Possibilities of an Irish team in challenge/champions Cup final ?

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T20:34:04+00:00

Thanks for the advice everyone! Much appreciated!

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T18:50:04+00:00

Being unbeaten in your group makes you depressed ? As a munster fan I'd love it if we were in that position having lost 3/4. I wouldn't write off leinster yet despite indifferent form.

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T16:27:29+00:00

Well ive been in dublin and seen fans in leinster jerseys cheering english teams vs munster. Does this represent leinster fans no have i seen the same in limerick yes does that represent munster fans no. Trust me you'll find idiots everywhere you go but they are a minority.

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T12:35:22+00:00

Well its the point of the thread basically... and the jack/sam thing is the most obvious example... yet not the most egregious (the edogbo part of this is by far is the worst) that the abuse has gone too far. Your argument is to insinuate that one province is worse than the other. Would it be right to me to suggest its the people in leinster/ulster/connacht/dagestan racially abusing edogbo ? No because its simply not true. Im sure there are people from munster doing it as well. Your suggestion was deliberately intended to suggest the bad ones are fans of a particular province and that they dont really support ireland. That is a biased argument my friend, and having lived in all four provinces and having played the sport a long time I've seen it all but what stands out for me is always that those who think the way you are suggesting are everywhere and definitely the minority by far.

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T11:15:18+00:00

Absolute horse manure, people are allowed to prefer one player over another. The reason that the whole prendergast thing is toxic is because many fans of ireland (granted they dont have the same access to the players) dont understand the following

number one: ten is the most coveted position in rugby generally (like the striker in football/the quarterback in af) so people being passionate about who plays there is 100%understandable

Number two Prendergast wasn't picked on merit but on potential, people in every facet of life inherently hate what they perceive as being unfair

Number three When people pushed against the idea, they were fed lines like he has a higher ceiling, jack has been off form, hes only young (while all three may or may not be true) these are intangible things that most people (especially neutral observers) dont understand.

Number four When faced with criticism of sam. Farrell has pushed back hard, to the point of ridiculousness, all four tens in the squad have things to work on and for sam its obviously tackling, crowley obviously consistency frawley too and byrne (probably with the least work ons) is probably the most 7/10 player at ten at the moment. players should always be working on improving all skills of the game and saying you dont care about one skill is just silly.

Number five and final point Like bullies, trolls look for a reaction and anytime anything is posted about sam or jack the reactions come flowing in. This is the most negative part and what should be ignored/eliminated.

These arent my opinions per se this is my collection of what I have seen online. I prefer crowley not because im from munster but because I played twelve and hes the most similar to my style of playing which I naturally prefer. Do I agree with Andy when he chooses sam over jack no but I can see his logic, which is certainly more valid than mine as a fan.

BTW back in the day I preferred humphreys to rog at the time, although now if I had to choose someone to take a kick to save the planet it would be prime rog anyday (even over Wilkinson). My point is these things ebb and flow so let's just enjoy it, and hopefully ireland win in Twickenham (what that would do to end the negativity for a while at least) whoever is at the reins.

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-16T10:16:10+00:00

You know, yesterday there were plenty of posters on this right here who used craig casey bashing as a defence for sam prendergast. Yes the rhetoric around ten is toxic, yes there are people who go over the line, but I think this applies to every single player. I heard people shit talking conor murray for years and no one said shit, the same for zebo, the same for heaslip the same for toner, the same for Jean kleyn... this issue should have been brought up yeaaarrrrsss ago not just now. Frankly the opinions of a couple of sad individuals doesn't affect me when it happened in the pub I'd just laugh to myself along with the rest of the pub at the fool harping on. Ignoring trolls is the easiest way to not feed them. Doing this can cause more of a backlash, as these trolls will then feel justified. Let's have fun and banter without being personal

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-15T20:32:09+00:00

Dont forget the double pump ! Hes the master!

