Ireland Pool 2019 RWC

[johng]

Doesn't every team have a 3 or 4 day turnaround for one of the pool games?

No. Japan has 8 days then 7 days then 8 days.

Nobody would have mentioned it if they didn't knock us over though

[fourthirtythree]

There's been surprisingly little mention of tier one teams getting favourable fixture schedules this time out actually. It's one of those first round bingo things that normally happens (around about the time that the people on the telly start pronouncing Tonga as Tonga rather than Tong Ga. Which they don't seem to have at this time out either).

Nobody would begrudge the host nation a sweet schedule, would they?

[Twist]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

[FLIP]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

I was at the Kobe Misake Stadium tonight. WR have deemed that the roof is closed for all matches, despite it being a hot humid night outside and hotter and more humid inside. Both sides could barely string a few passes together due to the ball being so slippery, and players were slipping on the turf left and right.

We need to play this next game as a full power game. No fancy stuff, otherwise we'll look foolish

[Twist]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

I was at the Kobe Misake Stadium tonight. WR have deemed that the roof is closed for all matches, despite it being a hot humid night outside and hotter and more humid inside. Both sides could barely string a few passes together due to the ball being so slippery, and players were slipping on the turf left and right.

We need to play this next game as a full power game. No fancy stuff, otherwise we'll look foolish

That's the impression I got alright. That's certainly less than ideal, it increases the attrition rate

Also on the subject of gaps between matches, I noticed that both Samoa and Russia have 8-day lead-ins to their games against us so they should be as fresh as possible really

[CiaranIrl]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

I was at the Kobe Misake Stadium tonight. WR have deemed that the roof is closed for all matches, despite it being a hot humid night outside and hotter and more humid inside. Both sides could barely string a few passes together due to the ball being so slippery, and players were slipping on the turf left and right.

We need to play this next game as a full power game. No fancy stuff, otherwise we'll look foolish

That's the impression I got alright. That's certainly less than ideal, it increases the attrition rate

Also on the subject of gaps between matches, I noticed that both Samoa and Russia have 8-day lead-ins to their games against us so they should be as fresh as possible really

Great. We need those games to as hard as possible to have even a remote chance in a quarter final. I doubt NZ or SA have any interest whatsoever in the number of rest days Namibia or Canada have / had before playing them.

[johng]

Great. We need those games to as hard as possible to have even a remote chance in a quarter final. I doubt NZ or SA have any interest whatsoever in the number of rest days Namibia or Canada have / had before playing them.

Also. We have only 5 to Russia who are the easier of the 2 and 9 to Samoa who are the harder.

Having said that Russia could be shades of Georgia 07 after their 8 day turnaround

[Dundalk 1]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

We don’t need 10 points unless Japan draw with Scotland and fail to pick up any more 4 try bonus points

9 will guarantee we stay ahead of Scotland if they get try bonus points in winning their 2 remaining games
In the event of Japan beating Scotland they will win the group assuming they beat Samoa

If Japan beat Samoa without the 4 try bonus and draw with Scotland also without a try bonus point then they will end up with 15 thus making our 4 try bonus against Samoa significant

[Fan with smartphone]

I thought it was only in the most recent Super Rugby season that many of the Japanese international players had their Sunwolves gametime curtailed?

My impression and memory (and I’m open to correction) is that they did dip in and out this season as they saw fit to meet the needs of the national team. I also think Jamie Joseph stood down from helping coach the sunwolves this season, officially at least, leaving Tony Brown to head up his own crew. The implication again being that he was focusing on the national team. On top of that, they were told mid-season that they weren’t going to be offered a place in the competition from next year onwards. Results kind of went as you’d expect after that, but in the first half of last season I remember them as very competitive and very, very impressive. They should really have won more games than they did in the early part of the season.

All that said, every one of the starting 15 and subs (bar maybe a couple) would be familiar to super rugby viewers. The potential for producing something like Saturday...I didn’t think it would happen, but you could see it was potentially there. Scotland -Japan will be a belter.

[Ruckedtobits]

Much as I enjoy Murray Kinsella's analysis pieces, his current offering:

https://www.the42.ie/rugby-weekly-irela ... 5-Sep2019/

is much too generous to the hosts and does not properly analyse just how much they bend the Laws of the game, particularly at the breakdown.

Their illegality didn't start after 20 or 40 minutes but rather at the very beginning of the game and continued all the way through.

Although it makes for exciting rugby, the reality is that they consistently infringe in a number of ways, notably how and from what direction they enter the breakdown and how they "clean out" opponents at the breakdown.

