A bigger test for Irish rugby

Two years ago Jumpthefence sat in an Irish bar in Florence (the Fiddlers Elbow if you must know) with a large mish-mash of holidaying Irish and English rugby supporters for the famous Ireland-England Croker game. A group of Irish asked for hush for the national anthems, more out of curiosity than patriotism. The match itself seemed an after-thought. There was a gimmicky feeling about the whole experience, as we patted ourselves on the back for being so mature, all the while painfully explaining to the English just why it was our maturity was impressive.

Looking back now, two feelings remain. We made a bit of an embarrassing show about something that wasn't that big a deal really, or at least not for the reasons we touted. Mainly, that England were crap - who remembers Morgan,Strettle, Freshwater, Chuter, Deacon, Lund? Andy Farrell played for God's sake, and guys like Lewsey, Wilkinson, Grewcock, were shadows of the World Cup winners. Now we're not taking away from an undeniably passionate and emotional experience for many, and what was a blockbusting Irish performance. But some perspective is needed. We won nothing that season. The display against France a few weeks ago was far superior, because it came under real pressure, and it came against a worthy opponent.

This weekend's game is probably more important than two seasons ago, taken dispassionately. Ireland are taking steps towards a championship win, a Grand Slam possibility, and that's where we'll find out a lot about this group. We won't go into the ins and outs of the teams or what type of game it'll be, only to say that Ireland are the better side, no doubt about that. Even Stephen Jones made an admission of error about Ronan O'Gara this week as the fly-half plays his 90th test game. Ireland are more powerful, more creative and should be more confident.

But there was signs of a resurgence in England in Wales a fortnight ago. Toby Flood offers more than Andy Goode at ten. Martin Johnson really won't fancy coming to Ireland and rolling over, it just wouldn't be the style of a team of his, so they'll be fired up and dangerous. England to put it up to Ireland I'd reckon, but Ireland's class and ability to get scores to pull them through in the end. It's unlikely to be a thirty-point game though.

English clubs well in control

If there's been any lesson in this week's Champions League ties, and Jumpthefence knows it's sometimes rash to rush judgement on the evidence of one round of games (a few silly mistakes in a fortnight and we'll be watching a what's-wrong-with-English-football discussion), it's that the Premier League really is head and shoulders above everything else right now. And perhaps more relevant, the story is one of the mediocrity of some of the great clubs around Europe, something we'll get back to another time.

For now, Liverpool and Chelsea won't mind and added themselves to United and Arsenal from the previous night to the list of jobs well done. All four English sides found themselves somewhere between dominant and comfortable this week against some of the top sides in European football, which can't be a bad week's work. Last night, Liverpool did what Liverpool do (just like predicted here yesterday). They strangled the life out of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, frustrated them with workrate, solidity and men behind the ball, and pressed them into mistake after mistake. They got the bonus of nicking a goal from Yossi Benayoun as well, and even though Liverpool never needed to play particularly well or strung too much possession together, Real were horribly lacking in any sort of fluency, creativity or ideas. They were shockingly average in truth, throughout the field, and Arjen Robben was the only one who fleetingly looked like producing some magic.

Liverpool, as the lads on RTE said afterwards, gave a typical Pool performance, and will play just the same as that against Middlesbrough and Sunderland next week in the league. The problem for them is that when they need some ambition and are given the ball by worse sides, they simply don't know what to do with all the possession. Dunphy (and didn't he look proud as punch at apparently calling it right on Real, when any decent football head knows how average the Spanish side are these days) made a decent point about Benitez being a system manager rather than having belief in the players, but then ruined it by comparing him to Trapattoni. The difference here is that Trap is limited with the players at his disposal and so has found a system to get the best results with an average group. Benitez has gone out and bought all these players he's working with. Anyway, Pool should go through now, though they could get nervy at Anfield if Real keep it tight and put men behind the ball.

Chelsea didn't have it easy against Juve, but there are signs that the players are playing for Hiddink (though the same happened early season with Scolari). Drogba looks interested again and is always a handful if so. Lampard is a pro anyway. Juve had their dangers in possession though and nearly grabbed a couple of goals though Del Piero and Nedved - Trezeguet snatched at a late chance as well. This isn't over, Juve are decent at home if they let off the shackles, but you'd wonder if they've got the belief to really go at Chelsea.

United and Arsenal impressive but not clinical; Pool and Chelsea's turn

So, last night's ball first and though there weren't many goals, there was plenty to mull over. As predicted, Inter-United was goalless, though United were utterly dominant for large spells and really ought to have grabbed a goal or two at least to kill the tie. Arsenal were more like the Arsenal we expect, Roma were more like the Roma who tend to come to England and lack any sort of moral courage. Lyon had a real go at Barca and threatend to run them over at times, but Barca clung on and nicked an away goal. All these games have a meaningful second leg, something to savour.

