The Offload: Ireland Under-20s make a promising start

Ireland Under-20s make a promising start

Ireland head coach Richie Murphy exuded a quiet satisfaction following his team’s emphatic eight-try, 53-5 annihilation of a hapless Wales in the Under-20 international but he certainly wasn’t getting carried away with the success ahead of a trip to Aix-en-Provence to take on France next Friday night.

“We have been working hard over the last couple of weeks and we felt that we were definitely moving in the right direction. The boys really took to it, settled into the game very quickly and executed it really well.

“We have been very focused on getting better day on day but being really good at the basics. That probably shone through. Over the last week we got quite excited about how they were coming on. I think there is still a long way to go.

“We tried to build a decent maul. A lot of our set plays had multiple options off (it). It’s about decision making, being able to pick the right one at the right time. The other thing that I thought was excellent was our phase play, how we built into the game and how effective we were in and around the breakdown.”

The Offload: Ireland Under-20s short on international experience

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The Offload: Young Will Hickey making progress

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Murphy confirmed that fullback Patrick Campbell limped off with a dead leg but should be available while right wing Chay Mullins, who scored a brace of tries will follow the return to play protocols, after failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

And what of James Culhane, the Ireland number eight and man of the match, outstanding in all he did? Murphy said: “That’s what he has produced for us in the games leading up as well; his carry, his work-rate, his accuracy around the breakdown and his cleanouts have been excellent.

“He has a high work-rate, big numbers and obviously has a little bit of pace when he is carrying the ball as well. He’s a quiet guy who gets on with his business but is very effective.”

Number of the week

54 - The number of minutes that elapsed before Ireland conceded a first penalty - it was for collapsing a maul - in their 29-7 victory over Wales, a staggering achievement in a full blooded Test match.

Quote of the week

"I gave my parents a call, my parents and my brother. Some of my mates, there's a club back home that shows all the matches, and I think they're out there. It was good to talk to Mum and Dad and my brother Jake to enjoy this experience with them." Ireland debutant and man of the match, Mack Hansen.

Brian Moore signs off

Scotland’s victory over England in the Calcutta Cup marked the final match for former England hooker Brian Moore in his capacity as a co-commentator for the BBC. A fiery competitor in his day, he was noted for his unflinching honesty behind the microphone, calling it as he saw it without fear or favour.

The BBC share the terrestrial coverage in Britain with ITV but only have the rights for Scotland and Wales home matches. Moore after two decades calling Six Nations matches, signed off with a simple “thank you.”

He wrote in his newspaper column: “I am sad about it, but that’s the way it goes. It’s a consequence of the way the rights have fallen. With the recent broadcast deal announcement, and the BBC getting fewer games, and none of England’s home ones - plus any number of commentators and presenters to accommodate - it’s not easy.

“I can understand it. The BBC has a regional remit. So when they’ve got Scotland and Wales home games people want to hear from a local co-commentator.” It’s not the end of his broadcasting career though as he will be behind the microphone for the BBC during the upcoming Women’s Six Nations Championship.

A few Moore-isms:

“And he’s kicked it away again, for God’s sake.” He chastises England outhalf Toby Flood in a Six Nations game against Italy.

“It doesn’t matter to me that he can speak French fluently, it just means he gets it wrong in two languages.” Taking umbrage with Irish referee Alain Rolland during a game between France and England.

“That’s petulant and stupid.” In response to Danny Care’s shoulder charge into the back of Marcus Horan at a ruck during an Ireland victory over England that earned the scrumhalf a yellow card.

Mohamed Haouas finally reaches trial

The 27-year-old France tighthead prop Mohamed Haouas received an 18 month suspended prison sentence and €15,000 fine for his role in the Tabac burglaries in Montpellier eight years ago.

The trial took place last week which meant the Haouas, an important member of Fabien Galthie’s French squad missed the game against Italy but will be hoping to play against Ireland in Paris next Saturday.

Judgement has finally been reached after the trial was originally slated for January 2021 but postponed on several occasions.

Haouas won praise from the prosecutor due to the manner in which he has turned his life round - of his his co accused, one received 18 months prison without being suspended and a third has been sent to be judged by juvenile court as he was under age at the time of the burglaries.

The series of burglaries in 2014 saw cartons of cigarettes, tax stamps and lottery scratch cards stolen. Haouas on being first arrested - they found his DNA on a lamp - was held for four days.