Lions Tour

The red card v France was hardly Gatland's fault. I'm not framing it as misfortune, red cards happen. But equally, you can't blame Gatland for the rash actions of one player. Was it Schmidt's fault Stander got sent off v SA or that Aki got sent off v Samoa? No, of course it wasn't.

We should have beat Argentina with the players we had. The only position where there was a notable drop off from 1st to 2nd choice was out half. The fact that Madigan had never started a test match vs tier 1 opposition prior to the RWC was a woeful failing by Joe, it just was. There were plenty of November tests and summer tours to Argentina in 2014 to give him starts in the 10 jersey.

Now I'm not saying Madigan was the reason we lost. The whole performance was a disaster.

He also picked Keith Earls at 13.

I mean that's the way tournaments work. Singular games are vital. There's a huge difference between winning a Championship and a Grand Slam even though it obviously usually comes down to a single game. Had England won in Dublin in 2011 to complete the Grand Slam the tenure of Martin Johnson would have a far different complexion and may have even lasted longer. Three Grand Slams vs one is a big big difference.

The 4th places are not excuses, it is a fact they had the same record in 2009 and 2011 as the team that finished second, they aren't barren years. Yeah he had a poor record vs SH teams with Wales but the Six Nations and World Cups are just far more important than Autumn Internationals or Summer tours.

I wouldn't have any confidence Ireland would have beaten France personally. They won comfortably in the Six Nations but Ireland's decline picked up pace in the months ahead and France improved. The six nations was a few months on from Ireland beating NZ and when the RWC rolled around, Ireland lost by 40 odd. Ireland's decline was dramatic and fast.

Gatland just has an incredible record at every level. Wales have won four Grand Slams in the last forty years, Gatland has been in charge for three of them. Aside from 1987, Wales have reached the RWC semis twice, both with Gatland. Excellent record with the Lions thus far.

Schmidt is the best coach Ireland ever had but in my view, his resume is not comparable with that of Gatland.

Yeah, I wasn't really looking to compare the 2 per se. Both are very good coaches. Both are quite different. And both have weaknesses that are okay to call out. Its when people only focus solely on the good or solely on the bad that it becomes an issue.

In short, I'm arguing with everyone!

Cant say the Lions squad/team is one that engages me. I also think Gatland should not be in charge for 3 tours. It should be a one and done gig. Also, why no coaches from B&I get the job?

7 Welsh at the weekend is crazy plus Sam Simmonds who hasnt been tested at this level purely to stick two fingers up to Eddie Jones. Surely Farrell at 12 and Henshaw at 13 would be better to stretch SA than Aki & Henshaw. Would Aki & Henshaw be Ireland's first choice centre pairing, i dont think so

personally looking forward to the match, winner takes all, no quarter given etc. etc.... An Eddie butler montage would go down a treat at some point..

"When Saturday comes...." A few beers, snacks, TV on loud (probably not the boozer, weather not looking the best to venture out) her we go

Ah jaysus that's got to be one of the weirdest takes I've ever heard.

(Also why do you jump to compare him with BOD? If every player is judged against BOD, then I suppose nobody is good enough seen as he's our best ever player)

Ringrose is incredibly creative. That's his whole point of difference.

Take a look at Stockdales 2nd try v Scotland in 2018.

Look at McFadden's try v Scarlets in 2018.

More recently, look at his try v Dragons at the end of last season, and how he starts the move with a brilliant cut out flat pass to Larmour. He's done this countless times before where it hasn't led to tries.

His break and offload in Limerick in 2015???

"Scanning the defense, identifying space, and making breaks to get his team on the front foot" ...that's called creativity.

Obviously I can only give so many examples, but you just have to watch some games to see how good his vision and range of passing is.

Just because he isn't throwing miracle balls like BOD did, doesn't mean he's not creative.

What would you have him do to be more creative?

To be fair, I think he has a point in that line breaking ability isn't the same as creativity. Would you call Manu Tuilagi a creative centre?

Obviously the thing about Ringrose not being creative in the true sense is cack, but breaking the line isn't the same as creativity.

Those are called mistakes. I'd really love you to show me a player that hasn't made any of those. Ringrose isn't incredibly creative, but he is certainly more creative than any of the centres with the Lions at the moment.

But they were also talking about 6Ns games too????