Ireland V Georgia build up thread (team announced 12:50 Friday)

vienne86

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Combinations against totally inferior opposition won't help against Aus or in the 6N's. Nor will a serious injury to a key player.

Joe has very few opportunities to try out players and combinations, and all opportunities are valuable. And while I would expect us to beat Georgia easily, they will still give us a good run.

The Lost Sheep

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Maybe to play against opposition like Georgia, and that's it.

And playing starters isn't? That's a waste of time on players we know. The 15 against Aus are already picked. There's little, apart from game-time for the extended squad, to be learned from the game.

Playing 1st xvers isn't a waste of time in some areas. There is plenty to learn from this game. Georgia have dominated European nations cup. We'll be playing a team who are in and around their standard in 10 months time so this game is a good gauge for that game in the world cup. There is plenty more than just game time for the squad to be got from this game.

.ak wrote: »

In fairness, you have to also consider that we only really have very few games between now and the RWC. It's not like club rugby where Joe can test out things against weaker teams, he needs to know who is starters are and how they'll react to both pressure situations and being favourites.

Having said that, I think it'll be a good mix of fringe players and senior players.

+1

Hagz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA-atU-2CW0

awec

Are we obliged to play countries like Georgia in the autumn?

molloyjh

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Maybe to play against opposition like Georgia, and that's it.

But that's not it. As I said earlier think of things like the angles players hit rucks at. That's one of the things that Joe is big on. The level of detail he goes down to on that is huge. Players can show their ability (or inability if the case may be) to do that against Georgia as much as anyone else. There are certainly things that will be a lot easier against Georgia (most things in fairness) but that doesn't mean you learn nothing. There are loads of those small margin things that players will need to execute regardless of opposition. You and I may not see them as much, but the coaches will.

The problem with selecting an entirely new XV though is that if there are issues with people fitting into systems then it can be harder to spot. For example if we start Marmion but our pack get mullered what could we learn about Marmion? Or if the line-outs start to go arseways how do we know who is to blame? Is it the hooker because of the throw? Is it the lock calling the line-out? Is it the jumper? Maybe it's the lifter? Or maybe it's a combination of all of the above?

You need a certain amount of consistency in selection with which to base judgements of the new guys on. And I'd be pretty sure that we will not see a Wolfhounds type selection this weekend as a result.

Buer

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't think there's much to be gained from fielding a full-strength team who will pulverise the Georgians. Surely there's a lot more to be gained from trying out fringe players mixed with players who need game-time eg. Mike Ross

Indeed. If they're guys who are genuinely in the mix for the Irish 23. Guys like Strauss, Foley, TOD and Madigan mixed in with combinations that need time like Henshaw and Payne and others that could benefit like Ross, as you say.

Putting out a second string is a complete waste of an extremely valuable 80 minutes of test rugby. There would be a number that don't have a hope of being in the 23 in the 6N barring injuries and you cannot prepare on that basis.

Buer

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Maybe to play against opposition like Georgia, and that's it.


And playing starters isn't? That's a waste of time on players we know. The 15 against Aus are already picked. There's little, apart from game-time for the extended squad, to be learned from the game.

Bewildering.

You don't think Henshaw would benefit from another 80 minutes of test rugby? You don't reckon Mike Ross, with no game time in the past month, needs more pitch time? You don't reckon Simon Zebo should get another game to continue bedding into the systems that he's not used to?

j8wk2feszrnpao

molloyjh wrote: »

For example if we start Marmion but our pack get mullered what could we learn about Marmion?

And staring behind a strong pack that dominates will tell us what? That he can do it against Georgia?

molloyjh wrote: »

Or if the line-out calls start to go arseways how do we know who is to blame? Is it the hooker because of the throw? Is it the lock calling the line-out? Is it the jumper? Maybe it's the lifter? Or maybe it's a combination of all of the above?

That's no different to any other game. If the lineout falters, you examine it from all the possible issues. If the lineout goes arseways against Georgia, even with a Wolfhounds selection, then we'd have to worry.

molloyjh wrote: »

You need a certain amount of consistency in selection with which to base judgements of the new guys on. And I'd be pretty sure that we will not see a Wolfhounds type selection this weekend as a result.

I don't think we'll learn much about 4-5 guys who are playing with an otherwise full strenght team against opposition like Georgia. Win by 30-40pts, and risk injury to a key player?

