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Farrell's lifeless Ireland worryingly poor in Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia

The home side only managed to score three points in a dire second-half showing.

Ireland 23

Georgia 10

GEORGIAโ€™S SEARCH FOR a first-ever win against Ireland continues but this fixture had a bang of the sidesโ€™ meeting at the 2007 World Cup off it.

On that occasion, Ireland limped home on a 14-10 scoreline in what was a doomed campaign. This 23-10 victory was every bit as lifeless, sloppy, and worrying for Irish supporters.

Fresh off a defeat in Twickenham, Andy Farrell had hoped this fixture against Georgia, ranked 12th in the world, would allow his side to pick up some momentum and confidence again but instead it may well have done exactly the opposite. 

jacob-stockdale-with-demur-tapladze-and-akaki-tabutsadze Ireland had a frustrating afternoon in Dublin. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Irelandโ€™s victory does mean they advance into what is essentially the Autumn Nations Cupโ€™s third-place play-off against Scotland next weekend, but Gregor Townsendโ€™s men will be licking their lips at the prospect of coming to Dublin โ€“ where they really should have won earlier this year in the Six Nations.

As with last time out against England, Farrellโ€™s side had real breakdown problems against the Georgians, giving up a string of second-half turnovers, while Mike Cattโ€™s attack failed to spark after a few promising signs in the opening 40 minutes.

On a dry, crisp Dublin afternoon, there werenโ€™t any excuses in the conditions. Scoring only three points in the second half was damning.

Ireland had led 20-7 at half time and could have been further ahead but for three possible tries being chalked off, but they were simply dire in the second half as they made a string of errors to allow the Georgians to grow in belief.

The sight of Ireland kicking three points off the tee with the visitors genuinely back in the contest in the third quarter will linger. 

Farrellโ€™s experiment of shifting Connacht tighthead Finlay Bealham across for his first Test start at loosehead prop was a disaster as referee Mathieu Raynal pinged him several times in the scrum.  

Shane Daly made his Ireland debut off the bench with just over 15 minutes remaining but this must have felt a whole lot different to what he would have imagined Test rugby being like.

As for Georgia, they deserve credit for being so competitive despite poor preparation for the tournament. Having made life difficult for Wales, this was another good outing.

billy-burns-celebrates-after-scoring-a-try-with-hugo-keenan Billy Burns scored Ireland's first try. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Farrellโ€™s men had frustrations early on as their maul was repelled from 10 metres out, Stuart McCloskey lost the ball forward in contact, and then they conceded a scrum penalty to let the Georgians out of their own 22.

There was a missed chance soon after when Tadhg Beirne earned a clean breakdown turnover deep in the Georgia half but CJ Stander failed to pass the ball to an overlap wide on the left, Jacob Stockdale losing the ball on the next phase as he attempted a grubber kick.

But the first Irish score arrived in the 10th minute as man of the match Iain Hendersonโ€™s carry gave them momentum and Keith Earls almost got over in the left corner. With penalty advantage playing, outside centre Chris Farrell played a lovely pass out the back for out-half Burns to loop onto and dart over to the right of the posts, converting himself for 7-0.

Burns tacked on another three points off the tee three minutes later but Georgia responded with a stunning score by outside centre Giorgi Kveseladze as he bursts onto fullback Soso Matiashviliโ€™s clever inside pass to break in between Beirne and Stander.

Kveseladze accelerated beyond Andrew Porter, dummied a pass to force Stockdale to sit off him, stepped past Burns, then finished through the despairing challenge of McCloskey and Stockdale for a superb try converted by out-half Tedo Abzhandadze.

Burns extended Irelandโ€™s lead out to six points with 23 minutes gone with a second penalty shot and with Hugo Keenan impressive in the air under Conor Murrayโ€™s box-kicking and the Irish lineout applying pressure, Farrellโ€™s side were in the ascendency.

hugo-keenan-scores-a-try Hugo Keenan crosses for Ireland's second try in Dublin. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Their second try came in the 34th minute after an extended passage of pressure inside the visitorsโ€™ 22 โ€“ which included a possible Rob Herring maul try being ruled out โ€“ and concluded with Burns and Stockdale flashing the ball wide to the right for Keenan to cross, the out-half converting again for 20-7.

Ireland thought they had another just before the break as a sweeping sequence saw Beirne and Stander surging down the right and into the Georgia half before slick passing from the 10-15 connection of Burns and Stockdale saw the ball shifted immediately wide left for McCloskey to surge through the last tackle and score from 45 metres out.

However, referee Mathieu Raynal ruled it out as he adjudged Stockdaleโ€™s excellent long skip pass to have been forward.

