Justin Marshall on 6 Nations - dominant Ireland, nervy Scotland and the future of Wales

[@ctorus]

I'm sure its the same in NZ; when people come to our country, settle here and even gain citizenship, like Bundee and Gibson Park have, we are delighted to welcome them as Irish. And so many Irish people have gone out across the world and contributed to many countries too, so it's great to have these global connections.

[@danielgriffin9431]

Well said ✌️.. it’s not really about where u were born, it’s really about where u call home .. and these 3 Kiwis made their home in Ireland, just as so many Pacific Islanders gladly made their home in NZ and contributing hugely to the All Blacks .. and isn’t that just great, in this global village we all live in 🌎🌏🌐

[@rockandmeatroll]

They were all professional rugby players when they arrived. Not random world citizens. They are doing a fantastic job in the Irish rugby team. After the closing of the 3 year qualifying rule, it looks like the import of professional rugby players for international teams will slow considerably.

[@LeMerch]

@@rockandmeatroll they were part of a project player group… they came at a very young age and were developed by their clubs

[@ronanfurlong2708]

@@rockandmeatroll They were all pros when they arrived for sure .... but the Irish system has made them immeasurably better than they were before they arrived ..... otherwise they would have been capped in NZ, wouldn't they?

[@ctorus]

@ yes absolutely. The Irish team represents rugby as it is played in Ireland and that includes people coming to develop their careers and live here. Many Irish people have gone to NZ and have contributed to society there, including sport. These are connections that bring us together.

[@conordia6906]

Boys, Irish players will always celebrate big when defeating England 😁 It's always a massively important fixture regardless of the competition

[@sheoque11]

Ireland beat sa in south africa without Gibson park and bundee. They are big players for us but we obviously can live without them!

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

Id rather not though !

[@ZiphoWophula-mb5wi]

It showed that they weren't there though

[@AnBreadanFeasa]

Irishman here... the issues in Wales are structural rather than player related. The WRU make the IRFU look like the Knights of the Round Table, and there is little real belief in their regional sides from fans, with maybe Cardiff being the exception. The average attendance at home games in Wales in the URC is less than Connacht, Ireland fourth province... and I suspect few Kiwis, Saffas (or even English) knew where Connacht was 10 or 15 years ago. Rugby needs Wales but until their blazers look in the mirror and take responsibility it's unfair on the players, and in comparison to the situation in Ireland it's hard to see where things will improve in the coming years. Ireland is not guaranteed to stay in the top tier of rugby nations, but the structures and the support for all the provinces keeps me optimistic for the next while. PS.. it's fair for Kiwi commentators to refer to the Irish Kiwi players; if the situation were reversed we'd do the same. However, YT commenters are a bit blinkered as Bundee is unlikely to be at the next RWC, Jimmy Lowe is reaching his last few seasons, and JGP probably has no more than two or three seasons to go. World Rugby's residency rules means this source of players is effectively finished for all countries so it's probably time to move on to the next whinge.

[@danieSt]

From a Welshman your pretty spot on. It’s so poorly run in wales. There is no alignment with schools , clubs and the pathway is poor. There is a lot of talent that never gets a look in because of the poor management. I look at Ireland and think they are so bloody organised and make fans interested in the game. It’s not only their elite pathways and structure but also the fact that they generate interest in upcoming matches through media channels such as off the ball where they have brilliant guests and analysis and this is only one to name a few. Considering it is not irelands main sport , they are leading the way and are so well organised. Absolute shambles in wales , an utter disgrace.

[@patrickwilkinson6114]

​@danieSt It must be so upsetting for Welsh fans but I also wonder whether the Welsh team's woes reflect the nations wider woes. The country continues to get screwed over by Westminster, no investment, no money, no jobs. if there's no money in the country for essentials, rugby will also follow. Perhaps you need ryan Reynolds to rescue Welsh rugby!