As I said, it's Joe's decision, so it's up to him.
If he's feels it's best then it's fine by me.

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

Are we obliged to play countries like Georgia in the autumn?

I don't know.

As an aside, England seem to play New Zealand every year! I wonder why...

Buer

munstermagic11 wrote: »

I don't think we'll learn much about 4-5 guys who are playing with an otherwise full strenght team against opposition like Georgia. Win by 30-40pts, and risk injury to a key player?

Thankfully we didn't employ that logic last year against Samoa and, by the time the 6N arrived, Devin Toner was still starting in our first choice side, Jack McGrath was a valuable member of the Irish 23 and Dave Kearney had put in a big showing off the bench in a strong side to indicate he was ready for test rugby.

j8wk2feszrnpao

Buer wrote: »

Bewildering.

You don't think Henshaw would benefit from another 80 minutes of test rugby? You don't reckon Mike Ross, with no game time in the past month, needs more pitch time? You don't reckon Simon Zebo should get another game to continue bedding into the systems that he's not used to?

You must be easily bewildered.
I don't think that Henshaw nor Zebo have nailed down their spots, so I don't have a problem playing them.
Nor do I have a problem with giving game-time (as I've said a few times) to those like Ross/Henshaw that need it.

vienne86

Some of Joe's systems seem to require precision. That has to be practiced to be made perfect, and any chance to practice these systems against international opposition is surely of value.

j8wk2feszrnpao

Buer wrote: »

Thankfully we didn't employ that logic last year against Samoa and, by the time the 6N arrived, Devin Toner was still starting in our first choice side, Jack McGrath was a valuable member of the Irish 23 and Dave Kearney had put in a big showing off the bench in a strong side to indicate he was ready for test rugby.

Yes, clearly that game was the huge contributor to our 6N's tile win. Nothing to do with the other Ireland games or their Provincials games/performances.

Buer

munstermagic11 wrote: »

You must be easily bewildered.
I don't think that Henshaw nor Zebo have nailed down their spots, so I don't have a problem playing them.
Nor do I have a problem with giving game-time (as I've said a few times) to those like Ross/Henshaw that need it.

....so you don't want a second string selection then?

j8wk2feszrnpao

Buer wrote: »

....so you don't want a second string selection then?

I mentioned 2nd string and gametime a number of times. What's wrong with you?

DulchieLaois

Can i ask a question, can someone tell me the injury list that we have at the moment with Ireland as I was trying to think of it at the weekend

I know Cian Healy, who else would be considered that is normally on the squad

Thanks

molloyjh

munstermagic11 wrote: »

And staring behind a strong pack that dominates will tell us what? That he can do it against Georgia?


That's no different to any other game. If the lineout falters, you examine it from all the possible issues. If the lineout goes arseways against Georgia, even with a Wolfhounds selection, then we'd have to worry.


I don't think we'll learn much about 4-5 guys who are playing with an otherwise full strenght team against opposition like Georgia. Win by 30-40pts, and risk injury to a key player?

As I said, it's Joe's decision, so it's up to him.
If he's feels it's best then it's fine by me.

It's not about the result. It's about:

a) Getting guys game time who need it
b) Giving relevant players added time to adapt to the Irish systems
c) Looking at a couple of possible squad players to see if they have the basics down to a good enough level

You have to start the likes of Marmion some time. Starting him against the likes of South Africa or Australia would be crazy. If he didn't perform when thrown in the deep end that doesn't really mean he's never going to. If he does perform against Georgia then that will tell you something, i.e. he can work within the system and function to a particular level. The next question becomes can he do it against bigger opposition. But he'll have gotten the start and his confidence will get the boost as a result. He'll also be that bit more familiar with the system so that he'll be more comfortable in the side next time around. But if you lump him in with a load of other fringe players and things don't go smoothly it probably tells you very little about Marmion.

sydthebeat

DulchieLaois wrote: »

Can i ask a question, can someone tell me the injury list that we have at the moment with Ireland as I was trying to think of it at the weekend

I know Cian Healy, who else would be considered that is normally on the squad

Thanks

tony ward mentions them here
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/autumn-internationals/tony-ward-schmidts-perfectionism-has-rubbed-off-on-everyone-30734424.html

Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Dave Kearney, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Sherry, Dan Tuohy, Andrew Trimble, Damien Varley and Rory Best. We could still be short Chris Henry, while Jared Payne seems certain to be rested, irrespective of his ankle healing given the six-day turnaround between Georgia and Australia.