Anyone interested in the detail, and I hope that includes World Rugby referees and the Scottish Rugby video analysts, can study any or all three minute segments of last Sunday's game and probably find what I have illustrated below. I've looked in close detail at a two-minute spell from the match clock after just 2 minutes of play till the match clock passed 4 minutes and here is the summary (I am only documenting the Japanese infringements, although there were some Irish ones also):

2.00 mins.: From ruck on Irish right touchline after Earls inside run, Murray passes to Furlong, who is supported closely by Ryan. Furlong is tackled by Japanese No 7 and Ryan creates the ruck (two attackers, one defender). Japan No 8 enters completely from his right side of ruck, i.e. not through the "gate" and picks up the ball and passes it to a team mate. Referee Decision:, Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland for side entry.

2.10 mins: Rob Kearney collects the kick from the Japanese out-half just behind his own 10 mtr line, 15 mtrs from touchline. He kicks a 20 mtr Garryowen with the closest Japanese player 7 mtrs away and follows his kick. After four strides he is body-checked by Japanese No 12, who slows his chase of the kick although Kearney does not go to ground. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct decision: Penalty Ireland for obstruction.

2.25 mins: Japanese out half passes left to No.3 who is tackled by Cian Healy around the legs. No 3 is supported on his left by another Japanese player, thus a ruck has been formed ( 2 attackers, 1 defender). The next player to arrive is Japanese No 4, who does not enter "through the gate", but from the right side, beyond his tackled teammate, and then he grapples Gary Ringrose a further 3 mtrs beyond the player on the ground. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: : Penalty Ireland. Side entry and obstruction beyond the breakdown

2.45 mins: Japan play the ball right, breakdown, right, breakdown and then left to No 3 who carries almost 15 mtrs, through the Irish defensive line before being tackled by Ryan. The first Japanese player in support No 4, goes almost a mtr beyond his tackled colleague, holding onto James Ryan and enters the breakdown from the Irish side. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland. Side entry and obstruction.

3.12 mins: Japan have retained possession in attack through 6 phases and are on 15 mtr line on left side, half-way between 22 and Irish 10 mtr line. Moving right to left, scrum-half passes to No 15 as first receiver who passes to No 6, running diagonally right towards Irish posts. He is well tackled by Farrell, assisted by Furlong with O'Mahony arriving on Irish right side of tackle to try to "poach" ball. Japan No 8 enters left side of tackle area 1 metre beyond the tackled player and ball and using only his shoulder without any arm involvement, attempts to prevent O'Mahony competing for the ball. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland. Side entry, illegal clearout and possibly dangerous no arms rucking.

On the 9th phase of this Japanese attack which had made 70 mtrs in territory, Japan grubber kicked through on the Irish left wing where Jacob Stockdale was fortunate with the bounce and deprived No 14 of what might have been a sensational Japanese start.

However, during those 9 phases Japan had wilfully infringed on 5 occasions, all of which were ignored by Angus Gardner, the Referee.. Like much of the game this segment was played at helter skelter pace and was hugely entertaining to watch. But, that does not give the Referee licence to ignore significant infringements. The Japanese style of play may be effective, efficient and entertaining but it is also regularly in breach of the Laws of the game and those illegalities cannot be ignored.

From what I have been able to analyse from the TV coverage of the game, Gardner may have wrongly penalised Ireland on two occasions only - a very low % over 80 minutes and about which we can have no complaint. However, he only refereed Ireland. He almost totally ignored Japanese infringements and analysis of any 3 minute segment of the game, whether Japan are attacking or defending, will prove the case very strongly.

As a former Referee (and player), I have studiously attempted to avoid the indictment of the Referee for the result of any game, no matter the competition. However, at every level of the game, there are 'homers'- referees who seem unable to referee both teams equally and favour the home team disproportionately, usually influenced by crowd noise reaction.

Gardner's performance had all the hallmarks of a 'homer' and this criticism does not detract from the excellence of much of Japan's performance. However, some of their tactical approach, specifically at tackle and ruck, is plainly illegal and must be picked up if refereeing is to regain credibility in this RWC.

