De Grand Finale match - begorrah! England v Ireland 17 March - Hic!

First topic message reminder :

The stage is set for a humdinger of a match next week today with the final match of the Championship hosting a revitalised England fresh from victory in France against their bogey team, Ireland.



Despite a recent run of victories - home and away - against England, Ireland never seem to have a problem in getting up for this match. The fact that it's in Twickenham on St Patrick's Day will give it that little extra edge.

Lancaster and his troops will want to sign off their first season in charge with a flourish. Kidney's Ireland, having been unlucky in the Welsh match, and kicking themselves after their draw in Paris, will want to put another good score and victory on the board.



Ireland will be without O'Connell again who did a lot of the pre-match talking in the build-up to last year's victory for the men in green. England seem full of confidence and it looks like Lancaster has found the right mix and belief that's going to make this grand finale a belter.

Are English fans feeling confident? Irish ones a bit more doubtful of continuing their English streak?


England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Charlie Hodgson, 22 Mike Brown.

Ireland: 15 R Kearney (Leinster), 14 T Bowe (Ospreys), 13 K Earls (Munster), 12 G D'Arcy (Leinster), 11 A Trimble (Ulster), 10 J Sexton (Leinster), 9 E Reddan (Leinster); 1 C Healy (Leinster), 2 R Best (Ulster, capt), 3 M Ross (Leinster), 4 D O'Callaghan (Munster), 5 D Ryan (Munster), 6 S Ferris (Ulster), 7 S O'Brien (Leinster), 8 J Heaslip (Leinster)
Replacements: 16 S Cronin (Leinster), 17 T Court (Ulster), 18 M McCarthy (Connacht), 19 P O'Mahony (Munster), 20 T O'Leary (Munster), 21 R O'Gara (Munster), 22 F McFadden (Leinster)


[strike]

Una's just there as a spy to wear him down Gibson - you watch him crawl out at Twickers on Saturday -

Yeah, and crawl round Ireland's defence and under the posts.

PJHolybloke wrote: But your wimmin are damn fine ladies Gibbo, wasted over there they are, much better they'll be fer a drop of fine English beef - just ask me Ma.

A drop of fine English beef?

Interesting image. Would your Ma care to elaborate?

Cowshot wrote:

4th, Ireland won.

England just didn't turn up. Ah well. There's always next year. Says he, glumly comtemplating it.

It was a shame, I keep hoping it'll get better but it won't will it?

Ah well, maybe next year.

Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

Pot Hale wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote: But your wimmin are damn fine ladies Gibbo, wasted over there they are, much better they'll be fer a drop of fine English beef - just ask me Ma.

A drop of fine English beef?

Interesting image. Would your Ma care to elaborate?

Not any more Pot, she's 74 and not as supple as she was...

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

But her uncle sings some lovely little Irish'n'country tunes??? Surely that's all any decent God-fearing Irishman needs. The wedding entertainment would be taken care of anyway.

RubyGuby wrote:Una's just there as a spy to wear him down Gibson - you watch him crawl out at Twickers on Saturday -

Ruby,
She said she was trying to delay the baby, so he'd miss the game.

They really make a stunning couple. In all fairness. I wish them all the joy in the World.

But I hope Una is On Top after the game. Bu88er cant lose!

Sheesh, get out of me mind Una!

she's 74 and not as supple as she was...

Your confusing her with Charlie Hodgson mate

I predict either Sexton or Kearney will kick a high ball, Foden will collect, burn his way back up field and help score a try.

That'll be the end of the kicking.

After that, England to go for a power game up front and grind the front row into penalty mush, then Barrit and Tuilagi to make omelets of Darcy and Earls as they whip through the middle.

England by 12.

Yer feckin charm don't fool me ya bollix - outside and duke it out.

RubyGuby wrote:she's 74 and not as supple as she was...

Your confusing her with Charlie Hodgson mate

Charlie feckin Hodgson has more hair - you're feckin next pal.

PJHolybloke wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:she's 74 and not as supple as she was...

