Ireland 2023/24 - RWC and Onwards

First topic message reminder :

So another season is over, and we're getting ready for Andy Farrell's announcement this coming week for his initial RWC squad that will be used in upcoming warm-up games against Italy (5 Aug) , England (19 Aug) both in Aviva, and then a whittled down finalised RWC squad to play Samoa in France on 26 Aug.

The U20s RWC kicks off in South Africa in July.

After Munster's well-deserved win against Stormers, Farrell & Co may have paused for thought as to who comes into the wider squad beyond the nailed-on members. The 42 man RWC Training Squad announced is:

Forwards (22)

Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster)
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)
Cian Prendergast (Connacht/Corinthians)
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Tom Stewart (Ulster/Ballynahinch)*
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)

Backs (20)

Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians)
Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)
Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)
Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster)*
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)*
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan)

Wow Beirne there.

Phew - that was close

Congratulations Ireland

What a game. Incredible performance from both teams.

That was some defensive effort from the Irish.

What a game of rugby. Ireland absorbed so much pressure and have claimed a great win there. Congrats to the Irish posters here. I'd say that's the match of the tournament so far. Fiji vs Wales and Oz were both great to watch. France vs NZ had some moments of brilliant rugby in it. That's the most engrossed I've been so far though. Brilliant, brutal stuff.

Full credit to both, especially Ireland's defence which stood up to the onslaught. A formidable and phenomenal game. Could easily be the final in a month's time.

France v South Africa and NZ v Ireland shaping up to be the QFs from these two groups, barring Scotland or Italy doing something magical. That would be two amazing QFs...

Well done Ireland. No mean feat that

Great result for Ireland from a great match

What a game, one of the highest intensity test matches I can remember seeing. Fantastic effort both sides, I’m knackered having watched it. Great win Ireland, congrats!

Well done - what a mental boost that is going into the knockout stages.

Ireland shouldn't be fearful of anyone.

For all the 7-1 split on the bench talk in the build up I don't think it really in the end made ahuge amount of difference. It didn't have any major effect in either helping or hindering South Africa.

Pollard will no doubt be in for South Africa come quarters, the kicking is the glaring weakness in an otherwise ferocious team.

Well that was some match.
Absolutely brutal and brilliant.
I think Ireland will definitely need the rest next week

What. A. Game

Some game and great win.
Well done lads.

Some tournament so far from Bundee.

neilthom7 wrote:For all the 7-1 split on the bench talk in the build up I don't think it really in the end made  ahuge amount of difference.  It didn't have any major effect in either helping or hindering South Africa.

Pollard will no doubt be in for South Africa come quarters, the kicking is the glaring weakness in an otherwise ferocious team.

7-1 split with no hooker cover on the bench is just bloody stupid.

Fourie, not his fault mind, cost SA the game with inexperience crucial line out throws and scrums. I get the 7-1 split I really do, but no proper hooker cover in a World Cup match is madness and it showed tonight.

Fabulous win for Ireland, not the number 1 team in the world for nothing it seems!

For SA a loss here may be beneficial in putting the 7:1 bench to bed and pointing out the need for a proper goal kicker in their team!

BigGee wrote:Fabulous win for Ireland, not the number 1 team in the world for nothing it seems!

For SA a loss here may be beneficial in putting the 7:1 bench to bed and pointing out the need for a proper goal kicker in their team!

Certainly it feels like one of those games where they may have lost but it may actually help them in the long run. They will be able to say we left points out there and could have won so won't hurt the confidence and they now know that they need to get Pollard up to speed. Both teams have gained out of that game.

EDIT: Shifted this to the SA thread as it made more sense there!

Sweet sixteen in a row, atmosphere at the stadium was unreal, on to Scotland.

Well done Ireland! This is a special team

Good win Ireland. I was driving home for most of the second half but still listening, seems like a proper test match. I noted that SA had a penalty and De Klerk who isn’t a high enough percentage goal-kicker attempt a kick at goal from the halfway line. They should have kicked for the corner - even if they lost that lineout they get the territory, where their forwards and defence could pile on the pressure (that’s how they destroyed NZ). Talk about not playing to your strengths.

If the Quarters are Fra vs SA and Ire vs NZ, is it possible Ireland could play the Springboks in the Semi’s, or does the draw not work that way?

mikey_dragon wrote:Good win Ireland. I was driving home for most of the second half but still listening, seems like a proper test match. I noted that SA had a penalty and De Klerk who isn’t a high enough percentage goal-kicker attempt a kick at goal from the halfway line. They should have kicked for the corner - even if they lost that lineout they get the territory, where their forwards and defence could pile on the pressure (that’s how they destroyed NZ). Talk about not playing to your strengths.