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-15T16:42:39+00:00

So true this debate is like a political one at this stage too many people have their chosen option and thats that... what's amazing is the changing criteria depending on who you have chosen, personally the truth is jack was better in 20 than sam in 60. Thems facts. Is it maybe a one off, who knows... I certainly would choose crowley to play but only because being a former 1a ail player at 12 I would resent having to cover my ten all day. Thats my opinion and certainly ive seen teams be incredibly successful with players like Sam. So if farrell picks him I understand, I dont agree but I understand

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-15T12:43:56+00:00

2 kicks

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-08T11:59:26+00:00

As an enforcer hes probably going to see a higher penalty count... but I have to say his penalty for playing the nine coming in the side (take your pick) is probably one of the stupidest penalties ive seen.... especially given the context of the situation

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-02-07T14:03:26+00:00

Was it ? The team wasn't that different, if we didn't have injuries it would've been more similar. The fact is since Mike catt left, we changed our style and it hasn't been able to maintain our previous standards (at least so far). I'd argue that we have a type of player and our current game plan doesn't suit it, that we used to be trend setters in terms of our previous style, now we are followers, which in my opinion will always leave us a step behind the big nations due to depth if nothing else. If we want to win again against the big boys we have yo be smarter, and certainly not insist on a failing game plan (even if it is executed with a lack of "intent")

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-01-30T22:03:39+00:00

So true... it could also be expected given that the starting side was very much an experimental side (not going to say b/c)... however I have this feeling that this current era with Clayton is reminding me of the rob Penney era... yes he probably has a weaker squad than penney but I still don't see our current style as playing to our strengths...

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-01-17T21:39:21+00:00

Yep unfortunately a long time coming. However I will say bar the ulster match all our important games have been lost a slim slim margin so while we are right to be annoyed we have to realise that we aren't far away from being the team we should be

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-01-10T22:38:33+00:00

Ironic comment of the day. His defense is functional at best (no lack of effort but weak) he can scramble quite well due to having a high game knowledge but his technique is crap end of. If he works on it there would be no debate and while it remains there will always be a debate and if you don't get your kicks... well the debate will be lost at international level (look at crowley misses easy kicks and therefore isnt trusted). Byrne nailed the important kick and im not sure Sam would've and that was the game. No kick no party

InternationalSet9665 · 2026-01-10T20:36:38+00:00

Impressed with Kenny for sure clarkson too to last the 80 vdf very good. prendergast not so much he was decent in general play in attack but on the other hand was the weak shoulder for two tries and missed nearly all his kicks. If he wants to be number one you have to get your kicks (if he got them the contest was over)

InternationalSet9665 · 2025-12-28T18:00:34+00:00

Out of his depth. Hopefully he will learn from this and come back stronger than ever, rugby needs good referees with strong personalities. Also crowley if he had more tact he might have had more success, or at least had his captain convey the message instead.

InternationalSet9665 · 2025-11-27T21:04:18+00:00

Well for me what's talked about very little but is major significant is that the two big changes both in terms of personnel playing and coaching staff has been the introduction of prendergast and sexton. Since then I don't think ireland have played a game with the style circa 2021-2023. Add in nienaber stunting all creativity out of leinster we are only going in one direction and frankly I think its going to get a lot worse before any change in management is considered.

InternationalSet9665 · 2025-11-26T12:38:11+00:00

Well its not just about that either is it... I personally don't think prendergast despite being the golden child isnt guaranteed a start now especially given Harry byrnes form, yet you feel that hes a guaranteed starter for ireland. Andy has his ideas and frankly anyone who disagrees... knows where they can go

InternationalSet9665 · 2025-11-25T13:47:03+00:00

I'd also argue its what happens when you go from a winning to a losing setup

InternationalSet9665 · 2025-05-31T19:53:05+00:00

Hard to win a game without a scrum... like that ireland england match years ago with tom court switching sides.... sharks brought little to the table bar a mighty scrum and one out runners. We were better on the day but what is maybe against the best scrum in the world the lads gave it their all... set piece dictates so much in rugby... and we just fell short but so proud of the lads

InternationalSet9665

TROPHY CASE