The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

This is the first Pub of 606v2's second year, here's hoping for another good one.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the pictures of Augustin Pichot, David Campese, Mal O'Kelly and Jim Williams above the bar!



Last Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t22310p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#893262

Right lads it's decided ye are taking me for a zaytoons when I get over, it's only fair

You only got the chips?????

Why?

Already eaten that night.

Ah ha!

Well, you'll know not to make that mistake again!

By the way, do you know when MPT is closing for the redo?

Hugh,how can you not have been to Zaytoons?! Next you will be telling us you've never been to a Burdocks......

Am I right in saying Zaytoon also have kebabs you get on a stick? The best chipper in Cork is here lads: http://www.kcandco.ie/menu.html Head there nexty time you're in the Douglas area or around the cross. Kansas City BBQ is not on there menu but it's also great. I think there is a market for BBQ food in Ireland.

Any fans of Irish soccer may want to read something I wrote: http://www.sportpulse.net/content/look-irish-football-league-2724

Not getting a lot of support though!

No no no Thomond, Lennoxs is the best chipper in cork



That or Matty Kielys

Kiely's has been closed for years Hugh. When were you last in Cork?! Jackie's is not what it was. Still great like but KCs is the best "alternative" chipper with a better variety of goods! King Creole and a curry chips and presto you're sorted

Ah I used to go to Kielys when I was in first year of college, long time ago now haha

Lennoxs chips are superb, just loved that place

Anyone else let down by the Ireland squad? Picking such a large selection of players is such a cop out. Wednesday is going to be mental in here.

Ulster fans will never be happy with the Ireland squad Willy. I think it's a good start he is showing interest in young players. It shows he has some interest in nurturing the young guns.

I thought the Ireland squad looked pretty much right based on form. Be interested to know what XV everyone would pick from those in the squad?

I have no qualms with the selection of players in the squad thomond, more the number. Do the players added have a realistic chance of making the 22? I guess we won't know till Wednesday...

A few do. I think it shows initiative anyway.

It's great to see that these lads are in and around the fringes of the squad. One of them might be a bolter and actually make the 22 (Kearney óg would be my guess) but the experience is great for them

Exactly Hugh. Deccie can't seem to win with some people. He needs a big 6 Nations though!

Time for Mrs Brown, great stuff

WillyGilly wrote:Anyone else let down by the Ireland squad? Picking such a large selection of players is such a cop out. Wednesday is going to be mental in here.

No, not at all. I can't think of a player who is fit and deserves to be there who isn't there.

I'm not taking the urine Willy,but this is another no win scenario for an international coach. He can only make decisions based on what he sees the players produce for their provinces and what they do in training. If he wants to see who can step up and who can't, he needs the players to train with the overall group first. But when he does that it's a cop out. In the same way Eddie O'Sullivan got flak for naming squads that were basically 23 men strong. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I thought the Ireland squad looked pretty much right based on form. Be interested to know what XV everyone would pick from those in the squad?

Something like;

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell (c)
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Wallace
13. Earls
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. O'Callaghan 19. Henry 20. Murray 21. O'Gara 22. D'Arcy

I reckon Henry deserves a place on the bench, he has been superb all season and a it needs to be rewarded

I think you are probably pretty close to what the team will be, although D'Arcy may edge out yerman Paddy.

For what it's worth I would go (alterations to your side in red)

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell (c)
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. McFadden
13. Earls
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Tuohy 19. O'Mahony 20. Reddan 21. O'Gara 22. D'Arcy

Don't think McFadden will (or should) start. I think it's going to be D'Arcy.

I think it will be D'Arcy, but I think that's a short sighted and conservative selection.

Maybe so. I think the decision should be made on the basis of who is the best player right now- don't care whether he's 18 or 38. They are thinking long term in terms of getting more and more young Irish players involved with the squad. So long as they do that and pick the matchday 22s purely on merit, the team will evolve.

The problem is there is very little between Wallace, D'Arcy and McFadden ability wise. None of them are going to set this tournament alight.

If there is very little between them, then my philosophy would be to pick the one who has the most potential to improve long term, which would be McFadden.

If you had to choose between him and a world class 38 year old who takes your team to another level, then fair enough, you go with the man to do the business here and now, but when it's as close as it is between them you have to start to look ahead a bit for me.

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell (c)
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Wallace
13. Bowe
14. Kearney
15. Kearney

Plus McFadden is there to kick when Johnny inevitably fails to deliver at the top level again. ROG won't have to bail him out this time.....

Young Kearney did have an excellent game for the puppies Glas, would be tempted to give him a bench spot.

No way should Baby Chili be in that team. He was very good and Bowe has been poor but he is not ready.

Thomond wrote:Plus McFadden is there to kick when Johnny inevitably fails to deliver at the top level again. ROG won't have to bail him out this time.....

Fairly good point. Whenever he pulls on an irish jersey poor Jonny is woeful with with his kicking feet.

We need to blood new players in this 6nations, we're hardly going to do it in NZ this summer now are we??

Why not Hugh? 3 games against them, they will be going through a change too.

Evening all, never been so busy in my life!! Just got back from sja agm!! Hope all are well, time to chill with some records for me!!

Hughie I would say that it represents an ideal chance to blood the new boys.

hughie1986 wrote:We need to blood new players in this 6nations, we're hardly going to do it in NZ this summer now are we??

New Zealand is surely the time to do it. Less pressure on them as they are away from the spotlight of a home game.

To be fair, it matters not who Ireland pick in the 6 Nations, as England are going to win it anyway.

Morning all,

Can barely move today after returning to boxing last night. Feels good in a painful sort of way...

Morning Breaker ,

Sparring or just conditioning? We used to have 10 stations and do 3 mintues on each with 30 seconds breather in between, on the whistle - move on.

Bench step-ups were my nemesis.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I think you are probably pretty close to what the team will be, although D'Arcy may edge out yerman Paddy.

For what it's worth I would go (alterations to your side in red)

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell (c)
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. McFadden
13. Earls
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. Tuohy 19. O'Mahony 20. Reddan 21. O'Gara 22. D'Arcy

Id go with that. But, Kidney will start Darcy. McFadden on the bench (covers 11, 12, 13, 14 and is a 90% plus kicker). I believe Paddy W. will be left behind this 6-N. The end is near, imo.
Tuohy and O Mahony fully deserve a bench spot. But, will Deccie stick with DOC on the bench? These choices will give a key insight into his mindset and intent, on progressing this squad - or not.

Ozzy,
You talk so much sense bud. Loved your Deccie article BTW. An Irish poster could not have matched it. We are all too emotionally and provincially involved to do so.

Im confident about this weekend. Not so much about the rest of the 6-N. But I think we will beat Wales comfortably and then dip in Paris. As per.

That is something an Irish team has NEVER done - played 2 games in-a-row at a consistently high level. Next step Declan.

Ozzy3213 wrote:To be fair, it matters not who Ireland pick in the 6 Nations, as England are going to win it anyway.

Famous last words Pete, though with the players available you should be in with a shout. Nothing less than an emphatic win at the weekend will do. Anything else will be seized upon by the baying English Press who will do their utmost to undermine your team and their confidence.

Morning all.

WillyGilly wrote:

Thomond wrote:Plus McFadden is there to kick when Johnny inevitably fails to deliver at the top level again. ROG won't have to bail him out this time.....

Fairly good point. Whenever he pulls on an irish jersey poor Jonny is woeful with with his kicking feet.

This is BS.

Morning folks,


On my point from last night, I'd much prefer to blood you lads in this years six nations get the likes of Zebo Henry Kearney four of five caps each and build a solid foundation to actually have a real bash at NZ this summer, giving lads their first caps against the AllBlacks just gives us another excuse as to why we couldn't beat them again

Bore da.

Im confident about this weekend. Not so much about the rest of the 6-N. But I think we will beat Wales comfortably and then dip in Paris. As per.

I think you will lose in Twickenham and to Scotland. Italy will run you close. I hope Sunday is a very comfortable win for you so you have something of a positive to hold on to from this years championship.

So it seems like Ulster will have a new coach next season. The names being mentioned are John Kirwan, Matt Sexton and John Plumtree.

This is very harsh on McLaughlin.

It is harsh on McLoughlin. PRO12 knockouts and 2 x HC QF's in 18 months. Huge progress from the bottom of the ML, tussling with Connacht for a HC place, at one stage. But obviously it is not enough for Humphrey's and it really show's how ruthless he is, when it comes to Ulsters progression towards World Domination.

Its good news for Ulster, bad news for Mclaughlin. Surely he will stay on in a technical role?

Glas a du wrote:Bore da.

Im confident about this weekend. Not so much about the rest of the 6-N. But I think we will beat Wales comfortably and then dip in Paris. As per.

I think you will lose in Twickenham and to Scotland. Italy will run you close. I hope Sunday is a very comfortable win for you so you have something of a positive to hold on to from this years championship.

Says the fan, who's team will most likely be 4th/5th.

Scotland and Italy should be a given to this side. We should be putting teams like that to the sword. England and France away, will show where we really fit in. We must beat one of them. Id rather lose to England and beat France - if given the choice.

Gibson wrote:It is harsh on McLoughlin. PRO12 knockouts and 2 x HC QF's in 18 months. Huge progress from the bottom of the ML, tussling with Connacht for a HC place, at one stage. But obviously it is not enough for Humphrey's and it really show's how ruthless he is, when it comes to Ulsters progression towards World Domination.

Its good news for Ulster, bad news for Mclaughlin. Surely he will stay on in a technical role?

I hope so. He'd be perfect for Director of the Academy. He won't be out of work for long. He may decide he wants to go back to teaching (given the importance some of the big Grammar schools put on Schools Cup rugby he would walk into a job there as well) but I'd really like to see him stay at Ulster.

On thing is for sure, he has the support of the fans.

The other big cliffhanger this week is whether Tommy Bowe will sign for Munster or Ulster for next season. One of those options would feel like having your rugby heart ripped right out.

He'll be back at Ulster Notch surely?

Im honestly not sure id want Bow at Muster over Ulster. Feeling rotten today wish i could have a hot whiskey at work. My plan is to hit the gym after.work and sweat it out of me. Then a series of hot lemony drinks and an early night.