If the Quarters are Fra vs SA and Ire vs NZ, is it possible Ireland could play the Springboks in the Semi’s, or does the draw not work that way?

Teams from the same group are on opposite sides of the knockout draw so if they play against each other again it would have to be in the final.

If they get to the semis those 2 quarter winners would face the other side of the group draw so would then probably meet in the final

I will not be disappointed if Ireland wins this RWC, they will in my view certainly deserve being World Champions.

mikey_dragon wrote:Good win Ireland. I was driving home for most of the second half but still listening, seems like a proper test match. I noted that SA had a penalty and De Klerk who isn’t a high enough percentage goal-kicker attempt a kick at goal from the halfway line. They should have kicked for the corner - even if they lost that lineout they get the territory, where their forwards and defence could pile on the pressure (that’s how they destroyed NZ). Talk about not playing to your strengths.

If the Quarters are Fra vs SA and Ire vs NZ, is it possible Ireland could play the Springboks in the Semi’s, or does the draw not work that way?

Perhaps they didnt trust their back up hooker to throw in the ball and secure the line out, not sure.

That is a wise thought but as I alluded to, SA would have been better off down in Ireland's 22 with their forwards and defence. They did this twice with Faf. There is no guarantee they'd have done something but they would be playing to their strengths and is how they dominated NZ. All Blacks' defence is still good, SA had to relentlessly batter it.

Ireland still look like a chilled team just going through the motions yet winning all their matches. It's hard to figure out how to beat that.

Ireland's biggest result at the weekend was the avoidance of injuries to Sexton, the two props, vdf and Aki.  
SA have no excuse for 20% successful kick rate - woeful. The SA scrum having obliterated the opposition, then judged as engaging early, twice in the next scrums which is inexcusable. Ireland were still getting away second half with some cute stuff at the lineout but were fantastic at the breakdown, which won it for Farrell's team.
The SH teams however do look vulnerable, Oz are gone, Argentina average, SA have injuries and NZ are still working out their game plan. A first all NH final really would be something.

Bloody hell Rec is that a compliment? Are you still drunk.

(For the avoidance of doubt this comment is made as an humourous jape, not in any way am I claiming recwatcher is drinking early on a Monday)

Recwatcher16 wrote:Ireland's biggest result at the weekend was the avoidance of injuries to Sexton, the two props, vdf and Aki.  
SA have no excuse for 20% successful kick rate - woeful. The SA scrum having obliterated the opposition, then judged as engaging early, twice in the next scrums which is inexcusable. Ireland were still getting away second half with some cute stuff at the lineout but were fantastic at the breakdown, which won it for Farrell's team.
The SH teams however do look vulnerable, Oz are gone, Argentina average, SA have injuries and NZ are still working out their game plan. A first all NH final really would be something.

The kicking was bad but SA scored a try off one penalty coming back of the post and two of the penalties were from half way. If they got all their kicks that would have only been 12 points as they wouldnt have a try then.

carpet baboon wrote:Bloody hell Rec is that a compliment? Are you still drunk.

(For the avoidance of doubt this comment is made as an humourous jape, not in any way am I claiming recwatcher is drinking early on a Monday)

I only say as I see it, rightly or wrongly....
Correct, a dark 'n' stormy on a Monday morning would not be good for me !

Please can someone remind me not to go looking at rugby twitter, beyond the few rugby accounts I follow.

The absolute state of some people.
They seem to watch rugby just so they can spend hours slating a team they didn't want to win, I'm not sure what they got out of it
It just seems a bit sad

Yeah its a cesspit, there are people who watch the whole game just to trawl for incidents to complain about in case they lose. TAS analytics for one, they are quite well organised and I would be quite suspicious of their motivations. One of the things they did point out that I thought was interesting was that the Irish medical team does give the players small bottles of what looks like energy shots for cramp during the game and also some sort of spray that they use on their hands. Not sure what the rules around the medical team and what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do but found it curious.

Collapse2005 wrote:Yeah its a cesspit, there are people who watch the whole game just to trawl for incidents to complain about in case they lose. TAS analytics for one, they are quite well organised and I would be quite suspicious of their motivations. One of the things they did point out that I thought was interesting was that the Irish medical team does give the players small bottles of what looks like energy shots for cramp during the game and also some sort of spray that they use on their hands. Not sure what the rules around the medical team and what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do but found it curious.

WHERE IS THE CONSISTENCY???

Consistency around what? Or you are referring to TAS always saying Where is the consistency, yeah?