There was more frustration in the dying seconds as Raynal felt Ireland captain Ryan had been held up over the tryline even when the ball looked playable.

Farrellโ€™s team had a poor start to the second half as Finlay Bealham โ€“ starting at loosehead for the first time in his Test career, rather than in his usual tighthead spot โ€“ was penalised at scrum time. Scrum-half Murray got Ireland out of trouble with a choke tackle turnover close to their tryline.

stuart-mccloskey-scores-a-try-that-was-later-disallowed-due-to-a-forward-pass Stuart McCloskey had a possible try ruled out just before half-time. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

Out-half Abzhandadze soon had a shot at goal after back rows Tornike Jalagonia and Beka Gorgadze combined for a breakdown turnover penalty and the former Terenure College RFC man duly slotted it for a 20-10 scoreline. 

Georgia suddenly sensed a chance and were boosted by another big scrum penalty inside their own 22 with 25 minutes left โ€“ Bealham being replaced immediately by Cian Healy after that decision.

Replacement out-half Ross Byrne extended Irelandโ€™s lead to 23-10 just before the game entered the final quarter, Farrellโ€™s players clearly feeling that they couldnโ€™t turn their noses up at the points on offer.

Irelandโ€™s next visit into Georgia territory ended in shambolic fashion as Will Connors chase Byrneโ€™s over-hit chip kick from an offside position, allowing the Georgians to exit from a cheap penalty.   

There was a lengthy pause soon after as Georgia number eight Gorgadze was eventually carted off with a nasty knee injury, his screams having rung out around the empty Aviva Stadium after he collapsed to he ground without being tackled.

When play resumed with an Ireland lineout attack just outside the Georgian 22, a loose pass from Connors saw Merab Sharikadze pounce for a turnover penalty as the Irish lethargy continued.

will-connors-is-tackled-by-beka-gorgadze Georgia grew into the game as Ireland struggled in the third quarter. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

That was to be it for the Irish challenge as Georgia continued to turn them over in their 22, the game ending in thoroughly dispiriting fashion with another penalty concession just five metres out.

Ireland scorers:

Tries: Billy Burns, Hugo Keenan

Conversions: Billy Burns [2 from 2]

Penalties: Billy Burns [2 from 2], Ross Byrne

Georgia scorers:

Tries: Giorgi Kveseladze

Conversions: Tedo Abzhandadze [1 from 1]

Penalties: Tedo Abzhandadze [1 from 1]

IRELAND: Jacob Stockdale; Hugo Keenan, Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Keith Earls (Shane Daly โ€™63); Billy Burns (Ross Byrne โ€™45), Conor Murray (Kieran Marmion โ€™57); Finlay Bealham (Cian Healy โ€™57), Rob Herring, Andrew Porter (John Ryan โ€˜HT); Iain Henderson, James Ryan (captain) (Quinn Roux โ€™62); Tadhg Beirne (Peter Oโ€™Mahony โ€™62), Will Connors (Dave Heffernan โ€™67), CJ Stander.

GEORGIA: Soso Matiashvili; Akaki Tabutsadze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Merab Sharikadze (captain) (David Niniashvili โ€™67), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Demur Tapladze โ€™65); Tedo Abzhandadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze (Mikheil Alania โ€™74); Mikheil Nariashvili (Lexo Kaulashvili โ€™50), Shalva Mamukashvili (Blood bin โ€“ Giorgi Chkoidze โ€™10 to โ€™20, permanent โ€™65), Beka Gigashvili (Giorgi Melikidze โ€™70); Nodar Cheishvili (Giorgi Javakhia โ€™62), Lasha Jaiani; Beka Saginadze, Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Gorgadze (Mikheil Gachechiladze โ€™63)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal [FFR]. 

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127 Comments
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    Mute Danny O'Riordan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:02 PM

    Ireland officially the most overrated side in world rugby.

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    Mute Cรดte Dโ€™oherty
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:09 PM

    @Danny Oโ€™Riordan: not sure anyone rated us to be honest, weโ€™re fairly aware we are muck

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    Mute Paul Mcnevin
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:31 PM

    @Danny Oโ€™Riordan: By who?

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:03 PM

    Ran into brick walls all day last week, done the very same today. Shambles of a Coaching set up.
    We need to get rid of Joe Sโ€™s assistants and get in a real coach.

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    Mute Batster
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:05 PM

    @Chris Mc: Couldnโ€™t agree any more. Letting a man who has never been a head coach in charge of our national team was always a bad idea. Farrell and Catt out.

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:31 PM

    @Chris Mc: Joe Schmidt?