[Oldschool]

@RTB.
The cynic in me simply says.
The IRB the TV companies, local Japanese business all want to see the home team in the QFs.
Perhaps that was the one factor that Joe didn't (couldn't) factor into his plans.
And sure at the end of the day it's only Ireland.
Joe can take that last line and use it as a motivator for the rest of the tournament.
Great post btw.
And as for attrition.
There is only one way to win this RWC and it will be by attrition.
Who ever wins this RWC are going to have to get passed England and Wales.
If anyone thinks that it'll be tiddlywinks at dawn against either of those teams then good look with that.
A general comment on the refs.
The SH refs are a disaster, they have always put entertainment ahead of the laws of the game.
Entertainment as the Aussies and New Zealanders define it.
So a SH referee reffing the host nation playing a SH brand of rugby was always going to be an issue.
To an extent Ireland walked into a trap and our RWC history was going to be the cover.
Joe, the coaches and the players need to make sure there is some payback. For some, make that, a lot.
Who's reffing the Japan v Scotland game because frankly Scotland are screwed if it's a SH ref.
Unless.....
Over to the forum.
My money is on a pick and go game.

[hugonaut]

On 52 mins Carty is taken out in the air right under ref's nose but doesn't make a meal of it. Ref calls it as a knock on and rather than issuing a yellow card and giving us the penalty which would give us good field position, he gives Japan good field position and 2 minutes later they get their try. Really important non-decision by Gardner. one of many.

Japan deserved their win but they were undoubtedly aided and abetted by a one eyed ref

That call, the penalty against Josh, and missing the in from the side in their 22 which led to them breaking down the pitch were so blatantly wrong by Gardener. Infuriating.

I'm not as down on the perfomance as everyone else is.

Gardner and the heat played a big part. Our game management was shocking after Japan came into the game but that's my biggest gripe and really you're talking about a handful of moments being different. It's not the first time we've declined to give ourselves a breather and inviting the counter attack when we're knackered, very annoying that we did it again. As the game went on I think we were so afraid of being pinged for offside or slowing the ball down that we just decided not to try, so couldn't get the ball back or slow Japan down.

I think we got the selection wrong as well. I say this very much with the benefit of hindsight but we should have rotated the pack a bit, even if it was just Best given that he played 80 minutes last weekend.

I'm not saying we were good, and assuming we do end up on the NZ/England side of the draw then I've no doubt that our goose is cooked in terms of winning the tournament, but we only needed a very small number of things to go differently and we'd have won yesterday. Maybe even just one lost lineout might have been the difference in the end and we'd have got over the line without much difference in the performance but a huge difference in the perception of it. Fine margins.

Japan were outstanding regardless. It's not like they were hanging on, they were smart and played some great stuff. I thought we were lucky with the ref against Scotland and Japan had that luck yesterday, but it's not like he took the game away from us. We should have had answers to what we were faced with and we didn't.

Good write up as usual LRIP. I was at the game [just back from Tokyo and all ends up sleepwise] and I have to say that the atmosphere in the stadium was phenomenal. Not sure how it came across on TV, but it was incredibly loud in there. I've only known a couple of occasions like it – our semi-final against Munster in Croker and the game we lost against NZ in 2013.

About 10 minutes into the second half, I felt that Japan were going to win the game ... their ferocity in tackling and sinking numbers into the breakdown was incredibly impressive. It was a huge emotional effort. Because it was tight, and because I had been at the last game of the Six Nations this season [against Wales in Cardiff, again with Gardner], I was pretty convinced that we weren't going to get much from the ref. I don't like complaining about refs when we lose – although I don't mind whinging when we win! – so I will leave it there.

The day that the squad was announced, I felt that Joe had made an unusually bad error in leaving out Dev given this fixture. Simply put [and it's a simple concept], the Japanese had no means to match his lineout abilities. He's one of the best lineout players in the world game. While there are a number of other very tall locks in the test environment [Rory Arnold is 208cm, RG Snyman is 207cm], neither of them are anywhere near as effective as Toner at that set-piece. His height is obviously a huge asset, but these guys are super-tall as well, and he's so much more productive that them. He's a hugely experienced caller, a smart thinker and such a solid technician.

From what I heard over there, Dev had trouble hitting his fitness marks during pre-season training, but practically from the moment this fixture was announced, this seemed to me like a game where we had to have him on board. Dev is such a vital part of our lineout that he was worth carrying, even if not wholly fit at the time of selection.

As a side point, apparently JS was going to omit O'Mahony for Conan for this one, before Conan's foot injury. I'm not an O'Mahony fan, but I recognise his value as a brilliant lineout operator. In my opinion, we had to take that set piece away from them, even if it cost up some power in the loose for the first 50 mins. I figured that we would do what SA did against Fiji in the 2007 QF, and what JS had done in his first ever Six Nations game against Wales when faced with a short Welsh pack [source: https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/matchstats ... gue=180659 ] ... just play from lineout to lineout.

