Irish Squad v France

Hey Leeds, long time no see. Hopefully Sexton makes it back or we are likely to be pounded into a horse meat burger

Tis been a while for sure. On here a bit but cant keep up with all yere with so stay silent.

I actually thought Jackson did very well, kicking aside, and I think the fact that PJ and Marshall debuted together helped them both out. If PJ can bring the kicking he had for Ulster last weekend there wont be a problem.

Do you think its a good idea bringing Sexton back in especially if hes not right? I think these 2 games are the perfect opportunity to blood some youngsters. Really hope Kilcoyne gets a run. He was excellent against Osperys last weekend.

Here is the problem in a nutshell.

DK is fighting for his job. That's a lost cause BTW because he should be sacked. 35% winning ratio would not be tolerated in any other serious rugby country.
Anyway, as he is fighting it seems to the bitter end, he will pick the team to win this game and worry about the next when it comes around.
Blooding new guys is not on his agenda, and he was forced into it last time round due to injuries which is why we saw him use Jackson and Marshal.

Yes Jackson was good in general play but without a boot he's virtually useless. That said Earls should be drop-kicked out of the side leaving room for McFadden who has a good boot, then we could bring Jackson on as a play making fly half and leave the kicking duties to McFadden. However Jackson had a decent game with Ulster but they lost! While Madigan had an outstanding game with Leinster and they won. Well Madigan was a better choice ahead of Jackson in my opinion but DK made the call on Jackson and that's the way it goes. So if he wants to continue with Jackson at FH then it is absolutely imperative that we have an alternative kicker on the pitch. Only option is McFadden on the wing. The bonus to that is we won't have Earls glory hunting and ignoring try scoring passes in favour of going for it himself.

Marshal was outstanding playing off Jackson's shoulder, they have a good understanding but he was anonymous when Jackson was replaced with ROG, so if you are going to stick wit Marshal then we must stick with Jackson also.

On Sexton, yes i would have him back in a heartbeat. But from his point of view it might be better to sit out the remainder of the competition. If he wants to remain fit for the Lions tour i mean.

We have a lot of problems Leeds. A hell of a lot of problems!

New manager please. Bye Bye DK you are a very nice fella but you are a rubbish international manager.

Hi there

Personally I was very sad to see the Scotland game and even more so to see O'Gara dropped, whilst the end of his international and club career is approaching at a rapid rate - the end of this season I'd tend to guess - I'd want to see a player of his stature go out on a high and be remembered for the incredible player he was at his best, though I'd be slightly concerned what might become of him when his playing days are done.

In that respect, I would have preferred to see him in the Irish team again, just to make amends and finish what I think will be his last Six Nations on a high, glorious in front of the home crowd that idolised him and he loved to be in front of.

I'd say that its not all bad for Ireland - I would have always worried what would happen when O'Connell, O'Gara and O'Driscoll went, but I think that in the backs - Sexton, Earls, Marshall - there are good replacements for them - not of that gold standard - but then who is, but enough to make Ireland a respectable, hard to beat side. I can't yet see who the next O'Connell - O'Callaghan second row is, but with a good front and back row (though I'd switch the captaincy to Best) I think that it's not all black - though equally not All Blacks either - ha, ha

SARS mate. you're alive! We been inundated with new guys the banter has been flying and all in good fun. Long may it continue.

As for your respects paid to ROG. Yes he is done I think. the Irish Times have been writing his obituary every day since the Scottish game which is awful. I agree a proper send off is warranted but there in lies the problem. He should have announced his retirement. Then Kidney and the team would have had the opportunity to actually give him that send off. Instead he has fizzled out like a wet matchstick.

I'm sure Munster will give him the proper send off tho.

On the rest of you're comment. Earls???? That boy is crap! Brian O'Driscoll should have booted him in the backside against Scotland. His blatant glory hunting was despicable. He's a petulant child unbecoming of a Munster jersey and certainly an Irish jersey. There was once a time i thought he would be great. Watching him in a green jersey, ignoring his team mates and going for glory has totally turned me against him.And his insistence that he wants to play as a 13 only is down right stupid. Im tired of him at this point and i want him well gone off the team until he learns that there is no "I" in team the selfish little brat that he is.

Don't hold back there, tell us what you really think!

I think the thing with Earls is that he has the talent, he just needs it channelling for him a little. I can't help but feel that if O'Driscoll were captain young Keith would have had a good talking to, even before the glory boy attempt, and that for the sake of Heaslip, O'Driscoll is holding himself back.

If someone - Rory Best perhaps - is installed as captain who can properly lead then I think that both Earls and Ireland will benefit enormously, but there seems to be a lack of leadership on and off the field and players are playing by their own agenda. This has been brought out most predominantly in Earls and Heaslip - and maybe the back up for Sean O'Brien on those upfield charges, if they can get this bit right, all will prosper, if not there could be a lot of internal infighting and very little end product

this is the only thing that we need to do to fix it - http://kidneyclock.net/
Then BOD will be reinstated at captain for the remainder of his career.

On the captain issue, Best is an option yes but you know hes not captain in Ulster any longer.

In my honest opinion Sexton is a natural leader, He used to be a petulant brat too but he has matured into a very dedicated player. And he gained the respect of everyone. Honestly i think hes the natural guy to take up the mantle after BOD.

Ding - I posted recently that Healy should be captain but now I'm on board with you...Sexton's your man when BOD goes.

I agree on the Sexton captaincy issue. I think the fact that Best can struggle sometimes with his throwing could affect his role as captaincy. I know you could say the same about kicking with JS, but its just a gut feeling that I'd be easier with JS being captain and having that responsibility. Although do you think him being in France could affect it?

Also Deccy has to go.

Yes leeds, Sexton in France for the next 2 seasons really means the captaincy will probably stay with Heaslip.

Sexton just has that captains face if you know what i mean. Like a grimace. He's extremely professional, dedicated self critical and probably our best player.

BOD was the same and still is and should not have been stripped of the captaincy. But thats another debate.

POC and Rory best also fit the mould above.

And then we have Heaslip.
Who is a joker, a hipster, not the best player we have, not even playing up to his personal best. Doesn't know how to talk to the media just regurgitates buzz words he heard once in a boy scouts get together or some such thing. And on a personal note i ran into him in Dublin about a year ago with some of his fanboys and i have never witnessed such juvenile nonsense. He has a special ability to be the most childish and arrogant person in the room at the same time. I'm a bit old fashioned, and i like my rugby players to be old fashioned. Certainly the captain! Down to earth and humble, not the prat in the corner trying to make everyone like him.

The other provincial players outside or leinster ave to have respect for the captain and i seriously doubt that he has that respect in munster or ulster. Where BOD Best and Sexton absolutely have.