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    Mute Aidan Prior
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:44 PM

    @Chris Mc: not a fan of calling blood so early in a managers role. Performances have been poor on the basics and have lacked innovation. Theyโ€™ll persist with this coaching team for 18 months which weโ€™ll probably stagnate in the worlds top 8 teams. The reality is that weโ€™re lacking ball carriers (not much has been produced since Ferris, SOB, Healy came on the scene), a back up to Sexton, guile (Ringrose and Larmour badly missed) and real speed in the backs. If I was going head hunt anybody Iโ€™d go after Pat Lam.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:45 PM

    @PScald: hopfully someone whoโ€™s never even landed in dublin airport but has some knowledge of rugby union.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Aidan Prior: we started today with 3 secondrows and 2 tightheads. Burns played well today but again expecting a player surrounded by one up carriers to be the answer is daft. seriously if Harry Byrne was at 10 and frawley at 12 we would have moved them all over the pitch and scored 50 points.

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    Mute Danger
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:55 PM

    @Chris Mc: looking like a MOC like regime after king joe, I hope Iโ€™m wrong

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    Mute Kohn Jeenan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:56 PM

    @Chris Mc: ah so playing 2 10s on top of the 3 second rows 2 tightheads wouldโ€™ve done the trick would it

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:59 PM

    @Aidan Prior: That would be correct if technically he was a new manager but the reality is he was picked on Joe Schmidts recommendation no interview process so in reality itโ€™s just a continuation of a management that had well gone stale. Canโ€™t see one bit of improvement in attack from Mike Catt we have all the creative imagination of a concrete block. Change now, bring in someone like Conor Oโ€™Shea or Lancaster rather than trundling along to another poor six nations.

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    Mute Ger
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:11 PM

    @Chris Mc: most sensible and true comment of the day

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:49 PM

    @Chris Mc: the Leinster team with its young guns would have score 6 or 7 tries today against that Georgian side

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    Mute Aidan Prior
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    Nov 29th 2020, 10:09 PM

    @BMJF: no they wouldnโ€™t. Trashing Pro 14 sides is one thing, international rugby is another.

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    Mute Ruckin' Hell
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:00 PM

    3-3 in the second half against Georgia. Also, who could have foresaw not playing a loosehead would lead to problems at scrum time?? Really uninspiring game, not sure where this Irish team is going at times but itโ€™s certainly not forward.

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    Mute Agrippa
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:12 PM

    @Ruckinโ€™ Hell: totally agree, bealham is a good mobile prop so why play him out of position? I like Farrel giving new prople caps but maybe the coaching team just isnโ€™t up to it. Shocking shocking stuff. Wasnโ€™t helped by the refereeing. Thought Keenan, stander, henderson, mccloskey, murray, burns, john ryan were ok, but jeez that was awful stuff

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:21 PM

    @Agrippa: he was made a fall guy today. Terrible from the coach. He could easily have given porter the day off

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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:24 PM

    @Agrippa:
    Bealham decision just doesnโ€™t make senseโ€ฆ The guy deserves a bit of respect from Farrell, at least Porter has played on the other side but Bealham has never gone over in Connacht gamesโ€ฆ

    I thought Marmion was refreshingโ€ฆ He brings so much speed but Ross is terribleโ€ฆ He just doesnโ€™t take it to the gain line so when we have momentum, Ross just wastes time and allows the forwards to regroupโ€ฆ You can have that luxury in a Pro 14 game for Leinster but most Out halves know you have to twist the thumb when you have them under pressureโ€ฆ
    Carty would give Ross or Burns a run for there moneyโ€ฆ Would like to see Cooney with Burns for a half and also Marmion and Carty another halfโ€ฆ

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Ruckinโ€™ Hell: shambolic decision โ€“ IRFU will have to step in if this shocking stuff continues โ€“ Leinsterโ€™s young guns not involved in ireland camp would have put 40points on the Georgians today easily

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Nov 29th 2020, 3:59 PM

    Absolutely septic from everyone involved. The players, coaches, kit man, the whole bloody lot of em.

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    Mute Paul Harvey
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: imagine if youโ€™d payed in to watch that

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    Mute Thomas Quinn
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:12 PM

    @Jim Demps: Ah thatโ€™s a bit harsh Jim. I thought the kit man had them jerseys lookin fine altogether.

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    Mute Aidan Prior
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @Thomas Quinn: and the announcer! Why have an announcer there, I get the crowd soundbites but having him on today was hilarious

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:57 PM

    @Thomas Quinn: he did the best with what he was given I suppose.

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    Mute แด›แดแด49
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:06 PM

    I think itโ€™s time to question Andy Farrell already. I usually want managers and coaches to be given time but thereโ€™s no sign of progression under him. Ireland have bags of talent available. Iโ€™d give him the next six nations to prove himself.

