Babbling 'brook

Balls, I promised I'd bring my two kids. Never thought they would sell out so quick and I totally missed out. If anyone heard of three tickets going spare... In the same boat. Up to gills in work and forgot to use the season ticket link yesterday. Out of meetings at lunchtime today and nada. :cry:

The current situation is a reflection of the mismanagement and underperformance of the other provincial academies over a sustained period of time. Ulster and Munster's default over a good part of the last decade was bringing guys over from the high veld as quick fixes rather than developing & tr...

A few thoughts. Firstly I pop in here as it tend to be a different viewpoint. Munster aren’t actually doing too badly at all. We have our strengths and weaknesses. One of the biggest big bears I often have is the comparison business of one province v another. Each have their one unique set of chall...

harry not starting, he deserves it. Agree. Also strange not starting Ross last week but picking him this week. Both Byrnes are lightly raced this season, but Harry has considerably less time in the saddle at 10 since the 6N started (92 mins overall but only 54 mins for Leinster vs the Bulls) compar...

The team I'd like to see against Leicester (and some reasons). 15. Keenan 14. Larmour (more experienced than Russell in defence) 13. Ringrose 12. Osborne (Left-footed and on form; Henshaw HIA last week) 11. Lowe 10 Ross Byrne (Calmer leader who optimises others; better tackler than Harry) 9. JGP 1....

I'm surprised (and disappointed) to see none of the backrow that has been performing so well involved. Particularly Deegan. Would second that re Deegan. Think he has been seriously impressive any time he has gotten the opportunity this season. No Ringer a concern. Good to see Russell and to a lesse...

Think history will be kinder to him than for many Taoisigh. He did an excellent job on Brexit, handled the pandemic as well as could be expected, his medical knowledge and understanding was a plus, ushered in significant social change in the abortion and same sex marriage referenda. He also had the ...

As is often the case in International Rugby, the Media reaction is over the top. The piece below, carried by the Irish Times, summarises some of the national and international sports opinions about Ireland's second successive 6N Championship win. Of course they are largely commenting about claims t...

I think this is a good time for me to interject my opinion (and I appreciate a lot of people would have a different opinions) neither Frawley or Nash should be involved on Saturday. If the doctor deems you unable to return to a game you shouldn't be playing the following Saturday.....end off! I app...

Is SB being brave and sticking to his guns and continuing to focus on developing a new style and ignoring the outside noise (a al AF in 2020/21) as he knows the championship is gone or is he just picking random players under media pressure. Hard to know which it is. This selection with Ford at 10 – ...

Am of an age where a trip to Twickenham was usually ominous. Cant shake the memories that surround of a couple of Simon Geoghegan inspired wins, of about a decade of unmerciful tonkings. Think this is potentially a real banana skin, the English team have been written off by their own media. They rea...

He is in a rich vein of form this year but he hasn't scored against us since 2020. He's scored just once against Ireland, compared to 2 against the Welsh, 3 against the Italians, 4 against the French and 6 against the English. He has only scored against Argentina of the SANZAR countries. Give him sp...

Michael Bent? Yep. Personally I'm shocked and not a little dismayed that an Irish qualified player brought into the Irish system to play for Ireland has been selected for Ireland Yeah, I do agree. Whatever about Belham’s right to be disappointed- and he had that, it’s hard to argue that Farrell is ...

How come we aren't getting a load of articles about the lack of atmosphere at the Dublin V Roscommon game? The talking heads spout a lot of sh*te, the biggest thing that adds to atmosphere is jeopardy. A game needs to be a genuine contest where the result is in the balance for there to be a proper ...

26-0 in 2nd. Treviso absolutely dire. Turner did well as did Russell. I wonder if we will look back on today as the day Sam took over from Ross. Probably not but it'll come very soon Russell was poor I thought. I think he's a bit at sea with his role in Nienabers def system. He also had lots of han...

The laws as they stand were upheld properly. The protocol was followed correctly. While in all likelihood it was a try, the nature of the question asked and the footage available was not conclusive, this is key bit that the Scots keep ignoring. English has really taken the soup if he writes an artic...

Joking aside I think it’s quite premature to be talking about his kicking stats after one good kicking performance and one poor one. Seemed to be that Joe and Matt were just looking for an extra talking point to ensure the 10 debate keeps going. If his kicking starts to cost us in one of the remain...

I hold my hand up and say I wasn’t convinced by Crowley before the 6N. His club form in terms of results was not good, 40% win rate losing leads late in games, but on reflection that may have been down to Munster’s injuries/ weak bench & no platform. He’s not the finished article and bigger test...

The thing that left me most satisfied with today's Ireland performance vs Italy was, that after we cleared the bench there was no perceivable drop-off in performance as far as cohesion and intensity are concerned. That hasn't always been the case. Well done to all involved. Interesting, I thought t...

I don't want Murray to start. JGP is better. If we want to rotate for rotations sake we should be starting Casey to give him international experience. I also don't believe POM out of the 23 unless he is injured. Farrell might be a vibes man but he is absolutely focused on results at the same time. ...