It’s been a long three weeks, but Ireland are finally back in action. Whether you’re stuck out of the TV’s range or sitting pitchside, you can air your views in various nice new-fangled ways: on Facebook, tweet@thescore_ie or email sean@thescore.ie
Ireland 42 – 10 Italy
Afternoon, the Aviva Stadium is humming at the minute as the fans amble in.
Be sure to keep that URL tuned right here for the latest match updates.
It’s a beautiful day for rugby so no excuses today.
The teams have just returned to the dressing rooms so allow me to introduce The Score’s vantage point for the day.
The volume has just been ratcheted up. The flames are shooting high across the field from me.
Paul O’Connell has led Ireland onto the field.
Right, we’re almost underway.
Please send us in your predictions. I reckon Ireland will beat the -15 handicap.
Clear eyes, full hearts. CAN’T LOSE!
Botes gets us underway.
Botes drops it left and wide.
Paul O’Connell gathers the restart and Ireland are away.
Ireland went side to side for close on 10 phases without really making ground. Sexton kicks and Italy do the same. Eventually- by way of an Irish scrum, they are back within kickinng range with Botes on the 10 meter line.
Ireland racking up the penalties early. This time Botes hits the target from 40 meters.
Italy have come to play, but their efforts in the backline are curtailed by crossing.
Sexton’s turn to find his range.
After a little bit of attention from the physio the Leinster fly-half is up and walloping the ball through the posts from the left side of the 10 meter line.
All square here after 10 minutes.
As can be expected for a 1.30 kick off in Dublin the atmosphere is a little subdued.
A D’arcy break on halfway and offload to Earls soon has the vocal chords getting stretched.
Sean O’Brien eventually tackled, but Ireland attack inside the 22 and have a penalty which Sexton puts in the right hand corner.
TRY: O’Connell takes but Ghiraldini stops the maul at source. Ireland take the ball into contact for three to four phases before Murray switches back to Sexton heading right.
Keith Earls grounds the score.
Yep, Lansdowne is happy now. That unfamiliar shape in the number 13 jersey scoring in the right hand corner.
Sexton converts and with 20 minutes gone, Ireland couldn’t really have hoped for better from the first quarter.
A little bit worrying here, Cian Healy looked to be laid out cold, but he’s up and at them again.
An attack ends in a Trimble knock-on, but Ireland’s backs showing plenty of promise.
Sexton has them moving, running purposeful lines from deep and hitting the ball at pace.
A little bit too much pace that time.
Sexton’s first Garryowen of the day ends in a uncharicteristic knock-on from Kearney.
Just a few little jitters in the side, but nothing that can’t be ironed out by stringing a few phases together.
Gordon D’Arcy the latest to be penalised and usher the kicking tee onto the field.
Botes, from a difficult angle on the left wing, hits the bar. Kearney catches the rebound but the blue shirts are all over him and Italy have a 10 meter scrum.
‘ITALIA, ITALIA’ echoes from two corners of the ground, but Gori’s pass is patted down by D’Arcy.
Looked like a knock on from here, but Sexton clears.
Botes lined up a drop goal from the next phase, but it is harmlessly 10, 12 meters right of the posts.
TRYItaly are looking seriously dangerous on the attack, but after one off-load too far. Kearney looks set to romp clear.
A mix-up between he and F erris lets the Azzuri back in.
Ireland clear, but Italy find a vast amount of extra jerseys as the spin left and it’s the captain, Sergio Parisse who plants the ball under the posts.
All square after an easy conversion.
Ireland go straight up the other end and win a penalty as a blue shirt fails to roll away.
Kicked to the corner again.
TRY Sexton gets the backs going left again, but after a phase it’s slowed down.
Switch back to the right and Italy are short, Kearney does well to skip a pass to Ferris before he is hit hard and hands the try to the one, the only, Tommy Bowe.
Sexton has converted that score and Ireland lead at half time by the full seven point score.