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    Mute SomeGuy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:01 PM

    @แด›แดแด49: It would be great to see an Irish person lead the team too. McCall has an unbelievable track record. A promotion of the Leinster ticket wouldnโ€™t be a bad shout either. If Farrell gets the full run to RWC, then it would give time for Oโ€™Gara to gain head coach experience too.

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    Mute OrbyNewel
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    Nov 30th 2020, 1:05 PM

    @SomeGuy: Oโ€™Gara has stated that he will not be back coaching in Ireland until all the players he has played with have retired or moved on. Could be a while before that happens with Ireland considering Murray, Oโ€™Mahoney etc still have a few years left on their contract.

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    Mute Emmet Martin
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:24 PM

    James Ryanโ€™s form has fallen off a cliff. Captaincy not sitting well

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:27 PM

    @Emmet Martin: the elephant in the room.. Beirne and Henderson next week but it wonโ€™t happen

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    Mute RhinoDino
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:01 PM

    We got physically bullied by Georgia. Turning into a real issue.

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    Mute Aaron Tynan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:03 PM

    @RhinoDino: tier 1 and tier 2 teams working out that physically dominating Ireland causes serious problems for us. Very worrying to see.

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    Mute baw baw
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:09 PM

    Jamie heaslips โ€˜commentaryโ€™ and ross Byrnes โ€˜playingโ€™ were absolutely septic and they came together beautifully at one stage heaslip says marmions passing has sped the game up noticeably and ross byrne should add to it by not playing as deep as burns in the first half hahaha
    Few came out with credit after that game Henderson, stander, burns, keenan, mccloskey and theres arguments for stockdale marmion and beirne who showed glimpses of what they can offer the rest just didnt do enough whether it was gameplan related or not it was all sub par

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:24 PM

    @baw baw: Henderson, burns and keenan played well, lots of effort from everyone one else but not much more.

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    Mute Brian O'Driscoll
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:24 PM

    @baw baw: I completely agree with the commentary piece. Really poor. He refused to call out the obvious low quality of our play. Lacks credibility as a result.

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    Mute Jiminy Cricket
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:52 PM

    @Brian Oโ€™Driscoll: not to mention heโ€™s an insufferable รงรบรฑt

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    Mute Ronan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:24 PM

    @baw baw: Heaslip is a look on the bright side of fella, canโ€™t blame him for that. Probably a better co-commentator when we have a decent team, Donal Lenihan is the only man when we are dirt.

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    Mute Luke O'Mahony
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:06 PM

    Unbelievable that we consistently insist on this boring one man carry rugby , we donโ€™t have the players to play that sort of power gain game plan , we have no creativity .

    All we seem to be able to muster is poor straight hands in the backline .

    About 10 of that squad shouldnโ€™t be anywhere near international rugby

    Whatever gloss the media and cliched interviews will put on it , when a tier 2 team can defend so easily against you you have big big problems

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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Luke Oโ€™Mahony:
    This what happens when you pick 10s who donโ€™t attack the line and crash merchants in midfield. You need better hands in midfield, just shows how important henshaw and bundee are, they can crash but also create spaceโ€ฆ

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    Mute Luke O'Mahony
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:39 PM

    @Cowboy Paddy: realistically our two 10โ€™s for the next RWC are Healy & H.Byrne so I would imagine unless their skill set isnโ€™t crushed by playing boring rugby we should be ok

    It shows without out an out 13โ€™s our only option is playing two 12โ€™s in the centre , due to Irish rugby from grassroots to international obviously not focusing on skill set we will always struggle unless we have a 12 & 13 in there

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:27 PM

    @Luke Oโ€™Mahony: I thought the centres played fine. Burns should have been on for longer as he was playing well. In fact if any Irish player was to get MOTM it should have been him.

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    Mute Lesidees
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:30 PM

    @Con Cussed: I think Burns was injured

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    Mute Luke O'Mahony
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    Nov 29th 2020, 6:13 PM

    @Con Cussed: McCloskey played well , Farrell played like a 12 at 13 really . No idea even for Munster why they think he is a 13 .

    Good back ups for Aki at 12 I suppose but at this stage itโ€™s looking at henshaw at 12 Ringtose at 13 .

