Are Ireland worthy Number 1?

[rumncoke]

In my opinion No - Why

Firstly there is virtually no cover at out half -- behind Sexton are a bunch of PRO Club players with either limited vision, or skills or serious lack of experience.

Secondly while the match day 23 are strong squad the back up is still either lacking in experience or not of similar standard.

Thirdly there is the weakness in basic approach by that I mean the first priority of an Irish team is defence thus when playing second and third tier opposition there is the inability to win convincingly The English French ABs or Boks would win by 50 points Ireland by 10 to 20.

Ireland are a side the top 4 ( identified above ) dislike playing because they are aware that a win is not guaranteed and that the Irish have high possibility of winning .

Come the World Cup home advantage makes the French favourites and while New Zealand appear to be struggling at the moment their strength in depth and approach to the game makes them a team who will be there or there abouts likewise the Boks .

[BR]

They're worthy of the number 1 ranking, because they have played the games and got the results.
But being number 1 is pretty meaningless.

As you say - France would be favourites for RWC and that is exactly what the rankings say - France, at home, should beat any team.

[solidarity]

As you say, Rumn, it's the strength in depth issue that means that we are a very fragile number one. A second XV world ranking table of some sort would tell a different story.

[BR]

What makes them a fragile number 1 is the fact that an in-form France are .61 points behind them and that they could be 4th next week. And by the end of the month England could be half a point behind them.

[solidarity]

What makes them a fragile number 1 is the fact that an in-form France are .61 points behind them and that they could be 4th next week. And by the end of the month England could be half a point behind them.

Multiple fragility.

World cup win will always be a pipe dream.

[UlsterNo9]

Yes

[jean valjean]

What makes them a fragile number 1 is the fact that an in-form France are .61 points behind them and that they could be 4th next week. And by the end of the month England could be half a point behind them.

Fragile is the word. While SA went full bore and toe to toe with France a week after playing ireland, many of our players were in the sick bay or trying to recover from the previous week. It's the reason why a world Cup run beyond the quarter finals is fanciful.

[Dave]

Yes.

Triple crown and world cup semi will happen.

Come back to this.

[Dave]

Ireland have the best player now too, apparently.

[BR]

I bet South Africa are kicking themselves they let such talent go!

[Dave]

There seems to be many in SA who believe this to be true.

[Dublin4]

er, I think JVDF is of Dutch descent, his grandfather, and he has no connection with SA.

[Off the Top]

er, I think JVDF is of Dutch descent, his grandfather, and he has no connection with SA.

Try telling a South African that!!

[Dave]

Twitter today is basically people making the same joke as BR, someone correcting them as D4 did and then someone correcting the corrector.

Elon Musk might actually buy the uafc now, sack Fermain and make baggy moderator. I think this could happen.

[nonplussed]

The rankings mean fook all. Trophies are what count