Babbling 'brook

Lowe needs a rest and a reboot - it just isn't happening for him. Though the suggestion that he should never play for Ireland again is quite the knee-jerk reaction. If we ditched every player who took a while to get going at international level, then the top of the Irish caps chart would look very ...

For what it's worth, bookies have us as joint favourites with Exeter, followed by a clatter of French teams. Don't seem to rate Munster's chances very much. Odds from Paddy Power Leinster, Exeter 3-1, Racing, Toulouse 9-2, Clermont 8-1, La Rochelle 12-1, Munster 20-1, Bordeaux 25-1, Wasps 33-1, Bris...

On the first Welsh try, reminds me a bit of the Ireland-SA match in Lansdowne maybe 20 years or so ago. Ireland camped on SA line, SA giving away multiple penos, ref tells John Smit to go and talk to his players, Smit does so, ROG immediately takes quick tap penalty to himself and scoots over the li...

Seriously, does even the most rabid Leinster fan believe that we are so much better than any other province that we should supply 15 out of next weekend's starting 23. More of the same from Farrell - it's depressing, but it's coming from a coach who feels under pressure to deliver a win against a Ti...

Lets be honest lads and ladies. Does anyone really think that our coaching set up are capable of getting more out of the Irish squad than Joe did? Not at all. And I think that’s what underpins the frustration people have. At a macro level, running Wales close, away, with 14 men and losing by 2 v a ...

Ar risk of criticising he who must never be criticised, though Stander was poor v Quins, never seemed to get into the game, made the usual charges into the opposition to nil effect and overall was completely overshadowed by Coombes

The42.ie suggesting that Glasgow now more likely to go after Ben Healy after losing Adam Hastings to Gloucester next year. More money and being fast tracked into the Scotland squad the carrots being dangled.

Might have to bring Jack Aungier into the 3 somewhere. Thought he was excellent yesterday when he came on for Connacht against an enormous Racing pack. Held up very well - shows the benefit of pitching youngsters in against top opposition

Boyle absolutely brilliant, Dillane excellent, thought Blade was superb when he came on, well down westies, can't wait to see Connacht take them on in (hopefully a wet and windswept Sportsground

Anybody know if this is available on Now TV, Google search says BT Sport is available on a Now TV pass, but nothing on the Now TV listings. If not any suggestions on how to watch the game I took up a 3-month offer with NowTV for both Sky Sports and BT a few months ago. It's a little confusing as th...

Anybody know if this is available on Now TV, Google search says BT Sport is available on a Now TV pass, but nothing on the Now TV listings. If not any suggestions on how to watch the game I took up a 3-month offer with NowTV for both Sky Sports and BT a few months ago. It's a little confusing as th...

Anybody know if this is available on Now TV, Google search says BT Sport is available on a Now TV pass, but nothing on the Now TV listings. If not any suggestions on how to watch the game In recent months I've found Viprow.me to be highly reliable for all Pro 14, Heino and Test matches. Thanks for ...

Anybody know if this is available on Now TV, Google search says BT Sport is available on a Now TV pass, but nothing on the Now TV listings. If not any suggestions on how to watch the game

Surprised not more said about the alleged gouging claim by Fraser Brown. TV showed no connection with Brown's eye by Roux - at worst his hand brushed against his cheekbone. We all accept that eye gouging is probably one of the worst foul plays when proven and usually ends up with a very heavy suspe...

Surprised not more said about the alleged gouging claim by Fraser Brown. TV showed no connection with Brown's eye by Roux - at worst his hand brushed against his cheekbone. We all accept that eye gouging is probably one of the worst foul plays when proven and usually ends up with a very heavy suspen...

I know it's like a broken record now, but watched most of the Ulster game v Edinburgh and once again Cooney had a superb game at 9 and his pointed exclusion from the Ireland squad becomes more baffling by the day. Passing, kicking excellent, scored two fine tries and overall looked as good if not be...

Remind me again what Mike Catt is there for? Exactly my thoughts. Look at his track record and he has absolutely nothing in the bank - London Irish, England, Italy and now Ireland, all incredibly unimpressive. We just seemed to aimlessly shovel to the big lads in the center. You've Also got to ask ...

Everybody seems to agree Byrne had a poor game, staying too deep 10m behind the scrum/line out/ruck and the shoveling the ball on to Aki another 10m behind him. But the fact that he was left on for 72 minutes suggests he was playing to coach's instructions - and if this is the case then Catt has a l...

Hate to say it, but those questioning the Pro14 as a proper league have been given plenty ammunition after the first few weeks and the sooner the SA teams come in the better. As of today, Leinster, Ulster and Munster have each won 5 out of 5, Connacht won 2 out of 4, so a win-loss of 17-2 for Irish ...

Sorry - Marmion and Cooney as the two SH's for Friday, not Casey