The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
That's close to full strength for Ireland. They should tear England a new one.
July Internationals 2023 - matches not involving Australia
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
Probably 3 changes away from full strength, 8, 10 and 12 wouldn't be starting in a full strength Ireland side.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Great to see Earls on track for his century.
I'm a big fan of Doris. Any word on Henshaw?
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Not sure what Qwerty found so funny
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Not even Bundee or do you see him more of a 13?
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Think England will do quite well here.
Henshaw would be the starting 12
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
England did not, in fact, do quite well. They were turgid and lucky that Ireland barely made it out of third gear.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Eggchasers made the comment that they've got the cattle in the squad but the game plan is poor. Can't say I disagree with that, their attack is diabolical at the moment.
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
8: Caelan Doris
10: Sexton/Crowley
12: Henshaw
Would all be ahead of the side picked on the weekend, it would move Bundee to the 23 jersey.
Kevin77
Fred Wood (13)
Ireland v England was a strange one. Very much had a first game of the season feel to it, particularly the first half.
Ireland were uncharacteristically poor in the lineout/maul following but my understanding is that can be tidied up and they've been working on other stuff.
Good to try Prendergast out at 8.
Shame Sheehan got injured. Hopefully not too bad and fully fit for World Cup cos he's destined to light up the World Cup.
Ireland did just enough in a first game against a strangely limited England.
Not really sure what's going on with England. As someone else pointed out they have the cattle. Feels a bit like the Wallabies right now where there are good players not in that team for various reasons - Currie, Farrell, Slade for example and their game plan just seems to stink a bit.
They've been at their best when their power players (Itoje, Tuilagi, Lawes, Vuniploa) have been firing but just don't seem to have it anymore there.
Plus they're going to the kicking game and it's just not being executed well. Hard to see them turn it around in such a short period of time but they draw certainly gives them every chance at the World Cup.
Ireland just have to get through a bruising encounter with Samoa this weekend in Bayonne and should be in fairly good nick for Romania and the bigger tests to come.
Ireland were uncharacteristically poor in the lineout/maul following but my understanding is that can be tidied up and they've been working on other stuff.
Good to try Prendergast out at 8.
Shame Sheehan got injured. Hopefully not too bad and fully fit for World Cup cos he's destined to light up the World Cup.
Ireland did just enough in a first game against a strangely limited England.
Not really sure what's going on with England. As someone else pointed out they have the cattle. Feels a bit like the Wallabies right now where there are good players not in that team for various reasons - Currie, Farrell, Slade for example and their game plan just seems to stink a bit.
They've been at their best when their power players (Itoje, Tuilagi, Lawes, Vuniploa) have been firing but just don't seem to have it anymore there.
Plus they're going to the kicking game and it's just not being executed well. Hard to see them turn it around in such a short period of time but they draw certainly gives them every chance at the World Cup.
Ireland just have to get through a bruising encounter with Samoa this weekend in Bayonne and should be in fairly good nick for Romania and the bigger tests to come.
Kevin77
Fred Wood (13)
Feels like this is the difference between the Boks being contenders or not
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I'm just curious as to how the Saffers will engineer getting Pollard into the squad
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
"My friend, are you feeling a slight pain in your leg?"
"No."
"Perhaps I could politely request you to reconsider your answer....."
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
As I understand it they can make any changes they want up till the 29th. After that it is problematic.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Ah OK. I thought it was set after you nominated your squad
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Fair summary.
England looked better than their earlier affairs against Wales and for about 50mins they were in striking range, but then Ireland really weren't as clinical as they can be (that lineout was a mess). Ford converts his kicks and it might have been closer. I'm not sure they're in the same place as the Wallabies though. Feels like different issues. There is something culturally off with this team. They feel like less than the parts and the errors and penalties are concerning. I'm not sure I see Borthwick turning this around, there are just too many examples of these players turning in disappointing performances now. Like the Wallabies, the RWC draw will help them, but from what we've seen, the top teams wont be worried.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
His goal kicking looks a little ropey
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
The squads are not official until 1 September.
If that fails. Just beat up one of the little guys. Who needs 4 anyway?