6N 2019: Italy v Ireland, Round 3, 23 February

First topic message reminder :

So who gets to play in this one? Who needs a rest?

Sexton has joined the injured list, but Schmidt says he should have recovered from his HIA in time. But is this the match where Schmidt wants to give Carbery a proper start, and possibly have Carty on the bench? POM looked in fine fettle but could he benefit from a couple of weeks off for his rib injury?

On the basis of the Scotland match, the depth held up fairly well with the likes of Kilcoyne coming through stronger and taking the place of Jack McGrath, and Roux and Dillane holding their ends up at scrum, lineout and in the loose. Conan got through a lot of tackles 18 and missed 1. And Chris Farrell got another full 80 minutes without mishap.

As ever, Schmidt won’t go too far in making too many changes, and he’ll want to come away from Rome with 5 points to keep them in the hunt if it goes down to the wire on the final weekend.

He might have Tadgh Beirne or Iain Henderson back for this one, and possibly Kieran Marmion with Munster v Kings, Ospreys v Ulster and Connacht v Cheetahs next weekend to give them some game time if necessary.

Henshaw just had a dead leg, so he should be good to go. Not sure abut Ringrose and his hamstring.

Will Addison is another who needs to be seen although a starting spot may be out of reach.

Who would you have in your 23 allowing for some of the above injured being passed fit to play?

I’ve gone for provincial partnerships where possible in my selection:

McGrath, Best, Porter
Henderson, Roux
SOB, Ruddock/Murphy, Conan
Murray, Carbery
Henshaw, Farrell
Larmour, Stockdale, Kearney

Reps: Scannell, Kilcoyne, Ryan, Ruddock/Murphy, Dillane, Marmion, Carty, Addison

It would be good to see McKinley get a run. Don't think he had played against Ireland before has he?

I don't pay enough attention to the Italy team so this may be obvious, but why is the new Wasps signing not playing full back? Is he injured

BamBam wrote:I don't pay enough attention to the Italy team so this may be obvious, but why is the new Wasps signing not playing full back? Is he injured

Yes.

Collapse2005 wrote:It would be good to see McKinley get a run. Don't think he had played against Ireland before has he?

Came on in Chicago in November

Great to see Carty on the bench.

Hopefully get some game time.

Hang on. Conan is out of the 23 altogether and we still have Quinn roux while Tadhg Beirne is tearing up trees. Interesting.

Was Tadhg tearing up trees though? Maybe he was but my eyesight was clouded by that godawful game last night. How many try chances did Munster cough up with no pressure on them? This second string/third string collection need to really find a leader or two... or three. Rudderless and still winning, which is fair enough, but how much better if someone actually put their hand up and led. Maybe Tadhg, who seems to be still regretting having to leave Wales to have a stab at International.

Not just last night but whatever excuse you want to make ( in fairness you and guns have a hatful). Conan out is more interesting what’s your excuse for that

Me and Guns are chalk and cheese as has been proven a lot of times in the past. I'm not a child who cheers on 'Irish' players one week and sneers them the next when they have Munster shirts on them. That kinda stuff is for younger guys who like to make an impression in crowded pubs. I want Ireland to crush all before them and become number 1 side in the world. So I need Munster to be better than reasonably good every week. I say it when I see it when they underperform. They did last night... as I said no real pattern just trying to hit hit their way over the line. Not good enough tactically.. I'd say the same about Leinster and Leinster players when I see it... and Tadgh does look like a player who thinks of his own career hopes so far than a player that has embraced Munster. I'd like to see him get his teeth into playing FOR Munster. Second team needs an emotional driver when the Internationals are away.

Beirne is a better player than Roux. Quite possibly there are at least four other better players than Roux. So don’t give me the armchair psychology as an excuse

Conan had a good game last time out you still haven’t suggested why he has been dropped

Conan was dropped for the same reason as Carbery.

The injury. Yeah right.

Still doesn’t excuse roux over Beirne or anyone who can walk

I was just answering your query about Conan. I don't really care about the pecking order of our 4th,5th and 6th choice locks.

I hope you aren’t saying the same thing come september

SecretFly wrote:Me and Guns are chalk and cheese as has been proven a lot of times in the past.  I'm not a child who cheers on 'Irish' players one week and sneers them the next when they have Munster shirts on them.  That kinda stuff is for younger guys who like to make an impression in crowded pubs.  I want Ireland to crush all before them and become number 1 side in the world.  So I need Munster to be better than reasonably good every week.  I say it when I see it when they underperform.  They did last night... as I said no real pattern just trying to hit hit their way over the line.  Not good enough tactically..  I'd say the same about Leinster and Leinster players when I see it... and Tadgh does look like a player who thinks of his own career hopes so far than a player that has embraced Munster.  I'd like to see him get his teeth into playing FOR Munster.  Second team needs an emotional driver when the Internationals are away.

Spare me your patronising garbage. Im simply not a weak minded weasel like you who is afraid to criticise players who arent playing well in case it hurts an overly sensitive fan somewhere online.

I couldnt care less if I get accused of criticising Munster players though you never hear about the many 100s of posts I have written sticking up for players like Earls over the years who gets lots of criticism nor the criticism of Leinster guys like Fitzgerald who I simply didnt rate.

Instead your posts are almost always incoherent babble devoid of any sort of original thought.  If your post hadnt mentioned me personally (again, not for the first time) I wouldnt have given it a second glance. To have an opinion you risk offending someone, thats life. Your posts bore me because you are too scared to post what your opinion actually is and instead they are padded with meaningless spam.

marty2086 wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:It would be good to see McKinley get a run. Don't think he had played against Ireland before has he?

Came on in Chicago in November

Thanks. Must have switched off during that game. Not expecting a thriller today either. Tried to get tickets for this game but flights were waaaaay too expensive.

Collapse, I only brought you up because the other resident 606 Irish pub snarler joined me and you together as one and the same. I rushed to show the chasm and then you go prove me right (yet again) with the meltdown. Correct, you're nothing like me, and I celebrate the fact.
On the topic of 'offending' people that you seem to suggest represents a badge of courage or some kind of deeper esoteric knowledge, I seem to have offended you plenty in my time despite the fact that you never read my garbage. So, I'm pretty good at offending pub crawling loud mouths who serially snap and bite at regular enemies (Munster/New Zealand/Stuart Barnes) like a school kid in the play yard with football swap cards.
You 'enjoy' rugby your way with the constant growling and backbiting, and I'll enjoy it my way. And thanks once again for proving to DOD in no uncertain terms that you and I are chalk and cheese.

SecretFly wrote:Collapse, I only brought you up because the other resident 606 Irish pub snarler joined me and you together as one and the same.  I rushed to show the chasm and then you go prove me right (yet again) with the meltdown.  Correct, you're nothing like me, and I celebrate the fact.  
On the topic of 'offending' people that you seem to suggest represents a badge of courage or some kind of deeper esoteric knowledge, I seem to have offended you plenty in my time despite the fact that you never read my garbage.  So, I'm pretty good at offending pub crawling loud mouths who serially snap and bite at regular enemies (Munster/New Zealand/Stuart Barnes) like a school kid in the play yard with football swap cards.
You 'enjoy' rugby your way with the constant growling and backbiting, and I'll enjoy it my way.  And thanks once again for proving to DOD in no uncertain terms that you and I are chalk and cheese.

Go have a cry. Dont throw mud if you cant handle some back your direction. Whinger. If you dont like my posts dont read them. Im dont read yours because they bore me.

You take a pop at me and and then pontificate about how name calling is beneath you. Do you realise what a snake and a hypocrit you are?

Nice early steal by Peter O'Mahony. He'll be happy with that.

Ireland look like they just all meet up in the pub before the game, so many errors

They seem to be getting it together now though!

Nice to see Italy play for a couple of phases with penalty advantage, rather than immediately utilise the fashionable and rather aimless rugby-league style punt.

That was a soft one for Italy to give away, it is going to be a long afternoon for them if they keep doing that

12-3 Ireland

Jeez poor performance from Ireland so far. Nice try from Italy.

It's a shame Italy can't defend, because they're putting some half-decent attacking moves together. Ireland look disinterested and their workrate is very low.

Italy try, 11-12.

That was a cracking try and it was coming

An interesting game now

Farrell doesnt look right

Fully expect Ireland to win this, but Italy aren’t going to make it easy....

The positive note I’m taking is that maybe Wales performance against them wasn’t as bad as I’d thought...especially as we made 10 changes.

Very interesting now, Italy are dangerous

16-12 Italy

Well that was a frenetic passage of play. Italy nearly missed out on a superb chance.

The team who've lost 19 consecutive Six Nations games are leading 16-12.

Italian scrum half is having an absolute stormer

Well, was not expecting this score at half time. Italy in the lead, was expecting Ireland too be well clear by now.

The only word I can think of for that half is embarrassing.
Well there's another but it's not allowed on here, it sounds like dustertruck.
Whatever the plan was it's time for plan B Joe

Poor throw in from Cronin.
Team need to get their act together.

Fair play to Italy though. Playing well.
Still think we will turn it round. Need to do better though.

What an awesome half of rugby! Best of the weekend so far I’d say, open and fast. That second Italian try was incredible, made Ireland look very disorganised with the speed of their attack. Wonder how this one will go in the second half? Italy probably need to try and do more of the same. Allan left 7 points out there too but tough kicks though.

I think Ireland's plan was much the same as Wales in round 2 - turn up and the result will take care of itself. HT has come just at the right time for the visitors, Italy were starting to look rampant.

Ireland should still win comfortably enough, but if Italy get the first try of the second half, it becomes interesting.

If Italy could keep their discipline, then anything could be possible.

They won't win if they keep giving up territory through penalties though

Good game from Kilcoyne. Murrays poor form continues.

Another penalty against Italy in a good spot

It really is not Irelands day, Stockdale of all players

That would have killed the game, given Ireland a 10 point lead, but Italy remain in it. How much have they got left in the tank?

And that is all over. Italy look exhausted, chance for Ireland to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Italy not giving up, but to much to do you would imagaine

Italy have been giving away too many soft penalties and gifting Ireland field position ... shame really as they were making a good game of it. Thought the one for falling on the player on the ground was maybe a bit harsh as it looked like the ball was stripped by holding the Italian player up around the neck, although it was a long camera shot so maybe it was OK.

Not sure why no pen for pushing the 9 over?

Well that was carp. Hope nobody has booked a trip to japan yet.

Well.
Getting the 5 points is good.
I think Andy Farrell will be a little angry

Well Ireland win but not very convinceingly. Italy gave them a good run for their money.

Still a win is a win i guess, and a bonus point win for Ireland. 

But very bad luck Italy almost got a losing bonus point.

To many handling errors.
Not a great game.
Missing a good few players.
Italy gave it a go and did well.

Got to play much better in 2 weeks.

On the plus side got the 5 points.