LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Thought we were really good apart from the missed lineouts. It was frustrating not to be further ahead early on but when you factor in the two forward passes (which I thought were fine) and Johnny kicking crossfield because he thought we had a penalty (and it really should have been) then we were probably unlucky. Considering how easy we were making yards I thought we kept our patience quite well when we weren't getting points.
Porter is an animal at the breakdown, just swats people away with ease most of the time but if anyone tries to kill the ball then he kills them. Thought Josh did really well, his all round game looked good and his engine seemed as strong as ever. I know we had lots of possession anyway but I think he freed Conan up a bit and he looked good in the loose.
JGP was much snappier than last week, played really well. I know it was brief and the game was done and dusted but HOS looked good as well. My big concern for the 20's was that he seemed very hesitant but there no sign of that last night. Agree with Gearzbox about Henshaw, looked good to me. Again I know we had lots of possession and front foot ball but the difference that himself and Ringrose's straight running made to our attack was huge, meant our wingers got far more ball than the first two weeks. Larmour looks great at the moment and despite beating someone every time he gets the ball he's not overplaying it like some of the games last season. So much expectation on his shoulders, really impressive to see him playing the way he is. He reminds me of when you try and catch a dog to put a lead on it or something...you think you've cornered him but then he spins around the back of the couch.
Hadn't a clue what the keyring was about until I read the back
Keyring? What keyring? Did I miss a keyring? I WANT MY KEYRING
nc6000 wrote:Here's a picture of page 9 with the Champions Cup Home Kit, does this mean there will be an away kit also?
I can't see the image or follow the massive long link in the post but from the tiny pic in the handbook it's hard to tell what it's like really. There are always 3 jerseys. Home pro 14. Away and European Cup. No Euro away one.
Thought that was a very satisfying overall performance – obviously the lost lineouts were a disappointment when you try and look at the game objectively, but subjectively they were a complete irrelevance.
The biggest positive of the evening for me was Josh van der Flier's return. It's a really tricky injury to come back from, and we badly need an out-and-out openside at the moment. He did really well and didn't show many [if any] effects of the long lay-off.
Jack Conan was also very impressive – up there with JCB for Man of the Match. He has got two young challengers in Deegan and Doris, but he put a marker down with that performance which is a high standard for others to reach. I don't see Deegan's future as a No6, but on the balance of things it has got to be better for him to get long periods of gametime a little out of position than short periods in his preferred position.
Sexton and Ringrose were obviously class acts and looked to be into their stride immediately. Robbie Henshaw also had a big game and looked very dominant.
Great to get a game under our belts in the RDS in front of a good crowd. The start of the season felt like a bit of a phoney war with two away games and limited TV coverage.
Great to see us purring so early in the season. Can't remember players coming back and firing so well in their first games.
A little over a year ago, we were all unsure about our second row, and saw it as an Achilles heel. What a turnaround to have 3 outstanding options there. Ryan looked world class a long way out, but you just never know. Great to see him continuing on.
Finally, spare a thought for the PG Tips haters: it must be an ever lonelier place. Delighted for him though. He got the short stick on selections last season but still always looked sharp and skilful. If Cooney weren't going well, he'd be in with a shout for Japan if he is IQ then (not that I would want to lose two 9s)?
Thought we played very well for most of the game, Rob Kearney was the only one really who seemed to have a bit of an off day, he's a big game player tho, so not reading a lot into it. Lineout was poor and very telegraphed looking. JGP and Conan had especially good games. Conan will nail down that Ireland 8 spot the way hes going. The Dragons in fairness cannot be questioned for effort or pride, Cudd was especially good, they are definitely playing better than last season and will have learned a lot. Very few club teams would have lived with us the way we played.
Agree he was poor on Saturday but I'm really looking forward to seeing Rob this season. It could well be his last here and if it is then I'd expect him to go out all guns blazing. That's just speculation on my part btw, haven't heard anything.
