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ROG out of the squad. Shame a fine career had to end such. Sexton, Madigan and Jackson in. SQUAD – Backs: Rob Kearney (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Dave Kearney (Leinster), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin O’Malley (Leinster), Keith...

ROG kicked his goals, missed a late drop goal to win, though it wouldn't have been a gimme in his pomp. But it's his Ireland performances that have to be judged. On that basis, out. You'd think. Whether Deccie does is another matter. Jackson definitely has to be retained with, probably, Madigan...

Agree. Completely.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the judiciary claimed they were led to believe during the hearing that Healy wouldn't be considered for Leinster during any ban period. Be that as it may, it's time bans were in terms of matches rather than weeks.

IRU appealed the nature of Healy's ban - three weeks spread over four weeks - and has won. He will be available for the next match against France.

Leinster in Ireland are denying they've signed a pre-contract with AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper). The word on the Leinster fan sites is more positive.

Missed them. Pah!

One thing Cole has done is improve his balance or whatever it is that has props dropping a paw on the ground to steady themselves. He used to do it a lot. Haven't seen him do it for a while.

They're better than that, if not the Messiahs that a few England supporters I know claim them to be. They're lacking a quality 8. I don't think Big Fat Unfit Ben is one, but he's more effective (till he runs out of gas) than Wood who is a very good 6 playing out of position. They also patently...

Yep. Turned them down for no result and poor Paddy Jackson's nervous boot did the rest. Then ROG tries a chip kick virtually inside his own 22 that was never on. Oh well. If it means one day closer to Deccie's demise, fair enough.

I rate Best. Had a good tournament. This performance is odd. SOB is a great player, always makes yards. Marshall hasn't seen as much ball since the opening. Seems to be all going through the forwards now.

Should have been, yes. First one harsh, that one evens things up. BOD gave Earls a deserved gobful for not passing inside. For all the possession, Ireland have wasted too much of it. I've never seen Rory Best throw so badly.

To be honest, Italian scrummaging hasn't been the real strength it used to be for a few years. Castro tends not to bind these days and Lo Cicero is getting on in years. That said, the Welsh scrum was powerful. They can more than match England. It's elsewhere that bothers me about the Welsh. The...

First time the French have lost five in a row in the comp since 1958. They finished joint last in 1999 and were wooden spooners in 1957. Hearsay has it that Conor O'Shea, commenting on the French, said yesterday's starting team had little to do with PSA. Juding by his idiotic substitutions...

Nice and wet in Rome. Forza gli Azzurri.

Mauro Bergamasco has been called in as cover for Sergio. If Mauro starts, Zanni will go to 8. Very good flanker but not really an 8. I'm still trying to work out where Robert Barbieri has got to. He's a genuine 8.

Won't help. Though, against Scotland, he made more errors than I've seen him make in years.

Ref was Cardona, responsible for some eccentric reffing when I've seen him. Brunel has called up Mauro Bergamasco as cover for Sergio.

Yes, saw that. Pah! Last thing we need. Robert Barbieri hasn't appeared even on the bench thus far. Can't find any reference to injury. He'll never be Sergio but he can do a job at 8.

Take away the injuries, Healy's brain-fart, etc, there was always Deccie's Patented Inconsistency to factor in. They're my Home Nations team but the term favouritism always gives me the heebie-jeebies.