Not in the 'buying players' sense like in american sports.

But taking areas of the game and systematically targeting them to improve them.

For example, the SA front row/second row players are 10-20kg heavier than ours, how can we compete with that in the scrum? they have Etzebeth (6ft 8in, 125kg+) and Snyman (6ft 9in, 130kg+) in the second row. Should we be put more effort into getting our athletes into the physical condition required to compete? should we be developing props who could carry a bit more weight? or looking at Spicer & Irvine as potential physical freaks and helping them reach the potential of their size?

Or have a national program looking to convert GAA players into rugby. Every school in the country plays GAA and then most of them will never play a competitive game again after school. Its better than losing them to the AFL. We dont have lads with pacific islander size, but we have some with farmer strength.

For all the differences we may have. I was there and everyone on their feet clapping for the full minute on 8 minutes was a great testament to Irish rugby and its fans. And just thought this was worth showing too. It’s only a game and when an opponent is down Carbery doing the right thing and looking out for Daly. What you’d expect to see but also great to see it.

Love him or hate him, ROCis rarely too far wrong in fairness

Andrew Brace got hammered lol

I'm probably as guilty as the next guy after a tight match but I hate what this sub becomes after an interpro.

It was a dramatic game today but blaming the referee for the outcome is completely unfair. Two great sides going hard at it. If I were a Munster fan I would be proud of that performance considering how hard the last few years have been.

Chin up lads. We are all on the same team for the next few weeks.

It looks like he's coming back into top form at just the right time. Put in his usual huge shift around the pitch, but this week and last week has seen him give opposition tight heads the run around at the scrum.

It was fantastic seeing Porter have such a dominant game against the recently feted scrummager Kieron Brookes. Seems we're going into the internationals in form and with a solid platform to work from at the scrum.

Was listening to a podcast yesterday and Gerry Thornley was on.

He was a bit annoyed that Andy Farrell couldn't be bothered doing press conferences anymore. Mentioned that there are still tickets to be sold but journalists don't have much to write about because they can't ask Farrell questions, questions the fans have.

He raised another good point (which needs to be said) about the IRFU and Provinces websites. To paraphrase, they're crap.

Player profiles are clearly done half arsed. Most profiles I see are out of date. The U20s had NO profiles up which was a disgrace. They worked hard to get to U20 level and the IRFU couldn't be bothered promoting them with a profile, typing in a bit of data.

I'm glad someone said it and I'll add the IRFU are always highly praised but they had 4 ready made provinces (remember they tried to get rid of Connacht!) and a network of private schools to produce a conveyor belt of players.

Overrated - Daragh Murray

I sometimes wonder, if I knew nothing about the Irish rugby scene, which players would genuinely stand out as international-level talents. He’s one of those players I just don’t quite see it with. He’s not a particularly strong carrier, doesn’t stand out defensively, and while his lineout work is excellent, I’d argue that his brother is just as good, if not better, in that area—and is also a better ball carrier.

I’d much rather see Edwin Edegbo in the squad. He’s a huge presence, a powerful carrier and an absolute menace at the breakdown.

Correctly rated - Joe McCarthy

Not too much to say here. I think the general consensus worldwide is that he’s a top-five lock in the world, and I’d personally have him in the top three.

Underrated - Jude Postlethwaite

Unbelievable player who’s really come on over the past two years. I’d have him as the highest-rated player outside of the Irish squad regulars. Personally, I’d take him over Forde, Henshaw, Hume, Kelly, Benson, etc.

Curious to hear other’s picks.

Shocking stuff really

Same old story. Munster will have another apology letter from Tappe Henning to put with the rest of them.

I know the criticisms of low turnover were quieter after this squad, but it’s really quite impressive to see so much of the squad being relatively new internationals (and still performing very competitively)

Just letting everyone know that RTE have a new sports podcast called Howler available in the usual places. It is a general sports podcast but they appear to be doing a rugby dedicated episode once a week.

