They classed it as mid-range. IMHO that was incorrect. He was also blessed that the player was uninjured.

This is very understandable. Nowadays the Tooth Fairy doesn't work weekends in November...because of all the kids teeth that fall out over Christmas from eating too many sweets.

If you read the John Collison Op-Ed then you will definitely want to read this.

Funny (peculiar) or funny (ha ha)...?

a woman is holding a piece of paper with the words what the what written on it ALT: a woman is holding a piece of paper with the words what the what written on it

I'm speechless

Great first outing for Ireland.
Attack sharp, lineout improved in 2nd half.
I'd be concerned about some loose kicking which better teams will punish as the tournament progresses.
Overall though, this was a big positive start for Ireland.
#IREvJPN #WRWC2025

Big dynamic power carries from Ireland now as the bench makes an impact.
Japan still competing for everything.
An entertaining contest, made moreso by that woman with the loudest voice in the world roaring from the sidelines!
#IREvJPN #WRWC2025

Japan did not deserve that.
#IREvJPN #WRWC2025

Ireland taking almost all their chances. Japan not rolling over.
Attack is looking very nice, nice shape to the backs.
I'll take that scoreline at half time. Fix the lineout creaks and we are looking good.
#WRWC2025 #IREVJPN

Stout defence followed by a blistering attack.
Lineout aside this is really good from Ireland
#WRWC2025 #IREVJPN

Ireland attack looking very sharp in these early stages.
Japan barely getting any territory yet.
#WRWC2025 #IREVJPN

Just like ROG and Heaslip, two people who couldn't be more Irish, even though they are very different.

Wow, he seemed to be the least muppety of them, I guess we are really in their heads.

Which muppet was this? I mean, I have my suspicions....

'A measure of the man' - Ringrose ruled himself out of Lions Test start The Irish centre had been told he was starting against the Wallabies.

I have to applaud Gary Ringrose for making an incredibly difficult decision in ruling himself out of his first test start for the Lions.

It takes character to put the team first like that, and sets a great example for youngsters playing any sport.
www.the42.ie/garry-ringro...

YouTube video by United Rugby Championship Oomph ! Stephen Ferris announces his return - Ulster v Scarlets 14th March 2014

If Ferris had stayed fit he would have been lauded as a GOAT.
I loved his return from injury against Scarlets after having been out for ages, very first play, buries the lad and drives him back 10 meters plus. You can see why the Ravenhill crowd loved him so much.
youtu.be/ry8PZINojgo?...

His attitude was something I hadn't seen before. I remember a post match interview with him, it may have been his first match as capt, where he basically said, we're not interested in moral victories, or putting up a good fight or making up the numbers, we want to win matches. It was so refreshing!

YouTube video by Ruddy Darter Keith Wood magnificent kick vs New Zealand 2002

I can't disagree with that, but I've never seen Sheehan put in a 60 metre spiral, at first receiver, off a stolen lineout. youtu.be/zm8_bU5QTGE?...
I'm not saying he can't, but that I haven't seen it yet.
Wood had it all, what a gifted player, would have walked into any World XV.

It's a bit of a disaster movie for Portugal so far

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There's a bang of found footage of this match...

If I put myself in Farrell's shoes, he's looking for someone who is versatile and can also slot into the attack and defensive systems without too much study, who has a track record of settling really quickly and has played well against top sides.
Osbourne ticks all of those boxes for me.

Well they went with Bolton and O'Brien in the end, so I guess we were both right(ish) 🤣

So many choices and possible combinations, I think it's down to how lads play as combos and how they compliment each other.
A Lions test team without a Welsh player in the 23, not sure that's ever happened before.

Coin toss between Porter and Genge, while Morgan is class I think he might go with Pollack because he's annoying and will bring impact in the last 20.

I know it's a summer tour against tier 2 sides, and it's being used to give lads a game in green, but I think dropping Tommy O'Brien out of the 23 after a solid debut is very harsh. I think he earned two starts in a row from his performances both last weekend and over the season.

I know he looks tired on the field. However, he had three weeks without a match before the tour. Last played for Munster at the end of May in the URC, others were playing semis and final and they don't look like they need a rest.

A lot of strapping on that leg today so perhaps that is an issue.
Would hope to see him start next weekend and get a good 70+ minutes.

I presumed Casey was a typo, surely a 9.5...😉

If we are going to make this about metrics.....

Dominant tackles:

Baird - 3
Rest of the Irish pack - 0