Of those, you would say six, maybe seven - O'Brien, Healy, Henry, Trimble, Payne, Henderson and Best - would be in the match-day 23 at this point in time, but nonetheless for a rugby-playing nation of our size it is quite a hit to have to take.

Buer

munstermagic11 wrote: »

I mentioned 2nd string and gametime a number of times. What's wrong with you?

Where have you said you want guys like Ross and Henshaw to get game time a number of times? You started by saying you wanted a second string, then said it's a waste playing starters in this game.

It's hard to understand when you're now contradicting what you've been saying.

vienne86

sydthebeat wrote: »

tony ward mentions them here
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/autumn-internationals/tony-ward-schmidts-perfectionism-has-rubbed-off-on-everyone-30734424.html

Very scary list. Makes you realise why Joe is so keen to have a big pool of players at his disposal.

j8wk2feszrnpao

molloyjh wrote: »

It's not about the result. It's about:

a) Getting guys game time who need it
b) Giving relevant players added time to adapt to the Irish systems
c) Looking at a couple of possible squad players to see if they have the basics down to a good enough level

You have to start the likes of Marmion some time. Starting him against the likes of South Africa or Australia would be crazy. If he didn't perform when thrown in the deep end that doesn't really mean he's never going to. If he does perform against Georgia then that will tell you something, i.e. he can work within the system and function to a particular level. The next question becomes can he do it against bigger opposition. But he'll have gotten the start and his confidence will get the boost as a result. He'll also be that bit more familiar with the system so that he'll be more comfortable in the side next time around.

I don't have a problem with Marion starting, or a number of others.
I just don't think we'll learn a lot from the game against opposition like Georgia; I'd expect a 2nd string to get the result and performance.
And they can learn the system that way and gain confidence.

Whatever Joe goes with is fine by me.

j8wk2feszrnpao

Buer wrote: »

Where have you said you want guys like Ross and Henshaw to get game time a number of times? You started by saying you wanted a second string, then said it's a waste playing starters in this game.

It's hard to understand when you're now contradicting what you've been saying.

No contraction. I mentioned 2nd's and gametime a few times. Just read it and it's simple.
I also didn't mention not playing Ross nor Henshaw either; again for the purpose of gametime in their case.
So if you continue to have an issue with that, it's now written there for you.

I'm not going to continuous revisit this for you.

Tox56

sydthebeat wrote: »

tony ward mentions them here
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/autumn-internationals/tony-ward-schmidts-perfectionism-has-rubbed-off-on-everyone-30734424.html

I think hes being very conservative with the number of injured players who would make the 23. In addition to the ones he mentioned, Marty Moore clearly would make it, Dave K and J Murphy were making the 23 regularly recently, McFadden would undoubtedly in my mind be either starting or benching if he was available and I reckon Earls and Fitz would also have made it ahead of Jones if not Zebo

Buer

munstermagic11 wrote: »

No contraction. I mentioned 2nd's and gametime a few times. Just read it and it's simple.
I also didn't mention not playing Ross nor Henshaw either; again for the purpose of gametime in their case.
So if you continue to have an issue with that, it's now written there for you.

I'm not going to continuous revisit this for you.

I don't think you should. You're making it even less clear. I think your definition of a second string selection appears to include first string players.

The Lost Sheep

munstermagic11 wrote: »

I don't have a problem with Marion starting, or a number of others.
I just don't think we'll learn a lot from the game against opposition like Georgia; I'd expect a 2nd string to get the result and performance.
And they can learn the system that way and gain confidence.

Whatever Joe goes with is fine by me.

We will learn plenty from playing against a side like Georgia, who if(extremely unlikely) the 6Ns was to ever expand, would be the next to join. They are up there as the best side not playing in the 6N/4N. I wouldn't expect a completely 2nd string side to get a result and performance. You don't learn a system by throwing a completely mixed up 2nd string side out against what will be a very pumped up Georgian side playing their only top tier side fixture this month

Neil3030

Ah feck, is Luke injured again?

