Gordon D'Arcy

[BlueBlue]

From the Examiner, Darcy has taken a planned oppertunity to see a groin expert. Interesting then that it was always a plan to play paddy walace in this game.


McNaughton also revealed yesterday that centre Gordon D’Arcy had been given permission to spend the day south in Melbourne, visiting an Australian expert on groin injuries. The Leinster man hasn’t suffered any relapse here in the southern hemisphere but took the opportunity to get the long-term issue looked at.

"Gordon D’Arcy didn’t train this morning, he’s actually down in Melbourne visiting a specialist for his groin, it was nothing to do with any injuries he’s got on this tour," said McNaughton.

"We had planned this a few weeks back, he went down with the doctor, he’ll just be away for the day."



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 22, 2010



Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugb ... z0rZYe30ad

[Clermont]

Glad to hear that there's a reason he's not playing Saturday, I didn't think he deserved to be dropped (yes, I know Wallace did well).

[olaf the fat]

a doctors appointment or a job interview?

P Wallace is doing a good job at 12, but Darcy is in a different league

[johng]

a doctors appointment or a job interview?

Darcy for Melbourne Rebels! You heard it here 1st.

[Xanthippe]

a doctors appointment or a job interview?

Jesus, don't even joke about it - the mocker Gods are always watching

P Wallace is doing a good job at 12, but Darcy is in a different league

See the thing I don't understand is the constant double standard that appears to be coming from the Irish management. Deccie goes to great trouble to explain that a match against the Maori is not at the same level as an international match and therefore Rhys will not get a start against Australia because he hasn't proved himself and yet P. Wallace (in the same match) did enough to displace Mr. D'Arcy.

[hugonaut]

a doctors appointment or a job interview?

Jesus, don't even joke about it - the mocker Gods are always watching

P Wallace is doing a good job at 12, but Darcy is in a different league

See the thing I don't understand is the constant double standard that appears to be coming from the Irish management. Deccie goes to great trouble to explain that a match against the Maori is not at the same level as an international match and therefore Rhys will not get a start against Australia because he hasn't proved himself and yet P. Wallace (in the same match) did enough to displace Mr. D'Arcy.

I don't think it's a particular double standard Xanthippe – Kidney has to say something when he drops a player/gives another player a chance, and roughly half of the people will disagree with his position. Wallace played very well against the Maori, and has always been part of Kidney's plans and squads; it's not like he's coming out of nowhere, or is coming in with no form.

In contrast to most of this board, I wasn't particularly overwhelmed with D'Arcy's performance against the All Blacks – he did well in some instances, less well in other instances, and he was hardly watertight in defense, one of the aspects of his play that is often used in favourable comparison to Wallace. He was also up against a debutant in Benson Stanley, so not a particularly experienced opponent to judge himself against.

This sort of tour is a great chance for Kidney to try out options and reward players who are in good form; if Drico wasn't captain [and if O'Connell wasn't absent, and if we had some other options, which we don't thanks to our injury list] I think it'd be a decent idea to leave him out of the line-up for once. It'll do D'Arcy no harm to miss this match, and it might do Paddy Wallace and Ireland the world of good if it gives us another viable option at 12.

[Cianostays]

P Wallace is doing a good job at 12, but Darcy is in a different league

See the thing I don't understand is the constant double standard that appears to be coming from the Irish management. Deccie goes to great trouble to explain that a match against the Maori is not at the same level as an international match and therefore Rhys will not get a start against Australia because he hasn't proved himself and yet P. Wallace (in the same match) did enough to displace Mr. D'Arcy.

I agree with Hugo on this one. We should be looking at rotating the squad as much as possible on this tour and to be fair to DK he is giving some players (P Wallace, Buckley* and Jennings**) the opportunity to prove they are viable alternatives against top class opposition. Having said that, I'm surprised Murphy didn't get the nod over Rob. Still, I don't think it's a slight on D'Arce but more a case of seeing what Paddy Wallace could do.



* I had feared he'd start the Bull inspite of Buckley's showing against NZ

** I believe Jennings would have been given the nod at 7 to take a look at an alternative should David Wallace be unavailable

[jezzer]

In contrast to most of this board, I wasn't particularly overwhelmed with D'Arcy's performance against the All Blacks – he did well in some instances, less well in other instances, and he was hardly watertight in defense, one of the aspects of his play that is often used in favourable comparison to Wallace. He was also up against a debutant in Benson Stanley, so not a particularly experienced opponent to judge himself against.