At a rocking San Siro, the imperious United showed up. They kept the ball expertly, probed down both sides of the field and really tore Inter to shreds, especially first half, with their movement and technical abilities. Sometimes you step outside your usual zones to get the full picture and assessing the media of the european side does that. The Italian papers were full of praise for United's dominance and Carrick - who looks to be growing into a real midfielder of note - especially. He was at the hub of everything and used the ball brilliantly. Fletcher took responsibility for the hounding and ballwinning. Ronaldo was a serious threat everytime he got on the ball - two headers, a couple of freekicks, two lovely crosses that created chances - and was unlucky not to have a goal by the end.

RTE'S analysis was again disappointing. They spent most the night talking about the decision not to play Rooney, Tevez or Scholes when some plain research, knowledge and reasoning would have told them some facts. Tevez was never going to start. Scholes was very unlikely to start, with Ferguson not quite trusting his legs away from home in the big games - remember he's been badly exposed at Chelsea, Liverpool and other games this season. Rooney's only just back from a long lay-off so is rusty. We noted here yesterday that the midfield would be Carrick/Fletcher/Giggs/Park and though we half-expected Berbatov to be sacrificed, that it was Rooney was understandable. RTE also neglected to mention that this three-man midfield system was responsible for United's dominance, that they always had an extra man in there to pop the ball to and keep possession while Inter chased shadows. United's only fault was not getting a lead, though we expect this composed performance to be rewarded at Old Trafford.

At the Emirates, from the highlights, it seems Arsenal were totally in charge themselves. Roma again came away from home and went into their shells, Totti was anonymous. Arsenal looked slick and sharp but might rue the missed chances - especially that man Eboue, who decided to take 10 seconds to try and walk the ball into the net instead of taking it first time like any normal footballer would have. Bendtner also, rather unbelievably, looks a man short of confidence in front of goal.

Barcelona got a fair whipping in a humdinger of a first half in Lyon, a wicked Juninho free-kick catching Valdes out early on and Benzema caused fierce problems with his power and running. Lyon missed at least two great chances to get a second, but quality like Barca were always going to push on. In the end, Henry nodded in a corner for an equaliser and it seems that they settled for a draw from there on. Idealism would suggest that maybe Barca/ Man Utd could have gone for the jugular and away wins; realism would suggest that away draws at decent, if not wonderful, top European sides are not to be sniffed at.

Tonight's action
Real-Liverpool
If Jose v Fergie was last night's selling point, then Rafa going to Madrid is tonight's off-the-field story (see Sid Lowe's portrait of a Madridista at heart). Real are in decent form in La Liga, thumping Betis 6-1 at the weekend and have been rejuvenated by Juande Ramos. They're reliant on an unreliable in Arjen Robben though, and for all the qualities of Gago and Higuain, they're ordinary enough in lots of positions, lack real pace, have a lot of guys low on confidence and Raul is an imitation of the Raul of six or seven years ago. I'd expect Pool to dig in, make it pretty stop-start, press Real in possession and try to force mistakes. This is really hard to call, cos Pool are in horrid form but it's the sort of game that might suit them. Maybe a 0-0 or 1-0 here either way.

Chelsea-Juve
It's hard to know how good Juve can be when they're a shot behind such an average Inter side in Serie A and they're still calling on names like Nedved, Del Piero and the continually overrated Trezeguet/Camoranesi for inspiration. But there's a bit of pace and energy about them when the mood takes them - they've ripped apart Milan and Real this season already - and if the youngsters in the group get a run, they could be awkward. Chelsea, if Hiddink can work his magic, might be too strong though. Maybe a 2-0 for the home side here.

Champions League gets "interesting"

When the draw for the first knockout round for the Champs Lge was made back in December we licked our lips in anticipation of some spellbinding ties. Form lines may have flipflopped since then - look at the ups and downs Real and Liverpool have encountered for one example - and some of the sheen may have gone off the initial buzz, but there's a serious amount of interesting football to be played in the next couple of weeks. We use the word interesting deliberately - these games almost certainly won't be crackers of the 4-3, all-out attack variety, but for anyone who enjoys their tactical match-ups and spends nights wondering about the pluses and minuses of the 4-2-3-1 against the 4-3-3, this could well be tactical porn.
So let's have a peek at the different fascinations...

