Michael Bent

[curates_egg]

If you are thinking about a squad with 5 props, surely he would be at least worth a look if his form continues.
Apart from Hagan (and Court), do we have anyone who can play both sides. When Jack tried there, it didn't look too convincing.

[Donny B.]

If you are thinking about a squad with 5 props, surely he would be at least worth a look if his form continues.
Apart from Hagan (and Court), do we have anyone who can play both sides. When Jack tried there, it didn't look too convincing.

Court isn't worth a damn on the tight-side. And Hagan's ability on the loose side has still yet to be really tested.

[TrapperChamonix]

self, just the situation. I'd be in complete agreement with him on that one tbh. It was utterly crazy to get a guy off the plane and into a green jersey the way we did. And ultimately it shone a spotlight on Bent, who really didn't need or deserve it. Plenty of others then jumped on the bandwagon and started knocking the guy. It was never his fault.

Just curious, other than a longer flight, how is this different than, Easterby x2, Rob Henderson, Kevin Maggs et al. We never required any of them to play in Ireland prior to their International selections.

[molloyjh]

self, just the situation. I'd be in complete agreement with him on that one tbh. It was utterly crazy to get a guy off the plane and into a green jersey the way we did. And ultimately it shone a spotlight on Bent, who really didn't need or deserve it. Plenty of others then jumped on the bandwagon and started knocking the guy. It was never his fault.

Just curious, other than a longer flight, how is this different than, Easterby x2, Rob Henderson, Kevin Maggs et al. We never required any of them to play in Ireland prior to their International selections.

Totally different time and context, no? Certainly when Henderson and Maggs were brought in we had yet to really embrace professionalism. And until the creation of the Celtic League (after the Easterbys were first capped) the provinces didn't have a full season of games to play. When Bent was brought in we had 4 provinces who had seen pretty good investment. They were professional organisations with Academy structures and all that went with it specifically designed to develop players in all positions. And when Bent was first capped Irish provinces had won 5 of the last 7 HECs plus were generally pretty dominant in the league. There were plenty of excuses for not having international quality player 15-20 years ago, but 2 years ago we really shouldn't have been facing that problem.

[Donny B.]

Plenty online have been willing to eat humble pie over the past season.
Maybe it's time some of those pundits (like Wood), who were very publicly slagging him off, did so too.

While a few were slagging him off from what I remember of Woods comments they were all about how it was ridiculous that he went straight into the Irish side without ever having played for Leinster.

Well since the only other option was Stephen Archer (who looked in physical danger in the scrum when he played against Australia even a year later) it was time for desperate measures.

[simonokeeffe]

Plenty online have been willing to eat humble pie over the past season.
Maybe it's time some of those pundits (like Wood), who were very publicly slagging him off, did so too.

While a few were slagging him off from what I remember of Woods comments they were all about how it was ridiculous that he went straight into the Irish side without ever having played for Leinster.

Well since the only other option was Stephen Archer (who looked in physical danger in the scrum when he played against Australia even a year later) it was time for desperate measures.

Donny's right, I think part of the despair was emmm despair at how 4 provinces could only manage so few props of a sufficient standard

Even now Archer cant on field in big games when BJ Botha is sucking diesel in a pre second half warm up

We need to chant his name more at games

[blockhead]

Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine,
You blow my mind,
Hey Mickey!
Hey Mickey!

?

[molloyjh]

Donny's right, I think part of the despair was emmm despair at how 4 provinces could only manage so few props of a sufficient standard

Oh exactly, and that's what I meant. My recollection of Woods comments were that they were more like "it's a disgrace that we need to drag a guy straight from the plane to the pitch because we can't develop a second TH" as opposed to comments directed about or at Bent personally. And there was some of that about. But then there were a lot of people directing their frustration at Bent himself, which was bang out of order.

[molloyjh]

Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine,
You blow my mind,
Hey Mickey!
Hey Mickey!

?

I've always thought that song/chant didn't suit the Irish. Mainly because of the clear and obvious connotation.

[neiliog93]

They need to scrap the "1.5 metre push" limit in under-age rugby. This essentially allows highly ambitious coaches to select back-row type builds at prop, who can contribute more in the line-out and around the park generally. Now, some prop-type builds still get picked, but because the scrum is less important with the push limit, a lot of more rangy, athletic builds end up getting selected. Many of these guys will never have the physique to play professional rugby as a prop.