Bit of a mixed bag in the opening half, but after three weeks without a game, Ireland were never likely to hit the ground at full speed.
Tomas O’Beag certainly wasn’t impressed with what he seen, commenting:
“Sooner the better we realise Ireland are not as good as we all think. Their an average team have been for last 3 years”
Another unhappy man is Mark ‘Tosh’ McIntyre exiled in London.
He writes:
“Awful, awful. Ireland don’t want the ball. Not playing enough territory. Schoolboy stuff. ROG is the man to pin them boys in blue back in their own half.”
I hope that kettle has boiled. Because Italy are back on the field no doubt buoyed by a first half performance which seen them rock Ireland back on their heels a number of times.
Ireland follow, but there is little roar from the crowd as they are slowly returning to their seats, trays of stout in hand.
Italy on the attack again and Botes really gives them some invention.
His grubber, however, is well intercepted by Murray.
Unfortunately Craig Joubert has pinged Sean O’Brien and Botes has a chance from 35 meters, straight in front of the posts.
D’Arcy touches down across the try-line but it’s been called back.
A great break from Ferris past his opposite number, Zanni.
The pass to Bowe looks good, but the winger knocks on. Possibly because his elbow is grabbed before he catches the ball.
Joubert doesn’t agree and Italy scrum down.
PENALTY TO IRELAND. Great work from Mike Ross to force it.
Right in front = no problem for Sexton.
Ireland lead by 10, with 10 gone in second half.
Again, Ireland show flashes of briliance, with Bowe breaking through on a trailer run off Sexton’s shoulder.
It all breaks down with Best, trying to force a quick off-load when D’Arcy was still nowhere near him.
Eoin Reddan is on the field in place of Murray. Not been a great day for the younger Munster half back.
Parisse is called to be holding onto the ball on Irelan’d right hand corner of the half way line. Another kick to the corner from Sexton, but the line-out hasn’t been at it’s best today. Yet.
Italy steal another line out but Ireland come back through Rob Kearney. He’s back to his best.
35 meter penalty chance now. Barbieri the man who doesn’t roll this time.
Peter O’Mahoney has come on to make his international debut.
Donnacha Ryan is also on in place of O’Callaghan.
TRY But enough about the subs, Keith Earls made another line break and the green jersey hammered the try line through four phases.
The balll comes out and Sexton again chose the right pass. Skipping the defender to find Tommy Bowe.
A straightforward conversion for Sexton and Ireland lead by a very healthy looking 20 points.
Italy are back on the offensive though with Kris Burton on in place of Botes.
Paul O’Connell is still working like a trojan, forcing Italy backwards from a five-meter line out.
A good day at 13 for Earls comes to an end after 67 minutes, Fergus McFadden is on the field.
Game has hit a bit of a lull as we reach 10 minutes from the finish line. If there was a bonus point at stake, neither side would be feeling this game was over
Not before time, Ireland get a maul going and ROG sends Bowe on his way.
Reddan takes a quick penalty and Cronin is scampering towards the line.
Ireland are baying for a fourth try here.
Never heard that before. The stadium speakers have piped in drums to get the crowd going.
It hasn’t worked, a Mexican wave is starting to ripple in the east stand. Please stop.
TRY: Big Tom Court reaps the benefits of a tired Azzuri defence and Ireland have their fourth touch down.
Italy are undoubtedly a side on the up. They have finally added some back invention to their forwards.
However, they were at their best in the first half and Ireland still went in leading by a maximum score.
The second period wasn’t perfect, but Ireland carved out a comprehensive victory none-the-less.
The final result is the kind of margin we always expect against Italy. It’s so rare we actually achieve it.
‘Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow’ is the song putting a pep in supporters step as they leave the new stadium.
Perhaps tomorrow won’t bother Declan Kidney too much, but it can’t be long before his thoughts turn to France and a second go at Les Bleus in Stade de France.
So that’s all from me. Hope you enjoyed the game.
Good result, but there’s always improvements to be made in performance.
C’MON IRELAND.
When Joe Schmidt picked Boss ahead of Reddan or vice versa there seemed to be a strategy or reasoning behind it, and the players could understand it, get behind the idea knew that they would get 20 minutes and keep their form.
When MOC picks Gopperth or Madigan there doesn’t seem to be a strategy or reasoning behind the decision, it seems to just unsettle both players as a result neither player is playing well to the detriment of the team.
I think MOC wants to play Madigan, just his performances prove he can’t be trusted.
I am a huge fan of Madigan but he is a confidence player and I don’t think fighting for his position this year helped him.
But he had to fight against Sexton too and that did him a world of good.
Jackson roasted Madigan two weeks ago in Ravenhill
Silly statement really he may have had a slightly better performance, but neither had a good game, don’t think Jackson will be happy with some of his kicking out of hand on the day or his role in the Leinster try, so it’s unfair to say he roasted Madigan, both players were not at their best that day.
Kieran, the article is about Madigan, focus please.
I’d say Jackson got roasted by Jennings
Let’s call a spade a spade, they were both very average. Last week.
On form, Madigan should not be going to Argentina in June. The form 10′s in Ireland are Keatley and Jackson – as understudies to Sexton. Pick him at 12 or leave him out. I don’t buy “form is temporary, class is permanent”. This time last year he was a no brainer for Ireland and was justified as Ireland’s No. 2 out half on the US tour. He was even a potential Lions bolted. But now, on form, he should not be selected for Ireland this summer.
Perhaps your right, but the question is why has the player gone from possible Lions bolter to you being justified in saying he does not deserve a place on the Argentinian tour ?
My own view of it is shared by others on here, MOC is making a dogs dinner of player management at 10. Both players are effected negatively by it. I had the pleasure of a conversation with MOC at the beginning of the season, MOC perhaps had 2 months with Leinster at the time, this was even before friendlies kicked off, his comment on Madigan still strikes me as odd. When the subject of Madigan came up, his comment was that the lad sure is confident enough to play 10. Its clear to me that, even at this early stage MOC had put Madigan in the cocky young fella bracket, while Gopperth was the real deal, sure, steady and experienced. This is how its panned out, MOC never really put a lot of confidence in Madigan, the irony is his lack of confidence is wreaking both players game. Also the IRFU’s silly policies applied without context have to take some blame, Madigan did what he could on the summer tour to the USA, taking ownership of the 10 jersey. His reward, an IRFU player rest policy that saw him return to Leinster action 2 games before H-Cup KO. He got 1 real game against Munster, did ok, but could you expect much more ? Then got dropped and then Gopperth played in 2 to 3 winning H-Cup games. I IRFU pulled the rug from under him, his momentum and handed Gopperth the jersey on a plate. Now, player management has its place, Darcy’s BOD’S AND poc’S need rest, but does a 23 or 24 young fella who is flying need it. If Joe S was still at Leinster, Madigan would be flying. This ones down to the IRFU and MOC, its not always the players fault.
The subject of Madigan and the Argentinian tour has been raised as has MOC suitability to coach Leinster. I have two comments,
The 1st, I wont be surprised if Madigan is selected to tour with Jackson, but without Sexton. Joe S did not blood / develop as much players as he wanted to during the 6N as the chance to win it materialised. He will look to develop players on the tour, perhaps at the cost of winning. Joe S is a fan of Madigans, and It is not the 1st time and Irish coach has plucked a struggling 10 from his province and built him back up again. I’m no fan of DK, but he did pluck a grumpy and disillusioned Sexton form Leinster and Play him for Ireland in November internationals. If Joe thinks Madigan has it, Madigan has it.
The 2nd , MOC needs a backs coach at Leinster, he needs to look no further than Garvin Dempsey who’s A team are still playing total rugby.
