O'Stunted's
limited tactics hands Triple Crown to Wales.
Thank
goodness the Six Nations only
has another week to run and we'll be getting our players
back before they are ruined by O'Stunted for another year. From
Irelands point of view this game was an absolute farce. From the
fifteen minute anthems fiasco to the appallingly poor tactics, Ireland's
aim seemed to be not to embarrass themselves. However, both procedurally
and playing wise, Ireland looked a little out of their depth, without
a plan and without leadership when it really mattered.
It
is from precisely this sort of limited game plan that O'Stunted
gets his name. His inability to see beyond not losing is indicative
of the sort of stunted thinking that chooses not to use one of europe's
most potent back lines in case they made a mistake and allowed Wales
to counter attack. This lack of confidence and fear of losing oozes
from every pore of the Ireland Management and inevitably effects
the players no matter how hard they try to build their confidence
and re-habilitate themselves when back at their clubs.
Compare Ireland to Wales. Players of much the same
standard and all well known to each other, however Wales never thought
they would lose and they can be a little disappointed that the winning
margin was not wider. Despite being down a player for twenty minutes
(and key players at that) they were able to adjust their game plan
with comfort and absorbed anything Ireland threw at them. Ireland
on the other hand couldn't exploit their extra man as they were
not allowed to move the ball out wide.
While O'Stunted must take the bulk of the blame
the senior players like O'Gara and O'Driscoll must put their hands
up and take their share. They must have been able to see that O'Stunted
had been completely out manoeuvred by Gatland yet they refused to
change. The situation is so bad now that O'Driscoll is becoming
one of the most predictable centres playing on the International
stage. Contrast his Ireland form with his Leinster form when he
is playing with Contemponi. While O'Gara can control a game when
Ireland are on top he appears not to have either the courage or
ability to change tactics when things are tight.
As far as the Ulster players are concerned Trimble
had a poor game by his own high standards and he will blame himself
over the Williams try. Bowe barely saw any action at all with the
return of the prodigal cart horse, Horgan, bumping him off his favoured
wing and Rory had, yet again, another exemplary performance in tight
and loose. The difference in class, attitude and application between
him and Jackman is magnified by each game.
With only a meaningless fixture against England left will O'Stunted look to develop Ireland for 2011? Let's hope he took the opportunity to ask Gatland how to do it.
~
~ ~ ~
~ ~
There's only one F in
Ferris!
Ten amazing facts
about Ulster's superhero!
Stephen Ferris is so tough that the rest of the
Ulster players call Neil Best "Baby Ferris".
Stephen Ferris is so tough that he can walk into
Sandy Row Rangers Supporters Club wearing a Celtic top.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that his parents can
hang out with the 2BU Crew without fear of ridicule.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that he can laugh at
Alix Popham's hair and Alix Popham blushes.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that the rest of the
Ulster pack use him as a scrummaging machine. He's scored three
push over tries against them.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that he goes to Larne
for a night out.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that he can lift
the Ospreys Hair Bear Bunch with one hand.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that he makes onions
cry.
Stephen Ferris is so tough that when the bogeyman
goes to sleep he checks under the bed for Stephen Ferris.
Stephen Ferris is so tough
that he will only ever play for Ulster.
More Ferris Facts From Ding Dong 2U
Stephen Ferris is so tough he can sneeze with his eyes open.
Stephen Ferris is so tough he doesn't wear a watch. He decides what time it is.
Stephen Ferris is so tough he would win a fight with Batman and Darth Vader.
Friday
14th March
19:00 Wales v France U20 International BBC2 Wales (19:00-21:00)
BBC Interactive (19:00-21:00)
19:30 TBC Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (19:15-21:15)
19:30 England v Ireland U20 International Sky Sports 3 19:30-21:30)
Saturday 15th March
06:30 Crusaders v Cheetahs Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (06:30-08:30)
08:30 Reds v Bulls Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (08:30-11:00)
13:00 Italy v Scotland Six Nations BBC1 (12:45-15:50)BBC Interactive
(12:45-15:50)
15:00 England v Ireland Six Nations BBC1 (14:50-16:50)BBC Interactive
(14:50-16:50)BBC HD (14:50-16:50)
16:00 Russia v Romania Samsung Nations Cup British Eurosport 2 (16:00-17:45)
17:00 Wales v France Six Nations BBC1 (16:50-19:30)BBC Interactive
(16:50-19:30)BBC HD (16:50-19:10)S4C (16:05-19:20)
Sunday 16th March
12:30 Worcester v Leeds Guinness Premiership Sky Sports 2 (12:30-15:00)Sky
Sports HD2 (12:30-15:00)
14:00 Belvedere v St. Marys Powerade Leinster Schools Senior Cup
Final Setanta Ireland (13:40-16:00)
15:00 London Irish v Wasps Guinness Premiership Sky Sports 2 (15:00-17:00)Sky
Sports HD2 (15:00-17:00)
Monday 17th March
15:00 Methody v Regent House Schools Cup Final BBC2 NI (13:00-16:45)
Friday 21st March
06:30 Crusaders v Waratahs Super 14 Sky Sports 1 (06:30-08:30)
08:30 Brumbies v Cheetahs Super 14 Sky Sports 1 (08:30-10:30)
19:00 Leeds v Newcastle Guinness Premiership Sky Sports 1 (19:00-21:00)Sky
Sports HD1 (19:00-21:00)
19:10 Llanelli v Cardiff Magners League BBC2 Wales (19:00-21:00)BBC
Interactive (19:00-21:00)
19:30 Edinburgh v Munster Magners League Setanta Ireland
19:30 Edinburgh v Connacht Magners League Setanta Sports 2 (19:20-21:30)
19:30 Leinster v Glasgow Magners League Setanta Ireland (19:00-21:45)
19:30 Biarritz v Brive Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (19:15-21:15)
Saturday 22nd March
09:00 TBC Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (09:00-12:00)
14:00 Semi-final Anglo-Welsh cup BBC1 (14:00-16:30)
19:30 Munster v Ulster Magners League Setanta Ireland (19:30-21:45)Setanta
Sports 2 (19:00-21:45)
20:00 Stade Francais v Toulouse Top 14 British Eurosport (20:00-21:30)