OldieWilson

thomond2006 wrote: »

They're not really comparable. Conway wasn't a first choice player with Leinster and wanted more gametime at provincial level.

Even if the IRFU could move Henshaw now, they dare not. As good as he is/will be I don't want to see him moving to another province unless Connacht are happy to let him go.

Henshaw will be at Leinster next year. Deal done apparently.

.ak

Neil3030 wrote: »

Ah feck, is Luke injured again?

No. But I suppose he's not considered for selection because he's just over an injury.

Quin_Dub

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't know.

As an aside, England seem to play New Zealand every year! I wonder why...

Money...simple as that...

Historically , England vs. NZ will always generate more cash than us playing them , not just because it's a bigger stadium , but TV rights , sponsorship etc. etc.

We don't have the financial pull to get them here more than once every 4 years or so...

The Lost Sheep

awec wrote: »

Are we obliged to play countries like Georgia in the autumn?

No but we and all the 'tier 1' nations should be playing the likes of Georgia, Romania etc

OldieWilson wrote: »

Henshaw will be at Leinster next year. Deal done apparently.

Not so sure on that. Deal certainly isn't done..

vienne86

OldieWilson wrote: »

Henshaw will be at Leinster next year. Deal done apparently.

Big statement. Can you back it up?

j8wk2feszrnpao

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I wouldn't expect a completely 2nd string side to get a result and performance.

Well maybe I've more faith in those guys than others do, as I would expect both. Or maybe I don't rate Georgia as highly as others.

molloyjh

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Well maybe I've more faith in those guys than others do, as I would expect both. Or maybe I don't rate Georgia as highly as others.

It's been explained to you a few times already that neither of those things has anything to do with, well, anything. Shall we move on?

crisco10

Quick question - will ref link be on 96.0fm for this?

vienne86

crisco10 wrote: »

Quick question - will ref link be on 96.0fm for this?

Reflink was alive and well on 96.0 at the South Africa match, so I think the answer is safely YES.

j8wk2feszrnpao

molloyjh wrote: »

It's been explained to you a few times already that neither of those things has anything to do with, well, anything. Shall we move on?

They both have relevance; but I'm not going to repeat it to you again.
Time to move on.

thomond2006

munstermagic11 wrote: »

They both have relevance; but I'm not going to repeat it to you again.
Time to move on.

Why play a second string team when the same second string team will never play in an important match? That's why it's better to mix some new faces with first choice players.

Aside from that, second string teams don't sell tickets.

Noopti

If it was NZ, AUS, ENG or SA playing Georgia we would be expecting them to absolutely tonk them.
I am expecting the same from us, and don't think it is a ridiculous expectation either.

Sure you have to take every opposition seriously, which this team will - but they will still expect to win, and win very well. With probably half of the points or more coming in the last 20 minutes.

.ak

Traditionally we don't put these sort of teams to the sword though, but I'm hoping that changes this weekend. Schmidt installed a ruthless edge to Leinster, hoping he can do the same again.

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

Traditionally we don't put these sort of teams to the sword though, but I'm hoping that changes this weekend. Schmidt installed a ruthless edge to Leinster, hoping he can do the same again.

Did he though? There were certainly times when we put sides to the sword. Cardiff got it from us a few times. The likes of Zebre, the Dragons and Treviso did the odd time as well. But when you look at it how often did we break the 40 point mark? And then how often did we go over 50? We did tend to manage 30-35 points against teams a fair bit, but in some of those we also let them back into it a little. I wouldn't really call that putting teams to the sword.

We'll win, and we'll win fairly well. But I don't think we'll put the same kind of points on them that other sides might.

TimRiggins

OldieWilson wrote: »

Henshaw will be at Leinster next year. Deal done apparently.

Do you have a source?

Utah_Saint

.ak wrote: »

Traditionally we don't put these sort of teams to the sword though, but I'm hoping that changes this weekend. Schmidt installed a ruthless edge to Leinster, hoping he can do the same again.

I can't imagine what it was like to be a leinster fan losing Schmidt. The guy is a class act..!

at least in ulster we know our coaches are just stop gaps... ;-)

former legend

.ak wrote: »

Traditionally we don't put these sort of teams to the sword though, but I'm hoping that changes this weekend. Schmidt installed a ruthless edge to Leinster, hoping he can do the same again.

