Some of the initial “keyboard warrior” response to our featured matches of the weekend ahead of our writeup.
If you’d like to contribute stay tuned to our Facebook page for our “Feel free to leave your thoughts…” posts which show up around full time after Leinster & Ireland matches.
47 minutes last week without scoring, 42 this week. Just can't do that at this level. Still, referee was pathetic. French should have been at 14 men for 20-30 mins, and that would have impacted on game massively
Conor Murphy
Embarrassingly insipid from Ireland, who, once again, capitulated in the second half
— John M O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) February 13, 2016
No honour in that French win. Dirty, cheap off the ball digs, cynical, play acting. That's not the free flowing beautiful French rugby of old.... Jacko Peyper was a disgrace as well. Ireland didn't do enough in that second half, but the deck was stacked!
Damian Scott
Second half performances a worry after two bad ones in a row. Inability to score.
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) February 13, 2016
Disappointing against what is a very poor France team. Ref poor but Ireland severely lacking any strength in depth. Didn't get the points we needed from all the early pressure we had and the longer the game went on you could see what was coming
Craig Boyd
@HarpinOnRugby terrible game to watch...conditions obv didnt help but a game devoid of brains n skill...def blew a win.
— Mark Jackson (@markusjacksonus) February 13, 2016
The ref was shit. France were shit. But we were a new level of abysmal. Uninspiring - for weeks people have been hiding behind the blanket excuse of 'experience' spouting mantras like 'in Joe we trust', as if the coaching staff are above criticism and it excuses people from thinking. Old tired philosophies and conservative choices are preventing the talent and ability that we need from coming though, to re-energise this team, to challenge other teams and to score some bleeding points
Sean Ironfrothwolf Dempsey
Well @RyleNugentRTE you were right about #FrTed like. Was a shambles #FRAvIRE
— Anne Mc Coy (@annemccoy) February 13, 2016
Injuries aside...... we lacked creativity, never looked like really threatening France and did NOTHING in the whole of the 2nd half???? That's the 6 Nations over now (in reality) so what will Saint Joe do against England, Scotland & Italy? Introduce some of the youngsters and play a more expansive game? Trust me, England are only just beginning to get started. Against Scotland they just tried so many different options until it paid off. If Ireland play as we did today at Twickenham then we will be trounced. Time to look towards the future and remember there's still a possible 6 points to play for. Last night we say Ringrose, JVDF, Byrne and Kelleher ALL run at the opposition. Whilst it was a V poor Zebre side, the point is the youngsters WANT TO RUN!!
Joe Sheppard
Mike McCarthy might have played only 60 minutes today but... Ireland’s MOTM?
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 13, 2016
Madigan kicking the ball straight out at the restart after the French try with ten minutes to go absolutely destroyed any chance we had to win. A mistake like that is unacceptable at Test level. Joe should pick PJ ahead of Madigan for the rest of the 6 Nations.
Riocard Ó Tiarnaigh
Hey, SANZAAR nations. That was another stick to flog us with. #NorthvSouth #6Nations
— Leinster PAGuy (@LeinsterPAGuy) February 13, 2016
Rubbish.
Eimear Barrett
That was not easy on the eye!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 13, 2016
Just not clinical enough to be honest. We can blame the ref, the dirty digs etc. But if I'm honest we just didn't put them away when we had the chances. All that territory and possession with no conversion rate.. Just not good enough. Frustrating to watch but must be tough on players knowing there so close to being a serious team.
Will Finane
Once we beat England sure it'l all be grand #ireland
— Doireann (@doireannmcgrath) February 13, 2016
France were cynical and Ireland let them. In times past if our 10 was late tackled like that, the 10's teammates would have ensured it didn't happen again. We need a captain who can last the 80 and who is much more vocal. We also need a tight head. RK? Lots of threats, to his teammates safety. Referee was brutal. Disappointing!
James Griffin
Couldn't make head nor tail of repeated high kicks into French 22. Wont get them more "there for the taking" in Paris than they were today.
— Harpin' On Rugby (@HarpinOnRugby) February 13, 2016
Many thanks to all who offered opinions.
Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP
