Sloppy at the end. Could've won by more but ill take it. England conceded way too many penalties.
I really did expect Ireland to put their foot on our throats and finish us off. I couldn't see New Zealand or South Africa allowing a team back in the game (sort of), with a 16 point lead.
English discipline was terrible really.
I reckon most of it was down to the fact Sexton went off injured at the same time Ireland went ahead by that much. He really is the drive in that team.
Hopefully Sexton and Heaslip are ready for the Wales game.
Yeah the Sexton factor is huge. But I can't help but feel that isn't good for you as a team to be so central around one figure. I mean what happens if he is injured or concussed in a big WC game? Fantastic player though
Murray was sublime today, I think Keatley has to come onto the bench, Viscount Wonderhair is too flakey. Wish Paddy Jackson was fit!!! And Gareth Steenson would head home!!!I reckon most of it was down to the fact Sexton went off injured at the same time Ireland went ahead by that much. He really is the drive in that team.
Hopefully Sexton and Heaslip are ready for the Wales game.
I think Murray is also key to Ireland success. Hate to say it but this Ireland team is not a one man bandIf Jackson wasn't injured it would still be a step down but it wouldn't be as huge of a change as Jackson has a fantastic passing game. However, as such Madigan isn't in the form he was at the beginning of the season and Keatley is the only alternative who admitedly, isn't bad by any means. But I wouldn't rank him over Jackson.
But saying that the AB's were equally reliant on Carter for periods, every top team will have a solid player that simply seems irreplacable. Funny thing is people harped on about how Ireland would struggle if BOD retired, if SOB, Heaslip, Healy was injured etc but the team has more than coped through that.
That said, if Sexton was injured I would be mightily worried!
Love the way the Orc cheer squad had already given the grand slam.
Hey plastic, Isn't cheltenham week on about the same time as the welsh game? Which one are you going to be watching. m4 is going to be busy!Murray was sublime today, I think Keatley has to come onto the bench, Viscount Wonderhair is too flakey. Wish Paddy Jackson was fit!!! And Gareth Steenson would head home!!!
Guess England didn't get Spedding's "predictable Irish" memo. The qualifier here is Bowe, who still challenged on the first cross-kick, regaining possession on England's goal line and eventually resulting in a penalty (England were lucky not to give up a try).The cross-kick to Bowe is so predictable off an Irish set-piece at this point that Spedding was waiting for Bowe before the ball even got out to the backs last time they tried it.
In Ireland it's blarney, not malarky.i hope to not see any of that malarky. especially to Bowe. Don't know if Zebo is that good in the air, but massively rate Bowe.
In Ireland it's blarney, not malarky.