D'Arcy is a shadow of his former self, at the moment. Injury niggles? Maybe. Gaffneyitis? Maybe. Interesting to see if a bit of clear-up surgery and a new injection of coaching under Schmidt will bring out an improvement in the autumn, but for the time being he shouldn't be playing for Leinster's first choice XV, let alone Ireland.

[Cianostays]

D'Arcy is a shadow of his former self, at the moment. Injury niggles? Maybe. Gaffneyitis? Maybe. Interesting to see if a bit of clear-up surgery and a new injection of coaching under Schmidt will bring out an improvement in the autumn, but for the time being he shouldn't be playing for Leinster's first choice XV, let alone Ireland.

As I said above, I think P Wallace should start but that is a very harsh assessment of D'Arcy for me

[johng]

.

This sort of tour is a great chance for Kidney to try out options and reward players who are in good form; if Drico wasn't captain [and if O'Connell wasn't absent, and if we had some other options, which we don't thanks to our injury list] I think it'd be a decent idea to leave him out of the line-up for once. It'll do D'Arcy no harm to miss this match, and it might do Paddy Wallace and Ireland the world of good if it gives us another viable option at 12.

I pretty much agree. But I would have liked to see Paddy instead of Rog. He is up against Gitteau with Barnes to come on. I would like Darce with Paddy to come on, rather than Paddy with no one.
If Rog does come on. We have a non tackler at 10, and a guy who is brave in the tackle but 12 stone soaking wet at 12.

However bring it on. could be an open match.

[Terraceman]

In contrast to most of this board, I wasn't particularly overwhelmed with D'Arcy's performance against the All Blacks – he did well in some instances, less well in other instances, and he was hardly watertight in defense, one of the aspects of his play that is often used in favourable comparison to Wallace. He was also up against a debutant in Benson Stanley, so not a particularly experienced opponent to judge himself against.

D'Arcy is a shadow of his former self, at the moment. Injury niggles? Maybe. Gaffneyitis? Maybe. Interesting to see if a bit of clear-up surgery and a new injection of coaching under Schmidt will bring out an improvement in the autumn, but for the time being he shouldn't be playing for Leinster's first choice XV, let alone Ireland.

I'd agree with that assessment, very few standout moments this season. Between him and O'Driscoll the defence against NZ was shocking. Needs a fresh start, would expect him to improve vastly next season under Schmidt.

[Danthefan]

In contrast to most of this board, I wasn't particularly overwhelmed with D'Arcy's performance against the All Blacks – he did well in some instances, less well in other instances, and he was hardly watertight in defense, one of the aspects of his play that is often used in favourable comparison to Wallace. He was also up against a debutant in Benson Stanley, so not a particularly experienced opponent to judge himself against.

D'Arcy is a shadow of his former self, at the moment. Injury niggles? Maybe. Gaffneyitis? Maybe. Interesting to see if a bit of clear-up surgery and a new injection of coaching under Schmidt will bring out an improvement in the autumn, but for the time being he shouldn't be playing for Leinster's first choice XV, let alone Ireland.

I'd agree with that assessment, very few standout moments this season. Between him and O'Driscoll the defence against NZ was shocking. Needs a fresh start, would expect him to improve vastly next season under Schmidt.

I don't. Up until about January he was excellent. Properly excellent. Dipped in form in the middle/end of the season though, but still seems to get an incredibly harsh time which I don't understand.

[Terraceman]

I don't. Up until about January he was excellent. Properly excellent. Dipped in form in the middle/end of the season though, but still seems to get an incredibly harsh time which I don't understand.

Can recall him playing well against Llanelli and Munster pre-christmas and London Irish in Twickers. Beyond that though there were very few stand out peformances.

[ceemec]

I'd agree with that assessment, very few standout moments this season. Between him and O'Driscoll the defence against NZ was shocking. Needs a fresh start, would expect him to improve vastly next season under Schmidt.

I don't. Up until about January he was excellent. Properly excellent. Dipped in form in the middle/end of the season though, but still seems to get an incredibly harsh time which I don't understand.

Seem to recall his early season form being a tad patchy also culminating in him being left on the bench for the Brive game. He was carrying a facial injury into that game but there wasn't too much outcry when he was left on the bench. Darce has set a very high standard for himself. When we were muck on the road and fading away towards the end of previous seasons, himself and Jamie were the two players giving 100% until the end. Don't think his form has been quite up to that level this season. Some recent high profile defensive lapses haven't helped and have possibly skewed perceptions somewhat.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'd agree with that assessment, very few standout moments this season. Between him and O'Driscoll the defence against NZ was shocking. Needs a fresh start, would expect him to improve vastly next season under Schmidt.

