Tag: #France2023

  • All the skill and bravery in the world won’t paper over the cracks

    All the skill and bravery in the world won’t paper over the cracks

    There was a reason it took this corner quite a while to come onside with rugby. Until the nuances of the game were understood properly, all it looked like to me was f*t fellas trundling around and jumping on top of each other like young bulls turned out to fresh grass. More fool I. For…

  • A game for the ages but ‘only’ an ordinary win

    A game for the ages but ‘only’ an ordinary win

    Ireland… 13 South Africa… 8 One of the strange curiosities of the four match saga between Meath and Dublin in the Leinster SFC of 1991 was, after all the hype and coverage had subsided, it was only a first round encounter. The victors still had several hurdles to cross before they could even contemplate silverware.…

  • Another decent score with plenty to work on

    Another decent score with plenty to work on

    Ireland… 59 Tonga… 16 A connection currently in France at the rugby said to me the other day, with a tinge of sadness attached, that it was unlikely Keith Earls would be seen in an Irish jersey again. I wouldn’t be so sure. In the reverse of what often happens in this space, let’s go…

  • Twelve tries but still room for Paulie to give them a bollicking

    Twelve tries but still room for Paulie to give them a bollicking

    IRELAND…82 ROMANIA…8 You’d hope Kevin The Carrot isn’t booked in for a session too early in the morning. Ireland’s favourite animated advertiser wouldn’t deserve to incur the wrath of an angry O’Connell. No living being would. You might wonder what Paul O’Connell might have to be put out by having seen those prepared by Andy…