I reckon Rickie Flutey will be in the Lions, forget hes a NZ Maori who played against the Lions (and if picked he will be the first player to have played for and against the Lions) – from what Ive seen he’’s been an excellent attacking player, and with guns like his, I would expect him to be a great defender.

Hes the sort of player you need against the Springboks, a bit like Scott Gibbs back in 1997.

Priceless.

I cannot help thinking, however, that a Lions team dominated by the Irish and the Welsh is in for the mother of all hidings from the Springboks. Scotland is weak and England, despite its emphatic victory over France, seems a mediocre side. When the Lions have won, all four nations have produced world class players and the team as a whole is a world-class XV.

England and Scotland have been relied upon to produce the majority of the forwards in winning Lions sides but they will be sea-anchors on this side because there is barely a handful of world-class players between the two of them, especially in the forwards. Only Sheridan really rates as one in the two packs.

What do the soothsayers think?

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nothing more to add, I just wanted to see a thread with this word in it twice

And I’m still grinning!

Re: the last penalty, I think it was a penalty as I thought he came in from the side, but his body position may have been turned in the ruck, so I would probably have to see it again to decide properly.

Brilliant game, and so pleased for the team – they deserved it. There’s a civic reception for them outside the Mansion House in Dublin which I’m going to trot along to after the Junior Cup final.

The RTE commentator for the match nearly wet himself when Bowe scored and O’Gara knocked over the drop goal – worth listening to – full of raw emotion and passion – not an independent comment in sight. Classic!

Great game, great evening – my head is still sore after a long night. But well worth the headache.

You’re not getting off free here. I’ll be emailing you to get the whole kit and kaboodle as only you can tell us in your unique style.

I think the Welsh will still have plenty of Lions members, it’ll be a great series against RSA

Colin – I don’t blame Barnes for the forward pass, he was blocked by the passer and tackler. I do blame him for the lack of a call in the final 20 in the face of numerous offsides and ruck offences by the French. Anyway – don’t want this to become another bag Barnes thread – congrats Ireland.

Wallace had come in to the tackle area/ruck from behind the last foot and was blatantly standing on both feet while he stooped to contest the ball. Barnes had not called a ruck nor had he warned players to take their hands off. Yet he gave a kickable penalty on which the result would have hinged with time virtually up on the clock. Maybe he was within his rights to do it but if it had gone over, there would now be two countries in which he would not be able to show his face.

It was a real championship match, tight as a drum with neither side wanting to play high-risk rugby. But boy was it compelling! I don’t think it was all that “bad tempered”. Sure, there were a few handbags at the start but that was just the human equivalent of territorial pissing.

Ireland, once again, were able to lift their game at the start of the second half, the “championship quarter” to get the vital scores. I thought they deserved it.

And I’m as happy as f***!!!

Ireland showed alot of composure and class to set up and execute that drop goal at the death. Millenium Stadium, Wayne Barnes, a drop kick needed to seal the win…good to see someone can do it!

Congratulations Ireland.

Two tries to blot – a Welsh win would have revealed RU for the travesty of the over refereed rule-bound game it is.

Most times I have seen him in the GP and HEC, he has refereed very well. He refs it as he sees it.

It wasn’t great in terms of the quality of the rugby, but it was incredibly intense and an entralling encounter, going down to the last kick of the game. Wayne Barnes had an excellent game and it makes you query why we have to have, should I say incompetent SH refs. Nigel Owens also did well when he refereed.

With England coming second and showing decent form, it makes the Lions selections very interesting.

What nonsense. Today 80,000 fans and another few million enjoyed a game of contest, ambition, nerves, strength, willpower and agony. What else could you ask for?

Am thrilled for the Ireland team who represent two countries and are a first in the game for what they have achieved on such such small resources. Congrats.