Collapse2005 wrote:Yeah its a cesspit, there are people who watch the whole game just to trawl for incidents to complain about in case they lose. TAS analytics for one, they are quite well organised and I would be quite suspicious of their motivations. One of the things they did point out that I thought was interesting was that the Irish medical team does give the players small bottles of what looks like energy shots for cramp during the game and also some sort of spray that they use on their hands. Not sure what the rules around the medical team and what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do but found it curious.

Probably carpet adhesive, would really help in the damper conditions. We use it when it's raining in my local team.

Collapse2005 wrote:Consistency around what? Or you are referring to TAS always saying Where is the consistency, yeah?

Sorry, I should have added [Funereal Music] tags around the quote from TAS analytics so you knew I was being tongue in cheek.

Yep, it'll be some variation of grippo/griptec used in the AFL. Which was borne out of spider tack being used and banned in baseball. Which followed on from stickum being banned in the NFL back in the 80s. Spider tack is also used extensively in strongman for aid with with grip strength. There's been rumours about spider tack getting used in cricket more recently. It's completely legal in rugby currently so just a smart advantage to take but I expect more sports will have regulations around this in coming years.

Anyway back to the rugby.
After 15 straight wins and number 1 in the world why do I have a sinking feeling that it's all going to go tits up next game and we don't make it out of the groups?

carpet baboon wrote:Please can someone remind me not to go looking at rugby twitter, beyond the few rugby accounts I follow.

The absolute state of some people.
They seem to watch rugby just so they can spend hours slating a team they didn't want to win, I'm not sure what they got out of it
It just seems a bit sad

Are you talking about the Wales v Fiji game?! It was like that on here and all over on Twitter. Agreed, the absolute state of some people

Poorfour wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Consistency around what? Or you are referring to TAS always saying Where is the consistency, yeah?

Sorry, I should have added [Funereal Music] tags around the quote from TAS analytics so you knew I was being tongue in cheek.

Yeah the music is comically dramatic

carpet baboon wrote:Anyway back to the rugby.
After 15 straight wins and number 1 in the world why do I have a sinking feeling that it's all going to go tits up next game and we don't make it out of the groups?

Is it not 16 wins? I think we will beat Scotland. They will be very focussed, tough task though.

king_carlos wrote:Yep, it'll be some variation of grippo/griptec used in the AFL. Which was borne out of spider tack being used and banned in baseball. Which followed on from stickum being banned in the NFL back in the 80s. Spider tack is also used extensively in strongman for aid with with grip strength. There's been rumours about spider tack getting used in cricket more recently. It's completely legal in rugby currently so just a smart advantage to take but I expect more sports will have regulations around this in coming years.

Interesting thanks

The other thing I have noticed is there is a huge amount of Boks fans out there that believe that the Boks threw the game to play France

I have a very funny feeling that Italy may turn the AB's over today and send them out. Nothing to base this on just a funny feeling.

Collapse2005 wrote:The other thing I have noticed is there is a huge amount of Boks fans out there that believe that the Boks threw the game to play France

Haven't spoken to one, however like anywhere else on social media, it is the minority of attention seeking Muppet that like tomake controversial statements.

eirebilly_01 wrote:I have a very funny feeling that Italy may turn the AB's over today and send them out. Nothing to base this on just a funny feeling.

Not so sure mate, AB's has had two weeks of reflection, assessment, adjustment and mental preparation forthe rest of the tournament. I suspect it is going to be a shellacking of note.AB's by 30+

Old Man wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:The other thing I have noticed is there is a huge amount of Boks fans out there that believe that the Boks threw the game to play France

Haven't spoken to one, however like anywhere else on social media, it is the minority of attention seeking Muppet that like tomake controversial statements.

No you are right for sure however Stephen Donald also said he believed this to be true in an interview.

Old Man wrote:

eirebilly_01 wrote:I have a very funny feeling that Italy may turn the AB's over today and send them out. Nothing to base this on just a funny feeling.

Not so sure mate, AB's has had two weeks of reflection, assessment, adjustment and mental preparation forthe rest of the tournament. I suspect it is going to be a shellacking of note.AB's by 30+

I agree, I think NZ are getting a bit better gane on game but Italy havent really. A red card to NZ might make things interesting but otherwise I see a 30 point NZ win.

eirebilly_01 wrote:I have a very funny feeling that Italy may turn the AB's over today and send them out. Nothing to base this on just a funny feeling.

I had that same strange funny feeling just this morning. I don't think they will but I do think it could well be a decent game, Italy will be up for it but ultimately should fail.