18 February 2023; Rhys Ruddock of Leinster celebrates with teammate Dave Kearney after scoring his side’s third try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Dragons at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Not a great performance. Probably the worst or amongst the worst of the season. Quite disjointed and not as controlled as Leinster teams usually are.
Performance aside its yet another routine win that was never really in doubt. The URC is great for blooding players but week by week it becomes worse for challenging them.
Andrew Bailey
First up you have to play a referee who’s agenda from the start is to favour the home team. But you can’t do that with poor lineouts , Ruck protection snd an awful kicking game. A big win but worst performance of the season. Why not trust the outside backs more ??
TWITTER
#LEIvDRA what a conveyor belt of talent & Irish caps. Another Welsh team torched (i'd love to see their situation resolved as so many good players). Such a strong & large squad. @JjHanrahan had a nice impact. Very under rated & used.
Sometimes a bit scrappy as you'd expect from such a patchwork/inexperienced side but ultimately never in doubt. Big moments from some very young players. Two wins away now from a guaranteed top spot. #LEIvDRA
Mike Adamson has missed some amazingly forward passes tonight. It's made absolutely no difference to the result cos the Dragons have been absolutely dire. But still #LEIvDRApic.twitter.com/G9SRArcMwb
RichardMifsud Had a bit of everything that one. Always love watching the young kids getting a run out. Second 40 saw a dip in intensity that let Dragons back into the game and gave the boys good practice on D. A bit of a flourish at the end with two well worked tries. Invaluable experience for the kids and Rhys a worthy POTM although Lukey pushed for that too Liam Turner had a good outing and it was great to see Jason J and Will on the pitch
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John Shine I’m jumping aboard the Jack Boyle hype train!!! In all seriousness it was a nice little 20 mins for him. Held up his end of the scrum. Couple of good carries and a great jackal turnover. Bigger tests await but he’s an exciting prospect.
For this bonus pod I chat to Mindset & Performance Coach Brian Moylett about his book with the perfectly descriptive title of “The Book On How You Become A Pro Rugby Player”. He outlines his own rugby journey and how it inspired him to help others.
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A SIGNED COPY OF BRIAN’S BOOK, DOWNLOAD THE FREE FANZO APP AND JOIN OUR PREDICTION LEAGUE, CODE = HARPIN .
Given the travails experienced by the Murray family this past week, Conor showed immense fortitude and strength of character to even tog out today. Delighted for him and the whole squad! A fantastic performance.
Imelda Reidy
Some game. Outstanding from Ireland. There can be no argument now about the No. 1 team in the world. Need to drive on now and continue to improve. ☘☘
Gavin Hegarty
My god.what a game. We just got a bp over the second best team in the world.
Let’s not mention the definite red card.
Every man in green (bar Hanson in my view) was utterly outstanding.
Tom O’Toole, my god where did that come from? Was worried about bealham before the Wales games now we have three class tightheads.
Chuck Doris, world’s best 8. Completely outplayed alldrit.
Lowe’s try, Mon dieu c’est magnifique.
Take a bow Ireland, you have wrecked me.
TWITTER
This is a statement win for this Irish side. France are a top side and we've given them nothing.
Ireland 32 France 19 An absolute joy of a game to watch A 1st half filled with class chaos physicality some beautiful tries Then a 2nd half where both teams tightened up, some great tactical kicking That was one of the great rugby matches #IREvFRA#GuinnessSixNations
Koochulainn @Koochulainn So that’s the “bogey match” and the “defacto title decider” out of the way Bring on the “gimme” (which isnt what it used to be), the “potential banana skin”, and the “Auld enemy”.
Séamus Mac an tSábhaisigh @jamessavage French rugby fans affronted by selective tv replays … #karma winning big games well but with clear room for improvement each time is a very exciting place to be.
For this bonus pod I am joined by Justin Middleton, probably known by Leinster fans as the commentator along with James Lowe from Leinster v Chile earlier in the season, who tells us how he broke in to rugby broadcasting as well as explaining how more streaming can help raise the profile of the Energia Alll Ireland League.
Some great individual performances, a few players who might feel they can improve on individual aspects, particularly Porter for me, who was responsible for almost half our penalties, can’t be that sloppy against the French. (though I’m discounting the one conceded as they scored a try)
Expectation will be high going onto next week, and rightly so, I want to see the same high intensity against France
Ian Frizzell
Out of the traps so quickly. We were so powerful in the first 30 minutes they didn’t have any answers.
Thought we coped pretty well in the third quarter when they threw everything they had at us and then a few fresh legs gave us the momentum to finish pretty strongly.
Gavin Hegarty
Job done. Rough second half but we shouldered it well.
Can’t help but think the ref played a part in their comeback but cest la vie.
I still can’t see the logic in bringing gatland back.
TWITTER
Why are the BBC focusing solely on Ireland’s second half? They were 24 points up and absolutely cruising. Wales were always going to throw everything at it. This happens in every team sport, you do as much as you have to do to win. Not many teams win easily in Cardiff. #WALvIRE
Andrew ByrneThat first half was ruthless, we were too comfortable in the 2nd half. That won’t be good enough next week, but you can only play one match at a time.For Wales they can fix a lot very quickly and will take scalps later in the tournament.
Brian Nisbet 10-34, with the Welsh playing much better in the second half. But that’s a clear statement of intent from Ireland with a BP win in the first match. Good stuff!
Rob Atkinson A much better performance from Wales, but need to be a lot better in the opposition 22, they need to be better. I’m sure it will come together later in the tournament
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan 14. Mack Hansen 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Stuart McCloskey 11. James Lowe 10. Johnny Sexton (c) 9. Jamison Gibson Park Conor Murray
1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Tadhg Beirne 5. James Ryan 6. Peter O’Mahony 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris
16. Rob Herring 17. Cian Healy Dave Kilcoyne 18. Tom O’Toole 19. Iain Henderson 20. Jack Conan 21. Conor Murray Craig Casey 22. Ross Byrne 23. Bundee Aki
Wales: 15. Liam Williams 14. Josh Adams 13. George North 12. Joe Hawkins 11. Rio Dyer 10. Dan Biggar 9. Tomos Williams
1. Gareth Thomas 2. Ken Owens > captain 3. Tomas Francis 4. Adam Beard 5. Alun Wyn Jones 6. Jac Morgan 7. Justin Tipuric 8. Taulupe Faletau
16. Scott Baldwin 17. Rhys Carre 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Dafydd Jenkins 20. Tommy Reffell 21. Rhys Webb 22. Owen Williams 23. Alex Cuthbert
A bonus pod to set us up nicely for the Six Nations – our panel gives an overview of the Irish squad as well as the other five nations plus the Irish Under20s ahead of 6Mas Day.
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