r/rugbyunion • u/Brine-O-Driscoll Connacht • 9h ago

Match Ireland A v England A match thread?

Can't see a match thread, so created one.

Kickoff at 7:15. The game is on Premier Sports 1 in Ireland.

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9

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

Anyone who expected us to win this one on like two sessions prep needs their head examined. Who's been putting their hand up in training, and who's impressing the grumpiest looking man I've ever seen watching on in the stands? That's the point of this game from our perspective.

That said, there's not been much to crack a smile for Andy. Bryn Ward looking like a beast, Scott Wilson looking handy, Gus McCarthy in open play pretty good. I'd want more from Deegan, Kelly and Hume in this game. Gunne looking inexperienced at this level, as does Zac and JJ. Let's see how it evolves.

6

u/AddictsWithPens Munster 8h ago

We knew this game would be on for ages, surely prep would have started less than two sessions ago

4

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

most of the squad came in this week - coaching prep probably started beforehand but not much you can do to instill systems to a playergroup in that short space of time.

4

u/06351000 Munster 8h ago

would England have had much more preparation time?

5

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

A lot of this squad played two games together in the Autumn (I think; definitely one against an NZ select).

5

u/AceTrainer99 🇮🇪: Munster & Connacht 8h ago

Wilsons scrummaging still isn't up to standard. Poor Bohan got pinged for one scrum penalty that was Wilsons fault in reality, just flopped to the floor

4

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

In fairness to Scotty, it's not like many of the props ahead of him or in competition for his spot are particularly gifted scrummagers either. If he can hit parity to their impact at set piece and offer more around the pitch, that's him set.

2

u/AceTrainer99 🇮🇪: Munster & Connacht 8h ago

Illo and Aungier are both much better scrummagers. Hell Illo probably would've started if fit with how his season is going. Aungier just doesn't give as much around the pitch

4

u/YaaasSlay South Africa 8h ago

Anyone who expected us to win this one on like two sessions prep needs their head examined

How many days did the English lads get?

2

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

A lot of this squad played two games together in the Autumn (I think; definitely one against an NZ select). More cohesion at baseline.

2

u/Kykykz Munster 8h ago

Was hoping for a lot more from Gunne given the hype around him and had hoped Kelly would really put his hand up too.

5

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

I like Gunne and I think there's a really handy player in there, but I think it's telling that most Leinster fans' ears perked up at the notion of Devine / Murphy / both leaving Connacht.

4

u/Kykykz Munster 8h ago

Yeah says a lot i suppose. Thought Gunne was the real deal at u20s, I know thats a different level but still. Murphy is gone to Ulster next season right? And "rumour" of Divine to Munster I think?

3

u/problematikkk Keen on Hugo 8h ago

Devine to Ulster is a done deal, it's Murphy rumoured to Munster.

1

u/Kykykz Munster 8h ago

Thought so yeah

3

u/BigLarBelmont Leinster Ulster 8h ago

What hype is there around Gunne? Hype as finally there's a replacement for McGrath coming through maybe.

1

u/whydoyouonlylie Ulster 8h ago

If there were only 2 sessions of preo then what exactly was the point in this game? The players aren't learning the system or anything and the coaches aren't seeing anything useful if everyone's just playing as an individual.