Tour to Japan

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'm hoping Porter won't have too long a break and can be available from the start of the season. It's not like he needs to spend extra time in the gym, just needs lots of games and lots of scrums. Same with James Ryan. Ordinarily I'm not against holding young players back but for various reasons I think these guys need to play a lot at the start of the season.

[Dave Cahill]

The Unions player management system is a bit of a farce really.

[ronk]

I suppose we'll see when they're back. Given the circumstances there may be a bit of flexibility but I'd want guys like Carvery who played a fair bit of rugby to get a chance to recover / rest

[Donny B.]

Can't beat a good Sunday Carvery

[ronk]

Why wait till sunday

[FLIP]

What's up with the little plasters around Leitch's neck?

Japan seemingly more up for it but Ireland taking their chances where Japan's high energy approach results in overeagerness

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Ruddock having a brilliant game.

Very impressed with how we're coping with Japan throwing themselves into the breakdown and their fast linespeed. They are making a mess of our ball and driving us backwards at times but we're still playing our way out of trouble.

[FLIP]

Ringrose has had a few BODesque moments in this match. The intercept try, the little dink through.

[Hippo]

Ringrose has had a few BODesque moments in this match. The intercept try, the little dink through.

Couldn't agree more, he's great to watch.

Jackson's place kicking has reached ridiculous levels!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Maybe the lack of a scrum cap is playing tricks on me but VDF looks much slimmer to me.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

...and just after I say that he gets stripped very easily in contact. Mafi is a serious unit but it was very poor technique anyway and he looked wrecked then as we defended the next few phases. Wonder is he injured or something, just doesn't seem to have his usual workrate and power.

[Hippo]

Yes apart from the try he's looked pretty ordinary, especially in comparison with the other two.

One missed tackle aside, Marshall has looked very lively.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Marshall's intercept was very poor too. Not sure if he knew we had advantage or not but either way he blew a try.

[Ruckedtobits]

The handling throughout the team for the second try was of the highest standard and epitomises the skills standard we have demonstrated all game. Despite the highest intensity that the Blossoms can muster in defence, we have used and retained ball to a standard Joe might even compliment in post-match interviews.

Dev looks like he has come through his period of ennui and re-emerged better than ever. Conan has put in a shift at the coal face alongside Ruddock which Easterbunny will be delighted with. But the effort and accuracy across the team has been excellent.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Marshall and Earls with two big mistakes that led to that, really poor from both.

[Hippo]

Marshall's intercept was very poor too. Not sure if he knew we had advantage or not but either way he blew a try.

And he's just handed one to Japan with a woeful pass! Maybe I should go back to bed...

[LeRouxIsPHat]

It was game on if they'd scored there, we could do with another score.

[Dave Cahill]

Japan are not very good at Rugby

[Hippo]

Japan are not very good at Rugby

They're awful, same as last week. I have to say, the game is a much easier watch withe the sound turned down.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Ringrose makes it look ridiculously easy at times. He reads things so well, it's like he's being remote controlled by Joe.

Been impressed by Stockdale. He's been under pressure at times but come through it very well.