On their ball, put O'Mahony up at the front with a one man lift on every ball and make them throw a more arced ball over him to the middle or tail. Because O'Mahony has a good spring and is light, he doesn't need a two-man lift. The man at the front can guard for the gimmick plays around the near end, and if you have to throw over him, the ball is in the air longer and it allows the time to get a second pod up to compete. You take away the ball at the front as a reliable option and challenge the ball in the middle/back.

Putting the 37 year old Rory Best out for his second start in a week in very hot and humid conditions after an 80 minute showing six days earlier was a very curious call. When Best did the full 80 against Scotland, I was quite convinced that it meant that Scannell [or Cronin] would start this one ... and with Best and Sexton both likely missing [in my head, at least], it made perfect sense to have O'Mahony in at No6 and captain. For him to have been originally omitted seems very odd. To be frank, I think that the obvious gameplan for this one was overlooked as too obvious. Threatening the opposition ball means you can put it into touch more often that you would normally do ... as often as you like, if you're seeing payback. Maybe my own dissatisfaction with seeing Toner omitted is colouring my view, but the fact that Kleyn didn't feature in either of our most important pool games – and that one of those games went drastically wrong – convinces me that it was a very poor selection.

By the way, could not get over Japan. The Japanese people are so pleasant, polite and helpful, their culture so civilised and respectful, their cities and infrastructre so well thought-out and maintained ... it is a magic place.

[Twist]

Much as I enjoy Murray Kinsella's analysis pieces, his current offering:

https://www.the42.ie/rugby-weekly-irela ... 5-Sep2019/

is much too generous to the hosts and does not properly analyse just how much they bend the Laws of the game, particularly at the breakdown.

Their illegality didn't start after 20 or 40 minutes but rather at the very beginning of the game and continued all the way through.

Although it makes for exciting rugby, the reality is that they consistently infringe in a number of ways, notably how and from what direction they enter the breakdown and how they "clean out" opponents at the breakdown.

Anyone interested in the detail, and I hope that includes World Rugby referees and the Scottish Rugby video analysts, can study any or all three minute segments of last Sunday's game and probably find what I have illustrated below. I've looked in close detail at a two-minute spell from the match clock after just 2 minutes of play till the match clock passed 4 minutes and here is the summary (I am only documenting the Japanese infringements, although there were some Irish ones also):

2.00 mins.: From ruck on Irish right touchline after Earls inside run, Murray passes to Furlong, who is supported closely by Ryan. Furlong is tackled by Japanese No 7 and Ryan creates the ruck (two attackers, one defender). Japan No 8 enters completely from his right side of ruck, i.e. not through the "gate" and picks up the ball and passes it to a team mate. Referee Decision:, Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland for side entry.

2.10 mins: Rob Kearney collects the kick from the Japanese out-half just behind his own 10 mtr line, 15 mtrs from touchline. He kicks a 20 mtr Garryowen with the closest Japanese player 7 mtrs away and follows his kick. After four strides he is body-checked by Japanese No 12, who slows his chase of the kick although Kearney does not go to ground. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct decision: Penalty Ireland for obstruction.

2.25 mins: Japanese out half passes left to No.3 who is tackled by Cian Healy around the legs. No 3 is supported on his left by another Japanese player, thus a ruck has been formed ( 2 attackers, 1 defender). The next player to arrive is Japanese No 4, who does not enter "through the gate", but from the right side, beyond his tackled teammate, and then he grapples Gary Ringrose a further 3 mtrs beyond the player on the ground. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: : Penalty Ireland. Side entry and obstruction beyond the breakdown

2.45 mins: Japan play the ball right, breakdown, right, breakdown and then left to No 3 who carries almost 15 mtrs, through the Irish defensive line before being tackled by Ryan. The first Japanese player in support No 4, goes almost a mtr beyond his tackled colleague, holding onto James Ryan and enters the breakdown from the Irish side. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland. Side entry and obstruction.

3.12 mins: Japan have retained possession in attack through 6 phases and are on 15 mtr line on left side, half-way between 22 and Irish 10 mtr line. Moving right to left, scrum-half passes to No 15 as first receiver who passes to No 6, running diagonally right towards Irish posts. He is well tackled by Farrell, assisted by Furlong with O'Mahony arriving on Irish right side of tackle to try to "poach" ball. Japan No 8 enters left side of tackle area 1 metre beyond the tackled player and ball and using only his shoulder without any arm involvement, attempts to prevent O'Mahony competing for the ball. Referee Decision: Play on. Correct Decision: Penalty Ireland. Side entry, illegal clearout and possibly dangerous no arms rucking.