Matt O’Connor should be moved on at the end of the season as he has not produced anything positive in his time with leinster. Madigan’s natural football ability is better than all current Irish 10′s including Sexton(hence why he is the only one who can play out of position). When you have someone with such raw ability you look after it and guide them to use their abilities better-MOC’s conservative rugby is choking both him and Leinster. Joe will give Madigan back his freedom and confidence this summer and hopefully he will come back with restored confidence to a new coach in Leinster who can actually utilise his and the teams abilities.
Madigans an undoubted talent but as clearly a “confidence” player who unless he pulls his finger out will struggle. At the moment he is realistically 4th choice for ireland…lets hope it just a slump.
I’m a Leinster fan myself and there’s not a chance in the world I’d pick him for Ireland right now. Keatley is undoubtedly second choice behind Sexton and Jackson isn’t far behind. Madigan is so out of form that JJ is looking a decent bet to overtake him in the Irish flyhalf rankings.
Madigan is in an odd position now where he’s probably higher in the inside centre and fullback rankings for Ireland than the outhalf rankings. He’ll most likely travel to Argentina as a utility sub, cover 10, 12, and 15 from the bench. Can’t see him starting, unless he pulls out a couple of ridiculous performances in the next 1 or 2 games.
Matt O Conor doesn’t like how Leinster play as in fast play out the back line , that’s why gopperth plays it’s because he is more of a kicking out half , go back to the Leinster way and use the back line !
To be fair to Matt O’Connor, Penney has rotated Keatley and JJ all year and it seems to have driven them both to better performances. Keatley in particular is a changed man with JJ breathing down his neck. There are plenty other examples of dualing out halfs working. I think the problem has much to do with the current system not suiting him, as a result the performances have suffered, as a result losing confidence, as a result worse performances….
Agreed. Jackson has ihumph coming in to drive his performances, which worked well before but is no guarantee. It remains to be seen if MOC and Gopperth can develop Madigans game. If MOC prefers Gopperth would Madigan be better alternating with Jackson at provincial level to improve his form? Is this not the brief of the performance director?
Simply bringing in a second player to drive the other is not the answer in itself, both players need to be man managed, they need to understand what the coach values in them, and why he may go for the other player for a certain game. Confidence is a must at 10. In Leinster Boss always knew he was picked for the more physical, cagey away games, Reddan knew he was valued for facilitating a fast paced attacking game where sharp decisions and quick delivery was valued. Each player had a role and understood it in the context of match day tactics. Is the same true of Madigan and Gopperth ? what are the strengths that are being leveraged in either player ? I’ve been to every Leinster game this season, and 3 h-cup away games including Toulon, I for the life of me can see no logic or pattern to either Gopperths or Madigans selection. What’s the Logic in playing Madigan for 72 mins against Munster a week before the Toulon game, and only giving Gopperth 8 mins when he had already not played for 2 to 3 weeks. Gopperth went up against Toulon, who lost 2 players to France during the 6N with 8 mins of rugby under his belt in a month. Based on that, and Madigans selection against Munster and Ireland performance, Madigan was the only choice to play Toulon. The only choice dictated by the coaches own decision not to play Gopperth against Munster. No logic. If a coach wont set each player up for success, is it the players or coaches fault. Again, I’m saying this one is down to MOC.
That’s different, Keatley is Munster no.1 10. Penny rotates them but JJ is the understudy. Whereas at Leinster neither of the 10′s know where they stand. I think Gopperth is MOC’s choice. I think he signed him and in his mind Gopperth is his starting 10. He hasn’t made it public and if he had both players could understand their roles and work from there. But there has been no actual decision made which has resulted in constant uncertainty and I think Madigan has gone backwards from it.
Joe Schmidt signed Gopperth not MOC. I reckon he signed him as back up to Madigan.