[@WillieM149]

There's too little discussion of the structure of Irish rugby that has enabled such a small rugby nation to produce a world class team. As an Irish rugby supporter for 60 years I well remember Wales' glory years & I was saddened to see their humiliation by France last Friday. Wales deserves better. The blazers (as you call them) need to take their blazers off, roll up their sleeves & rebuild Welsh rugby using the example of Ireland

[@AnBreadanFeasa]

@@patrickwilkinson6114 I shouldn't break the rule that says don't discuss religion or politics with strangers, but you mentioned "that which hath no name"... the great British establishment. The expiry of the coalmines was a historical inevitability, but the destruction of heavy industry across the UK was deliberate policy and has led to nothing good except the dominance of a class of chinless wonders who don't exist anywhere else... or if they do, they're certainly not in charge. I've had great times in Wales (I'm a Corkman) and in my time the two hardest bunches of people I ever played against were Welsh and Limerickmen. Where there's rugby there's hope though, and maybe it's possible that Ryan Reynolds might be looking for new pastures once Blake Lively wipes the floor with the latest Hollywood sleazebag. How about a team called the Pembroke Strongbows?

[@StrayCatInTheStreets]

It's a disgrace how far Wales have fallen and I say this as an Irish man. It's makes the URC, ECRC, Challenge Cup and 6 Nations a lot weaker. Remember Wales have 4 domestic teams - same as Scotland and Italy combined. Perhaps Wales need to combine the 4 teams ino 2 or 3 to ensure they can manage their costs

[@Natedawg38]

Great start to the competition and love to see kiwis enjoying it

[@GJenky62-q4k]

Great unbiased analysis.

[@dazza4345]

Respect to Justin Marshall with a correct view of the game.Some channels on youtube like Alfred Reynolds and Eggchasers Rugby are reporting that England were the better side and should have won? 🇮🇪

[@CraigMinnie]

@dazza4345 Absolute nonsense Ireland were the better team, they were 27 to10 ahead with 6or 7 minutes to play .That's a hiding in rugby terms.Some of the podcasts are patriotic but Tim from @EggchasersRugby is normally not bias at all. Why do you need validation from other people anyone with any rugby knowledge could see that Ireland were not at their best but when they put all the pieces together they were dynamic for 20 minutes and put the game to bed.Best of luck for the rest of the six nations, you and France should fight it out but Scotland can be the dark horse in the race.I don't think England can do you any favour's by beating the French.

[@ronanfurlong2708]

@@dazza4345 nah .... Tim and Alfie both agreed that Ireland were by far the better side. Along with two cents, they are 2 of the least biased and most rational analysts out there. They're miles better than some of the one-eyed Irish pods like TRK etc.

[@marco-dn7kd]

Watching Eggchasers on a regular bases I have not heard Tim saying that, on the contrary.

[@ronanfurlong2708]

@ he said it on his immediate post match review

[@Horsemam3190]

Great discussion. The discussoon about the cross-kicking tactic was interesting. From a risk perspective, it is done mostly when an attacking team has a penalty advantage. Dupont was an example of that.

[@petermervyn9263]

Going forward Prendergast has the highest ceiling with Jack on his tail keeping him honest. Both Sam and Jack are streets ahead of Frawley and will be our starting and back up 10 going forward.

[@joemoody7440]

Whos Irish jersey does Marshy have on his wall?? Love it!

[@padawan9127]

Good analysis

[@johndevoy5792]

'" How good is this Ireland team?' ....why continue to 'question' Ireland? It's as if you are 'surprised' that Ireland are as good as they are. Mon Dieu! Their 4 province set up, their strong youth academy's, the IRFU-Provincial working glove-in hand for years, its the envy of other rugby nations...including England. Come on guys, accept thawed are in the top 3 or 4 and lets talk about the actual way they play or their payers etc

[@grandadslads1911]

England are greatly improved from the Jones period and are starting to look a lot more serious. Ireland look like they’re only warming up. Justin is correct that they need to settle on their 10 - they have several serious options there, but can any be as good as Sexton? When you look at the structure and governance of Irish rugby and the conveyor belt of young talent constantly emerging from Leinster & Munster, you have to say that Ireland are in some shape for the foreseeable future.