Your confusing her with Charlie Hodgson mate

Charlie feckin Hodgson has more hair - you're feckin next pal.

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

Ah well, maybe next year.

shudder. Just don't go there. Saturday is about all I can face...Are there any tickets left for the White Cliffs Experience?

Holy I'm a passer-fist

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

A feckin Galway lass! Hence Connacht being my guilty pleasure, OK, more guilt than pleasure but that's the way it is, I only told yer about a dozen times like.

RubyGuby wrote:Holy I'm a passer-fist

Well feckin hurry on ya slack barsteward, cos I'm getting pisser-fast...

Take that Taff-bloke !!!

12-19 - Take that 1 out of 8

Yeah, you an your stats and calling me Ma Charlie feckin Hodgson!

The last thing me Ma charged down was the doors at M&S when they had support stockings at 40% off.

support stockings - you should have told her to have a word with POC, he's got a stack of old ones

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

Gibson I am 100% behind Sexton playing as first choice. I just want him to do better...

PJ...a drink replacement is the least you deserve

Cowshot wrote:

And if France beat the Welsh? Isn't the England Ireland game the 2nd/4th playoff???

You can't really be Welsh. That thought hasn't even entered the head of a true Welshman. Lose? Impossible!

Well it did enter the mind of Neil Jenkins, if you watched the rugby club NJ said that he believes that France will realy turn up this week and beat Wales.

So should he be charged with treason?

How dare he even think anythink like that.

Still in my opinion he was only be honest, and saying that France are a real threat to Wales, and that Wales should not take France lightly.

I still think it will be a tough game and if France get in the lead from the start, Then i say France will win.

DOD wrote:

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

Gibson I am 100% behind Sexton playing as first choice. I just want him to do better...

PJ...a drink replacement is the least you deserve

God bless yer DOD, thank'ee kindly.

RubyGuby wrote:support stockings - you should have told her to have a word with POC, he's got a stack of old ones

At 40% off d'ya think?

PJHolybloke wrote:

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

A feckin Galway lass! Hence Connacht being my guilty pleasure, OK, more guilt than pleasure but that's the way it is, I only told yer about a dozen times like.

Ah sorry pal. I seem to remember the connection now. Lovely. Galway is a great spot. Were we drunk on Life when we discussed it?
Another stupid question Gibbo.

Ireland by 15. Bowe to run in 3 tries and show Ashton how its done. Kearney to run riot and show Foden the way. Sexton to run the show.

Ye know it makes sense.

You've got a point, 50% at best and they have skid marks

Thanks for the laughs guys..... Now I'm off to bed to dream of little green ants swarming all over the carcass of a mad bull. Night.

ROG and Sexton will run the show. D'Arcy goes off after 5 minutes with a head injury (someone tried to knock some sense into him), we bring on ROG and with his combination of great touch finders and both of theiir abilities to run a backline, we win. Rory Best gets one, Bowe gets another and Trimble gets one. Sexton 5/5, ROG has a drop kick and Ireland win by 6.

Mark it.

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

A feckin Galway lass! Hence Connacht being my guilty pleasure, OK, more guilt than pleasure but that's the way it is, I only told yer about a dozen times like.

Ah sorry pal. I seem to remember the connection now. Lovely. Galway is a great spot. Were we drunk on Life when we discussed it?
Another stupid question Gibbo.

Ireland by 15. Bowe to run in 3 tries and show Ashton how its done. Kearney to run riot and show Foden the way. Sexton to run the show.

Ye know it makes sense.

Like there was another time?

The rest of that post is bollix by-the-way.

SecretFly wrote:Thanks for the laughs guys..... Now I'm off to bed to dream of little green ants swarming all over the carcass of a mad bull. Night.

Night ya crazy barsteward, yers.

DOD wrote:

Gibson wrote:

PJHolybloke wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

You owe me a feckin drink DOD, I just spat that one out.