I don’t think so, I think Joe Schmidt becoming Ireland coach was planned out long before it was announced and I think MOC did bring Gopperth in, think it was one of the agreements in MOC coming in. It all happened to quickly and seamlessly he knew him through the premiership and he’s clearly his unofficial 1st choice was at the beginning of the year and now.
hiI agree with larla O’Domhnail. Gopperth is a good out-half, but not European competition level there is absolutely no X-factor to his game. A ten must be able to control the game when in possession and steer his players/rest his forwards.The best part of Gopperth’s game is his kicking and his decision making is suspect at best, a very dull out-half. Madigan, needs game time to develop the ‘control element’ of his game and has the ability to play high risk rugby on the gain line as well as the footwork to make a break in the defensive line or the passing skills to get the ball into space.He defends well, a prerequisite for a 10 these days. He actually plays the exciting rugby like Carlos Spencer did and Leinster could do worse than bring in Spencer, who is available, as backs coach to help him along. O’Connor has not helped Madigan’s confidence and brought in his own choice 10 who deflated the ‘total rugby’ Leinster was playing. A terrible waste of an exciting talent who needs game time, Madigan might consider moving camp ..to Connacht ?…. if O’Connor is not dumped as poor choice coach for Leinster’s style of rugby.
O’Conno has done a terrible job of getting the best out of him .
He’s behind Jackson and keatly now he hasn’t progressed into a 10 that can control a game.
Madrigal wouldn’t make the bench in Munster or ulster
INSIDE CENTRE.
Absolute bollox, Madigan is mediocre! Jackson, Keatley and Hanrahan would run rings around him if they were given more opportunities, the person who wrote this obviously only watches Leinster games
If.
Madigan has not risen to the Gopperth challenge, and has not developed as a player. Paddy Jackson is Ireland No: 2 now, and I think Madigan should leave Leinster if he wants to improve!
Was he not rotated with sexton last year and Kearney was injured so was covering fullback too. His confidence as dipped sure even BOD’s dipped for a while and he came back a different player!
Madigan is completely over rated will be found out very soon/ man wont have a hope of making future Irish squads. Forget about Sexton / Jackson or Madigan. JJ Hanrahan is the man. Sexton will be lucky to hold off JJ in the coming years.
When jj is ahead of Ireland’s 4th choice ( on six nation selection) keatley then maybe sexton might have to worry about him. Until then I think sextons jersey is safe enough.
Jury is still out on JJ, but I maintain Madigan is this generation’s Paddy Wallace. At the age of 30, it’ll dawn on the coaches he should’ve been a 12 all this time…
Keatley for Ireland
If the coaches job is to develop the talent has his coach performed this year?
Angryigan is a great player
“This isn’t a Sexton/O’Gara or Humphreys/O’Gara situation where rivals are pushing each other to a new level; in fact, it appears to be damaging both men.”
Neither are close to the quality of what has gone before. Gopberth has been a more consistent performer and hence he starts games. Madigan is fine when his team are going forward but has no game management and is not the best passer in the country.
You have two fine outhalfs who are misfiring, MOC has handled them wrong neither is playing well, they both look like they are trying to play by the numbers. Jimmy is far more then a kicking outhalf and Madigan is not just a running out half. The template should be how Boss and Reddan were used last season. Instead one or the other sits on the bench for a month.
A note of caution if they keep playing him all around the backline they will end up with another James Hook. A handy fullback instead of the world class outhalf he could have been.
Ireland’s answer to Carlos spencer…rubbish statement
Not sure how Moc can be blamed for Madigans form.Madigan has gotten his chances but Gooperth has been better.Madigans kicking percentages meant that in big game’s Gooperth has been selected.
We lost Johnny one year too early, for Madigan, for a H.cup and a Slam.
Munster probably could have done with a kicking coach/.
If Madigan, Jimmy and Matt hit some form Leinster will be there again.
Why do munster need a kicking coach? Look at the OH’s % for the season….
Er, jj just won the golden boot?
While only playing half the time….