On the 9th phase of this Japanese attack which had made 70 mtrs in territory, Japan grubber kicked through on the Irish left wing where Jacob Stockdale was fortunate with the bounce and deprived No 14 of what might have been a sensational Japanese start.

However, during those 9 phases Japan had wilfully infringed on 5 occasions, all of which were ignored by Angus Gardner, the Referee.. Like much of the game this segment was played at helter skelter pace and was hugely entertaining to watch. But, that does not give the Referee licence to ignore significant infringements. The Japanese style of play may be effective, efficient and entertaining but it is also regularly in breach of the Laws of the game and those illegalities cannot be ignored.

From what I have been able to analyse from the TV coverage of the game, Gardner may have wrongly penalised Ireland on two occasions only - a very low % over 80 minutes and about which we can have no complaint. However, he only refereed Ireland. He almost totally ignored Japanese infringements and analysis of any 3 minute segment of the game, whether Japan are attacking or defending, will prove the case very strongly.

As a former Referee (and player), I have studiously attempted to avoid the indictment of the Referee for the result of any game, no matter the competition. However, at every level of the game, there are 'homers'- referees who seem unable to referee both teams equally and favour the home team disproportionately, usually influenced by crowd noise reaction.

Gardner's performance had all the hallmarks of a 'homer' and this criticism does not detract from the excellence of much of Japan's performance. However, some of their tactical approach, specifically at tackle and ruck, is plainly illegal and must be picked up if refereeing is to regain credibility in this RWC.

I didn’t want to keep going on about a referee but looked at those three minutes again with this post to hand and I agree with everything you’ve said. He was abysmal, and given it was a one-score game I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to say he changed the result.

Also good post by LRIP (applause emoji)

Team for Russia is out

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 93 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 16 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 26 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 21 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 79 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 85 caps captain
9. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 16 caps

1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 33 caps
2. Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 17 caps
3. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 20 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 10 caps
5. Jean Kleyn (Munster) 3 caps
6. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 24 caps
7. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 61 caps
8. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Ulster) 29 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 71 caps
17. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 20 caps
18. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 38 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 50 caps
20. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 35 caps
21. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 20 caps
22. Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 9 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 18 caps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hippo]

By the way, could not get over Japan. The Japanese people are so pleasant, polite and helpful, their culture so civilised and respectful, their cities and infrastructre so well thought-out and maintained ... it is a magic place.

Agree 100%, both with the game analysis and this!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I know it's not the biggest game of the World Cup and many people won't be able to watch it, but judging by this thread the interest seems to be diminishing.

Happy enough with that team. I'll forgive Jordi if he puts in a 1/10 performance, huge ask for him to play well. Given what happened Henshaw I'm slightly worried about him picking up a muscle injury by having to play so soon after flying over.

Curious to see if Johnny appears next week or not now, and also where Joey will come on. Personally I'd split the time 50/30 between them in each of the next two games, and maybe bring Carty on at 12 (and get Ringrose off ASAP) during this game if it's all going to plan.

I'd leave Tadhg on the bench as well unless there's an injury. It'll be tough in the conditions but we really need Ryan to go the 80. I was half tempted to say that Porter should come on at LH but he could do with more time at TH and at this stage it's probably unlikely that he'll be needed at LH later in the tournament.

Getting ahead of myself here but I'm also curious to see if this is Kleyn's only appearance in the group. Dev was poor in Italy but there's no doubt in my mind that he'd have made more than one group appearance.

[Oldschool]

I know it's not the biggest game of the World Cup and many people won't be able to watch it, but judging by this thread the interest seems to be diminishing.

Happy enough with that team. I'll forgive Jordi if he puts in a 1/10 performance, huge ask for him to play well. Given what happened Henshaw I'm slightly worried about him picking up a muscle injury by having to play so soon after flying over.

Curious to see if Johnny appears next week or not now, and also where Joey will come on. Personally I'd split the time 50/30 between them in each of the next two games, and maybe bring Carty on at 12 (and get Ringrose off ASAP) during this game if it's all going to plan.

I'd leave Tadhg on the bench as well unless there's an injury. It'll be tough in the conditions but we really need Ryan to go the 80. I was half tempted to say that Porter should come on at LH but he could do with more time at TH and at this stage it's probably unlikely that he'll be needed at LH later in the tournament.

