Rugby

[Blizzard Beast]

Australia will be a much tougher prospect, I've no doubt the win against England has them on a bit of a high.

Joe Smit knows this Irish team too.

[Anvil]

Australia will be a much tougher prospect, I've no doubt the win against England has them on a bit of a high.

Joe Smit knows this Irish team too.

He will have a few plays up his sleeve for sure, but watched Australia v Scotland and they struggled to cope with their attack.  Scotland should have scored more. 

Thought Ireland were actually good on Saturday when you consider the number of changes, new caps (the hooker has played so little senior rugby to do what he did was absolutely outstanding) and the physicality the Fijians brought.  Also Ireland played with a 35 year old scrum half on the wing for 30 minutes but still outscored Fiji 8 tries to 2. 

[Blizzard Beast]

Yeah that was a good win for Scotland.

[Carnage]

Ugly game but job done. The usual handling errors almost cost them the game but the second half was a bit better.

[Anvil]

Taken from X

Ireland handling errors in the Autumn Nations Series
v New Zealand: 21
v Argentina: 16
v Fiji: 19
v Australia: 28
Total: 84

Ireland really haven't been up to their usual standard this autumn in terms of their discipline and handling. Lineout is poor as well, another 4 lost today.  Lots of work to do before the Six Nations with England up first in the six nations at home.     

[John Kimble]

Very frustrating Autumn Nations overall. Apart from NZ, it just shows that we're well capable of beating decent enough teams, even with all the errors. These rudimentary errors are what will cost us the 6 Nations if we don't tighten up considerably.

[Carnage]

Not a hope of contending the Six Nations, France have that in the bag.

[John Kimble]

Poor enough showing in first half, then came back out reinvigorated and took control. Eventual scoreline flattered the Brits somewhat.

[Anvil]

Interesting first weekend of the Six Nations.

France never got out of 2nd gear to beat Wakes.  Scotland continue to blow chances and at times struggled against an Italian side that did not play to their potential.

England blew their load in that first half.  They were at full belt for 40 minutes, pressured Ireland into a lot of errors and Ireland were rattled but they were never going to be able to keep that intensity up. Couple of spells in that second half Ireland looked the business and scored some great tries.  Sets up the game against Scotland next Sunday nicely. 

[Blizzard Beast]

Good second half,dunno why we didnt try kick some of those pens?
Well need to up our game when France visit they looked really good last night.

[Carnage]

France's championship to lose, Ireland haven't a notion. England are subpar but put it to Ireland today. The only team with a full head of steam is France.

[Anvil]

Another entertaining weekend of rugby.  Great seeing Italy win.   Can't work out what happened France, but that was a hell of a test match and the Scottish talked a better game than they played again.  Still loads for Ireland to work on.  Bring on the Welsh. 

[open face surgery]

Ya, enjoyable across the board.

[Anvil]

Just saw that POM, Conor Murray and Cian Healy are retiring from international rugby at the end of the six nations.  Serious players in their day and I thought POM has been good so far this Six Nations. 

Adds some extra emotion to the next two games.   We had better hope the France that turns up is the one who played against England rather than Italy.   

[Blizzard Beast]

They were indeed.
We have worthy replacements thankfully.