Inaccurate lineout work and blown try-scoring chances have been recurring themes of Ireland’s recent games against Wales, with last year’s Test between the two a prime example. Although Ireland capitulated towards the end of that clash (one of the rare occasions they have done so under Joe Schmidt), they had plenty of opportunities to go … Continue reading Breaking The Red Hoodoo
Category: Wales
Apocalypse Now
Warren Gatland’s appointment as head coach of the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand was met with little surprise and jaded responses last September, which probably had a lot do to with the fact that it was a one-horse race. Joe Schmidt ruled himself out of contention at the first mention of … Continue reading Apocalypse Now
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
Red Dragon
There are strong parallels between the current Welsh side and the Ireland team that stuttered from loss to loss during the latter stages of Declan Kidney’s tenure: they’ve run out of ideas and there’s a pervading sense of lethargy to their performances, but they’re capable of pulling the occasional good game out of a hat. … Continue reading Red Dragon
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