    I would probably if all fit look at 9. Casey 10. Healy / H Byrne 11. Conway 12. Henshaw 13. Ringrose 14. Larmor 15. Carberry for RWC 2023

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:43 PM

    @Cowboy Paddy: burns regularly takes the ball to the line and takes the ball very flat playing for Ulster so itโ€™s not that he wonโ€™t do it heโ€™s a brave 10 and although not the best tackler he doesnโ€™t shirk them unless heโ€™s being asked to play differently for Ireland and just shovel the ball on to the crash runners

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:00 PM

    @Cowboy Paddy: weโ€™ve learned a lot โ€“ Farrell isnโ€™t an international centre and either is McCloskey โ€ฆ at least that debate is over. if Carbery canโ€™t get and stay fit I think weโ€™re also going to have to parachute Harry Byrne into squad .. the alternative to Sexton was supposed to be Paddy Jackson but I donโ€™t see IRFU going there

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    Mute B Collins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:04 PM

    Shocking game. They learned nothing from the England game by the looks of it. Same mindless play. Ireland were poor across the board. Doesnโ€™t matter whoโ€™s playing. Itโ€™s the same terrible game plan every time. Coaches need to provide answers.

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    Mute Donnacha Shaughnessy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:08 PM

    Farrell out. Absolutely clueless

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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:43 PM

    @Donnacha Shaughnessy:
    Honestly every time he plays Tom Farrell for Connacht he gets beatenโ€ฆ Tom is a real 13 and Chris is 12 trying to pretend he is a 12โ€ฆ
    Honestly I thing the two lads today are a good bit behind the top 3 (Bundee, Henshaw & Ringrose)โ€ฆ Those three offer a lot more in creating space and then exploiting itโ€ฆ
    Saying that when any of them play with Ross they get killedโ€ฆ

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    Mute Aaron O Brien
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:33 PM

    @Cowboy Paddy: He meant Farrell the coach

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    Mute Farz Saadat
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:09 PM

    Biggest problem this Autumn: the anthem.

    Irelandโ€™s call not a great song at the best of times, but at least 40,000 odd drunk people belting it out is kind of fun.

    Hearing a tinny recording echo around the stadium โ€“ and that recording sounds like a fake song made to take the piss out of Ireland, played by an amateur band in someones garage, is cringe inducing.

    Maybe the players arenโ€™t up for the fight because they have to spend the first 10 minutes shuddering in embarrasment.

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    Mute Shane McGettrick
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:38 PM

    @Farz Saadat: รl Canto degli Italiani is one of the best anthems going and it hasnโ€™t turned them into world beaters. Agreed that Irelandโ€™s Call is absolute dirge though.

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    Mute Farz Saadat
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:41 PM

    @Shane McGettrick: I donโ€™t actually think this is why theyโ€™ve been so dire.

    It just worth pointing out how especially awful hearing this recording around the empty stadium has been, and whoever chose this particular version should never have a job again.

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    Mute Paul Burke
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    Nov 30th 2020, 12:24 AM

    @Farz Saadat: the only thing is, we always win the singing competition by 2-1

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    Mute Dolphins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:12 PM

    Again Andy Farrell is not a highly rated Rugby Union coach. He is more Rugby League than Union and has never coached a highly rated Domestic rugby Union side. He doesnโ€™t have a CV. The Irish side look to basic and simple with some RL movements. Bad move of the IRFU

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    Mute Aaron Tynan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:01 PM

    That was a terrible game! Players, tactics everything seemed off. A bit worrying going into a game against Scotland now. If we lose that I donโ€™t know where it leaves us.

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    Mute Batster
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:03 PM

    Our second string are mostly not up to it. Iโ€™m saying that there has been no game plan and a serious drop in the basics since Farrell took over. Iโ€™m not going to pick out any players as it will only cause the usual nonsense about which Irish team should have more players playing for Ireland but about half of todayโ€™s team are nowhere near international standard.
    Time to bring on the youth.

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:54 PM

    @Batster: 100% bring in the younger guys with energy, speed and enthusiasm- too many of the 2nd 15 in camp arenโ€™t at the races and never will beโ€ฆ blood the next generation! The basic skills and speed of play is truly shocking! The game plan of one up runners is awful and when we do go wide we pass the ball too early with not attempt to run straight hard lines to fix & commit defenders โ€“ itโ€™s like training passing. The local U18โ€™s wouldnโ€™t do it โ€“ just donโ€™t get it

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:15 PM

    Dreadful, dreadful game and performance. No game plan. We look a very badly coached side. Predictable, no subtlety, inaccurate, really poor at breakdown, easy to defend againstโ€ฆ Stockdale again is embarrassing for their try. Afraid to tackle, itโ€™s unacceptable at this level. At any level in rugby. Lots of poor individual performances. Tadhg Beirne was good in the lineout and showed well. Would like to see him being a proper option at 6 going forward. Good to see Henderson back and going well.

