neill_m wrote:Ireland U20 v Italy U20, World Rugby U20 World Championship, Pool B, (Wednesday 12th June 2019, 2.30pm Irish time), TV - Eir Sport 1 (ROI), World Rugby Website etc (UK), the banner above on the IRFU website has not been updated since game no 1!
Seeing the list of injured players has got me wondering about player management again. These guys were wrapped in cotton wool over the last few months and yet the squad looks goosed after two games.
We've obviously had injury issues with the senior team and the provinces as well. There are lots of factors involved and obviously I'm working more off my gut feeling than an in depth analysis of the stats, but I really feel that this needs to be looked at.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Seeing the list of injured players has got me wondering about player management again. These guys were wrapped in cotton wool over the last few months and yet the squad looks goosed after two games.
We've obviously had injury issues with the senior team and the provinces as well. There are lots of factors involved and obviously I'm working more off my gut feeling than an in depth analysis of the stats, but I really feel that this needs to be looked at.
I think the schedule of the tournament is a bit of a demolition derby as well.
04/06/19 vs England
08/06/19 vs Australia
12/06/19 vs Italy
only 4 players have got injured in tournament and had to leave - Hodnett, Moore, French and Hughes.
Not sure how many others are carrying knocks, this is the third year in a row the team has suffered a lot of injuries in comparison to our competitors.. given how much irfu invest in player management and how little rugby the players played post 6 nations.. you'd have to wonder is it money well spent.
Great start to the second half for Italy. Ireland reasserted a fair degree of control but both teams looking wrecked now and I don’t think we’ll get anywhere near the 50 point gap. 38-14
1. Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster) 2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)
4. Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
5. Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)
6. Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
7. Scott Penny (UCD RFC/Leinster)
8. John Hodnett (UCC/Munster)
We won that match 34-14 and today 38-14, which considering the number of changes and injuries to players who would be considered likely starters is actually pretty decent.
For me, at this age grade, I always look at the team to see if there are 4-6 players each year that will make the jump to being regular selections in professional rugby (hopefully) for the provinces (at least). This years team looks like it will exceed that comfortably
Having followed a French commentary on their game against Argentina, I wonder about the integrity of this Tournament. (Argentina won well but France scored 4 tries to go to 11pts). What chances a S.A v NZ draw? If it happened, France will be out and Argentina will go through. However, if NZ or S.A. get nothing, one of them is out & France go through.
Ireland have done very well but could go home in 5th or 7th place with possibly (5th) only one loss and that against the World Champions. Australia are the best team and possibly S.A. or Argentina 2nd best, although France could yet surprise me. But their half-backs are not good enough to control an important game. Quelle change, toujours le meme!
But..... we could go through, if England keep going. They are 35-12 up against Australia at h-t and another 20 points differential would be enough to put us top, if Aus don't get four tries. Do the English dislike the Aussies enough to do us a favour?
Ruckedtobits wrote:But..... we could go through, if England keep going. They are 35-12 up against Australia at h-t and another 20 points differential would be enough to put us top, if Aus don't get four tries. Do the English dislike the Aussies enough to do us a favour?
I think because Australia have the head to head it doesnt matter, could be wrong tho
