Payne out with foot injury
My dream of an Olding/Henshaw pairing could become true
But I think Schimdt will be more conservative with D'arcy/Henshaw

croket wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote:
I know I'll probably get accused of bearing a grudge but I honestly don't think they can continue to develop much further without improving their coaching staff.

Assistant / backs coach : Michael Bradley (Ireland)
Fore sure, you know this guy, he coached Connacht from 2003 to 2010. He worked for the georgian team in 2010-2011 and signed 2 years for Edinburgh between 2011-2013 (he brings in his luggage the backrower Basilaia, who played nr8 today). He was back with the georgian team in June 2013.

This particular coach is the problem. With limited resources you need good coaches and Bradley certainly isn't going to improve the backline.

Borders no.2 wrote:
I know I'll probably get accused of bearing a grudge but I honestly don't think they can continue to develop much further without improving their coaching staff.

Thanks for this post

To date, the coaching staff is :
Head coach : Milton Haig (New Zealand)
He previously coached Counties Manukau in ITM Cup. He is very apprecied in Georgia because unlikely to the former coaches, he came to Georgia with his family and he learn the georgian language. Usually Georgia played on their strengths (forwards) but he try to change tactics from a forwards oriented game to a "total" game. IMO that's a mistake, because Georgia not have class backs. Nevertheless, thanks to him, some young georgians like Sharikadze hatched.

Assistant / backs coach : Michael Bradley (Ireland)
Fore sure, you know this guy, he coached Connacht from 2003 to 2010. He worked for the georgian team in 2010-2011 and signed 2 years for Edinburgh between 2011-2013 (he brings in his luggage the backrower Basilaia, who played nr8 today). He was back with the georgian team in June 2013.

Forwards coach : Dider Bès (France)
He was the forward coach of the Top14 side Montpellier between 2003 and 2012. He came in the georgian staff in November 2013

Fitness coach : Darren Morriss (England)
He came in the staff from there EOYT. He was the fitness coach of Georgia from April 2002 to December 2012, including 2003, 2007 and 2011 RWC

And yes, Georgia is surely better at home

Was at the game today, must say in the first half Georgia were resolute in defence and competed well at scrum-time. However, once the ball went out the backline the mistakes reflected the level a lot of the backs are playing at. A lot of good work by their forwards was undone by overcooked up and under kicks which were meat and drink to Felix Jones. In the 2nd half it was always going to be difficult for Georgia after the yellow cards, injuries and substitutes.

I know I'll probably get accused of bearing a grudge but I honestly don't think they can continue to develop much further without improving their coaching staff.

Like Ireland in the cricket, you'd love to see the likes of Georgia given more games against top level teams, even if it was more games against England A or Wales A etc. Would be great to see them get a couple of decent tests in Tbilisi also. They beat Samoa there last year so a lot of teams would be worried going there. For example would Italy be confident of leaving there with a win?

From a Connacht viewpoint, Marmion had little time to impress but didn't really advance his claims in that little cameo. Rodney got almost half an hour, mixed bag but to his credit made some good carries when Georgia were tiring but doubt he'll be a serious contender for a WC spot.

Hard to take much from it really but I said during the week that I didn't see why Darren Cave was playing and unfortunately he hasn't been able to deliver at international level even a step down from top level opposition. I think Olding should move ahead of him in the pecking order at this stage. Was also a tad disappointed with Dominic Ryan and Robbie Diack.

Jones, Madigan and Foley the pick of the bunch today for me. Kilcoyne did reasonably well and may be pushing McGrath a bit. I think Cronin is ahead of both of them though when he comes back.

Good to see a big crowd in for the game.

Hey Croket,

I was really impressed with Georgia. And your try was excellent.

Totally agree regarding Georgia playing a tier one country at least once a year. And would love to see more regular matches involing the Nations Cup teams.

From a georgian fan POV

During the first half Georgia was very impressive in defence, legal or not. I think Scotland or Italy would not have done better. The yellow card at the end of the first half was deserved though.

The begin of the second half was very hard to Georgia, 2 tries conceded with 1 man down. Then the coach made 5 changes and Georgia scored a nice try by Nemsadze who was very good today IMO. After the try, the coach made the last two sub and the ref gave a sin bin to Basilaia. One minute later (61') Zebo scored a try. Then Irish coaches made 6 changes while fly half Malaguradze had a sick injury (I hope he is OK). Unfortunately all changes were made in the georgian side so the team have to play with 13 men and 14 men when Basilaia will be back from his yellow card. In the same time, players begin to be tired, especially amateur players from Georgian league or France federale1 (3d division). Ireland added 3 deserved try and finished with a 49-7 win. I also liked the georgian #16, powerfull, this guy plays in Federale1 too.

