Ireland vs England - 01/03/2015 15:00

[Peg Leg]

Didn't think May would be jettisoned from the squad entirely!

[flustered]

I'd say the fact he just convers wing goes against him. Cipriani can play at full back if needs be (although they would just move Watson here and Joseph to the wing if that came about as per the Italy game).

[flustered]

Quick query, best spot to watch the game in on Sat (in town), somewhere that does decent food too!

[offshorerules]

Quick query, best spot to watch the game in on Sat (in town), somewhere that does decent food too!

See the help please! thread. Hard to pick just one.

[flustered]

Cheers for that offshore, think will stick to the Grafton Street area

[Dave Cahill]

Murphy in for Heaslip, O'Donnell for Murphys spot on the bench

[RoboProp]

Not pleased with the persistent picking of Jones over Fitz. Joe may know best and all that jazz, but f**k me that's some conservative sh!t right there

[johng]

Not pleased with the persistent picking of Jones over Fitz. Joe may know best and all that jazz, but f**k me that's some conservative sh!t right there

Says it all about the game plan. 600 full backs and a pack. If we win I won't give a single ounce of fock though.

[Donny B.]

Not pleased with the persistent picking of Jones over Fitz. Joe may know best and all that jazz, but f**k me that's some conservative sh!t right there

Says it all about the game plan. 600 full backs and a pack. If we win I won't give a single ounce of fock though.

Yeah but Jones is only likely to get on if there's an injury to one of the back three.
If Ireland find themselves chasing the game in the last quarter, a Luke or an Keith Earls could make an impact off the bench, while also covering more positions than Jones.
Still, it's only a minor quibble really.

[offshorerules]

I think it's a bit harsh on Jones to be singling out his selection. Whenever I've seen him play this year he has looked good.

That being said I'm please with the team and especially the bench which looks really strong. England are a pretty young team so I wouldn't expect us to blitz them or anything like that in the final quarter but at least we will be able to keep them thinking for the full 80. Still nervous about our chances though but I've a feeling this is going to be epic.

[TrapperChamonix]

starting 15 shows 7 changes from the game in Twickenham last year. England shows 9

[simonokeeffe]

think we've possibly swung too far from personnel based selections to systems based, but at same time its probably a good thing (and players will love and respond to it) that you come in do the job you keep the jersey

[Darce]

Would have gone with Fitz myself for the bench. Look sharp as a tack these days

[fourthirtythree]

I think it's a bit harsh on Jones to be singling out his selection. Whenever I've seen him play this year he has looked good.

That being said I'm please with the team and especially the bench which looks really strong. England are a pretty young team so I wouldn't expect us to blitz them or anything like that in the final quarter but at least we will be able to keep them thinking for the full 80. Still nervous about our chances though but I've a feeling this is going to be epic.

I don't think Jones is being singled out as a player but rather as an example of a system issue. He's fine. Is obviously a leader as well as a fine player but as with Donny I would prefer either of pearls or Luke at 23. Allows for tactical rather than injury based substitution and also cover more spots to avoid disruption. Plus game changers with more impact off the bench. You have barely noticed Jones When he's been on. I doubt we would be saying that about say Earls.

[Donny B.]

I think it's a bit harsh on Jones to be singling out his selection. Whenever I've seen him play this year he has looked good.

That being said I'm please with the team and especially the bench which looks really strong. England are a pretty young team so I wouldn't expect us to blitz them or anything like that in the final quarter but at least we will be able to keep them thinking for the full 80. Still nervous about our chances though but I've a feeling this is going to be epic.

Not having at go at Jones who've developed into a fine full back, just think there are better options for that slot on the bench.

[RoboProp]

Luke being left footed cost him spot on the bench according tp Joe

[Fireworks]

As with many above I would have goner with an alternative to Jones. However it is pretty good to be looking at a selection where that is the only area of contention. Think back to the DK days when we would probably have had two pages of discussion by now as there would be a handful of selection issues in the 15 and the bench would be a disaster even if it was never really used.

[Oldschool]

Luke being left footed cost him spot on the bench according tp Joe

Well that's what he gets for speaking the Gaelic on TG4, bloody Citeog!

[suisse]

I agree with what has been said about Jones.

He's a good player but he'll be sitting on the bench for 80 mins unless there is an injury.

[munster#1]

Ireland are playing winning rugby at all costs, it is low risk, low excitement rugby. As with all irish ppl, I am happy we look like a team capable of beating anyone, but I had hoped that this season would show progression on last.

With the players and coaches we have I would love to see a more exciting brand of rugby, I would love to see our back line throwing the ball around a bit more. What's the point in having players like kearney, bowe, zebo, Payne and henshaw with great natural ability if we don't give them the ball, and if we do we get them to kick it in the air and chase.

I will he cheering my head off when we win, and will be taking the piss out of my English friends, but I do know that when Ireland are playing it is possible to go and make a cup of tea and return to find that I have missed nothing.