Jamie Heaslip’s shaving habits could be key for Ireland’s chances, writes Keego…
Making a sandwich into a manwich…
So we got through another Heineken Cup match with a tough defensive display, but lack of forward momentum. Similar to the Exeter game, we defended really really (twice for emphasis) well. The only loss of concentration cost us a try, which was more annoying that worrying.
I think the long season last year is costing us a few yards this early in the season. Shane Jennings is doing the work of four and a half men, trying to make up for the lack of sharpness in the forwards. The good thing is we have a few games between now and Clérmont.
The worry at the moment is Clérmont looked great against Exeter. That result put our performance in context, I thought it would should how tough Exeter are, but in reality, it just showed how lacklustre we where against them in the rds. In fairness, the Chiefs dropped their heads for the last 15 minutes costing them a couple of scores, but it really didn’t make a difference. Clérmont were big, tough and had some Fossets circus handling which was great to watch.
So now we look forward to Clérmont on the 9th of December in the Stade Michelin. My head hurts at the thought of it.
So we play Cardiff (27/10), Ospreys (4/11), Glasgow (23/11) and Zebre (1/12) before we get to the Clérmontians (is that what we call a person from Clérmont) in December. In between we have the November series (more on that below) all of which should have our available players firing on all cylinders. We may even have a miraculous recovery from a couple of players that will strengthen our starting 15. I am sure King Joe has a plan that will get the players in position to do some damage. Rumours say Sean O’Brien and Luke Fitzgerald will be back in time for Clérmont, which would be huge.
Moving from the blue jersey to the green jersey.
The team for the November series was announced yesterday. It was mostly the same old same old from Kidney, with the addition of 4 new faces in the 31 man squad. The most notable of the 4 is Richardt Strauss.
The coaching team has been strengthened by Munster releasing Anthony Foley to work in defence which means Les Kiss can concentrate on attacking plays. This makes sense; one person one job surely is the way to go.
There are two more players to be added next week. One back and one forward. The selection by Kidney has no out and out full back. Kearney Rob’s injury looks to keep him on the aforesaid back for 10 weeks. Felix Jones has only had 2 minutes play in what seems like the last decade. And there is Ian Madigan, which appears to be a dirty word in the Kidney camp at the moment. As usual there will be changes in the squad with injuries (O’Gara and O’Callaghan at the moment along with Ferris) which may bring in Madigan.
We should be looking at winning at least 2 of these games for it to be a successful series. Argentina is always tough, but we should be beating them. The game in Thomond should be a good run out for some of the fringe players, and should be another victory. The South Africans are also tough, but they are susceptible to losing in November in the cold in Dublin, when Jamie Heaslip has his Movember porno stache.
I have changed my mind we should win the 3 games in November. Positive thinking.
Keego (@nkeegan): Newbie blogger, former professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.
