Exactly what I was going to post. Good for the championship that Italy are doing well. Bet they aren't talking about replacing Wales with Georgia? How have Ireland not done slam again?
congratulations to ireland. really though, that's a fall over the line result. the third game was Wales and in that Wales had zero set piece but Ireland struggled massively to break them down despite scoring 4 tries with 2 late. the same issues they had against England were on display today. just really struggling to get any forward ball consistently and a lot of errors.
it kind of says it all that Ireland beat France then rested a lot of their team and beat Italy and ended up falling over the line by the end. Italy were unlucky is some of the games bar Ireland and could have been 3-0-2. France didn't seem to care at one point then got stuck in for the last two. England improved consistently over the tournament. Scotland never played a full 80 imo. I don't know why.
Was it? Once they beat France, the writing was on the wall for the Championship but I'd argue that Ireland team should be taking the Grand Slam considering how poor most of the rest have been during the tournament
Was joking mate, no way could we have tournament without Wales and the rest, happy that Italy kind of silenced the naysayers though.
Hes an Irish legend, but he shouldn't have been made captain. He's too confrontational with the ref and too ill disciplined as a player.
I was basing that purely on the resources and population of Ireland compared to the likes of England and France.
Its not about resources in terms of population really. Theres 3 million people in wales and they did the exact same as ireland did. they joined up clubs a long time ago and made 4 pro teams, they are in the doldrums. Theres now about 5 million in ireland but its bar far a minority sport. The thing is theres a very strong conveyor belt at leinster and to a lessrer extent at munster and ulster. Connaught was seen as a poor relation so they've focused on the 3 team and on the european cup. If you look at comparing this to top 14 in france or the premiership irish players play less and are well paid. you cannot under estimate the benefit of less games IMO. they have also poached better players as well. Whats the count now form that side thats just won? winger form Australia, Winger from NZ, Scrum half, NZ, centre from NZ, I think a prop from SA? scotland have done the same and so do france. Its really all about consistency, the tactics suiting and having the academies bring players in. England's Andy farrell took on that Ireland job and has done well and added more off loading compared to the previous set up. Each aspect of the game is good. Their best players in the backs (Gibson park, aki, hansen and lowe) all add speed to the game in verious guises so it really helps their team. Then theres the leinster academy. Thats irelands main secret. The probelm with both england and france is the players are on a grinding schedule with little time off and focus on club. I doubt too many irish clubs have to overly worry in thier league about playing reserves as the first choice players are all off with ireland. But most of all IMO theres an attitude probelm with france (they give up easy) and a coaching deficit with england (its so negative and focused on brute force and ignorance at times) I think england have improved over the course of the tournament but theres a long way to do and a lo of negative habits to kill before a 6 nations dominance could be established. the line speed is good, the passing improved and width got better as the tournament progressed.
