Andrew Moffett

Expertly summed up

I’ve a feeling we’ve not hit rock bottom just yet

You’ve hit the nail on the head here I reckon.

I’m guessing it’s not that exciting. Vodaphone extension or something.

I don’t like the vodaphone sponsorship by the way. Only reason being that their main colour is red, doesn’t work for my branding OCD brain.

With the number of injuries Ulster have, & the few internationals away the backline for Friday almost picks itself

There’s 6 back three injured

Kok & Lowry are the only fit back three players, and the universal Stuart Moore @ fb

So it’ll be Postlethwaite and Carson at centre

Telfer likely the 23

McKee should go back up the road to Ulster. That would solve the logjam a bit.

On the SP yellow.

I can see how those that wanted to see Ireland get a red can justify it.

But I think all things considered, he got himself in the wrong place and the wrong time. The TMO got it right, there was low degree of danger as SP was pretty passive through it.

Ok. Here’s my predictions for todays games:

Ireland bt Fiji by 10
SA bt Wales by 27
NZ bt Italy by 24

Things I’d love to see:

Stockdale get a try & not make a hames of anything

Wales see a glimmer of hope with a plucky performance

0 controversy over cards cause I can’t be arsed with that today

I’m no physicist - but it’s perfectly reasonable to me to conclude that he literally just slowed down the velocity of the ball and slightly changed its direction. Doesn’t look at any time to move towards the French goal line.

Ref said because his palm was facing the wrong way it was knock on. Presumably despite the fact the ball did not, in fact, go forward

Well deserved winner. Absolute legend.

I think AF will have been very keen to have a certain number of experienced heads in there. What happens 6 nations time with those two (and a couple of others) will be very interesting.

Not been used there for ulster yet I don’t think. A big ask.
My guess would be he’ll get some decent minutes there too to give porter a bit of a rest ahead of the Australia game.

Can’t be too many hookers that have had their international debut younger globally too

Wouldn’t be unreasonable to have him on the bench next week

Great example. He was worryingly light, different player now.

It didn’t hold sexton back.

If that’s his only issue he’ll be just fine as a 10, a very fixable thing.

It’s a real unknown, 20 is very possible - but so is a loss, Fiji are no mugs. Personally hoping Stockdale can grab a try and not give the haters any reasons to point fingers.

I think SP is deserving of the start, seems to have the right stuff in the top 6 inches.

Yeah I think you’re spot on.

I do wonder if he’d gone to Ulster and been undisputed starting ten would that have made a difference.

Not saying he made a mistake cause it’s his career, but I wonder none the less.

I honestly don’t agree with the ‘if you throw him in too early it’ll ruin him’ takes. If it’s handled right by AF (which I’ve no doubt it is) then more power to him I say. Have fun and see how he goes.

Keeping Healy to get the record against Australia is actually a nice touch. Bigger occasion.
Very interesting to see SP get the start - looks like AF sees him as number 2 or Frawley would be starting.
GMcC seems to be really impressing.

I’d love to see how this 23 goes.

Ambitious. I like it.

Here’s a name that’s IQ that fits into that bracket…

Freddie Burns

No idea what his contract situation is but could be a very good option.

Umanga!

I manga has just resigned with Benneton I believe. Great wee player though