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    Mute John Lowry
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:21 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: even the couple of bright spots that I agree with you Carmine โ€“ beirne Henderson and stander for me โ€“ look good against the weaker teams but when up against the English and the all blacks โ€ฆโ€ฆ

    I donโ€™t need to finish the sentiment as itโ€™s looking bleak

    And it should not be that worrying

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:28 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: lol at 6? How about replace the 2nd row whoโ€™s horribly out of form..

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:45 PM

    @PScald: canโ€™t drop golden balls heโ€™s out saviour

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:17 PM

    @PScald: Yeah at 6. It would hasten the exit of the other spoofer backrow that was pointlessly brought on today.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:17 PM

    @William Mills: yawn.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:18 PM

    @John Lowry: Fully agree with everything there John

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 30th 2020, 12:25 AM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: i think Ryan is a class player just not in form.. Iโ€™d be a critic of POM myself but itโ€™s foolish and obtuse to call him a spoofer

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 30th 2020, 11:04 AM

    @PScald: You are right in so far as that is the wrong way to describe POM, heโ€™s been a fine servant. But the sentiment stands that there are other, better, move viable options missing out on game time or not in the squad altogether that should be there instead of him. On Ryan, heโ€™s not quite been at 2018 or 2019 levels since the restart, not just this block of games. There is talk he is carrying a minor injury. But I donโ€™t think it warrants him being dropped. Still offers so much.

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:27 PM

    Players look and behave like they donโ€™t believeโ€ฆ..any one who has ever coached a team knows that feeling.

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    Mute William Joyce
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:45 PM

    @Michael Murray: Michael I think you have nailed it. Thatโ€™s my view as well.

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Michael Murray: agreed I donโ€™t think they buying into it

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:12 PM

    @William Mills: there nothing to buy into โ€“ itโ€™s Joe lite ..except for much of Joeโ€™s tenure he set really high standards and accuracy was phenomenal โ€“ yes it all get too intense and ran out of steam but at its best he had a machineโ€ฆ Farrell has picked up where Joe left off and seems happy to let standards slip. He must be demoralising them at HT team talks cause theyโ€™ve come out and played shite every second half

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    Mute Xanadu Marmalade
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:03 PM

    Brain dead performance

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    Mute John Lowry
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:09 PM

    Agreed with most comments here โ€“ for a change

    The basic passing when we actually did go out the back line was so laboured was the biggest worry

    My under 17s taking too much out of the ball and not just flicking it as speed drives me nuts but happened here all day

    And against a team made up 50pc of a semi pro team based in Georgia

    At least IF we had picked a team of 22 year olds if would have been some hope for the future

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    Mute Ger
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:23 PM

    We are just too one dimensional. We were under JS and still are. When we had success under Joe it was because our set piece was almost always perfect and our ball retention excellent. But once teams figured us out we had no plan B. We donโ€™t have the physicality to live with certain teams so we need to be able to move the ball around better and faster. That means two play makers in the backs. Carbury at fullback could be a game changer when heโ€™s fit. Crawley does well at 12 inside H Byrne for Leinster but Iโ€™m not sure heโ€™s ready to do it at test level. H Byrne is though. Ireland had front foot ball today but neither Ross Byrne or Burns controlled the game. We need to prepare for Sextons departure now so itโ€™s time Harry was given a chance.

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    Mute John Lowry
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:33 PM

    @Ger: @Ger: ah no Ger

    Thereโ€™s playing poorly against the very top teams and being outmuscled and then thereโ€™s today โ€ฆ

    Just saying bring in the pretty much unproven younger Byrne ( who I do like the look of but needs to be tested at a much higher level and play regularly )

    And as for Cadbury โ€“ big fan but to me thereโ€™s a huge question marker now over him coming back and then holding down a position โ€“ just seems to brittle physically and thatโ€™s a real shame

    And to me he would perhaps have been the answer at 10 โ€ฆ

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    Mute Phil Mc Donald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:03 PM

    Yikes. Weโ€™re getting devoured in the breakdown. Getting sick of this phrase โ€˜playing into the oppositionโ€™s handsโ€™. Maybe these empty stadiums are taking a mental toll.

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    Mute Owen Taaffe
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:22 PM

    Is it me or is James Ryan carrying an injury?

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:43 PM

    @Owen Taaffe: James Ryanโ€™s the most over rated second row in the world. Heโ€™s not a patch on whitelock, itoji, AWJ, etzebeth etc , yet the irish media rave about him

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:20 PM

    @Paul Murphy: Heโ€™s an absolutely brilliant player but needs support on the pitch. We made basic errors today but still won, thankfully.

    Best pass was the one that got us the first try. Also the second try which McCloskey indicated to throw wider, great gamesmanship.

