Ireland for the Grand Slam?

[RogueTrooper]

After watching them butcher the Scots on Saturday I am inclined to think this may be Ireland's year for a clean sweep.

They are playing the English at Landsdown Road next.


What do you think?

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

1. Who gives a damn about rugby,

give me a good hurling or Gaelic football game anyday.

[RogueTrooper]

2. The Irish do

especially as they have one of the best rugby teams in the six nations. Saturday's match was a magnificent display of 'pack rugby' by the Irish team; it had to be as Brian O'Driscol, Ireland's captain and peerless centre was out injured. Hopefully he will be back for the England game and Landsdown Road; as it will be a harder game than either the Scots or the Italians game the boys.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

3. What will be the attendance at Landsdown Road for this

rugby match?

Will it come close to the attendance figures at last September's All-Ireland Hurling Final and Football Final?

[Donkeyboy75]

4. They are all sellouts,

so it's impossible to distinguish.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

6. Well since the capacity of Croke Park is

82,500 spectators versus Lansdowne Road's capacity of 49,000, I think there might be a bit of a difference.

[Donkeyboy75]

7. I think I should be more clear.

It's tough to gauge demand when they both sell out. You're right, though.

I should say, though, that my local was jammed to the gills for the All-Ireland hurling final, but not as packed for the rugby matches. Of course, I live in Cork, and being the best hurling county in Ireland may have something to do with that. ;)

[RogueTrooper]

8. It will be a capacity crowd

Lansdowne Road only has a capacity of 48,000. With Ireland playing so well and England being the competition then I would guess that they could easily do double that. The game will probably be the most watch sporting event in Irland that day.

Corke Park's capacity is 78,000 ( and the final was a capacity crowd ) so, nowhere near. However, Landsdown has been slated for redevelopment and with a new stadium planned.

In the meantime the IRU and FAI have been trying to get a temporary ground share with the GAA. The motion, to temorarily suspend rule 42, will be debated by the GAA congress in April. The motion will need a 2/3 majority to be passed.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

10. Yes, I know all about the debate on Rule 42.

I am a former secretary of a GAA club in Chicago.

It'll be interesting to see what happens at GAA Congress in April. I don't think the culchies are going to go for temporarily suspending Rule 42.

Let's face it lads, the GAA isn't the most progressive group of thinkers in Ireland.

[RogueTrooper]

11. Sorry, was not sure if you knew

or any of the other DUer's reading the thread.
I was typing from an article out of the Irish Times
As to the vote, me too. My flatmate thinks that there may be a majority for temporary suspension but not the necessary 2/3.

[Donkeyboy75]

5. Dude.

Ireland still has three matches to go. This talk is a bit premature as they haven't played France or England yet.

[RogueTrooper]

9. maybe...

but neither England and France are the teams they were six months ago. Watching the games last weekend left me with the impression that of the two ascendant teams, Ireland and Wales, Ireland may be the team with more ideas.

[Donkeyboy75]

12. I'm sure you know more about rugby than I do,

but the Irish looked like crap against Italy. If they had played like that against Wales, they would have lost.

I guess I'm just cautious. People here are talking about the Slam, and it just feels like being set up for a big downfall...

[RogueTrooper]

13. Italy was not the best I have seen them

Looking at the diference between the Italy game and the Scotland game my guess it the forwards got a) a right good bollocking and b) extra training sessions. Also, the Italians always play well on their first game ( it is where they took the scalps of both the Welsh and the Scots ).

I know what you mean. I don't want to get too caught up in the hype either. But, with both England and France playing at Lansdowne this year I think this could be the year. ***touch wood, and fingers crossed***

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. I wouldn't bet against them

They should defeat England if the English team's poor kicking continues and I so no reason why it won't. France aren't exactly playing well either, they were fortunate to beat England.