The Springboks have endured a tumultuous 2017, from the highs of whitewashing France in June and coming within a dreadful refereeing decision of a win over New Zealand in Cape Town, to the lows of a humiliating 57-0 defeat to the same opposition in Albany and two frustrating draws with the Wallabies. You get … Continue reading Ireland v South Africa: Match Preview
Category: Andy Farrell
Fall From Grace
This year’s Lions series asked more questions than it answered about the two Test sides involved, but it’s hard to argue that the tourists came out of it the better. Warren Gatland defied expectations by getting his side to play attacking, ball-in-hand rugby rather than territory, and he put aside his preference for certain players, … Continue reading Fall From Grace
Shades of 2011
From an Irish supporter’s perspective, there’s a unique satisfaction to be taken from denying England a Grand Slam, especially on the final day of the Championship. Much like in 2011, Ireland rebounded from a dismal loss to Wales and played with an intensity that a Grand Slam-chasing England side couldn’t live with for large parts of … Continue reading Shades of 2011
That Sinking Feeling
A lot of comparisons have been drawn between Ireland’s capitulation against Wales on Friday night and their lethargic underperformance on the opening day of the tournament in Murrayfield. While they lost both games for similar reasons, it would be remiss not to mention that each of those Tests unfolded differently. Ireland started slowly against Scotland … Continue reading That Sinking Feeling
