A new dawn?

Ireland 42 Italy 10

Ireland stormed to one of their biggest six nations wins ever. Paul O Connell gave a captains performance for from the second row while Bowe, Ferris , Kearney and Johnny Sexton gave fine displays. 

While watching the first half I was surprised Ireland didn't play for more position inside the Italians 22. Any time Rob Kearney and Bowe got the ball in hand they looked like scoring. Ireland spent a lot of time battering away around the half way line, maybe it was a tactical decision from Kidney who is slowly turning to an expansive game plan. At half time Ireland lead 17 10 with tries from Bowe and Earls. After half time the Italians inevitably began to tire and with Botes inability to kick for touch their game fell apart. Eoin reddan and Donnacha Ryan were introduced and livened up the proceedings immediately. Tommy Bowe scored in the corner after exquisite hands from Johnny Sexton. A visibly fired up Tom Court rumbled over for the 4 try and Andrew Trimble struck from distance late on to secure the 5th try. Immediately after the final whistle the topic of discussion was selection for the French game.

 The debate mainly surrounded the number 4, 9 and 13 positions. Donnacha Ryan has really turned up the heat on O Callaghan, who was below par again. Eoin Reddan definitely speeded up the game when he came on albeit the Italians resolve had well and truly cracked. I think Murray done enough to hold onto his place. It is always tougher against the Italians for the first 60 minutes then the last 20 minutes. He is still developing an understanding with Johnny Sexton and it must be remembered this is only there 4th start together as a partnership. Reddan always stroke me as an impact player, a role he often plays for Leinster away from home in the Heineken Cup for Leinster away from home. Switching Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls might be considered to counter act Alien Rougerie but as we will see against Scotland Frances two wingers aren't exactly journey men and can't be ignored. I think due to Bowes fantastic form at 14 and Earls heartening display at 13 the switch will not be made. Earls and Darcy done very well at the Aviva and could form a strong partnership. The one change I would make for the French game is Ryan for O Callaghan as he speeds up the breakdown and is a very good ball carrier. The breakdown will be the key area against the French next week

Positives:

Rob Kearney is looking like him old self and is really leading the Irish backline in O Drisscols absence.

Johnny Sexton gave a fantastic kicking display and is finally nailing down the number 10 shirt.

Peter O Mahony made his Irish debut and had a solid 20 minutes at number 7.

Negatives:

Gordan Darcy went of injured with an arm injury which would be a major blow to Irelands chances in Paris if he is ruled out for next week. 

Sean O Brien is a player of immense quality but for some reason can not get his running game going for Ireland like he does week in week out for Leinster. He also gave away 3 penalty's.

Man of the Match: Declan Kidney gave a great display, used his bench early gave Bowe a run at 13, Sexton at 12 and gave decent game time to O Mahony, Cronin and Court. 

I was very impressed with Stuart Lancasters England, they were very unlucky not to grab at least a draw in the triple crown decider. England's midfield of Farrell Barrit and Tuilagi took the game to the Welsh physically. Farrell looks like he has all the qualities to be an international 10. He was unlucky to be injured when attempting his final kick before going off as it could have put the game beyond Wales. Wales will be pleased to get out with a win which looked unlikely with 10 minutes to go especially after Roberts went of injured. The one worry for Gatland will be the form of Rhys Priestland since the World Cup. He got a silly yellow card, missed touch from penalties three times and gave away what could have been a crucial penalty.  Over all it looks like the a French v Wales Grandslam showdown on Paddies weekend.

Thanks for Reading!

Irish team selection

After the disaster of Saturday night the dust is beginning to settle on what was an embarrassing episode for the 6 nations and the French rugby union. The match has been re fixed for Sunday the 3rd of March. I see this as a blessing in disguise as it gives Ireland a chance to build a little momentum for the French game. I don't buy the players will be fatigued, they played 5 games on the bounce in New Zealand. It also presents the ever so conservative Declan Kidney a chance to experiment. If I was to select an Irish team there would be a few personnel and positional changes.

15) Rob Kearney
14) Andrew Trimble
13) Tommy Bowe
12) Fergus McFadden
11) Keith Earls
10) Johnny Sexton
9) Connor Murray
8) Sean O Brien
7) Peter O Mahony
6) Stephen Ferris
5) Paul O Connell
4) Donnacha Ryan
3) Mike Ross
2) Sean Cronin
1) Cian Healy

I would not say I am dropping Darcy, Heaslip, O Callaghan and Best. I just think Cronin, Ryan and O Mahony would allow us to play a more expansive game. At the moment the Irish team are struggling at ruck time and struggling to make linebreaks. On current form are lineout is as good as any in the world so I would have no worries about Cronin. He has done well in an unsettled Leinster pack.Cronin is as quick as any Irish winger and nearly makes a line break in every match he plays, Irelands problem for years is making linebreaks. The majority of are tries are coming from set pieces,this makes the Irish backline very easy to defend, especially without a James Downey or Jamie Roberts type centre. O Mahony and Ryan have been fantastic for Munster this season. O Mahony is probably are best option as an out and out 7. He is also a very secure lineout jumper at the tail. I think if Ireland are to play the game the fans grave we need to take the calculated gamble. Ryan is cut from the Quinlann/ Leamy cloth and adds an extra bite to any pack he plays with. He has also played a lot of rugby at 6, this gives him the edge at ruck time over O Callaghan in my opinion. Ireland have are committing too many men at ruck time just to retain are own ball, I believe O Mahony and Ryan could give us the edge at rucktime, speed up the ball and in turn reduce the numbers we need to commit. If Sexton and Murray get quick ball they could be devasting, there is not many halfback pairings in the world who are both capable of making breaks. Tommy Bowe and Sean O Brien are the ball main carriers at the moment. In an ideal world Bowe and O Brien would be coming onto offloads from Cronin, Sexton and Murray who are all capable of breaking the line consistently. Behind the definsive line O Brien and Bowe are virtually unstoppable.

Do I think Deccie will make 4 changes from the Welsh game?no but I would give Ryan and O Mahony an outside chance of starting. At the moment Ireland are trying to play the right game plan with the wrong team.