A selection of the “keyboard warrior” reactions after the full-time whistle of our featured matches of the weekend.
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.
GILROOOOOY!
Sharne Hawkins
It's Italy etc but a really strong debut for Scannell— Ronan Murphy (@Ro_Murph) February 11, 2017
CJ Stander is a ridiculous human being. To think there's debate about who gets the Lions 6 or 8 jersey is amazing
Conor Murphy
What gaa club did @CJStander play for when he was younger? #someboot— Jenny Murphy (@jennymurphy045) February 11, 2017
Ireland very impressive. Efficient job done, but the story has to be about Italy. They have very little to offer this competition and seem to be going nowhere. This tournament could be the final nail in their coffin...I've long been an advocate for a playoff match between nations cup winners and 6 Nations wooden spoon holders for a place in the comp.
Daragh Faughnan
1st time in over 100 years 2 players from the 1 team have scored hattricks in a 5/6 Nations game #ITAvIRE— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) February 11, 2017
And the CJ Stander award goes to.... Good solid performance from the Irish. You can only play what's in front of you. We needed that performance. Italy are absolute shite. Conor O'Shea has his work cut out for him.
Imelda Reidy
That was the craic, but man alive I feel bad for Conor O'Shea right now. #ITAvIRE #6nations2017— Eoin McDonagh (@eoinmcdon) February 11, 2017
Solid performance but at this rate we should be reverting to 5 nations
Richard Collumb
Jackson has had a great game. I know a lot did, but great to see him grab his chance. #ITAvIRE— David McGovern (@daveo_irl) February 11, 2017
Great performance but Italy were very poor. If we'd played like that against Scotland........
Russ Rafter
Ireland had to deliver after last week against Scotland and boy did they do it. Some great plays resulting in serious competition for team & Lions places next June. Keeping the Ball alive & the tries will follow.
Gerald Williamson
"You're never as bad as your worst defeat nor as good as your greatest victory." #perspective— Brendan Hurley (@brendanhurley) February 11, 2017
Outstanding win and my Man of the Match was Jamie Heaslip he didnt score any trys but his work rate and all round defence was just outstanding he has got to be one of the best 8s in the world today also Stander and Earls put in good shifts well do all round
Odran John OBrien
Fantastic performance by all #COYBIG 💚— Katie Topley (@ktopley_) February 11, 2017
Now, a Wales v England draw with no bonus points and a French no bonus win will do just nicely.
Clinical, bit shaky as the bench was released, but reformed and got the last try rather than kick out at 80 mins.
Ciaran Kelly
Oh that truly is something by Craig Gilroy. In a season besieged with Ulster mediocrity, a true gem of an Irish hat-trick. Top drawer.— Kristian Ross (@Kristian7Ross) February 11, 2017
Great for the new caps and return of Gilroy. only positives from today.
Ciara Mangan
Champagne rugby from #Ireland, 9 try demolition of #Italy #ITAvIRE #RBS6Nations— Fromtheruck (@Fromtheruck) February 11, 2017
Poor overall from Italy. For Ireland, some excellent hands and offloading play. Key players taking opportunities when available. Of note CJ Stander, Donncha Ryan, Paddy Jackson, Jamie Heaslip, Gary Ringrose looks like BOD lol and a great off the bench hat-trick from Gilroy and we played for 80 mins........ Key area to watch (still) is width!!! In attack, a bit to much attritional forwards/bish bash bosh in the centre of the park when Murray should be looking at quick ball wide and then in Defence we are still leaving gaping holes wide which France, Wales & England WILL exploit. Good comeback display after last week though. ☘☘☘
Joe Sheppard
So much more professional this week. Kept at it and finished strongly #IREvITA— Shane Keating (@spkeat) February 11, 2017
Hat-tricks in the 6 Nations are like buses. You wait 15 years and then 2 come along at once! Bravo Stander and Gilroy.
Andrew Byrne
Job done @IrishRugby 👏👏👏 but maybe a wee bit too easy with the French bruisers up next? #ITAvIRE #RBS6Nations Onwards— Brian Donnelly (@bptd1234) February 11, 2017
How the Italians didn't have a man in the bin I don't know. A try shouldn't have negated their cynicism.
On the very very positive side, a total killer instinct by a very efficient Irish side working hard to show they are contenders for the championship. Great to see Scannel step up to the challenge, and Heaslip too.
Conor Cronin
Congratulations @jamieheaslip ☘️ You played your heart out again today. You led @IrishRugby to a magnificent win! You rock Dude 👏👏👏— JayZ Heaslip (@JayZHeaslip) February 11, 2017
Schmidt will have some selection headaches for France. Back row, 10 (how do you ditch Jackson in current form), wings (possibly affecting centre selection) and full back. Tough calls on the bench too.
Great to see the team play so well today but a couple of players didn't play to normal form.
Michelle Tobin
There's no winning a match like that. Hopefully no injuries to Henshaw and Kearney. #ITAvIRE— Niall Kitson (@niallkitson) February 11, 2017
Italy got the game tactically wrong at the start and by which time they would want to change their approach the game belonged to Ireland
It does not mean Italy should be out of the competition and unfortunately Ireland can not gain much except the points needed because of Italy having such a bad day.
Whatever was weak in the Irish team last week was not shown up today but will be tested again in games to come.
You can only play whats in front of you and its a pity todays game fell below test standard
Derek Nagle
O'Shea - "That Irish team is 100% better than the Welsh team we played."— david kelly (@dk3lly) February 11, 2017
Epic
Aoibhin Kenny
I have always said The SixNations is possibly the most perfect sports championship in the world. Duration. Intensity. Locations. Talent.— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) February 11, 2017
It's amazing how a poor game can concentrate minds.
Andrew Potts
Did what we needed to do, Ireland very much in title hunt. But this match highlighted more the massive task facing Conor O'Shea. #ITAvIRE— Harpin' On Rugby (@HarpinOnRugby) February 11, 2017
Many thanks to all who offered opinions.
Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP
