Ireland vs England
Discussion
Interesting one this. The English front row should be very dominant making the scrum deff an England strength. However i see the Irish back row causing us far too many problems. They will be much quicker around the park and should seriously expose Joe Worsleys pace. I predict Worsely will start but hope to see Moodys name at 6.
In the backs, if O'driscoll plays, England will have huge problems in defence. They will hold Wilkinson's defensive drift and target Farrell. Tindall has always played well against O'Driscoll, so he must have a huge game.
I see a very close game, but i think the key will be the Irish backrow and they will secure enough ball to give the Irish a narrow win.
21-17 to the Irish
In the backs, if O'driscoll plays, England will have huge problems in defence. They will hold Wilkinson's defensive drift and target Farrell. Tindall has always played well against O'Driscoll, so he must have a huge game.
I see a very close game, but i think the key will be the Irish backrow and they will secure enough ball to give the Irish a narrow win.
21-17 to the Irish
Moody can be a liability in a tight game because he gives away too many penalties. Worsley is a hard-driving 6, and worth it on that alone. I would play Tom Rees at 7 - to counteract the excellent David Wallace, who is on fire at the moment (not literally!). Lund is a bit tall for a scrabbling openside, and doesn't bite hard enough in the tackle. BOD can only operate if the Irish pack give him some space, and he's not going to get much of that.
SportsLight55 said:
Moody can be a liability in a tight game because he gives away too many penalties. Worsley is a hard-driving 6, and worth it on that alone. I would play Tom Rees at 7 - to counteract the excellent David Wallace, who is on fire at the moment (not literally!). Lund is a bit tall for a scrabbling openside, and doesn't bite hard enough in the tackle. BOD can only operate if the Irish pack give him some space, and he's not going to get much of that.
Moodys been on fire recently, the munster game was an example of what he can do in the 6 shirt against The Irish back row. Honestly, Worsely is fine in the tackle and good carrying the ball, but when he comes up against class, smart, quick opposition, he's found wanting. Im not sure i have ever seen him dominate against a big team for England.
Tom Rees is an intereting one, but Lund has not put a foot wrong yet and is more experienced than Rees, so deff start with Lund, but Rees on the Bench.
Would love to see Lewsey back at 15, with James Simpson Daniel on the wing, England have ignored the class and talent of this guy for too long.
I dont think Moody can play whatever, he had an Op just before the Scotland match and I think he's out for the whole 6 nations. Could be wrong.
As for game, its too close to call. On form you have the best pack Vs the best backs. If England can dominate up front snd keep the ball away from the Irish centres and move it quckly from the breakdown then they will win. I can see the Irish getting frustrated and giving away penalties and with JW in the side then we win. But, if England don't get on top upfront then I can see Ireland winning. If this happens we are going to learn a lot about Farrell, so far I have been quite impressed, he hasnt done much wrong and at the breakdown he is pretty good at staying on his feet. Ireland's week spot is O'Gara, he doesnt seem to react well to pressure - I'd be getting the back row down his throat as much as possible, get him really under pressure and hope his game falls apart...
The setting is going have an effect as well. An English side playing in Croke Park is going to be incredible - a few years ago the idea was unthinkable. So the crowd are going to be well up for it, if Ireland go well then that is going to be worth a bit. But if Engalnd can get on top and turn the crowd...
All in I have no idea, gut says Ireland but I do think England can snatch it.
As for game, its too close to call. On form you have the best pack Vs the best backs. If England can dominate up front snd keep the ball away from the Irish centres and move it quckly from the breakdown then they will win. I can see the Irish getting frustrated and giving away penalties and with JW in the side then we win. But, if England don't get on top upfront then I can see Ireland winning. If this happens we are going to learn a lot about Farrell, so far I have been quite impressed, he hasnt done much wrong and at the breakdown he is pretty good at staying on his feet. Ireland's week spot is O'Gara, he doesnt seem to react well to pressure - I'd be getting the back row down his throat as much as possible, get him really under pressure and hope his game falls apart...
The setting is going have an effect as well. An English side playing in Croke Park is going to be incredible - a few years ago the idea was unthinkable. So the crowd are going to be well up for it, if Ireland go well then that is going to be worth a bit. But if Engalnd can get on top and turn the crowd...
All in I have no idea, gut says Ireland but I do think England can snatch it.
360stimo said:
SportsLight55 said:
Moody can be a liability in a tight game because he gives away too many penalties. Worsley is a hard-driving 6, and worth it on that alone. I would play Tom Rees at 7 - to counteract the excellent David Wallace, who is on fire at the moment (not literally!). Lund is a bit tall for a scrabbling openside, and doesn't bite hard enough in the tackle. BOD can only operate if the Irish pack give him some space, and he's not going to get much of that.
Moodys been on fire recently, the munster game was an example of what he can do in the 6 shirt against The Irish back row. Honestly, Worsely is fine in the tackle and good carrying the ball, but when he comes up against class, smart, quick opposition, he's found wanting. Im not sure i have ever seen him dominate against a big team for England.
Tom Rees is an intereting one, but Lund has not put a foot wrong yet and is more experienced than Rees, so deff start with Lund, but Rees on the Bench.
Would love to see Lewsey back at 15, with James Simpson Daniel on the wing, England have ignored the class and talent of this guy for too long.
Agree on the Lewsey thing - boy is he strong! Isn't JSD injured (again)? There's a glut of wing talent at the moment, and it would be nice to see Tom Varndell given a second chance if he's got his confidence back. With Ashton guiding him he could be something special. Jury's still out on Farrell as well - let's see what Ollie Smith can do and maybe give Matthew Tait a proper run out. I suppose part of the problem is Ashton has been handed a poisoned chalice - to prepare a team to defend the Webb Ellis with very litle time to mould a strategy.
I would bring Julian White back in to start in the front row, and go for a back-to-basics English power-pack, and take apart the opposition at set pieces. Any imagination in the backs would then be a bonus.
Agree with the wish to try different combinations but Ashton hasnt got time. He has to pick a side that he wants to play in the World Cup and by and large stick with it. If we had another year I'd be all for different, but properly planned combinations, as it is stick with the side he's playing and only change it in injury circumstances.
Is such a waste, if he'd been in charge this time last year I'd be quietly confident this 6 nations and in the WC cos we (England) do have some real talent, but this 6 nations and I suspect the WC are just going to come round too soon...
Is such a waste, if he'd been in charge this time last year I'd be quietly confident this 6 nations and in the WC cos we (England) do have some real talent, but this 6 nations and I suspect the WC are just going to come round too soon...
At least the idiots at the RFU managed to put Ashton in place before Robinson completely screwed England's reputation. He was a huge mistake, his selection policy was blinkered and elitist, and he has no talent for open running rugby. Unfortunately we're going to have to look at WRC year as (yet another) development year for England rugby. We should get a quarter final place, but unless we get Scotland, Fiji, or Tonga, we can forget further progress.
SportsLight55 said:
At least the idiots at the RFU managed to put Ashton in place before Robinson completely screwed England's reputation. He was a huge mistake, his selection policy was blinkered and elitist, and he has no talent for open running rugby. Unfortunately we're going to have to look at WRC year as (yet another) development year for England rugby. We should get a quarter final place, but unless we get Scotland, Fiji, or Tonga, we can forget further progress.
Agree! That said, and I don't know how the draw pans out, I think we could get a semi spot if we avoid France or NZ in the quarters. I think this side has one big game in it in the WC. The SA game in the group is key, as it was last time, in terms of gettinbg out of the group. In a WC context I would be happy playing Australia - think our pack would still dominate them. Wales - struggling for confidence although dangerous with all the backs back, still think the pack would get on top. Ireland - I think the pressure will do them, as I've said O'Gara is the weak link. Put him on the back foot, which I think we could (and also will do on Saturday) and the Ireland game look stressed. Everyone else we should be able to get passed, NZ and France are too strong and we couldn't play SA with them being in our group...
bigmanszetec said:
sportslight55 said:
Yeah - fancy choosing this Saturday to get married!
You mean you didnt check the six nations schedule before you set a date???
well, I thought it might be good entertainment at the reception. I have been corrected on that one though....yes, dear, I'll worm the dogs immediately. Sorry chaps, can't talk now....
Twit said:
The setting is going have an effect as well. An English side playing in Croke Park is going to be incredible - a few years ago the idea was unthinkable. So the crowd are going to be well up for it, if Ireland go well then that is going to be worth a bit. But if Engalnd can get on top and turn the crowd...
As an Irishman, this is I fear, where we'll loose it. The occasion is so great and steeped in so much history that it will get to the team in some respect. We've never got out of the blocks particularly quick and probably won't again on Saturday. If anything happens during the anthems it'll rattle the team and we'll come off worse. Not a day goes by here without a story in the press about Croke Park, and not once does it talk about the matchs. I think we can win as I did with France (
) but it'll be very tight. up-the-dubs said:
Twit said:
The setting is going have an effect as well. An English side playing in Croke Park is going to be incredible - a few years ago the idea was unthinkable. So the crowd are going to be well up for it, if Ireland go well then that is going to be worth a bit. But if Engalnd can get on top and turn the crowd...
