the plastic paddy
John Solomon (38)
Thought some of you might be interested in my report of the Dragons V Munster game I attended on friday night.
True enough but the Dragons are playing very well this year. The fella I was sat next to confirmed I wasn't imagining how well organised they were. He thinks it is as good as he had seen from the team in many a year.
I don't think RP underestimated them. The massive pack wore them down and the excellent Barry O'Mahony came on to great affect. But even then we could not break down their well organised defence.
I thought our front row went well, I cannot comment on the penalty for collapsing against Archer for the opening NGD penalty as it was on the far side on the far side as it were. That was the only issue and generally the scrums were going up and players popping without penalty which I happen to be quite pleased to see. Their scrum was penalised twice for pushing early which normally indicates they are struggling but generally the scrum went well, the only other penalty against us was at the last scrum where BJB did one of his trademark collapses which didn't kid the ref IMHO.
Archer and Killer both carried well and generally our defence around the fringes was strong. BJB won and lost a penalty and Cronin put himself about, he was not helped by one horrible pass late in the game. Very close for who starts at LHP next weekend, probably Killer because of his experience but great to have options. Similarly BJB will probably get the nod but Archer is solid and offers plenty around the field.
I felt DOC was not as dynamic as he has been at times this season but he seems to vary his role when Paulie, who I would have said carried as much as anyone last night, is playing. POC grew into the game and put in some great carries, he seemed to be livid when penalised for some off the ball stuff late in the second half, again a long way from me so hard to judge. Nagle did not do a great deal and worryingly needed the assistance of the medical team during his brief cameo.
The outstanding performance in the BR was from Coughlan. He carried dynamically affected one terrific choke tackle which destroyed NGD momentum and provided his slight limp as he came off is nothing serious, I would have him start on Sunday alongside POM and Dougall. Maybe it is me but I am just not totally convinced by CJ. Admittedly I don't think he is a proper 7 which didn't help, especially against a side chucking it about and with a lot of pace out wide, but he drops too many balls (bit of a tendency to do the flash one handed carry?) and can go missing a bit defensively. I don't think Billy Holland at six in that back row quite worked, sometimes things seemed to be happening a bit quickly but he put in some good tackles and I felt he captained the side well as evidenced by the composure shown in winning the game.
Barry O'Mahony took his chance with both hands. It was his excellent work at the breakdown that led to the monster kick penalty. He is a proper 7 and I think we are a better team when a proper 7 starts.
Duncan Williams had a bit of a frustrating game, I counted three passes that went astray in the first half but for one of those I thought the NGD line was a way offside. His kicking was, however a considerable improvement, as it was throughout the team. He improved considerably in the second half, the quick tap penalty which led to their binning was cleverly done even if the yellow card was a bit harsh on the NGD player, IMHO. Sheridan's introduction did not see a marked improvement, IMHO, but I am increasingly of the opinion that it is very hard to come on as a 9 and change too much about a teams play.
Keatley took his time to get into the game, understandably considering his lack of recent gametime but a very good early touch finder from a NGD penalty seemed to calm the nerves and he grew into the game. I am not sure if it was him or the understanding with Downey and Stander but I was never entirely confident in the defending of the 10-12 channel. But all in he was fairly flat, kept the defence honest and would probably have been my MOTM. I think he will start on Sunday and hope he gains confidence from this display, especially his excellent kicking, only one kick that went astray the whole game I think. His penultimate penalty was a massive kick, physically and mentally, that I think will really stand to him in the long term.
Downey carried and defended as he always does. He will probably start next weekend but it must be very close with Ivan Dineen at this stage, I just don't think Downey has the hands or eye for a gap that Dineen does.
Keith Earls took his time to get going as well, inevitable given the lack of gametime but he gradually warmed to the task and, one shocking pass to James Cronin late on in the piece notwithstanding, distributed well. I have discussed the binning above, I hope the citing commissioner is not interested in a slightly tippy tackle as well. Given the lack of gametime and injuries elsewhere, he will be on the wing on Sunday but, after yesterday, I see no reason why he will not be pushing LLL hard for the 13 jersey provided, please God, he can stay fit!?!
Denis Hurley put in his usual reliable shift, a second full back really, he is a great man to have in the squad, dependable and strong. He will never have the pace to set the world alight but he never lets us down. He was unlucky with the early high tackle which seemed to precipitate the Earls binning, the NGD player slipped/ ducked into the challenge.
I have made my comments on GVDH above, hope his arm is ok this morning. I think he is a shrewd piece of business on what we saw yesterday.
Felix had another excellent game, looks to be really getting some confidence and, dare I say it putting on some weight which doesn't hurt. He kicked well on occasions which I was pleased to see.
Varley did well although there were a couple of silly penalties I think.
Taking yesterday into account I think the panel for Perpignan will be 1. Kilcoyne, 2. Varley, 3. BJB, 4. DOC, 5. POC, 6. POM, 7. Dougall, 8. Coughlan, 9. Murray, 10. Keatley, 11. Johne, 12. Downey, 13. LLL, 14. Earls, 15. Felix.
16. Sherry(touch wood), 17. Cronin, 18 Archer, 19. Holland, 20. Stander, 21. Williams, 22. JJ , 23. Hurley.
Finally a word on the Rodney parade experience. It is not smart or shiny but it feels like a proper club, not a franchise, with a decent, knowledgable crowd. I was delighted to see their team playing so well and over 7000 there to watch, including a large number of Munster supporters. All in it feels like it was a good win against tough opponents. Onwards to next Sunday.