1. Need to employ Kearney's big boot for the long ones - thats if he's not running through England at the time.
But Jonny will be grand. He's getting better by the game, now that Deccie has finally made his call.
2.

PJ, is yer Mam Irish?

Gibson I am 100% behind Sexton playing as first choice. I just want him to do better...

PJ...a drink replacement is the least you deserve

I have to agree. His game management needs to improve and vary more and also his tactical kicking from hand need sharpening. ROG is the Master at that. Love having himself on ROG on the field together. We look so potent and controlled when they do. I reckon it will happen with 20 mins to go. Im all for it. Not easy to go through Sexton at 12. Great tackler. So strong.

Cracker of a game its gonna be. Ireland should be wary of Tuilagi he's a beast. But England should be wary of Tommy Bowe hes always looking to break fast. Evenly matched game could swing either way but my gut says Ireland even tho they are without the bigger names.

I'm imaganing father jack when your posting PJholy. Quality stuff..

Just messin Breadvan, I was in mischievious mode last night.

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

Not sure about the cows but I reckon that girl could milk the EPS twice over beffore brekky....

RugbyFan182 wrote:. But England should be wary of Tommy Bowe hes always looking to break fast.

Matt Stevens looks like hes always after another breakfast too

damngoodOvalball wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

Not sure about the cows but I reckon that girl could milk the EPS twice over beffore brekky....

Just imagine the Saturdays waiting in the showers after the game....

Breadvan wrote:

damngoodOvalball wrote:

DOD wrote:Two things
1 if Sexton kicks high and long the ball will go out on the full
2 Una Healy is from Tipperary...and if she can't wield a Hurley, milk 50 cows in half an hour all before breakfast she is no use to anyone

Not sure about the cows but I reckon that girl could milk the EPS twice over beffore brekky....

Just imagine the Saturdays waiting in the showers after the game....

If Foden plays sluggishly and without any aggression, I think we all know why. Bloody Irish using sex as a weapon...

Though obviously it would be a little soon after the wee baby was born

Bickering ?
Wales had a special thread for it. Noticeable lack on this Eng Ireland pre match thread, which is refreshing in a way.
Warily circling each other before battle ?
Will it kick off after the match ?
Post match bickering might depend on the refs decisions / non decisions.
Peace my Irish friends.

gregortree wrote:Bickering ?
Wales had a special thread for it. Noticeable lack on this Eng Ireland pre match thread, which is refreshing in a way.
Warily circling each other before battle ?
Will it kick off after the match ?
Post match bickering might depend on the refs decisions / non decisions.
Peace my Irish friends.

I don't think so...I think we'll take our beating if England dish it out. We'll probably be mad again but I could almost guarantee you it'll be directed at our own coaches.
I think England too are maturing to the idea that gradual progress is the way. So if they lose to us, I think they'll look on this year, under a stand-in coach and new players getting a go as perhaps more successful than they might have expected. They'll be annoyed of course but again, I don't think there'll be recriminations between the English and Irish next week.

Despite the comments quoted from Kearney and Ferris, there is real respect there between the sides and their fans.

Respect

Good on you Secret, well said. The Kearney and Ferris 'quotes' were clearly the result of a journo sensationalising, mis quoting etc. Theyre are doing it to even greater levels now that they dont have access to Sienna Millers or Jermey Clarksons voicemail anymore. Anyway it was hardly the "we hate the _________" that we see from time to time.

Anyway those Irish barstewards to win the match by 36-0, after which London will fall and the Irish tricolore will flutter over Buck House by tea time on Sunday.

SecretFly wrote:
Despite the comments quoted from Kearney and Ferris, there is real respect there between the sides and their fans.

Aww good luck English chums

Actually having re-read Kearneys comments I think they were taken out of context too.

I dont know if its respect, more that you lot beat us so often that theres no point in bickering about it

Does that mean if you guys win tomorrow we can start bickering again?

roddersm wrote:Does that mean if you guys win tomorrow we can start bickering again?

Yes!

Seems we are not as good as the Welsh at bickering.