I wouldn't really take the form in the Autumn as an indicator of how Ireland will go. It was only the beginning of the season and a lot of players were returning from injury or in the case of Munster were out of form as their club was going through turbulent times. Home advantage is huge and I think the fact that England and France have to play in Dublin gives me a reason for optimism. I don't think there will be a GrandSlam but I think Ireland will be in the mix on the last day 😮
@neilmontgomery3470 I also do hope that there is no grandslam. Yes I agree, they were rusty but as every team is after not playing together for a while. France and Ireland are 50/50 for me but the 6N always had a surprise up its sleeve it seems
@@aRugbyOpinion That isn't true, France for instance are 8 games into their season whereas Ireland are only 5 games in with the top 14 starting earlier than other leagues, with most Irish players not playing more than 2-3 of those games due to the IRFU player management plan. Rugby 4cast algorithm has Ireland beat France by 9 points right now which is about right, France are the new flavour of the month as many rugby fans are probably bored of Ireland's dominance but I suspect they will get a big reality check this 6N.
Thanks for honouring Conor Murray, well deserved, and although probably no longer an 80 minute player for Ireland, he is still a very class act. He brings experience and a calmness with him too. I am always nervous when watching Ireland because I want them to win so much, i do not have them as favourites this year, but praying they prove me wrong 🙏 I am off to watch them play in Wales, my first ever rugby match, soooooo excited. ☘🇮🇪
Sheehan and Furlong are back. adding 2 world class players gives Ireland the Edge in the opener against England. Intrigued to see if Easterby goes with a Bok/Leinster Defence or something more traditional ( Joe Schmidt ).
Much has been made of Irelands 3 kiwis, think that is a bit rich when NZ recruit more players from the Islands, France also have some huge players from the Pacific Islands and there are French colonies all over the world, Scotland have more non nationals than Ireland and England have always had some key foreign players. Ireland have never been in better shape as far as depth, still way behind SA, France, NZ and England in player pools, but in the past we could field a 15 to win big games as long as we had BOD or O'connell playing, but no depth for W Cups, many years relying on JS at 10, now we have 3 who can play at the top level.
@aRugbyOpinion You are probably correct, but quite a few are born on the islands, 'moving' to NZ in their mid teens, also likely a few players whose father moved to NZ to play rugby. My point is every team does it, just some are highlighted and others kept quiet.
@@williamwallace6508That is an absolutely laughable take. You’d be like to find 2 actual Scots in that squad. Most players weren’t deemed good enough to play for other counties so declared for Scotland.
I think ireland should have brought in few young players alot of the old players were found out in the autumn internationals I think ireland are very vulnerable i think scotland will have a good championship but I'm going for france with their class captain dupont back will make a huge difference to them
Having no European rugby before the Autumn Series will have impacted Irelands performance levels. TBH it would be pretty disappointing if they don't win it and they should really be going for the grand slam. I m not buying into the Scotland hype but they can push Ireland. Wales are not going to beat Ireland and Italy are not good enough either . So with England missing their most dangerous back three and France a bit lighter in midfield( no fickou) and in the backrow( no lineout option with no Olivon, no Roumat) .. i really would not rule out a grand slam for ireland if they return to form
Yes I am with you on that, ireland are the favourites and looking at the squad they should be. But like I said I have a feeling they will slip up one game and open the door for France just imo
Top 2/3 for Ireland is a likely result. Scotland at home CAN beat us, but will they do it on the day, history says unlikely. Flashes of brilliance and often flashes of blankness.
Ireland have a good chance especially with France and England at home, but anything can happen in the 6 nations...France, Ireland, England, Scotland all have a chance of doing well. Ireland need to resolve their lineout challenges to be in with a chance, and with Andy Farrell not at the helm, i hope this wont have an impact.
Disagree most neutrals dont care who wins. Most rugby fans support the underdogs. And given scot has never won the 6n the large majority of fans would likely want them to win!
POM is 3 seasons past his use by date. He's been a pitch walker for too long now. 1 good game a season isnt enough. With Baird or Izzy (pity Ahearn wasnt selected too) at 6 and Conan in and around too there will be no team to match that backrow.
It's not really a bold prediction. Ireland are fielding the same 30 players for the past 4 years almost. Maybe 3 new faces. Our blueprint is well known and studied by the opposition. England and France will contest this 6n.