I don't. Up until about January he was excellent. Properly excellent. Dipped in form in the middle/end of the season though, but still seems to get an incredibly harsh time which I don't understand.

Seem to recall his early season form being a tad patchy also culminating in him being left on the bench for the Brive game. He was carrying a facial injury into that game but there wasn't too much outcry when he was left on the bench. Darce has set a very high standard for himself. When we were muck on the road and fading away towards the end of previous seasons, himself and Jamie were the two players giving 100% until the end. Don't think his form has been quite up to that level this season. Some recent high profile defensive lapses haven't helped and have possibly skewed perceptions somewhat.

That's what I think the problem is. He hasn't been setting the world alight but I still think he's been good. We shouldn't forget that in terms of attack he was playing outside Berne for quite a while who doesn't create a lot and that BOD hasn't been firing on all cylinders either. Come to think of it, Shaggy and Isa were way off form in the knockout stages of the HC too so Darce doesn't deserve to be getting the brunt of the criticism. There's no excuse for the missed tackles against Toulouse and the Ospreys but I still think he's been playing fairly well.

[BlueBlue]

D'Arcy is a shadow of his former self, at the moment. Injury niggles? Maybe. Gaffneyitis? Maybe. Interesting to see if a bit of clear-up surgery and a new injection of coaching under Schmidt will bring out an improvement in the autumn, but for the time being he shouldn't be playing for Leinster's first choice XV, let alone Ireland.

As I said above, I think P Wallace should start but that is a very harsh assessment of D'Arcy for me

+1. Dont even know where a comment like that comes from ?, again we dont have to run a player down just because another player is being looked at. Depth for Ireland and Leinster would be having D'arcy and alternatives.

[BlueBlue]

Seem to recall his early season form being a tad patchy also culminating in him being left on the bench for the Brive game. He was carrying a facial injury into that game but there wasn't too much outcry when he was left on the bench. Darce has set a very high standard for himself. When we were muck on the road and fading away towards the end of previous seasons, himself and Jamie were the two players giving 100% until the end. Don't think his form has been quite up to that level this season. Some recent high profile defensive lapses haven't helped and have possibly skewed perceptions somewhat.

That's what I think the problem is. He hasn't been setting the world alight but I still think he's been good. We shouldn't forget that in terms of attack he was playing outside Berne for quite a while who doesn't create a lot and that BOD hasn't been firing on all cylinders either. Come to think of it, Shaggy and Isa were way off form in the knockout stages of the HC too so Darce doesn't deserve to be getting the brunt of the criticism. There's no excuse for the missed tackles against Toulouse and the Ospreys but I still think he's been playing fairly well.

The missed tackles against toulouse, their was only the one that resulted in a try for skrela I think. Putting that down to D'Arcy is very harsh as he was working to the defensive structure set by Kurt. The ospreys pulled the exact same move and also scored. My conclusion is that how we set and move in defence was figured out by the opposition. The way we move in defence was for BOD to shoot up cuting off the attackers option to pass out wide, This means that the attacker does not pass and runs forward himself, D'arcy has drifted accross to cover bod's position as this is where the attacker is forced to run. This works for leinster 95% of the time. Both Toulose and Ospreys exploited this by either cutting inside, of passing inside to a player on an oppossing angle. This takes bod out of the game and puts Darcy in a position where he has to reverse direction and cover his spot and Bods. Not really D'arcy's fault is it, he is in a position where the attacker has all the advantage thanks to smart video analyisis by his team. Where you could find fault is with our defensive options, Toulouse won the semi from exploiting our pattern, yet we did not adjust against Ospreys. Perhaps this is more Kurts fault than D'acrys.

D'arcy and Bod had outstanding seasons last year, its not reasonable to expect that every year. I bet Rocky never has a season again like the one he had for us. Does that make them bad players. I dont think so. I think these players are normally excellent, sometimes completly outstanding. And its not reasonable for them to be outstanding all the time.

Roan O'Gara on the other hand is always ordinary, very consistantly ordinary.

[Clermont]

Seem to recall his early season form being a tad patchy also culminating in him being left on the bench for the Brive game. He was carrying a facial injury into that game but there wasn't too much outcry when he was left on the bench. Darce has set a very high standard for himself. When we were muck on the road and fading away towards the end of previous seasons, himself and Jamie were the two players giving 100% until the end. Don't think his form has been quite up to that level this season. Some recent high profile defensive lapses haven't helped and have possibly skewed perceptions somewhat.