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    Mute Owen Taaffe
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    Nov 29th 2020, 7:19 PM

    @Paul Murphy: 1year ago Iโ€™d have said you were wrong but witness today how he was held up by a Georgia defence, even the AB would not have stopped a fully firing Ryan. The question Iโ€™m asking is why is that?

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:47 PM

    @Paul Murphy: ssssshhhhh

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:50 PM

    @Con Cussed: but heโ€™s not unfortunately heโ€™s a good solid player but heโ€™s not world class not a game winner or game changer heโ€™s just a good steady player heโ€™s been hyped up by the Irish media and I think itโ€™s starting to take its toll on him and affecting his form

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:51 PM

    @Paul Murphy: you canโ€™t say things like that lol

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:09 PM

    @William Mills: Ryan is getting demoralised playing with muck in muck system with a muck coaching ticket โ€ฆ you could see it in the English game at times when he was trying to carry the team on his own. I think if the team fires around him youโ€™ll see him at his best โ€“ heโ€™s also being over played โ€“ no reason to start him today

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 30th 2020, 11:10 AM

    @Owen Taaffe: Think a combo of perhaps a small injury and being overplayed. Heโ€™s not been at his 2018 or 2019 levels since the restart of rugby. Fair few clueless bluffers on here chiming in and putting a brilliant young player down because of the province he plays for. Toxic stuff.

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    Mute CARMODY Neil
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    Nov 30th 2020, 12:20 PM

    @Owen Taaffe: They are all carrying knocks. One only has to read any rugby players autobiography to know that they are rarely at more than 80%! No Irish player today would play if he knew that he would let down the side because of a preexisting injury.

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    Mute William Mills
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    Nov 30th 2020, 7:32 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: take your blinkers off and actually watch what the guy does

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:12 PM

    First half showed promising results for second half which never materialised. Ireland got pushed back every time they had the ball.

    Great display by Georgia but we should have put 40 plus points between us and them.

    Good to see some chipping in first half but what happened in the second one?

    No skills on the pitch. Stander, POM, were weak and playing Bealham out of position crazy. Needed Baird, Doris. JGP should have been there instead of Murray, even with Marmion starting. No one on the Irish side deserved MOTM!

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    Mute Martin McKenna
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:23 PM

    @Con Cussed: POM did nothing wrong when he went in, agree with most of the other stuff but balance required.

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:26 PM

    @Con Cussed: what happened second half? Thatโ€™s easy, Ross Byrne

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    Mute Niall Moonan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:31 PM

    @PScald: spot on

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    Mute Anton Phelan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:38 PM

    @PScald: Unfortunately for Byrne every time he comes on the forwards are getting bashed

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    Mute Brendan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:45 PM

    @Con Cussed: it was an abject performance but ironically the individuals you name were among the best of a poor lot. To name check Stander and stay silent on James Ryan is looking at the game through blue tinted glasses!

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    Mute B Collins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:59 PM

    @Anton Phelan: burns still did better behind the same pack.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:59 PM

    @Anton Phelan: burns still did better behind the same pack.

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:04 PM

    @Brendan: Yeah, James Ryan was off too. I thought McCloskey and Farrell played ok. But Stander was poor.

    Need to test young guys and today was the day to do it. If that was against New Zealand Iโ€™d say it was a great win. However, it was against the weakest team in the tournament. In the tournament we are lower than Scotland!!!

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 9:03 PM

    @Con Cussed: first half was muck

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:15 PM

    Looks like they were on the beer night before. They canโ€™t even use that excuseโ˜น

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    Mute Lesidees
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:52 PM

    Yes, that was an absolutely brutal performance.

    And yet, on another day, another referee might have decided that the ball left Stockdaleโ€™s hands travelling flat, so McCloskeyโ€™s try would have stood, and he might have decided that Herring had got the ball down on the line, so that would have been given, and you are looking at four tries before half time.
    What this and last weekโ€™s performances seemed to have in common is a lack of confidence. In both, Ireland started the game mixing carries with kicks and backline moves, but as it wore on, they became more and more one dimensional

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    Mute TL55
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:07 PM

    @Lesidees: That ball was clearly forward as was the direction of his hands.

    Herringโ€™s could in fairness have been given.

    All that aside our second half display was grossly inadequate

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    Mute Lesidees
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:32 PM

    @TL55: I agree it was forward, but you sometimes see them given

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    Mute Spbeak
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    Nov 29th 2020, 7:35 PM

    How about an Irish coach once again. Leo Cullen maybe. It sits uneasy with me seeing our team play england where our coach is the father of their captain, I know it shouldnโ€™t but it does.

