Ireland [1] vs Scotland [7] Pool A, Match 6, RWC 2019

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Ireland vs Scotland

Pool A, Match 6
Sunday, September 22
Kick Off 08:45 BST
International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City

Teams


Ireland


1.Healy, 2.Best (C), 3.Furlong
4.Henderson, 5.James Ryan
6.O'Mahony, 7.Van der Flier
8.Stander

9.Murray, 10.Sexton
12.Aki, 13.Ringrose
11.Stockdale, 15.Lamour, 14.Conway

Replacements: Scannell, Kilcoyne, Porter, Beirne, Conan, McGrath, Carty, Farrell

Scotland


1.Dell, 2.McInally (C), 3.Nel
4.Gilchrist, 5.Gray
6.Barclay (VC), 7.Watson, 8.Wilson

9.Laidlaw (VC), 10.Russell
12.Johnson, 13.Taylor
11.Maitland, 15.Hogg, 14.Seymour

Bench: Brown, Reid, Berghan, Cummings, Thomson, Price, Harris, Graham

SecretFly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:POM - advantage Scotland.

Yeah. We want to lose this one.  We want to knock out New Zealand before the final.  You'll be thanking us later down the line.  Ireland to the rescue again

Well you're No.1, you can knock any one out.

Say, have you noticed how there wasn't any crying when Ireland were ranked No.1? Hmmm, I seem to remember a lot of kicking and screaming from a certain faction when Wales were ranked No.1.

I think this will be a very tight game due to the expected conditions. I am not sure the expected conditions suit Scotland better, I would say they suit Irelands more attritional approach.

eirebilly wrote:POM is an excellent player and very physical at the breakdown, well POM of 2 years ago that is. He has lost some of the form that made him one of the best over the last season or two. I would say that him at 6 right now, in the form he is in does unbalance the pack slightly.

I like CJ at 8 and feel he is a better 8 than Conan but with Conan at 8 and CJ at 6, there is just a lot more balance.

I too would have preferred Conway at 15 for this match ahead of Larmour, given the expected conditions. He is just better in the air and defensively more aware and stronger.

I agree he is physical at the breakdown its more in contact that's the issue for me. Look he is a good player and Schmidt knows what he is doing so hoping he and everyone else has a good game. POM is also liable to have a very big game from time to time so hopefully this and the quarter final he has a big one.

Ireland should win as they have experience at winning big games. Scotland do not really have it but you never know. If Scotland win it’s a massive upset and if they do Ireland are fooked.

Things are fairly well matched on the flanks - Barclay and PoM are old workhorses who will be looking to put in a big shift with all the dirty work, and Watson and VDF (who I really rate) are incredible athletes and really dynamic.

At 8 we know what Stander is going to be doing (carrying very hard) and what Wilson will be doing (winding up everyone).

ebop wrote:Ireland should win as they have experience at winning big games. Scotland do not really have it but you never know. If Scotland win it’s a massive upset and if they do Ireland are fooked.

Winning the group or finishing runner up makes little difference when it comes to the knockout games. Win and you face NZ  lose and you have to face SA. Both big asks.

VDF vs Watson, that's quite a face-off. Both are often the best player in their teams, although the former seems to have been blighted by injury a lot, so I'm hoping he makes it through. If not then Ireland are fooked because their back up 7 is.... wait for it...……

POM!!

Exactly LT, but you’d rather be going into either of those games with confidence. And vice versa NZ/SA.

mikey_dragon wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:POM - advantage Scotland.

Yeah. We want to lose this one.  We want to knock out New Zealand before the final.  You'll be thanking us later down the line.  Ireland to the rescue again

Well you're No.1, you can knock any one out.

Say, have you noticed how there wasn't any crying when Ireland were ranked No.1? Hmmm, I seem to remember a lot of kicking and screaming from a certain faction when Wales were ranked No.1.

Inform us about which faction that is, mikey?

We're World Number 1 and everybody is laughing since we got it.  You haven't heard the sneers, jeers and 'experts' laughing at the idea of Ireland arriving in Japan as Number 1?

You didn't hear any of that stuff?  Of course you didn't.  You're Welsh, not Irish.

Let them laugh.  I don't care.  Numero Uno won't last long.  Won't New Zealand take it back if they win their next game coming up soon?  BUT, it doesn't scare me.  Nor do I think if scares the players.  We're 1 because over the last few years we deserve it.  2nd was getting boring anyway.....

SecretFly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:POM - advantage Scotland.

Yeah. We want to lose this one.  We want to knock out New Zealand before the final.  You'll be thanking us later down the line.  Ireland to the rescue again

Well you're No.1, you can knock any one out.

Say, have you noticed how there wasn't any crying when Ireland were ranked No.1? Hmmm, I seem to remember a lot of kicking and screaming from a certain faction when Wales were ranked No.1.

Inform us about which faction that is, mikey?

We're World Number 1 and everybody is laughing since we got it.  You haven't heard the sneers, jeers and 'experts' laughing at the idea of Ireland arriving in Japan as Number 1?

You didn't hear any of that stuff?  Of course you didn't.  You're Welsh, not Irish.

Let them laugh.  I don't care.  Numero Uno won't last long.  Won't New Zealand take it back if they win their next game coming up soon?  BUT, it doesn't scare me.  Nor do I think if scares the players.  We're 1 because over the last few years we deserve it.  2nd was getting boring anyway.....

If SA beat the ABs I think they may go top, which means four of the top five teams will have been number 1 ranked in the last six weeks

I don't really put that much interest into the rankings myself. I more watch the games an form my own opinion of who is the best. Ireland may be currently ranked Number 1 but they are not the best side in the world for me.

NH teams only ‘pretended’ to be #1 because they scheduled a bunch of out-of-season friendlies. Turns out none of the NH teams really wanted it or deserved it

ebop wrote:NH teams only ‘pretended’ to be #1 because they scheduled a bunch of out-of-season friendlies. Turns out none of the NH teams really wanted it or deserved it

We will know who deserves it in a few weeks time.

eirebilly wrote:I don't really put that much interest into the rankings myself. I more watch the games an form my own opinion of who is the best. Ireland may be currently ranked Number 1 but they are not the best side in the world for me.

It's not what the ranking system defines though (always humanly subjective anyway). Ranking system defines a scientific procedure that identifies rank based on opposition played, results achieved, location played etc.

ABs were ranked 1 for so long because they consistently fulfilled the requirements...not because a calculator felt they were best team.
We are currently No 1 under the very same criteria New Zealand always achieved it.  We deserve our ranking.  I don't fear it or any jinx that others might feel attached to it.

SecretFly wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I don't really put that much interest into the rankings myself. I more watch the games an form my own opinion of who is the best. Ireland may be currently ranked Number 1 but they are not the best side in the world for me.

It's not what the ranking system defines though (always humanly subjective anyway). Ranking system defines a scientific procedure that identifies rank based on opposition played, results achieved, location played etc.

ABs were ranked 1 for so long because they consistently fulfilled the requirements...not because a calculator felt they were best team.
We are currently No 1 under the very same criteria New Zealand always achieved it.  We deserve our ranking.  I don't fear it or any jinx that others might feel attached to it.

Oh I know how it works Fly, I just form my own opinions as to who is the best.

RDW wrote:Things are fairly well matched on the flanks - Barclay and PoM are old workhorses who will be looking to put in a big shift with all the dirty work, and Watson and VDF (who I really rate) are incredible athletes and really dynamic.

At 8 we know what Stander is going to be doing (carrying very hard) and what Wilson will be doing (winding up everyone).

Id love to see VdF follow in his alma mater Eric Miller's footsteps and get selected for the Lions some day. He is a total freak of an athlete. I have met him before and he is like a character from Fargo in so far as how polite and nice he is.

Russia beating Japan 7-0 so far

ebop wrote:NH teams only ‘pretended’ to be #1 because they scheduled a bunch of out-of-season friendlies. Turns out none of the NH teams really wanted it or deserved it

Ha, partially true I suppose as I dont read much into those games however, the ranking points were only worth a lot because the NH sides Wales, England and Ireland have consistently won more games than anyone else in the last 4 years besides NZ.

eirebilly wrote:

Oh I know how it works Fly, I just form my own opinions as to who is the best.

We all do. But I feel some of us Irish are terrified of the tag.... in private.... fear the jinx.

Me just saying I don't. We're World Number 1. Come get us!

Nah, it is true Guns. NH teams played games that they never would have played and saw themselves boosted up the WR rankings. That’s why Hansen had a chuckle.

Not overly impressed with Japan in this game nor their last game. I can see Ireland slaughtering them.

Collapse2005 wrote:Not overly impressed with Japan in this game nor their last game. I can see Ireland slaughtering them.

Ireland's game is exactly what negates Japan - I think Ireland will get through them relatively comfortably.

Scotland on the other hand...! It doesn't sit well with us to play structured, patient rugby...

We'll give it a go. We got no choice. We paid our entry fee.

Japan rugby is frantic and can upset a structured robotic side like SA and Ireland

Oops...was replying to an Ebop post but again, it disappeared...

ebop wrote:Japan rugby is frantic and can upset a structured robotic side like SA and Ireland

You might be right about SA but Japan have never even come close to not getting a hiding v Ireland. Id say Japan would actually do better against unstructured, looser sides with weaker defenses like the SANZAR sides minus SA.

Russia look alright, they can actually throw it around a bit.

Lol, the only SANZAR side Japan has come close to is SA when they actually beat them

Not sure we can base anything off of this first 32 minutes, the Japanese are obviously nervous, the Russians without any pressure whatsoever. I suspect they'll still win comfortably.

Fair dues maestegmafia, good luck Ireland and Scotland

ebop wrote:Fair dues maestegmafia, good luck Ireland and Scotland

Cheers mate much appreciated, we should all be celebrating the positive values of the sport at such an exciting time in the game.

Scotland team is predictable from Toonie. Huge concern if Russell goes off but other than Blade at 8 and Hastings on the bench ahead of Harris, I'd probably have gone with the same.

I fear for Dell against Furlong, and with Best and McInally starting the lineout will be a total lottery!

Can't wait!

funnyExiledScot wrote:Scotland team is predictable from Toonie. Huge concern if Russell goes off but other than Blade at 8 and Hastings on the bench ahead of Harris, I'd probably have gone with the same.

I fear for Dell against Furlong, and with Best and McInally starting the lineout will be a total lottery!

Can't wait!

Butterflies in the stomach start now eh...! Both teams look good, maybe a little conservative in both selections but solid selections.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Scotland team is predictable from Toonie. Huge concern if Russell goes off but other than Blade at 8 and Hastings on the bench ahead of Harris, I'd probably have gone with the same.

I fear for Dell against Furlong, and with Best and McInally starting the lineout will be a total lottery!

Can't wait!

Dell is up against one of hte best THs in the world but he's a very good scrummager himself - he's not big but has very good technique.

I think the scrums will be about even, with the ref tossing a coin to decide who to penalise (as usual).

RDW wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Scotland team is predictable from Toonie. Huge concern if Russell goes off but other than Blade at 8 and Hastings on the bench ahead of Harris, I'd probably have gone with the same.

I fear for Dell against Furlong, and with Best and McInally starting the lineout will be a total lottery!

Can't wait!

Dell is up against one of hte best THs in the world but he's a very good scrummager himself - he's not big but has very good technique.

I think the scrums will be about even, with the ref tossing a coin to decide who to penalise (as usual).

I have a feeling Ireland are going to bulldoze Scotland's scrum. However, Im sure Barnes will find a way to level the playing field as much as possible.

Dell will need to be awkward and use every trick in the book. He's giving away 2 stone. Nel vs Healy will be a proper battle, and we shouldn't lack grunt from the second row. I think Ireland will win the battle of the scrums personally, with Dell struggling.

I'm predicting Ireland by 15 points, but I still think Scotland will escape the group.

Collapse2005 wrote:

RDW wrote:


I think the scrums will be about even, with the ref tossing a coin to decide who to penalise (as usual).

I have a feeling Ireland are going to bulldoze Scotland's scrum. However, Im sure Barnes will find a way to level the playing field as much as possible.

Nice to see the ref blaming has started early from both sides

I've always feared the Irish scrum but I remember the last few games there was very little in it, and we even got the nudge a few times last game (but lost a few pens when the subs came on).

We have a very good scrummaging front row - none of them are big but they've got excellent technique. We have two big lumps at lock as ballast too (as do Ireland).

LondonTiger wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

RDW wrote:


I think the scrums will be about even, with the ref tossing a coin to decide who to penalise (as usual).

I have a feeling Ireland are going to bulldoze Scotland's scrum. However, Im sure Barnes will find a way to level the playing field as much as possible.

Nice to see the ref blaming has started early from both sides

There is so much history when it comes to Barnes and Ireland that unfortunately its not possible to see his appointment and not be disappointed. Human nature and I dont think thats unreasonable really.

Collapse2005 wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

RDW wrote:


I think the scrums will be about even, with the ref tossing a coin to decide who to penalise (as usual).

I have a feeling Ireland are going to bulldoze Scotland's scrum. However, Im sure Barnes will find a way to level the playing field as much as possible.

Nice to see the ref blaming has started early from both sides

There is so much history when it comes to Barnes and Ireland that unfortunately its not possible to see his appointment and not be disappointed. Human nature.

Damn, I was thinking that with being a mod I'd better bite my lip on Barnes or I'll get a ban ......

Yeah good luck to Ireland trying to get away with the most blatant of scrum-cheating with Barnes as ref. Hopefully some French refs will save your blushes in the later pool games given that Glen Jackson isn't here.

Yeah, will be interesting whether the Irish tightheads keep getting away with slipping their bind on the arm of the opposing looseheads.

You always get away with something depending on the ref. Pushing the limits is frankly what you should be doing as a pro sportsman.

mikey_dragon wrote:Yeah good luck to Ireland trying to get away with the most blatant of scrum-cheating with Barnes as ref. Hopefully some French refs will save your blushes in the later pool games given that Glen Jackson isn't here.

For a man who spends so much time whining about English posters on Welsh threads, maybe you could follow your own advice.

But glad to see your still upset about your scrum getting shown up over the two warm up matches

Old Man wrote:Yeah, will be interesting whether the Irish tightheads keep getting away with slipping their bind on the arm of the opposing looseheads.

Did that happen once in a game you saw a few years ago?

It happened in the last two matches Ireland played

Old Man wrote:It happened in the last two matches Ireland played

Oh yeah, according to Mikey and his twitter evidence..lol

Nothing to do with mikey, I mentioned the first time during the match on 31st of August. Page three of the Irish Welsh warm up matches thread.

Then again after the second warm up test.

I see all the 606 regulars are rooting for us to win anyway. We're very popular in these parts.......

carpet baboon wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Yeah good luck to Ireland trying to get away with the most blatant of scrum-cheating with Barnes as ref. Hopefully some French refs will save your blushes in the later pool games given that Glen Jackson isn't here.

For a man who spends so much time whining about English posters on Welsh threads, maybe you could follow your own advice.

But glad to see your still upset about your scrum getting shown up over the two warm up matches

Our scrum isn't great right now but at least it tried to compete against the Irish legally, and when we did get a dominant scrum we were either wrongfully penalised or not awarded penalty/advantage. I'm sorry (not sorry) but that is just poor, poor officiating from the French refs. Anyway you always react badly to me pointing out these facts, even when I provided you with evidence. You seem a little worried? I think Ireland are quite overrated tbh, Schmidtball is easy to work out so away from home Ireland aren't too good - so maybe that is why you are worried. The team could prove me wrong by winning the tournament of course, a big if...