That's what I think the problem is. He hasn't been setting the world alight but I still think he's been good. We shouldn't forget that in terms of attack he was playing outside Berne for quite a while who doesn't create a lot and that BOD hasn't been firing on all cylinders either. Come to think of it, Shaggy and Isa were way off form in the knockout stages of the HC too so Darce doesn't deserve to be getting the brunt of the criticism. There's no excuse for the missed tackles against Toulouse and the Ospreys but I still think he's been playing fairly well.

The missed tackles against toulouse, their was only the one that resulted in a try for skrela I think. Putting that down to D'Arcy is very harsh as he was working to the defensive structure set by Kurt. The ospreys pulled the exact same move and also scored. My conclusion is that how we set and move in defence was figured out by the opposition. The way we move in defence was for BOD to shoot up cuting off the attackers option to pass out wide, This means that the attacker does not pass and runs forward himself, D'arcy has drifted accross to cover bod's position as this is where the attacker is forced to run. This works for leinster 95% of the time. Both Toulose and Ospreys exploited this by either cutting inside, of passing inside to a player on an oppossing angle. This takes bod out of the game and puts Darcy in a position where he has to reverse direction and cover his spot and Bods. Not really D'arcy's fault is it, he is in a position where the attacker has all the advantage thanks to smart video analyisis by his team. Where you could find fault is with our defensive options, Toulouse won the semi from exploiting our pattern, yet we did not adjust against Ospreys. Perhaps this is more Kurts fault than D'acrys.

D'arcy and Bod had outstanding seasons last year, its not reasonable to expect that every year. I bet Rocky never has a season again like the one he had for us. Does that make them bad players. I dont think so. I think these players are normally excellent, sometimes completly outstanding. And its not reasonable for them to be outstanding all the time.

Roan O'Gara on the other hand is always ordinary, very consistantly ordinary.

Excellent post, couldn't agree more

[jezzer]

I don't understand how measured analysis of a player that doesn't show him in glowing terms is "unreasonable", "running him down" or "harsh". That's just homerism. If you're going to say x player from y team isn't great, you have to be able to say it for your own team's players. If you don't agree with me, fine. But D'Arcy is not above criticism, for Ireland or Leinster.

Even in the Mike Brewer pack-dominated season that caused Knoxy to get the hump and leave, Leinster still scored 63% more tries than we did last season (44 to 27). Yes, we missed Fitzgerald. Yes, Shaggy's form was very patchy. But we were very limited in midfield, despite having two distributing OHs in Sexton and Berne on the field. I'm not even talking about defensive lapses here.

So, I believe D'Arcy (like a lot of players in our small pool) got into the Ireland squad and team on previous glories. The rationale that Wallace was a risky selection beside turnstile ROG against the ABs is now kind of redundant, given D'Arcy's defensive display.

I'm not saying the guy is a busted flush. I'm saying he hasn't deserved a starting place on the tour for his country. Both his and Wallace's performances surely back up that point.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I don't understand how measured analysis of a player that doesn't show him in glowing terms is "unreasonable", "running him down" or "harsh". That's just homerism. If you're going to say x player from y team isn't great, you have to be able to say it for your own team's players. If you don't agree with me, fine. But D'Arcy is not above criticism, for Ireland or Leinster.

Even in the Mike Brewer pack-dominated season that caused Knoxy to get the hump and leave, Leinster still scored 63% more tries than we did last season (44 to 27). Yes, we missed Fitzgerald. Yes, Shaggy's form was very patchy. But we were very limited in midfield, despite having two distributing OHs in Sexton and Berne on the field. I'm not even talking about defensive lapses here.

So, I believe D'Arcy (like a lot of players in our small pool) got into the Ireland squad and team on previous glories. The rationale that Wallace was a risky selection beside turnstile ROG against the ABs is now kind of redundant, given D'Arcy's defensive display.

I'm not saying the guy is a busted flush. I'm saying he hasn't deserved a starting place on the tour for his country. Both his and Wallace's performances surely back up that point.

Wallace was injured towards the end of the season wasn't he? I could be wrong but I don't think he'd played for a while so imo he was never in contention to start against NZ for that reason. I really don't think Darce was as bad against NZ as some people think. Having said that, Wallace's performance against the Maori means he's well deserving of a shot on Saturday although if it were up to me and Darce was fit then I'd pick him.