Getting ahead of myself here but I'm also curious to see if this is Kleyn's only appearance in the group. Dev was poor in Italy but there's no doubt in my mind that he'd have made more than one group appearance.

Can see where you're coming from.
However I suspect that there is a lot of behind the couch viewing through fingers going on.
For what it's worth, the squad has to move on and funnily enough a bit of the good old Munster chip on the shoulde , sense of injustice, in relation to the refereeing of the Japan game, wouldn't go amiss.

[hugonaut]

I know it's not the biggest game of the World Cup and many people won't be able to watch it, but judging by this thread the interest seems to be diminishing.

Happy enough with that team. I'll forgive Jordi if he puts in a 1/10 performance, huge ask for him to play well. Given what happened Henshaw I'm slightly worried about him picking up a muscle injury by having to play so soon after flying over.

Curious to see if Johnny appears next week or not now, and also where Joey will come on. Personally I'd split the time 50/30 between them in each of the next two games, and maybe bring Carty on at 12 (and get Ringrose off ASAP) during this game if it's all going to plan.

I'd leave Tadhg on the bench as well unless there's an injury. It'll be tough in the conditions but we really need Ryan to go the 80. I was half tempted to say that Porter should come on at LH but he could do with more time at TH and at this stage it's probably unlikely that he'll be needed at LH later in the tournament.

Getting ahead of myself here but I'm also curious to see if this is Kleyn's only appearance in the group. Dev was poor in Italy but there's no doubt in my mind that he'd have made more than one group appearance.

Ryan absolutely needs to go 80 mins. I would go so far as to say that that's his role in this squad in the current circumstances, to go the distance in this match. He hasn't been in the matchday squad in the first two games, and they've been in camp together since mid-June, which is 15-16 weeks ago at this stage. The depth chart has been established by performance in matches and training over that period, and he's the last cab off the lot.

Jordi will be playing this one with about 10 espressos inside him. He'll be up to his tonsils with caffeine and delighted to be there. I actually think he'll have himself a good game. Looking forward to seeing RR in action in this one, he has done exceptionally well against weaker teams in the last year:

vs USA, Nov 2018: http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/299417.html
vs Italy, Nov 2018: http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/299248.html

[Oldschool]

The ref for the Scotland v Japan game is Ben O'Keeffe(NZ), I think.
Were I an Irish fan in Japan, at the time, and could get a ticket for the game I'd go along as a Scotland fan and join in a concerted effort to get on the refs back.

[Ruckedtobits]

The ref for the Scotland v Japan game is Ben O'Keeffe(NZ), I think.
Were I an Irish fan in Japan, at the time, and could get a ticket for the game I'd go along as a Scotland fan and join in a concerted effort to get on the refs back.

IMO, he's one of the two worst referees at this Tournament so far. No prize from guessing who's bottom of my list.

Based on O'Keeffe's display today between France and USA, he will ignore offenses which don't tally with his expectation of the incident in question and he will allow any form of infringement if it contributes to the "flow of the game". This guy is one of Alain Rolland's favourite modern referees. In Ireland he'd be still doing AIL games.

[scrum25]

Even with Samoa playing poorly the Scots laboured to the bonus point. The consensus seems to be that the indoor stadium didn't help with handling. Worth taking note of that, since we really need 10 points now.

We don’t need 10 points unless Japan draw with Scotland and fail to pick up any more 4 try bonus points

9 will guarantee we stay ahead of Scotland if they get try bonus points in winning their 2 remaining games
In the event of Japan beating Scotland they will win the group assuming they beat Samoa

If Japan beat Samoa without the 4 try bonus and draw with Scotland also without a try bonus point then they will end up with 15 thus making our 4 try bonus against Samoa significant

If Scotland beat Japan, its possible three teams, Japan Ireland and Scotland could end on 15 points. (this is probably unlikely given Scotland would need to get try bonus and probably deny japan losing bonus point for this to happen)

JAPAN
Current 9 pts

Samoa 4/ 5 pts

Scotland 0 /1/ 2 pts

Total 13 /14 / 15 / 16 pts


IRELAND

Current 6 pts

Russia 5 pts

Samoa 4 / 5 pts

Total 15 / 16 pts


SCOTLAND


Current 5 pts

Russia 5 pts

Japan 4 / 5 pts


Total 14 / 15 pts

In that scenario they would all have one win against the other two teams. In that case the Group is decided on points difference so we need to rack up a score against Russia