I'd be hoping for a 40+ points margin tbh, regardless of the personnel involved. The NZ and SA second string would demolish them and we should be looking to do the same.

We have struggled in the past to run up scores but we need to kick on.

dtpc191991

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMamF5VqsAI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Just to make a point about us failing to run up scores, has everyone forgotten this match against Italy in 2014?

.ak

Utah_Saint wrote: »

I can't image what it was like to be a leinster fan losing Schmidt. The guy is a class act..!

at least in ulster we know our coaches are just stop gaps... ;-)

Even worse still we lost him, Isa and Sexton all the same time.

croket

Head to head

RELAND: Team to be announced at 12.50pm on Friday (live on Irish Rugby TV)

GEORGIA: Team to be announced at 2pm on Friday

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television Match Official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

Head-to-Head:

Played - 3
Ireland Won - 3
Georgia Won - 0

Ireland v Georgia: IRFU Stats Vault

Previous Meetings:

November 14, 1998 - World Cup Qualifier - Ireland 70 Georgia 0, Lansdowne Road
September 28, 2002 - World Cup Qualifier - Ireland 63 Georgia 14, Lansdowne Road
September 15, 2007 - World Cup Pool D - Ireland 14 Georgia 10, Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux

Biggest Wins And Margins:

Ireland: Points & Margin: 70-0, 1998 World Cup Qualifier
Georgia: Points & Margin: -

Individual Records In The Series:

Most Points In A Match: Ireland 20 (Eric Elwood, 1998 World Cup Qualifier); Georgia 5 (Vassil Katsadze, 2002 World Cup Qualifier; Bessik Khamashuridze, 2002 World Cup Qualifier; Merab Kvirikashvili, 2007 World Cup Pool D; Giorgi Shkinin, 2007 World Cup Pool D)

Most Tries In A Match: Ireland 2 (Girvan Dempsey, 1998 World Cup Qualifier; Brian O'Driscoll, 2002 World Cup Qualifier); Georgia 1 (Vassil Katsadze, 2002 World Cup Qualifier; Bessik Khamashuridze, 2002 World Cup Qualifier; Giorgi Shkinin, 2007 World Cup Pool D)

Top Points Scorers - Ireland v Georgia:

23 - Ronan O'Gara
20 - Girvan Dempsey, Eric Elwood
10 - Kevin Maggs, Brian O'Driscoll

Top Try Scorers - Ireland v Georgia:

4 - Girvan Dempsey
2 - Kevin Maggs, Brian O'Driscoll
1 - Jonathan Bell, Rory Best, Victor Costello, Pat Duignan, Simon Easterby (pictured below), Guy Easterby, Denis Hickie, Paddy Johns, Vassil Katsadze, Bessik Khamashuridze, Conor O'Shea, Alan Quinlan, Ciaran Scally, Giorgi Shkinin, Paul Wallace



Ireland - Form Guide From Start Of The 2013 Six Nations:

Won 30-22 v Wales away (Six Nations)
Lost 12-6 v England home (Six Nations)
Lost 12-8 v Scotland away (Six Nations)
Drew 13-13 v France home (Six Nations)
Lost 22-15 v Italy away (Six Nations)
Won 15-12 v USA away (Summer Tour)
Won 40-14 v Canada away (Summer Tour)
Won 40-9 v Samoa home (Autumn Series)
Lost 32-15 v Australia home (Autumn Series)
Lost 24-22 v New Zealand home (Autumn Series)
Won 28-6 v Scotland home (Six Nations)
Won 26-3 v Wales home (Six Nations)
Lost 13-10 v England away (Six Nations)
Won 46-7 v Italy home (Six Nations)
Won 22-20 v France away (Six Nations)
Won 29-17 v Argentina away (Summer Tour)
Won 23-17 v Argentina away (Summer Tour)
Won 29-15 v South Africa home (Autumn Series)

Georgia - Form Guide From The Start Of The 2013 Season:

Won 17-13 v Belgium away (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 25-12 v Portugal home (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 23-9 v Russia away (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 61-18 v Spain home (World Cup Qualifier)
Drew 9-9 v Romania away (World Cup Qualifier)
Lost 20-15 v Emerging Ireland home (Tbilisi Cup)
Won 27-3 v Uruguay home (Tbilisi Cup)
Lost 21-16 v South Africa President's XV home (Tbilisi Cup)
Lost 29-18 v Argentina away (Summer Tour)
Won 19-15 v Canada home (Autumn Series)
Lost 25-23 v USA home (Autumn Series)
Won 16-15 v Samoa home (Autumn Series)
Won 35-0 v Belgium home (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 34-9 v Portugal away (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 36-10 v Russia home (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 24-17 v Spain away (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 22-9 v Romania home (World Cup Qualifier)
Won 23-13 v Spain home (Tbilisi Cup)
Lost 26-16 v Argentina Jaguars home (Tbilisi Cup)
Won 34-10 v Emerging Italy home (Tbilisi Cup)
Lost 23-9 v Tonga home (Autumn Series)

Ireland - Most-Capped Players:

133 Brian O'Driscoll
128 Ronan O'Gara
105 John Hayes
98 Peter Stringer
95 Paul O'Connell
94 Donncha O'Callaghan
92 Malcolm O'Kelly
82 Girvan Dempsey
79 Gordon D'Arcy
77 Rory Best
72 David Humphreys
72 David Wallace
72 Geordan Murphy
70 Kevin Maggs
69 Mike Gibson
68 Jamie Heaslip

Ireland - All-Time Leading Points Scorers:

1083 Ronan O'Gara
560 David Humphreys
407 Jonathan Sexton
308 Michael Kiernan
296 Eric Elwood
245 Brian O'Driscoll
217 Ollie Campbell
158 Tom Kiernan

Ireland - All-Time Leading Try Scorers:

46 Brian O'Driscoll
29 Denis Hickie
27 Tommy Bowe
21 Shane Horgan
19 Girvan Dempsey
18 Geordan Murphy
17 Brendan Mullin
16 Andrew Trimble
16 Ronan O'Gara
15 Kevin Maggs
15 Keith Wood

Georgia - Most-Capped Players:

85 Irakli Abuseridze
78 Merab Kvirikashvili
77 Tedo Zibzibadze
75 Giorgi Chkhaidze
74 David Kacharava
73 Irakli Machkhaneli
69 Malkhaz Urjukashvili
67 Grigol Labadze
64 Ilia Zedginidze
62 Levan Datunashvili, Akvsenti Giorgadze, Goderdzi Shvelidze

Georgia - All-Time Leading Points Scorers:

563 Merab Kvirikashvili
320 Paliko Jimsheladze
313 Malkhaz Urjukashvili
130 Lasha Malaguradze
120 Mamuka Gorgodze
115 Irakli Machkhaneli, Tedo Zibzibadze
104 Nugzar Dzagnidze

Georgia - All-Time Leading Try Scorers:

24 Mamuka Gorgodze
23 Irakli Machkhaneli, Tedo Zibzibadze
17 Malkhaz Urjukashvili
14 David Kacharava, Bessik Khamashuridze
13 Ilia Zedginidze

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/32948.php#.VGNJE8keOvk

RoutineBites

OldieWilson wrote: »

Henshaw will be at Leinster next year. Deal done apparently.

Sixth post. First post in two years. First ever post in rugby forum. Big statement. No sources offered. Forgive me, but I'm not sure I believe you.

vienne86

Utah_Saint wrote: »

I can't imagine what it was like to be a leinster fan losing Schmidt. The guy is a class act..!

at least in ulster we know our coaches are just stop gaps... ;-)

Just awful for us, so it was. I was quite confident about Matt O'Connor though....now I am now so sure. One thing is certain, the entertainment is much reduced both at the games and on boards in the lead up to a game!

Neil3030

Utah_Saint wrote: »

I can't imagine what it was like to be a leinster fan losing Schmidt. The guy is a class act..!

at least in ulster we know our coaches are just stop gaps... ;-)

I was delighted tbh. This whole provincial lark never meant as much to me as the international game. I'm from Leinster, I support Leinster, but international test rugby will always be the best the sport has to offer, at least for me personally.

vienne86

Neil3030 wrote: »

I was delighted tbh. This whole provincial lark never meant as much to me as the international game. I'm from Leinster, I support Leinster, but international test rugby will always be the best the sport has to offer, at least for me personally.

Well the international test rugby is now certainly providing the best rugby and the best entertainment. But things were quite rocky for the international side there for a time, and some supporters found it hard enough to get behind them.