While I agree with most of the above I don't agree on your assessment of Heaslip. I thought he worked hard but was trying to make up for two sub-standard flankers at the same time and just wasn't getting the help he should have been getting.curates_egg wrote:Undoubtedly the most embarrassing performance I have ever seen. I am so glad I didn't make the journey (I had been considering it) and am so sorry for those who did. Without getting all Munster fans and harping on about pride, that was about as unprofessional a performance from some key players as I have seen. An insult to those fans who paid hard-earned money to travel and support them.
Agree with most everything that has been said. A silly selection was revealed as being that. Still, I assumed the internationals would at least try and play with the 6 Nations in mind - both to prove their worth and because you are less likely to get injured by actually trying to play.
Our two most senior 'leadership' players on the pitch were really poor. I have long thought Kearney was passed his best but, before yesterday, I never thought that about Heaslip and always rushed to his defence. I don't know if he was miffed about missing out on the Ireland captaincy and then having Sexton chosen as captain ahead of him but I found his attitude very poor. They both just assume they are already on the Ireland teamsheet and I really hope Schmidt has the balls to do what no other Irish coach hitherto would do in this situation.
On the flip side, I have never been one to sing Dave Kearney's praises massively but how he managed to emerge looking like the best back on the pitch was a true testament to him. He clearly had a lot to play for and he did all he possibly could to put himself in contention.
If anyone was in any doubt that signing Sexton was a mistake (and to be fair there have been plenty on here unwilling to acknowledge the gravity of his predicament), yesterday put that argument to rest. I really, really hope for the player's sake that he and those around him put his welfare first. If he starts against Wales, it will be irresponsible. Of course, we have nobody even close to replacing him but so effing what? There are more important things.
As for Sexton I'd be less inclined to rush to diagnose him from a point of almost complete medical ignorance. There are professional medical personnel who we already know are not afraid to advise someone to end their career for the sake of their health. I wouldn't be too quick to second guess them. I am concerned that it is going that way, but if they are willing to pass him fit then I'm comfortable trusting their judgement. I've no reason not to.