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

Some English will tell you the most important Kiwi on the field was the ref, and yeah Lowe probably should have gotten a yellow but if O Keefe was reffing to the laws of the game to the letter there would have been more yellows for England too. I say well done to the ref for letting a niggly game flow and not going to the TMO every 90 seconds.

[@aidanmasterson50]

Ireland were under pressure after poor Autumn nations. Didn’t turn up for the All Blacks and unconvincing wins against Argentina and Australia. That match clicked better for them.

[@snap-n-shoot]

The preparation for the All Blacks game was baffling. Ireland went into the All Blacks game cold with no game under their belt while The All blacks played the week before and fixed their errors and issues. Ireland were actually very poor against the All Blacks and made a lot of unforced errors which you cannot fix against the All blacks. Would have preferred if they had played the week before against Japan or leave the All Blacks game to last. It might have been different.

[@Driver2616]

The fact that the Ireland players relaxed in the latter part of that game, thereby allowing England in for two tries, won’t happen again. Those guys will have had a rocket up their backsides for allowing that to happen.

[@Mattt4314]

The Irish were subdued and worried in the first half … I wouldn’t be so cocky. They aren’t what they were and are on the wane. Relying on old players and bench. France will destroy them

[@Driver2616]

@@Mattt4314 : You’re possibly partially right. But I don’t think they’ll be destroyed by France, even though France are quite capable of winning that game. In the end though with home advantage I think Ireland will just about take the game against France.

[@Steve-gr6jm]

Once the match is won we tend to get lazy. That's one of the main differences between us and the All Blacks. If they smell blood in the water they don't let up.

[@marco-dn7kd]

​@@Mattt4314 destroy maybe not but it will be an attractive challenge France whose first needs to win the Crunch and considering England 1st half vs Ireland and playing at home, it is not done yet. Also France bench is not Ireland's except Baille, Marchand and Le Garrec

[@marco-dn7kd]

​@@Driver2616 France have a very limited wins the odd years... Since Italy admission in 2000, it happened only once in 2007... vs 5 times the even years.

[@28copland]

No mention of Dan Sheehan??

[@john6714]

That man was just ridiculous wasn't he. Like playing with an extra centre

[@expressoevangelism80]

Mentioning the New Zealanders involved, don’t forget the ref, he certainly had a vital aspect to the game overall.

[@Comerford1986]

Agree, England were so lucky O'Keefe kept his cards in his pocket despite England's endless penalties. He could've sent two or three English to the bin but kept it as a contest. Fair play...

[@expressoevangelism80]

I lived through growing up as an English youth in the late 60’s early 70’s. Please excuse me, I won’t be sending a tear over Wales. Things always go round and round.

[@geoffnelson6756]

I usually get annoyed by the mention of the 3 kiwis, every international team barring SA perhaps, has a number of non nationals, they are important to us but in this game they all played fantastic. I think Dan Sheehan was the most impactful player on Saturday, Ireland really missed him in november when we had the kiwis playing.

[@randalmacdonald2618]

And the funny part about it is that the three kiwis mentioned were surplus to requirements at home, I.e. not considered good enough, before they left for professional provincial contracts in Ireland. They all benefited massively within the Irish system and their games went to another level. It’s unlikely that this would have happened to any of them had they stayed at home

[@Frankabagnale33]

For the 🤡 trying to make out that it’s all Gibson park, Bundee and Lowe. There’s no doubt they’re epic - park and Aki are Irish citizens. They played the bulk of their rugby in Ireland at club level and what do you say about the Barretts who are of Irish descent. It’s a daft argument, this is a team sport. Lowe is a wing, his job is to touch down the ball. Aki is a centre. Team’s rebuilding but still competitive.

[@ArchieFatcackie]

It strange that people from the southern hemisphere seem to rate England higher than the people from within these shores.

[@dermotporter5280]

Bundee is Irish citizen now.

[@Ourkid2014]

Have love Justin Marshall very honest look give Ireland credit they got it right 2nd half wore down England. England were brilliant first half

[@InvestStrategyWire]

Always thought Dawson was a 9 not a, 10. 🤔

[@bluechip297]

Gibson Park and Lowe have an Irish grandparent, therefore they are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship, regardless of their profession.

