Phil
@phlytecase.bsky.social
Enginerd, rock god, lefty rugby dad
Hansen could be a good shout at 15. He knows the system and could act as a second playmaker. Both him and JOB being maybe a bit light as last defender would be my only worry
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Hansen could be a good shout at 15. He knows the system and could act as a second playmaker. Both him and JOB being maybe a bit light as last defender would be my only worry
Baird calls well for Leinster, so he's an option also, if he's starting. He was one of the better forwards in both games
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Baird calls well for Leinster, so he's an option also, if he's starting. He was one of the better forwards in both games
I completely agree we need to see changes in the squad, I just don't rink Wycherly is the guy. Was excited to see Edogbo and Aherne in green, but they are both cursed seemingly. Line out seems like a systems failure rather than individual. Thought Ryan was OK both games. Nothing special tho
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I completely agree we need to see changes in the squad, I just don't rink Wycherly is the guy. Was excited to see Edogbo and Aherne in green, but they are both cursed seemingly. Line out seems like a systems failure rather than individual. Thought Ryan was OK both games. Nothing special tho
Ha. Fair enough. He's listed in the Springbok squad on Ultimate Rugby, so thought that was current. Should have known better than to trust that poxy app....
I'd rather have Beirne in the row and Aherne or JOD at 6.
Regardless, I don't think Wycherly is big or good enough for Ireland. YMMV, etc
I'd rather have Beirne in the row and Aherne or JOD at 6.
Regardless, I don't think Wycherly is big or good enough for Ireland. YMMV, etc
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Ha. Fair enough. He's listed in the Springbok squad on Ultimate Rugby, so thought that was current. Should have known better than to trust that poxy app....
I'd rather have Beirne in the row and Aherne or JOD at 6.
Regardless, I don't think Wycherly is big or good enough for Ireland. YMMV, etc
I'd rather have Beirne in the row and Aherne or JOD at 6.
Regardless, I don't think Wycherly is big or good enough for Ireland. YMMV, etc
Yes, because Beirne and Kleyn have not been available for most of those games. You are disputing he's second string, so which of the two lads is he starting ahead of?
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Yes, because Beirne and Kleyn have not been available for most of those games. You are disputing he's second string, so which of the two lads is he starting ahead of?
Yes, obviously. My point is that second string players from a team whose line out is statistically worse at that lower level despite more wins are unlikely to be a silver bullet for Ireland
November 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Yes, obviously. My point is that second string players from a team whose line out is statistically worse at that lower level despite more wins are unlikely to be a silver bullet for Ireland
Fair enough. I agree that Ireland need to make changes, but my point is that calling alone isn't enough to get you picked in that position and I really don't rate Wycherly. He looks underpowered in the URC, so I don't think test rugby would go well for him
November 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Fair enough. I agree that Ireland need to make changes, but my point is that calling alone isn't enough to get you picked in that position and I really don't rate Wycherly. He looks underpowered in the URC, so I don't think test rugby would go well for him
Oh for sure. But neither of the players you mention start for full strength Munster. It's just my opinion, and he has improved a bit recently, but I don't rate Wycherly at all. If Edogbo gets a run of games, he pushes Wycherly out of the 23 before the end of the season imo
November 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Oh for sure. But neither of the players you mention start for full strength Munster. It's just my opinion, and he has improved a bit recently, but I don't rate Wycherly at all. If Edogbo gets a run of games, he pushes Wycherly out of the 23 before the end of the season imo
URC stats have Leinster line out at 94% despite losing 3 games. They have issues alright, but not so much at line out. Ireland's drills look very different to me, so that's definitely part of the issue
Munster's like out is at 86% despite winning all 5 games, so certainly no better
Munster's like out is at 86% despite winning all 5 games, so certainly no better
November 9, 2025 at 11:28 AM
URC stats have Leinster line out at 94% despite losing 3 games. They have issues alright, but not so much at line out. Ireland's drills look very different to me, so that's definitely part of the issue
Munster's like out is at 86% despite winning all 5 games, so certainly no better
Munster's like out is at 86% despite winning all 5 games, so certainly no better
Wycherly isn't good enough and O'Connell isn't ready.
