JoseFantastique wrote:Anyone care to tell me how the various Irish players played today. I see Quins lost narrowly, it will be the story of their season.
Just got in.
Quins were pretty good, Irish disappointing, and certainly didn't deserve the win. Quins were naive at times, which is due to a few youngsters playing (Mike Brown started at Full back, in place of Duffy, who didn't get on, actually). Merhten's injury was probably the difference - if he had have played, Quins would have won. They gave away a few silly penalties having just taken the lead, but the played the better rugby.
The ref was awful (imo!) - he was inconsistent - binning Stuart Abbott for a late challenge, a few minutes after an Irish boy pulled down Monye who could well have scored, and play was waived on. He also gave Quins advantage, but didn't play any, and awarded a penalty to Irish.
Quins weren't great in the line out, and kicking from hand was generally poor. That said, we did nick a good few Irish line-outs, and the Irish front row was replaced after about 50 mins.
There were a lot of encouraging things from the performance. Brown played well, Keogh was awesome when he came on, we scored just after (technically we didn't, but there you go!), he should have been on earlier. Luscombe was fantastic. Forwards, Volley played well.
Wasn't that impressed by Irish, for the 2nd weekend running, and Quins were the stronger team, and if we play like that this season, we'll stay up.
Oh, and Flutely, unlike Everrit, sadly brought his kicking boots today. Fingers crossed that Mehrts only has a knock, and nothing serious.
Waspies v Sarries. TBH, I wasn't that interested in this game. I stuck out the first half, but then got cold (it wasn't entertaining, at all), and saw the last 2 minutes!
The game was dull, though apparently came to life at the end of the 2nd half! Staunton played ok when he came on (Walder stayed on, and kicked, so I assume he'll be kicking in place of Van Gis), and Bracken came on after about 50mins I believe, and held his own.
But neither game was a great game, and if I hadn't had a free ticket, I'm not sure I'd have paid the 30quid to get in.
Overall, Quins have a lot of positives to take from the game. We should have won, but we did take a point away from home, and lessons will be learned. Irish after today's performance are not a top 4 side. Wasps were disappointing, and Sarries could well struggle this season.
And at least Quins did better than Worcs - hammered at home, by Bristol 11-41.