[@snap-n-shoot]

Not happy about the leaking of tries near the end in the Ireland game. The score humbled England and the points difference could be important at the end. Thats a concern. A few old tired bodies out there.

[@antonphelan964]

England have more registered rugby players than Ireland have people

[@LeMerch]

England have 7.2+ million rugby players…. Yeah right 😂

[@IANCAMPBELL-c5e]

Justin Marshall completely wrong about Scotland's attitude to Italy. We of all people have learned to respect Italy.

[@CoolCoyote]

I found a lot of soft tries given away especially from wales and italy. italy are the luckiest side in the world. I bet if fiji were part of the 6 nations they would have upset teams a lot more. Englands team I found that their 9 and 10 are mile ahead of the rest of their side. they are actually very good for them but the rest of the side are not 'with it' meanwhile france and to a lesser extent Ireland who are going through a rebuilding phase are 'with it' everyone seems to be on the same page. BUT I FEEL soft tries all round from every side. I watched our excellent tries in 2024 video and yes I can see hope there for us, but I'll be looking for our defence to be extremely stingy in 2025 because all of the top 8 sides in the world are try scoring teams. This gift from england which to me is an upset that Ireland beat england is now a 5 nations tournament to lose, but yes france also the same thing.

[@knoll9812]

Iteland don't look as strong as 9 months ago. More nervous watching them since autumn. Concerned that ireland camped yards from England line and came away with nothing.

[@mercedessl8718]

I agree Ireland were the better team and deserved to win but when the game is played at this intensity it is vital the match officials are all on the ball. Please tell me why James dolman told o’keef itoje pushed the jumper at line out? If there was any contact, i f any, it was not enough to award a penalty. If o’keef warns the captains the next player to push/shove after whistle blown will be carded then why didn’t he yellow Lowe when he did exactly that moments later? I remember the french feeling hard done by in their quarter final against the boks when o’keef missed a number of bok offences. I know DuPont doesn’t rate him.

[@DFox-l9m]

Ireland won the kicking game… they got man shamed by that English pack for most of the game 🎣

[@tvpc3194]

bundee is a beast

[@iamnutty8471]

dominant ireland? not really until about 55 min mark even then its 1 try win, France vs wales was dominant, ireland just won they didnt even dominate last 20 as england scored twice! read a dictionary!

[@patrickbrennan911]

As an Irishman, I made the comment even during the game, what would this team look like without the 3 kiwis?

[@readesiun988]

Like the team that beat South Africa in South Africa

[@WillieM149]

They'd be fine. JGP & Aki didn't play when Ireland beat the Boks in SA last July.

[@LeMerch]

lol silly comment 😂

[@frankmcloughlin7076]

Was thinking the same, to be honest...

[@patrickbrennan911]

@@readesiun988 yes I’m well aware of that

[@MarkDevitt-k3p]

Ya Kiwis have the choice of Tonga Samoa Figi etc etc so don’t say anything to us about Bundee etc

[@Joseph-wo3tr]

Iv gotta dis agree... Ireland got a free penalty then got the rub of the green... Ireland are definitely beatable

[@ctorus]

Everyone is beatable!

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

@@Joseph-wo3tr Who said they were unbeatable?

[@LeMerch]

Another guy who has to put Ireland down after every match

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

england are awful. It is so great.

[@JohnJohannesJacobs]

Ireland is at least -15 in every game without their three NZ players!

[@peadarr]

Sure mate, that's why they beat South Africa without Aki or Gibson Park in the match day 23.

[@nepiahemopo1702]

Sad😢. And NZ is? Without Pacific Islands?

[@DavidSmith-yi8ou]

@@nepiahemopo1702 you mean the Pacific Islands without NZers.

[@nepiahemopo1702]

@DavidSmith-yi8ou it works both ways, doesn't it? The Irish supposedly benefits with Kiwis, as we do with Pacific Islanders?

[@Kenny-zn6dl]

Ireland gave new Zealand the three Barrett brothers so i guess that evens it up 😂😂