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    Mute Simon Dwyer
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:07 PM

    The rugby team are as bad as the soccer team. Give the country a lift for Godโ€™s sake

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Nov 29th 2020, 6:28 PM

    @Simon Dwyer: and do what? Eliminate the virus?

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    Mute Darren Mullins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:13 PM

    Just like Munster a pothetic attacking game plan, line out , smash smash smash !!

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:30 PM

    @Darren Mullins: pothetic comment

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    Mute Darren Mullins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:39 PM

    @PScald: had to write pothetic it was deemed toxic :D

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    Mute B Collins
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:00 PM

    @Darren Mullins: pretty toxic and pothetic to somehow blame this on Munster. Donโ€™t ya think?

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    Mute PScald
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @Darren Mullins: you could have said โ€œbadโ€

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:33 PM

    Henderson played well so fair enough but for me the clear man of the match was Rob Herring.

    I canโ€™t think of one line out that he didnโ€™t nail the throw and for that alone amongst the rubbish happening around him then he is my nomination

    Never put a foot wrong

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    Mute Anton Phelan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:05 PM

    A lot of those players should never wear the green again having said that they would not have been picked if we didnโ€™t have so many injuries in critical positions

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:13 PM

    @Anton Phelan: What planet are you on?

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    Mute Anton Phelan
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Con Cussed: you the one con cussed

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:10 PM

    @Anton Phelan: There are no great injuries bar Sexton. He wouldnโ€™t be expected to play today fit or not. We have the greatest depth that weโ€™ve ever had. So injuries not an issue. Remember we were playing the weakest team in the tournament.

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    Mute Jim Lynch
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:34 PM

    @Con Cussed: greatest depth but quality of that isnโ€™t as good as everyone thinks

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    Mute BMJF
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    Nov 29th 2020, 8:56 PM

    @Con Cussed: Larmour, Ringrose, Furlong, Sexton, Carbery, Leavy (just back) to name some

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    Mute John Lowry
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:10 PM

    Second division team made of players playing in a second division league

    pro 12 is a level below English premiership and French top 14 as each week they play tough competitive matches

    Canโ€™t be said at present in pro 12 unfortunately

    And on the stockdale question โ€“ if a player is not good enough of a defender for fullback โ€“ would the all blacks or springbok or English pick that player on the wing โ€“ I very much doubt it

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    Mute CARMODY Neil
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    Nov 30th 2020, 12:15 PM

    @John Lowry: Itโ€™s been the Pro 14 since the 2017/18 season. I agree the standard is not as high as the French and English leagues but despite that Irish provinces have been regularly reaching semi-finals and finals of the European Cup over the last number of years which would suggest we have the players necessary.

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    Mute Marty H
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:52 PM

    That was absolute muck

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    Mute Mick O'Shea
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:24 PM

    Stop panicking Itโ€™s a substitute competition!
    Try your Youngbloods and if they win, they win.
    Get ZEBO back.
    Stop Stockdale kicking.
    Keep Herring at Hooker.
    Fix Carbery somehow.
    Get McCall installed somehow.

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    Mute Matt Rogers
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    Nov 29th 2020, 5:07 PM

    On a crisp dry day in Dublin Ireland floundered about like driverless plough-horse in a bog. Rugby League is mindless boredom.

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:09 PM

    BORING!!!

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Nov 29th 2020, 6:27 PM

    @T Dawg: thatโ€™s right, snooze

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    Mute Virgil
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:49 PM

    How about โ€˜giving it a lashโ€™ a la Mick Doyle ? Canโ€™t be any worse than this robbish and might entertain us a bit

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    Mute David Supple
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    Nov 30th 2020, 1:45 AM

    Itโ€™s getting tedious now but if we keep doing the same thing, weโ€™ll get the same result. What is it with the one out runners crap? It clearly doesnโ€™t work so why have we not changed it? What is Mike Catt doing? Where is the attack? Our scrum has struggled for some time now. Discipline & accuracy were very poor again. A captain who is not ready yet & an inability to finish from 5 metres out. Itโ€™s beginning to feel like the Matt Oโ€™Connor era at Leinster. Pretty shambolic stuff.

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    Mute Darren
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    Nov 29th 2020, 11:18 PM

    Get Leo in heโ€™s doing a super job at Leinster just go and get him in with his backroom teamโ€ฆ He ticks all the boxes at the moment Andy , Mike & co. are off to a dreadful startโ€ฆ Time for some real Irish blood in their or some real pedigree

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Nov 29th 2020, 6:33 PM

    Honey suckle was impressive

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    Mute TommyC
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    Nov 29th 2020, 4:13 PM

    I can hear the drums of change at the top. At least I hope I do

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