IMO Georgia deserves to play at least one test against a tier1 nation every year. This would allow them to make progress, thanks Ireland to have play Georgia today and congratulations for this win

I was impressed by Jones and Gilroy. Thought zebo made poor decisions.

Very disappoinyed by Cave.

Olding looked exciting when he came on.

Regards scrum half. I cannot see marmion knocking off reddan as 2nd choice just yet

Cronin Foley and Olding are the 3 who will push very hard to get the nod in 2015
D'arcy is behind Payne Olding and Henshaw now, not the 1st time we notice it

Redden was here as experienced Captain today
Marmion conceeding a blockdown wasn't the only reason I said this, I just felt he generally wasn't at ease and calm in the rucks. I really like him, no issue with this, I just see him as n°2 after the RWC, for the Irish general interest... Don't get angry, it's a sacrilege to say that here, I know :lol:
For Rodney, he was shaked at scrumtime, not dominated but not dominant
Conceded a silly silly pen for a high tackle
Not efficient enough at the breakdown
But so impressive with ball in hands

connachta wrote: 49-7 for Ire

Still think Reddan is ahead of Marmion for the moment (Marm was great for passes and in openplay, but needs to work his composure behind the rucks)
Rodney played 24 minutes, not perfect, but still deserve the bench against Australia in my humble opinion

That's impossible to know. Marmion can't be judged on the last 17 minutes of a test match already won by the time he came on. The blocked box kick was a minor error, other than that ge was faultless. Against Reddan he was at fault defensively for the Georgian try, poor/no attempt at a tackle...

He should have started the match, because there was absolutely nothing to learn from starting with Reddan and if anything Reddan is never going to be starting Irish No.9 again in the big tests...

Rodney did well today, solid scrum and looked really hungry to get on the ball and made a "Dave" sized impression in the Georgian defensive line....

49-7 for Ire

Still think Reddan is ahead of Marmion for the moment (Marm was great for passes and in openplay, but needs to work his composure behind the rucks)
Rodney played 24 minutes, not perfect, but still deserve the bench against Australia in my humble opinion

Georgia
1- Mikheil Nariashvili (19 caps - Montpellier, France)
2- Shalva Mamukashvili (23 caps - Sale Sharks, England)
3- Davit Kubriashvili (35 caps - Stade Français, France)
4- Kote Mikautadze (24 caps - RC Toulon, France)
5- Giorgi Nemsadze (39 caps - Tarbes Pyrénées, France)
6- Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (14 caps - Batumi RC)
7- Vito Kolelishvili (27 caps - ASM Clermont-Auvergne, France)
8- Dimitri Basilaia (33 caps - Perpignan, France)
9- Giorgi Begadze (25 caps - Kochebi Bolnisi)
10- Lasha Khmaladze (30 caps - Lelo Saracens)
11- Sandro Todua (40 caps - Lelo Saracens)
12- Merab Sharikadze (26 caps - Aurillac, France)
13- Davit Kacharava (74 caps - Enisey-STM, Russia - captain)
14- Tamaz Mchedlidze (19 caps - SU Agen, France)
15- Merab Kvirikashvili (78 caps - Montluçon Rugby, France)

16- Simon Maisuradze (25 caps - Avenir Valencien, France)
17- Zurab Zhvania (11 caps - Stade Français, France)
18- Levan Chilachava (16 caps - RC Toulon, France)
19- Levan Datunashvili (62 caps - Aurillac, France)
20- Giorgi Chkhaidze (75 caps - Lille, France)
21- Vazha Khutsishvili (12 caps - Kharebi Rustavi)
22- Lasha Malaguradze (50 caps - Stade Bagnérais, France)
23- Muraz Giorgadze (2 caps - Armazi Tbilisi)

Fair enough I think really. Bit disappointed to see Cave starting, nothing against him but looking towards potential options for the World Cup he isn't quite international standard imo.

Kilcoyne, Foley, Ryan and O'Donnell deserve a shot. I'd have gone with Marmion but can see why he's started with Reddan. Would hope the two lads would get at least 25-30 minutes to put themselves forward. Hopefully they'll get a decent look at Olding also.

Ireland team to play Georgia: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan (captain), 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Dominic Ryan, 7 Tommy O’Donnell, 8 Robbie Diack.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Stuart Olding.

Had hoped that Marmion would start. Supposed Joe needed some experience in there, with 13 changes.
Rodney, I'm sorry, but is only there due to injuries. He's not yet International standard

Kieran and Rodney on the bench for the game against Georgia. Give them both a chance to shine, especially Kieran.

Give him whatever amount he wants to stay!

However, I reckon he will do what he thinks is best for his family. So every single person in Ireland has to step up and make his whole family want to stay here!