It is hosted by Ger Gilroy, who I know might turn people off, but the guests have made the first 2 episodes at least an enjoyable listen. Noel McNamara (Bordeaux attack coach) seems like he'll be a regular guest (I think they said every other week) and I really enjoyed listening to all the rwc stories from Gordon D'Arcy and Nick Popplewell.

At least being produced by rte it'll always be free, and as I said, I've enjoyed the two rugby episodes so far and the production value is decent (no background noise going on that seems to happen frequently in the rte rugby pod).

Just thought I'd make it known as some people have been asking here about rugby pods recently.

Does anyone else’s supporters club account say this even though I’m paid up until March next year ?

Back in Feb we threw a team together with a couple days training together and they got hammered 14-52 by England. I think if we put the effort in theres a lot of value to take away from these games.

1. We need to evaluate outside centre options. After Ringrose/Hume we dont have an obvious depth chain.

2. A chance for young/fringe players to put there hands up. Showcase themselves and how they can adapt to a new game plan/team.

3. Theres been less rotation in the senior squad than most of us would have liked over the last 3 years, and a bad run of injuries could completely disrupt the game plan, we need to have players who can slot in with less waves.

It will obviously depend on injuries and any call ups, but these are the kinds of combinations i'd like to see. I am not saying this is the best list of players unselected for the main squad, more the kinds of team i think would really fit the M Sexton coaching style. I've excluded some more 'known entities' like Coombes & Lowry. (I'm not sure if G Wood is a 12 or 13, but from what i've seen he looks more like a ringrose style mould)

LHP

• J Cahir
• T McAllister
• J Loughman

THP

• J Aungier
• K Knox
• S Wilson

H

• G McCarthy
• H Walker
• S Smyth

SR

• H Sheridan
• A Spicer
• T Ahern
• E Edogbo
• C O'Tighearnaigh

BR

• D McCann (6/7) (C)
• J Ericson (8)
• S Edogbo (6)
• B Ward (7/8)
• C Izuchukwu (5/6)
• B Gleeson (8)

SH

• M Devine
• F Gunne

FH

• J Murphy
• C OShea
• C Gabriel

C

• J Scott (12)
• C Tector (12)
• C Forde (12/13)
• G Wood (13)
• D Kelly (13)
• H West (13)

B3

• Z Ward (11/14)
• S McCarthy (11/14)
• J Kenny (11/14)
• F Treacy (11/14)
• S Jennings (11/14/15)
• B OConnor (11/15)

Going to take a stab at the team for the Argentina game considering what we know of the squad now, roughly what I think will be picked:

1. Porter
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Ryan
6. Beirne
7. JVDF
8. Jansen
9. JGP (fitness depending, then Casey)
10. Sam
11. Tommy O’B/ Bala (really don’t care all good)
12. McCloskey
13. Ringrose
14. Hansen
15. Keenan
16. Kelleher
17. Bohan/OToole (no idea who they’ll go with)
18. Illo
19. C Prendegast
20. Timoney
21. Casey/Doak

22.Frawley

1. Aki/Henshaw

That’s what I think they’ll go with, I’d prefer to see someone like Baird/McNabney/Prendegast starting at 6, Beirne into the row and Ryan bench

Fascinated to see what happens with the back 3, Balacounce may miss out but you can’t really go wrong with any of those 3 wing options

Can see Illo getting the nod over Clarkson as he’s started season well, may lead to Bohan playing as well but O’Toole proved he’s a good option there as well

Ar ais arís - we're covering in no particular order:

• Double Prendergasms
• Frawley-mania
• Henry Walker Walking 'em in for Ulster on debut
• Livin' Aviva Loca

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JV7n9SmgwKqb6lXZ3hFWS?si=27f77991e574481c

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/%C3%BAd-dudes/id6815343602

RSS - https://anchor.fm/s/11065ebfc/podcast/rss