Rugby 365

Agree. Pending how we go at WC this year. We do well RE hangs on for another 2/4 years. Think Ackers is tied up until end 2020 so it wouldn't hurt him doing a 2 or 3 year stint at bulls.

Undoubtedly DW has loads of talent, but we only saw it at schoolboy level like so many others. Tim Swiel, Dillyn Leyds come to mind. He still thinks he can twinkle toe around defenders, like he did against school kids. Still I would not choose JL Dup for SR. I think he needs time at SS level to gain confidence. Many good flyhalves started at different positions. My opinion I would start DW on the bench, SP at fullback and Stander at flyhalf.

In any case talent alone gets you half way. Hard work gets you all the way.

Tadhg beirne is one hell of a player. For over 2 years now he's been one of the outstanding forwards in Europe, Schmidt really needs to give him a crack in the Irish team, himself and Ryan could be a world class pairing

That is true. But he played most games at wing. 9 games at wing, 5 at inside center (5 too many), 2 from the bench.

I just think that he moved from a professional setup where he was properly looked after to a place where you are basically just a number. Remember there were reports out of NZ at times about Savea's lack of fitness. He is one that needs a bit more pampering than other guys, but when he is on song he can be devastating and he is only 28 years old.