True enough but the Dragons are playing very well this year. The fella I was sat next to confirmed I wasn't imagining how well organised they were. He thinks it is as good as he had seen from the team in many a year.
I don't think RP underestimated them. The massive pack wore them down and the excellent Barry O'Mahony came on to great affect. But even then we could not break down their well organised defence.
I thought our front row went well, I cannot comment on the penalty for collapsing against Archer for the opening NGD penalty as it was on the far side on the far side as it were. That was the only issue and generally the scrums were going up and players popping without penalty which I happen to be quite pleased to see. Their scrum was penalised twice for pushing early which normally indicates they are struggling but generally the scrum went well, the only other penalty against us was at the last scrum where BJB did one of his trademark collapses which didn't kid the ref IMHO.
Archer and Killer both carried well and generally our defence around the fringes was strong. BJB won and lost a penalty and Cronin put himself about, he was not helped by one horrible pass late in the game. Very close for who starts at LHP next weekend, probably Killer because of his experience but great to have options. Similarly BJB will probably get the nod but Archer is solid and offers plenty around the field.
I felt DOC was not as dynamic as he has been at times this season but he seems to vary his role when Paulie, who I would have said carried as much as anyone last night, is playing. POC grew into the game and put in some great carries, he seemed to be livid when penalised for some off the ball stuff late in the second half, again a long way from me so hard to judge. Nagle did not do a great deal and worryingly needed the assistance of the medical team during his brief cameo.
The outstanding performance in the BR was from Coughlan. He carried dynamically affected one terrific choke tackle which destroyed NGD momentum and provided his slight limp as he came off is nothing serious, I would have him start on Sunday alongside POM and Dougall. Maybe it is me but I am just not totally convinced by CJ. Admittedly I don't think he is a proper 7 which didn't help, especially against a side chucking it about and with a lot of pace out wide, but he drops too many balls (bit of a tendency to do the flash one handed carry?) and can go missing a bit defensively. I don't think Billy Holland at six in that back row quite worked, sometimes things seemed to be happening a bit quickly but he put in some good tackles and I felt he captained the side well as evidenced by the composure shown in winning the game.
Barry O'Mahony took his chance with both hands. It was his excellent work at the breakdown that led to the monster kick penalty. He is a proper 7 and I think we are a better team when a proper 7 starts.
Duncan Williams had a bit of a frustrating game, I counted three passes that went astray in the first half but for one of those I thought the NGD line was a way offside. His kicking was, however a considerable improvement, as it was throughout the team. He improved considerably in the second half, the quick tap penalty which led to their binning was cleverly done even if the yellow card was a bit harsh on the NGD player, IMHO. Sheridan's introduction did not see a marked improvement, IMHO, but I am increasingly of the opinion that it is very hard to come on as a 9 and change too much about a teams play.
Keatley took his time to get into the game, understandably considering his lack of recent gametime but a very good early touch finder from a NGD penalty seemed to calm the nerves and he grew into the game. I am not sure if it was him or the understanding with Downey and Stander but I was never entirely confident in the defending of the 10-12 channel. But all in he was fairly flat, kept the defence honest and would probably have been my MOTM. I think he will start on Sunday and hope he gains confidence from this display, especially his excellent kicking, only one kick that went astray the whole game I think. His penultimate penalty was a massive kick, physically and mentally, that I think will really stand to him in the long term.
Downey carried and defended as he always does. He will probably start next weekend but it must be very close with Ivan Dineen at this stage, I just don't think Downey has the hands or eye for a gap that Dineen does.
Keith Earls took his time to get going as well, inevitable given the lack of gametime but he gradually warmed to the task and, one shocking pass to James Cronin late on in the piece notwithstanding, distributed well. I have discussed the binning above, I hope the citing commissioner is not interested in a slightly tippy tackle as well. Given the lack of gametime and injuries elsewhere, he will be on the wing on Sunday but, after yesterday, I see no reason why he will not be pushing LLL hard for the 13 jersey provided, please God, he can stay fit!?!
Denis Hurley put in his usual reliable shift, a second full back really, he is a great man to have in the squad, dependable and strong. He will never have the pace to set the world alight but he never lets us down. He was unlucky with the early high tackle which seemed to precipitate the Earls binning, the NGD player slipped/ ducked into the challenge.
I have made my comments on GVDH above, hope his arm is ok this morning. I think he is a shrewd piece of business on what we saw yesterday.
Felix had another excellent game, looks to be really getting some confidence and, dare I say it putting on some weight which doesn't hurt. He kicked well on occasions which I was pleased to see.
Varley did well although there were a couple of silly penalties I think.
Taking yesterday into account I think the panel for Perpignan will be 1. Kilcoyne, 2. Varley, 3. BJB, 4. DOC, 5. POC, 6. POM, 7. Dougall, 8. Coughlan, 9. Murray, 10. Keatley, 11. Johne, 12. Downey, 13. LLL, 14. Earls, 15. Felix.
16. Sherry(touch wood), 17. Cronin, 18 Archer, 19. Holland, 20. Stander, 21. Williams, 22. JJ , 23. Hurley.
Finally a word on the Rodney parade experience. It is not smart or shiny but it feels like a proper club, not a franchise, with a decent, knowledgable crowd. I was delighted to see their team playing so well and over 7000 there to watch, including a large number of Munster supporters. All in it feels like it was a good win against tough opponents. Onwards to next Sunday.