All of this is compounded by the fact that when they're 19 and starting senior rugby, they've never been in a scenario where you scrummage more than 1.5 metres. The only reason they give for the rule is some nonsense about safety - pushing in scrums is a lot less dangerous than flying head first into a ruck! In South Africa, for example, there's no such rule, and they generally produce good props (no CJ jokes).

[goreyguy]

They need to scrap the "1.5 metre push" limit in under-age rugby. This essentially allows highly ambitious coaches to select back-row type builds at prop, who can contribute more in the line-out and around the park generally. Now, some prop-type builds still get picked, but because the scrum is less important with the push limit, a lot of more rangy, athletic builds end up getting selected. Many of these guys will never have the physique to play professional rugby as a prop.

All of this is compounded by the fact that when they're 19 and starting senior rugby, they've never been in a scenario where you scrummage more than 1.5 metres. The only reason they give for the rule is some nonsense about safety - pushing in scrums is a lot less dangerous than flying head first into a ruck! In South Africa, for example, there's no such rule, and they generally produce good props (no CJ jokes).

considering we are producing more props than the other provinces i'm not so sure.. should be about developing technique not relying on size/power.

[olaf the fat]

They need to scrap the "1.5 metre push" limit in under-age rugby. This essentially allows highly ambitious coaches to select back-row type builds at prop, who can contribute more in the line-out and around the park generally. Now, some prop-type builds still get picked, but because the scrum is less important with the push limit, a lot of more rangy, athletic builds end up getting selected. Many of these guys will never have the physique to play professional rugby as a prop.

All of this is compounded by the fact that when they're 19 and starting senior rugby, they've never been in a scenario where you scrummage more than 1.5 metres. The only reason they give for the rule is some nonsense about safety - pushing in scrums is a lot less dangerous than flying head first into a ruck! In South Africa, for example, there's no such rule, and they generally produce good props (no CJ jokes).

Yeah, just what rugby needs - more kids in wheel chairs

[simonokeeffe]

Cian Healy didnt play prop til he left school and he did ok

For Bent how about we sing 'Michael they are taking you away'?

[Lar]

Bent, Bent, Michael Bent;
Your name may be queer
But we're glad that you're here!

Repeat etc....



[Not sure it passes the PC test]

[neiliog93]

They need to scrap the "1.5 metre push" limit in under-age rugby. This essentially allows highly ambitious coaches to select back-row type builds at prop, who can contribute more in the line-out and around the park generally. Now, some prop-type builds still get picked, but because the scrum is less important with the push limit, a lot of more rangy, athletic builds end up getting selected. Many of these guys will never have the physique to play professional rugby as a prop.

All of this is compounded by the fact that when they're 19 and starting senior rugby, they've never been in a scenario where you scrummage more than 1.5 metres. The only reason they give for the rule is some nonsense about safety - pushing in scrums is a lot less dangerous than flying head first into a ruck! In South Africa, for example, there's no such rule, and they generally produce good props (no CJ jokes).

Yeah, just what rugby needs - more kids in wheel chairs

A greater than 1.5 metre push won't put kids in wheelchairs. Most scrum paralysis incidents involved a collapse at the old 'engage'. There aren't more kids in wheelchairs in South Africa, for example.

I take the point about Leinster producing more props though.

[fourthirtythree]

Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine,
You blow my mind,
Hey Mickey!
Hey Mickey!

?

Do you know what that song is actually about?


answer is no obviously! It's not remotely innocent shall we say...

[IanD]

How about ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQK1SE47HCk


Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah
Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah

Ross help to trim the scrum, Hallelujah
Ross help to trim the scrum, Hallelujah

The Second row is deep and wide, Hallelujah
And we got a score on the other side, Hallelujah

Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah
Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah

Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah
Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah

The Mexican trumpets sound, Hallelujah
The trumpets sound for you and me, Hallelujah

Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah
Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah

Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah
Michael pushed the scrum ashore, Hallelujah

[simonokeeffe]

Bent low Bent chariot?

[domhnallj]

I'm working on a haiku chant.

Benty benty is sort of like bently
you do not look like one
except for your arse

[simonokeeffe]

I'm working on a haiku chant.

Benty benty is sort of like bently
you do not look like one
except for your arse

thats the catchiest thing since Ebola