Ire versus England - RTÉ 2 Saturday Aug 19th 17.30pm

As pre WC games go it's very hard to gauge overly but I think the most pleasing thing is the efficiency in the scoring zone is still excellent.

A lot of unforced errors but I think these are fixable going into the WC. Mentioned before but I taught on first viewing RB was quite poor in general play and of the tee. I think Crowley will have a leg up going to the WC.

I think predergast confirmed today he is not a no. 8 but he certainly could do a job as a bench option.

Think Tom Stewart needs a start next week. For some reason he could be the bolter!

Delighted for Earls to get his try. Roll on Samoa.

Re-watching some highlights of the game. Just seen that it was Maro Itoje and Kyle Sinkler that Joe McCarthy counter-rucked through to steal the ball in the 63rd minute.

Freakish strength.

Well that was mostly very positive wasn't it? For a first hit out of the season for most of the players, you really couldn't ask for more. Again for me, the most positive aspect was the physicality. Following on from the Italy game, I thought the players looked strong and dominant for the most part whilst still clearly a fair bit away from hitting top gear. England are a couple of weeks ahead in their prep and they were still trying all they could to slow the game down.

Are we thinking a 19/14 split then? I can't see any of McCarthy, Baird or Prendergast being left at home. What about McCarthy by the way!? Haven't been this excited about a forward since Sean O'Brien. Who was it that he picked up like a toddler?

Very hard to pick between Ross and Crowley for me. I agree with others that I would worry about Ross if he was in from the start against SA but I think it's still his shirt to lose at the moment. Crowley is maturing quickly though.

The absolute state of England. I can't believe that a union of that size, has produced that team. All they have is a lineout. It's incredible really when you think about it. Just complete and utter mismanagement from the very top down.

Sheehan better not be injured.

Felt like ireland played that game in second gear. Opportunities missed for Prendergast and Byrne.

Keenan 7; Hansen 7, Ringrose 7, Aki 7, Lowe 7; Byrne 5, Gibson-Park 5; Porter 7, Sheehan 6, Furlong 5; Beirne 6, Ryan 6; O’Mahony 5, van der Flier 6, Prendergast 4,

Rep Herring 5, Loughman 5, Bealham 6, McCarthy 6, Doris 5, Murray 5, Crowley 6, Earls 6

Bealham the best tight head in Ireland right now. Never thought I’d say that!

I found this moment in a ruck funny.

https://streamable.com/r1t52p

Bealham gets in first and totally distracts the first Englishman, Porter drives someone back in a ruck, McCarthy comes in then and gets stuck in, but keeps his eye on the ball and continues driving someone back. Then quite blatantly kicks the ball out the English side of the ruck, while on the deck and Ryan picks and kicks. How the ref was looking at that and went "Yeah, fair enough", is beyond me but that's some proper dickhead from McCarthy and I love it.

Side note: great hit from Ross Byrne after he crabbed past Crowley and then great work from Porter after that. And to be fair to Stewart, very cool from him too.

The semi-set play Ireland ran from a resulting attacking ruck after a lineout a few minutes later was beautiful. Itoje being offside for it makes it all the sweeter but the set of passes, Porter - Prendergast - JGP - Byrne - Hansen. Ugh, it was just gorgeous.

Was that not a must win game?

If we cant beat tonga or Scotland we may as well be on the first flight home.

I’d be more concerned playing France due to the fact we’d be playing the host nation at home. Dodgy camera angles and I’d be worried we’re not going to get the 50/50 calls in that one. I’d prefer New Zealand as their aura with us (and the match officials) isn’t what it used to be.