You Got Cian Right but... alas Tadhg kinda wrong..... We pronounce that name Tie - gh, for a proper Irish belt at that name, start a bit high on Tie then drop the voice for gh and lean a bit heavy on the H like breathe out with it 👍
The 6 nations is not an easy thing to predict. With all due respect, Ireland look to be the strongest team with France and England a little unsettled. Scotland is a banana-skin. You could make the argument that they are favourites to beat Ireland in Murrayfield. IMHO, if you rate Scotland, at all, they SHOULD be favourites to beat Ireland at home. You go through their first team, player by player, and their pundits are making the case that they are ahead in some positions for Lions spots. With Ireland's lineout woes in November, I can see their point but I would be cautious in reading too much into Ireland's November form. This is going to sound insane, but... while England, Scotland and France have more than a shot at beating Ireland, even though they would be underdogs, I predict that the Wales game in Cardiff will be Ireland's toughest match. Ireland's coaching setup can identify weaknesses in the other teams and prepare for them accordingly. Gatland is capable of identifying a weakness and, if his players play well enough, exploit those weaknesses to win a match. I don't believe the Welsh players were better than their Irish counterparts between 2005 to 2015 but Wales was still able to get those results. The only caveat to this theory is that the Welsh players might not have reached that standard, yet.
Honestly.. I can see us winning the grandslam this year.... Bit of a transition period yeah but on paper we have the strongest team (maybe france). With home games against England and France i see us winning easily tbh... Not being arrogant its just the fixtures and the form of Leinster boys in green.. Will be interesting tho against the Scots.
Didn't Ireland go up against England in the last six nations with that assumption ? Both France and Scotland are good teams , no one knows how good England will be ?
I wouldn't really take the form in the Autumn as an indicator of how Ireland will go. It was only the beginning of the season and a lot of players were returning from injury or in the case of Munster were out of form as their club was going through turbulent times. Home advantage is huge and I think the fact that England and France have to play in Dublin gives me a reason for optimism. I don't think there will be a GrandSlam but I think Ireland will be in the mix on the last day 😮
@neilmontgomery3470 I also do hope that there is no grandslam. Yes I agree, they were rusty but as every team is after not playing together for a while. France and Ireland are 50/50 for me but the 6N always had a surprise up its sleeve it seems
@@aRugbyOpinion That isn't true, France for instance are 8 games into their season whereas Ireland are only 5 games in with the top 14 starting earlier than other leagues, with most Irish players not playing more than 2-3 of those games due to the IRFU player management plan.
Rugby 4cast algorithm has Ireland beat France by 9 points right now which is about right, France are the new flavour of the month as many rugby fans are probably bored of Ireland's dominance but I suspect they will get a big reality check this 6N.
Thanks for honouring Conor Murray, well deserved, and although probably no longer an 80 minute player for Ireland, he is still a very class act. He brings experience and a calmness with him too.
I am always nervous when watching Ireland because I want them to win so much, i do not have them as favourites this year, but praying they prove me wrong 🙏
I am off to watch them play in Wales, my first ever rugby match, soooooo excited. ☘🇮🇪
Excellent, just how we like it :)
Sheehan and Furlong are back. adding 2 world class players gives Ireland the Edge in the opener against England. Intrigued to see if Easterby goes with a Bok/Leinster Defence or something more traditional ( Joe Schmidt ).
Yes, very true will be interesting to see the couple positions which are up for grabs
Much has been made of Irelands 3 kiwis, think that is a bit rich when NZ recruit more players from the Islands, France also have some huge players from the Pacific Islands and there are French colonies all over the world, Scotland have more non nationals than Ireland and England have always had some key foreign players. Ireland have never been in better shape as far as depth, still way behind SA, France, NZ and England in player pools, but in the past we could field a 15 to win big games as long as we had BOD or O'connell playing, but no depth for W Cups, many years relying on JS at 10, now we have 3 who can play at the top level.
Most of the islander players that play for the ABs are actually born in NZ. about 10 to 15 years ago that wasnt the case
@aRugbyOpinion You are probably correct, but quite a few are born on the islands, 'moving' to NZ in their mid teens, also likely a few players whose father moved to NZ to play rugby. My point is every team does it, just some are highlighted and others kept quiet.
Bs. Scotland have only 2 non sq imports. Shoeman and DVM. The rest are all SQ.
@williamwallace6508 What about Kyle Steyn? There are more, just can't be arsed checking them again.
@@williamwallace6508That is an absolutely laughable take. You’d be like to find 2 actual Scots in that squad. Most players weren’t deemed good enough to play for other counties so declared for Scotland.
We are as good as France and better than the rest, and home advantage against France - yeah you could be right, but I doubt it!
Yes that game is going to be a belter
I think ireland should have brought in few young players alot of the old players were found out in the autumn internationals I think ireland are very vulnerable i think scotland will have a good championship but I'm going for france with their class captain dupont back will make a huge difference to them
Yes, ultimately I think that may be the only difference this years
Having no European rugby before the Autumn Series will have impacted Irelands performance levels. TBH it would be pretty disappointing if they don't win it and they should really be going for the grand slam. I m not buying into the Scotland hype but they can push Ireland. Wales are not going to beat Ireland and Italy are not good enough either . So with England missing their most dangerous back three and France a bit lighter in midfield( no fickou) and in the backrow( no lineout option with no Olivon, no Roumat) .. i really would not rule out a grand slam for ireland if they return to form
Yes I am with you on that, ireland are the favourites and looking at the squad they should be. But like I said I have a feeling they will slip up one game and open the door for France just imo
Lineout needs to be addressed. The way its been performing it will be a serious achilles heel for France, England or Scotland to take advantage of.
