Opinions, opinions eh. Ireland are the current 6 Nations Champions, are ranked number 3 team in world rugby behind NZ and SA, have won 10 games on the spin and have beaten every top team in World rugby recently apart from the All Blacks but to you, they are "not a top team". Unfortunately, I don't agree with you Junior. I wouldn't write off the chances of the French either.
Sorry Finglas I have to discount Aussies AND Wales.... Wales just do not quite have the bottle to win against the top teams....see the last couple of Autumn internationals. And we are in the group of death....so will have to win those sorts of matches early in the group matches stage... So big no to Wales I am afraid. Ireland on the other hand....know how to win, can win dirty and play as a team....and has a great captain ....unlike England
Fair enough what your saying,but Ireland's performances in previous World Cups have been woeful,and their record at Twickenham in recent years doesn't make for pretty viewing!I just can't see them beating a fully fit England team at Twickenham.
I accept their performances have not been great in the World Cup. "Their record at Twickenham in recent years doesn't make pretty viewing"? Since 2004, they have lost there 3 times and won 3 times in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
The current betting odds are as follows:New Zealand 6/4 England 4/1 South Africa 5/1.10/1 bar!Im not the only one who thinks that only 3 teams can win it,if you fancy Ireland you can get decent odds on them mate,even to reach the final you'll get half the odds!
On oddschecker, Ireland's best price is 10/1 and shortest price is 7/1. If England are 4/1 and Ireland 7/1,that suggests that it is more than a 3 horse race, unless of course you are wearing blinkers or there is a touch of sour grapes over yesterday?
There is singularly nothing worse in sport (in my opinion) than making excuses. Injuries tends to be the most used one and its beyond tiresome. Its like having Harry Redknapp back! (I take it you don't agree with Jeremy Guscott who said England's injuries have been an advantage for them because they forced the manager to bring in better players, Junior?)
What I'd like to know is how England are rated 4th in the world? they are so one diminutional, and stuck in the past with their Rugby philosophy, surely it is only a matter of time before they drop down the world rankings, anyway back to the game, there was no way you were going to smash the Irish, you were led into a falls dawn by Wales, who simply didn't turn up, always slow starters even at their best, but just watch us show you how to beat the Irish at Cardiff!............ Time for you lot to start playing proper Rugby and Footy for that matter...................
No sour grapes from me,Ireland were the better team and deserved to win.Their game plan was a tried and tested one,with Sexton's kicking game pivotal.The English management should be brought to task for not taking the obvious steps needed to overcome this!Swords mate,i agree that using injuries as an excuse is tiresome,but in this case I feel it is reasonably valid.Any side in the world is going to struggle with over half their first choice team missing,and what with managerial decisions,you can throw in a couple of others.Brown is head and shoulders above any other full back we have,Tuilagi will start at centre in the World Cup,Care at Scrum Half and Farrell at Fly Half.Lawes will almost certainly start in the World Cup,as will Parling,Croft or Wood.Add Barritt or Eastmond as possible Centres that's alot of missing players.My biggest gripe with Lancaster is he should be trying harder to invoke Steffan Armitage's inclusion(yes I know it's complicated),and the fact he hasn't integrated Sam Burgess into the squad for the 6 Nations.These 2 players are game changers and match winners,if your gonna win a World Cup,these are the sort of players you need!
England have never been a flair team,they have to beat you to death up front before their backs ever do anything. But fair play to them as it has been effective in the past. The problem is when their forwards meet their match, there isn't another way for them to play so they get neutralised. They're still very dangerous though and could still win this Championship. If Wales beat Ireland its wide open.
Junior its a squad sport, not a team sport. The other teams have had injuries too. The lad that scored the only try yesterday only came in as a result of injuries. If your squad ain't up to the job then that means your team isn't good enough. I happen to think though that your team is very good and can still win this tournament.
Fair enough mate,but it should always be aimed at a World Cup.I think we could be alot more expansive,but Lancaster is afraid to take that route.I'd like to see Cipriani start at Fly,Brown will be back,not sure who's fit to play at centre,but just get Twelvetrees outa there!
Keith Wood is predicting a comfortable Irish win? “To be honest, Wales are the biggest challenge to us in this championship. “They are the most dangerous for us and if we don’t play with that level of accuracy I think we put ourselves under pressure. Keith Wood is backing Ireland to beat Wales comfortably in tomorrow’s huge Six Nations showdown at the Millennium Stadium.The former Lions hooker admits he was nervous about the game against England, but he insists he doesn’t feel the same about this weekend’s potential title decider and believes Grand Slam-chasing Ireland will win by a couple of scores. So can the Irish repeat last year’s clinical dissection of Wales’ ‘Warrenball’ tactics?
I hate people gobbing off like that. Would rather let the rugby on the pitch do the talking. Should be a good close game. May the best team win.
Should be a cracking game today, if Wales are at the top of their game I think they'll win but the Irish play such a good tactical game they'll be competing all the way. A Welsh win would set up a fascinating last day with three contenders going for it...