Leinster's line out is at 94% this year. Given their players make up the bulk of the pack, that suggests the issue is not the players, or not solely them anyway
Leinster's line out is at 94% this year. Given their players make up the bulk of the pack, that suggests the issue is not the players, or not solely them anyway
November 9, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Wycherly isn't good enough and O'Connell isn't ready.
Leinster's line out is at 94% this year. Given their players make up the bulk of the pack, that suggests the issue is not the players, or not solely them anyway
Leinster's line out is at 94% this year. Given their players make up the bulk of the pack, that suggests the issue is not the players, or not solely them anyway
I mean he asked the question....
November 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I mean he asked the question....
Agree that he hasn't kicked on from where he started, but i think that was a pretty high level. I feel like his throwing, in particular, has actually regressed. He was definitely more consistent a few years ago
November 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Agree that he hasn't kicked on from where he started, but i think that was a pretty high level. I feel like his throwing, in particular, has actually regressed. He was definitely more consistent a few years ago
I'm not sure about this. When kelleher broke thru, I was incredibly excited about him. I definitely think his form has dropped rather than he wasn't that good to begin with. Sheehan is way clear of him now, but that is because he is best in the world at the moment imo
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I'm not sure about this. When kelleher broke thru, I was incredibly excited about him. I definitely think his form has dropped rather than he wasn't that good to begin with. Sheehan is way clear of him now, but that is because he is best in the world at the moment imo
Kelleher is going to bed under a lot of pressure from Gus after their respective performances
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Kelleher is going to bed under a lot of pressure from Gus after their respective performances
Absolutely. I didn't think Sam would be a great bench option, but his huge boot, calmness and really long accurate pass was really effective against a tiring team today
I'd still stay him next week to mix things up tho
I'd still stay him next week to mix things up tho
November 8, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Absolutely. I didn't think Sam would be a great bench option, but his huge boot, calmness and really long accurate pass was really effective against a tiring team today
I'd still stay him next week to mix things up tho
I'd still stay him next week to mix things up tho
Absolutely. I thought the debate was over after LeivMun, but given how good we have looked since Sam came on and many mistakes Jack made last week, that 10 jersey is very much up still for grabs
November 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Absolutely. I thought the debate was over after LeivMun, but given how good we have looked since Sam came on and many mistakes Jack made last week, that 10 jersey is very much up still for grabs
It's a tough ask anyway, but if our pack don't get their act together, they are going to humble us
November 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
It's a tough ask anyway, but if our pack don't get their act together, they are going to humble us
There is a similar cohort who take the same pleasure in Sam missing a tackle or throwing a bad pass. It's pathetic
November 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
There is a similar cohort who take the same pleasure in Sam missing a tackle or throwing a bad pass. It's pathetic
Unless there is an enormous improvement in the line out, we are in for a very depressing November. SA and Oz will be licking their lips looking at this mess
November 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Unless there is an enormous improvement in the line out, we are in for a very depressing November. SA and Oz will be licking their lips looking at this mess
But it's a sign of them showing ruspict. Or something. Even with throat slitting movement
And if you believe that, I have some magic beans I'd love to sell you
And if you believe that, I have some magic beans I'd love to sell you
a hand pointing at a graph with the words no lies detected
ALT: a hand pointing at a graph with the words no lies detected
media.tenor.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
But it's a sign of them showing ruspict. Or something. Even with throat slitting movement
And if you believe that, I have some magic beans I'd love to sell you
And if you believe that, I have some magic beans I'd love to sell you
Ha ha, I was a soldier for the anti haka thing for a long time. But if they want to do their little intimidation dance, let them. The fact that they now feel the need for root swords or other stage props shows they know nobody is scared of it anymore too
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Ha ha, I was a soldier for the anti haka thing for a long time. But if they want to do their little intimidation dance, let them. The fact that they now feel the need for root swords or other stage props shows they know nobody is scared of it anymore too