Top 2/3 for Ireland is a likely result. Scotland at home CAN beat us, but will they do it on the day, history says unlikely. Flashes of brilliance and often flashes of blankness.
Ireland have a good chance especially with France and England at home, but anything can happen in the 6 nations...France, Ireland, England, Scotland all have a chance of doing well. Ireland need to resolve their lineout challenges to be in with a chance, and with Andy Farrell not at the helm, i hope this wont have an impact.
…you cannot even per ounce the French squad names…
You pretty much nailed “Cian”. Like a soft “key-Yan”, yet almost “keen”
Thanks for the feedback, have been trying to get it right
Disagree most neutrals dont care who wins. Most rugby fans support the underdogs. And given scot has never won the 6n the large majority of fans would likely want them to win!
That's fine, we win more often when people bet against us :)
@@Camcolito either way, whichever team wins will deserve the cup. Ireland are still the favourites in the betting world and many pundits
It’s fine, everyone is betting for yoy
POM is 3 seasons past his use by date. He's been a pitch walker for too long now. 1 good game a season isnt enough. With Baird or Izzy (pity Ahearn wasnt selected too) at 6 and Conan in and around too there will be no team to match that backrow.
If they make 28 handling errors per game sure. If they don't I can see them winning
It's not really a bold prediction. Ireland are fielding the same 30 players for the past 4 years almost. Maybe 3 new faces. Our blueprint is well known and studied by the opposition. England and France will contest this 6n.
Fair observation, will be interesting to see if the interim coach changes much
You Got Cian Right but... alas Tadhg kinda wrong..... We pronounce that name Tie - gh, for a proper Irish belt at that name, start a bit high on Tie then drop the voice for gh and lean a bit heavy on the H like breathe out with it 👍
Its an old squad. Yes, of course it is. But still v good
You got Cian pronounced correctly. Its like Keen.
Thanks for the feedback!
The 6 nations is not an easy thing to predict. With all due respect, Ireland look to be the strongest team with France and England a little unsettled. Scotland is a banana-skin. You could make the argument that they are favourites to beat Ireland in Murrayfield. IMHO, if you rate Scotland, at all, they SHOULD be favourites to beat Ireland at home. You go through their first team, player by player, and their pundits are making the case that they are ahead in some positions for Lions spots. With Ireland's lineout woes in November, I can see their point but I would be cautious in reading too much into Ireland's November form.
This is going to sound insane, but... while England, Scotland and France have more than a shot at beating Ireland, even though they would be underdogs, I predict that the Wales game in Cardiff will be Ireland's toughest match. Ireland's coaching setup can identify weaknesses in the other teams and prepare for them accordingly. Gatland is capable of identifying a weakness and, if his players play well enough, exploit those weaknesses to win a match. I don't believe the Welsh players were better than their Irish counterparts between 2005 to 2015 but Wales was still able to get those results. The only caveat to this theory is that the Welsh players might not have reached that standard, yet.
Yes I do agree on that. The cattle just arent there yet for Wales. I think maybe by the next world cup they may just be ready
Honestly.. I can see us winning the grandslam this year.... Bit of a transition period yeah but on paper we have the strongest team (maybe france). With home games against England and France i see us winning easily tbh... Not being arrogant its just the fixtures and the form of Leinster boys in green.. Will be interesting tho against the Scots.
It’s pretty simple really whoever wins the Ireland v France game wins the whole tournament
1:27 Ireland is world no1? Not sure wot ranking ur lookn at buddy! Get ur facts straight
Was.
Ireland will 😅😊
I think there is a high chance they do! They are a quality outfit
The issue here is the only teams good enough to expose Ireland don't play in the 6N.
Didn't Ireland go up against England in the last six nations with that assumption ?
Both France and Scotland are good teams , no one knows how good England will be ?
@ Yes, and didn’t Ireland win the 6N?
Every dog has its day of course but overall Ireland should finish 1st if they are anywhere near their best.
you drank too much Guinness beers, buddy 😁
You dont know what your on about keep it shut
As I do say though Ireland are the favourites but imo they will finish 2nd so nothing personal
Calm down. I'm Irish and he's just giving a prediction.
No need for rude stupidity whoever you are.
I think France and Scotland and England could bowl us over this year
I would say it’s a very knowledgeable review!