaknesses Ireland’s November was highlighted by some excellent breakdown, maul and defensive work. Joe Schmidts ruthless obsession with the basics has seen Ireland become voracious at the…

This Irishman always looks forward to seeing how we measure up against the Southern Hemisphere.  Here’s my take on this weekend’s game. Background Ireland and Australia meet nearly a year to the day after a comprehensive win for Wallabies in last year’s corresponding fixture.  Michael Hooper – man of the match last year #450045845 / gettyimages.com The fortunes for the two teams in the following twelve months could not be more different. Ireland have won the Six Nations, risen to third in the world rankings and lost only twice both by less than three points. Australia on the other…

The Six Nations teams will be playing against the raiders from the Southern Hemisphere, starting on the weekend. On Tuesday we assessed the teams from the Southern Hemisphere; now we look at the northern teams. Ireland Ireland have had a good, but not great first year under coach Joe Schmidt, with perhaps the biggest advance being the consistency that they are playing with. Post BOD They face the mammoth task over the next three games of identifying a successor to Brian O’Driscoll. With only ten tests until the World Cup Schmidt needs a solution to his centre pairing and fast.…

I’ll be at this weekend’s Test between the Wallabies and Ireland – here are a few thoughts on it. Australia’s pre-match planning I’ll never forget the bewildered faces of Will Genia and Kurtley Beale after the World Cup meeting of these two sides in Auckland. Both players recalled the Irish players going for the choke tackle at every opportunity and looked genuinely shocked at the Irish tactics. Their pre-match team meetings may have had a similar tone to Kearnsy’s thoughts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0gV-Wbg04s Now it was the only clear play in Ireland’s tactics as it was all that they had been trying…

More detail behind what the Wallabies will be coming up against versus the Poms

The Heineken Cup review made especially for Australians

What you need to know and see from the Heineken Cup last weekend as an Aussie rugby supporter