Cianostays wrote:That was hugely impressive result given that the team (I think) we ended up with was 1-14: Porter, Tracey, Bent, Kearney, Moloney, Brian Byrne, Conan, JGP, Ross Byrne, Barry Daly, Noel Reid, Adam Byrne, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath.
So we'd our reserve Hooker finishing at Blindside/Openside Flanker, Our Replacement Winger at 13, Our Replacement Back Row on the wing and our starting Scrum Half at Fullback! How the hell we ended up winning so comfortably, I'll never know. The cohesion and finishing in the 2nd half was pretty damn impressive. Hopefully, we won't be missing too many players for the Dragons game next week.
Absolutely, really happy with the win. The first 25-26 minutes was played at a staggeringly fast pace with the ball in play for very extended periods, and you could see very fit guys like Noel Reid and Luke McGrath gasping for the breath at times. An unusual sort of opening for a game in February.
I thought that Edinburgh looked well-coached and well organised in the first half, with some very impressive forwards in Ben Toolis and Magnus Bradbury. Our defense to keep them out deserves a ton of praise, because we were tested by practically every method - back and across the pitch, close in, from depth – and we showed good organisation, good scramble and loads of willingness and determination.
Dan Leavy really took the game by the scruff of the neck when he came on. It was a first rate performance from him, one that might see him pushed into contention for the Irish squad for the rest of the Six Nations. He has always been a massive talent and is really making a name for himself this season with an extended run of games; I think he has featured in 18 of 21 competitive matches this season.
Jack Conan was quieter than I expected in the first half; I was a little bit disappointed in his performance, to be frank. He came into the game well in the second half, but we need a big linebreak from him in the first forty and I was a bit surprised that he couldn't deliver. In fairness to him, his defensive efforts were excellent.
I thought none of our second rows really pushed their respective cases forward. Bit of a pass for Ross Molony playing out of position, but none of them bossed the collisions, or were able to get their hands free through contact, or were putting a load of pressure on the opposition lineout, or were breaking up mauls etc. It's not like they shirked work or lacked effort [all of them in double-figures for tackles] but if you're looking for points of difference between the second rows this season, you can see why Triggs has got the nod since December – his handling abilities make him stand out. I can imagine James Ryan coming in and pushing past
all of them next season, because he's a Jonny Gray-type talent.
Very impressed with James Tracy, who was a bundle of energy for eighty minutes. Thought that Luke McGrath got through a savage amount of work, both in attack and defense, and Noel Reid was quietly effective ... he's growing into a senior player this season, which is something I didn't think would happen, or at least was in danger of not happening this season.
Happy with Zane's performance, thought that he showed a lot of physical intensity and led by example. Barry Daly still has a lot to learn about ball security [to use an Americanism] – he gives the ball away too often and too cheaply, which blemished a good attacking game from him.
What do you say about Joey? Kicking wasn't great, tried to do too much himself, but he's so exciting to watch and came out of the game with two good tries.