As an Irishman, this is I fear, where we'll loose it. The occasion is so great and steeped in so much history that it will get to the team in some respect. We've never got out of the blocks particularly quick and probably won't again on Saturday. If anything happens during the anthems it'll rattle the team and we'll come off worse. Not a day goes by here without a story in the press about Croke Park, and not once does it talk about the matchs. I think we can win as I did with France (
) but it'll be very tight.I always loved the craic at Landsdowne, but Croke Park looks magnificent. It will be quite an achievement for England to win there. No room for faint hearts, and less for playing out of character. If Ireland play to their strengths, and can tame England's pack, you might just shade it. But Leicester showed the way, and exposed the core of Ireland's pack. There could be a dramatic individual moment which settles it.
up-the-dubs said:
Twit said:
The setting is going have an effect as well. An English side playing in Croke Park is going to be incredible - a few years ago the idea was unthinkable. So the crowd are going to be well up for it, if Ireland go well then that is going to be worth a bit. But if Engalnd can get on top and turn the crowd...
As an Irishman, this is I fear, where we'll loose it. The occasion is so great and steeped in so much history that it will get to the team in some respect. We've never got out of the blocks particularly quick and probably won't again on Saturday. If anything happens during the anthems it'll rattle the team and we'll come off worse. Not a day goes by here without a story in the press about Croke Park, and not once does it talk about the matchs. I think we can win as I did with France (
) but it'll be very tight.Thats a good point. This England team do have a lot of experienced old heads. Vickery, Worsely, Corry, Wilkinson, Tindall, Lewsey, Robinson and you could say Farrell. I think this is a massive test of Harry Ellis. In that atmosphere, in such a big game, its going to be a serious test of the 'new' Harry Ellis and his temprament.
I think its going to be very close and without wanting to live up to the ignorant stereotype that other nations laud on us about being a one man Wilkinson team. Without him in this game im not so sure Eng would win.Its such a massive part of the game that if Ireland conceed a penalty anywhere in their own half, its a good chance they lose 3 points everytime. Ireland will have to think about that.
I believe the Irish will target Joe Worsely's channel in the loose and quite rightly so. He is very slow and not good on the ground agasint quick opposition.
However the team that wins will probably the team that keeps their discipline the best.
Its going to be so much more than just a game of rugby on Saturday. It really is history in the making.
for those unfamiliar..
On November 21, 1920 Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Auxiliary Division. British police auxiliaries entered the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 13 during a Dublin-Tipperary football match. The dead included 12 spectators and one player, Michael Hogan. The latter, Tipperary's captain, gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built four years later in 1924. These shootings, on the day which became known as Bloody Sunday, were a reprisal for the assassination of 14 British Intelligence officers, known as the Cairo Gang, by Michael Collins' squad earlier that day.
for those unfamiliar..
On November 21, 1920 Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Auxiliary Division. British police auxiliaries entered the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 13 during a Dublin-Tipperary football match. The dead included 12 spectators and one player, Michael Hogan. The latter, Tipperary's captain, gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built four years later in 1924. These shootings, on the day which became known as Bloody Sunday, were a reprisal for the assassination of 14 British Intelligence officers, known as the Cairo Gang, by Michael Collins' squad earlier that day.
Edited by obiwonkeyblokey on Wednesday 21st February 13:34
obiwonkeyblokey said:
Its going to be so much more than just a game of rugby on Saturday. It really is history in the making.
for those unfamiliar..
On November 21, 1920 Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Auxiliary Division. British police auxiliaries entered the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 13 during a Dublin-Tipperary football match. The dead included 12 spectators and one player, Michael Hogan. The latter, Tipperary's captain, gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built four years later in 1924. These shootings, on the day which became known as Bloody Sunday, were a reprisal for the assassination of 14 British Intelligence officers, known as the Cairo Gang, by Michael Collins' squad earlier that day.
for those unfamiliar..
On November 21, 1920 Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Auxiliary Division. British police auxiliaries entered the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 13 during a Dublin-Tipperary football match. The dead included 12 spectators and one player, Michael Hogan. The latter, Tipperary's captain, gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built four years later in 1924. These shootings, on the day which became known as Bloody Sunday, were a reprisal for the assassination of 14 British Intelligence officers, known as the Cairo Gang, by Michael Collins' squad earlier that day.
Edited by obiwonkeyblokey on Wednesday 21st February 13:34
This is very true and will create a unique atmosphere. I just hope there are no problems. I'm sure there won't be, after all, this is not football.
I'm sure there won't be any problems at all. Its going to be an all out humdinger of a game. Still can't call it at all. Can't wait! England go into this with no real pressure. Before the start of the 6 nations then no one thought England would win, the fact that we are thinking they could shows that progress has been made. What I really hopeis that neither side clams up, I really want a full flowing game for 80 minutes with the best team winning!
Twit said:
I'm sure there won't be any problems at all. Its going to be an all out humdinger of a game. Still can't call it at all. Can't wait! England go into this with no real pressure. Before the start of the 6 nations then no one thought England would win, the fact that we are thinking they could shows that progress has been made. What I really hopeis that neither side clams up, I really want a full flowing game for 80 minutes with the best team winning!
You won't get full flowing game from England thats for sure. The Irish will try due to their backline.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff