Odd game from Ireland last week. Played ok for large parts but didn't even seem to try competing at the breakdown. I expect them to be frothing come Sat. Ire v Wales is becoming a real grudge match and you can tell the players hate losing to the other side.
Still could have snuck it if Henshaw had joined that blooming maul correctly. Correct call but I still turned the air blue! Very frustrating as reckon that was going to be scored regardless.
Main concerns are:
Rory's darts when the pressure is on, we almost always seem to lose at least one or two crucial line outs when we get into an oppo 22. He's a quality player but it's been a bit of a weakness for a while and will probably keep him off the plane to NZ even if he plays a blinder on Sat.
Centres didn't get much ball. Two great players individually with ridiculous potential IF they click. Welsh defence to thank for that though.
Zebo has no pace. Good player with serious skill who has improved but he just doesn't have the pace. Most of a pack could chase him down I reckon, especially later on in a game, which isn't acceptable from a wing really. All our outside backs are brilliant under a high ball but Kearney being replaced by Payne could be very interesting. It's his normal position so might give us a bit more bite in attack.
Joe doesn't like to change much but we had Gilroy come on in Italy game and score 3 tries using nothing but his pace and a step. Something we desperately lack in the outside backs.
Still could have snuck it if Henshaw had joined that blooming maul correctly. Correct call but I still turned the air blue! Very frustrating as reckon that was going to be scored regardless.
Main concerns are:
Rory's darts when the pressure is on, we almost always seem to lose at least one or two crucial line outs when we get into an oppo 22. He's a quality player but it's been a bit of a weakness for a while and will probably keep him off the plane to NZ even if he plays a blinder on Sat.
Centres didn't get much ball. Two great players individually with ridiculous potential IF they click. Welsh defence to thank for that though.
Zebo has no pace. Good player with serious skill who has improved but he just doesn't have the pace. Most of a pack could chase him down I reckon, especially later on in a game, which isn't acceptable from a wing really. All our outside backs are brilliant under a high ball but Kearney being replaced by Payne could be very interesting. It's his normal position so might give us a bit more bite in attack.
Joe doesn't like to change much but we had Gilroy come on in Italy game and score 3 tries using nothing but his pace and a step. Something we desperately lack in the outside backs.
