Read on Twitter
My thoughts on yesterday's game (a thread).
First off, Billy Burns had the guts to go for what was needed.
Ireland weren't going to magically conjure up a try from 20-odd metres out because time dictated they needed to.
He went for it, and he missed.
That's life.
1/
First off, Billy Burns had the guts to go for what was needed.
Ireland weren't going to magically conjure up a try from 20-odd metres out because time dictated they needed to.
He went for it, and he missed.
That's life.
1/
I felt Henshaw was superb.
If there was a Lions Test team being picked tomorrow, he'd be the first name down on.
Considering he looked in discomfort early on, what he managed to do throughout the game was top drawer.
2/
If there was a Lions Test team being picked tomorrow, he'd be the first name down on.
Considering he looked in discomfort early on, what he managed to do throughout the game was top drawer.
2/
The Ireland scrum was unbelievable.
They scrummaged with 7 men for the majority of the game on opposition ball and didn't concede a single scrum penalty.
Add that to what Porter was doing in the loose.
We should be talking about this, not Burns.
3/
They scrummaged with 7 men for the majority of the game on opposition ball and didn't concede a single scrum penalty.
Add that to what Porter was doing in the loose.
We should be talking about this, not Burns.
3/
Too soon to judge PO'C in his role, but you can see the impact already.
Ireland's try came as a result of a stolen lineout and they disrupted and pressurised Wales LO for the game.
That's only going to improve.
4/
Ireland's try came as a result of a stolen lineout and they disrupted and pressurised Wales LO for the game.
That's only going to improve.
4/
Professional sport is won off such fine margins.
LRZ try stemming from an Irish kick out on the full.
North's try from a split-second flick off the ground from Navidi.
Beirne's try stemmed from a stolen lineout.
To say Ireland or Wales were "crap", etc, is a cop out.
5/
LRZ try stemming from an Irish kick out on the full.
North's try from a split-second flick off the ground from Navidi.
Beirne's try stemmed from a stolen lineout.
To say Ireland or Wales were "crap", etc, is a cop out.
5/
I felt North was really good at 13 for Wales.
He knocked on a few balls from passes, but didn't effect his confidence or ability.
And to do so well opposite a player like Ringrose speaks of his quality.
6/
He knocked on a few balls from passes, but didn't effect his confidence or ability.
And to do so well opposite a player like Ringrose speaks of his quality.
6/
Losing James Ryan was tough, but Henderson had an excellent game when coming on.
Losing a player who's a guaranteed Lions started for three quarters of the game will always be a loss, but credit to Henderson.
He was class.
7/
Losing a player who's a guaranteed Lions started for three quarters of the game will always be a loss, but credit to Henderson.
He was class.
7/
Ireland's box kicking was (mostly) very, very good.
I know people will argue with me here, and before they do, I ask you wait until I put up the breakdown of Ireland's box kicking later.
If you still disagree then, feel free to reply and we'll discuss it (not argue).
8/
I know people will argue with me here, and before they do, I ask you wait until I put up the breakdown of Ireland's box kicking later.
If you still disagree then, feel free to reply and we'll discuss it (not argue).
8/
Overall, I felt Ireland were excellent yesterday for huge parts of the game.
It doesn't surprise me we went behind when Henshaw was absent due to the impact he was having on the game.
It was one that got away, perhaps, but credit to Wales for taking it.
End/
It doesn't surprise me we went behind when Henshaw was absent due to the impact he was having on the game.
It was one that got away, perhaps, but credit to Wales for taking it.
End/
One final thought on the Burns kick:
If you've ever called for a different 10 than Sexton to start, and are now slating that replacement for making a mistake, you're not the genius tactician you think you are.
If you've ever called for a different 10 than Sexton to start, and are now slating that replacement for making a mistake, you're not the genius tactician you think you are.