Inter v Man Utd
Jose v Fergie both tickles the immediate senses and lingers as a real issue here. Mourinho WILL have his team both set up perfectly tactically and up for this mentally, they'll believe they have the beating of the European champions, something they never really did under Mancini beforehand. He'll most likely sit pretty deep even at home and hope to draw United out, leaving very little room for the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo to get on ball or run at defences. The full-backs, Maicon and Santon, will bomb forward if given opportunities though and of course, Ibrahimavic will look to step out of the big-man-for-small-occasion box media like to put him into (much like Francesco Totti's rep around European football). Inter have some decent ballplayers in midfield - Muntari, Cambiasso, Stankovic - though they lack a bit of legs perhaps.

Ferguson might well, depending on having Evans/ O'Shea to call on, go for three central midfielders in Carrick/ Fletcher/ Giggs with Park and Rooney supporting Ronaldo up top, sacrificing Berbatov's presence and Tevez's energy for an extra body and more control away from Old Trafford. I can't imagine either team killing themselves going all out for goals here or the game being anyway open or end-to-end. Inter have played 12 league games at home - they've had four 1-0s, four 2-1s and three 0-0/1-1 draws. United aren't conceding or scoring an awful lot.
Expect a stalemate 0-0,a 1-1 (I'm inclinced to think it may be similar to Lyon-Man Utd last season with United grabbing a lateish equaliser) or maybe a 1-0 either way. It won't be pulsating or edge of the seat but it will be tense and interesting, more The Sopranos than Lost if you will.

Arsenal-Roma
If you like passing football, you'll love this. Roma started off the season in pathetically poor form but have been quite brilliant recently, thumping goals, spraying the ball around with pacy, one-touch, attacking brio, all flowing moves and interchanging positions under Luciano Spalletti. They're easy on the eye, no doubt, with Perrotta and Totti (if fit) supporting Mirko Vucinic and Daniele De Rossi, Aquilani patrolling midfield - they'll line out in some form of 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1 depending on personnel. Arsenal, we all know at this stage, like to pass the ball but have had as much penetration as a lonely old spinster in recent times. Arshavin is cup-tied so matchwinning deeds need to come from Van Persie and Nasri. There'll be plenty neat, pretty triangles from both teams, but if Roma come with some real cutting and can shrug off their horrible form against Man Utd of the past couple of seasons, they'll cause problems. We'll go with a draw perhaps.

Elsewhere, we've got the form team in Europe - well, until Saturday evening - in Barcelona, visiting Lyon, who might well be past their best at this level by a year or two. Lyon were the thinking guy's favourites there for a time - the team the guy who was trying to be clever down the pub always referred to as ones to watch - but they never really convinced against the genuine top sides. They'll give Barca a fright or two alright, but Messi and co ought have too much in the end.
We'll be back tomorrow with some reaction and preview of tomorrow's games.

Something for the weekend

Questions to be answered
1 Are Villa a real threat to the big four (or even the title)?Well there's probably not much doubt about the first question but even Alex Ferguson hinted this week that the sub-text is still a possibility. Sure they've been stumbling over the line in games recentlty, their thinnish squad looking a tad tired, grabbing undeserved late goals and such like, but then that's the sign of a maturing side with a winning mentality as well. They've had three draws with the top sides at home this season but could do with a thumping win to emphasise Martin O'Neill's side as real contenders. Chelsea under Guus Hiddink ought to be well-organised and could lift themselves a little over the lethargic, uninterested performances of the season so far. They'll hardly make up for some lack of legs midfield, lack of quality out wide and lack of heart up front though. If Villa have a kick in them and Young, Barry and Agbonlahor have some form left, they could be winners here.

2 Who's the top club hurling side in the land?
Ah, a game for the connoisseurs. The two pre-eminent sides of this generation, the winners of the last three All-Irelands between them, Ballyhale Shamrocks and Portumna clash for the first time. The Kilkenny side have Cha Fitzpatrick, the Reids, Michael Fennelly and of course Henry Shefflin. Portumna have the Cannings, amongst them young Joe, a hurler Jumpthefence hasn't seen the like of before. There ought to be sparks and scores from all distances and angles. We wouldn't be shocked by any feats of brilliance that wandered from the hurls of some of those present in Thurles on Sunday. There shouldn't be a whole pile between them in the end either. Tune in, for god's sake.

- On the opposite end of the scale, Jumpthefence would issue a health warning to anyone watching Drom/ Broadford v Crossmaglen in the football on Saturday. Ned English has put together an effective style of football down in Limerick and has some fine players - Jason Stokes, Micheal Reidy, Tom McLoughlin especially - but by golly, they'll hardly kick a ball away all day and will keep possession religiously. Crossmaglen don't tend to hoof too much ball into their forwards either and their workrate and experience of names like Bellew, McEntees, Kernans and McConville mean they'll give little away. Drom's last two games in Munster were 0-7/ 0-6 and 0-6/ 0-5. Cross have given away 1-4, 0-8 and 0-6 in their Ulster matches. Jesus it'll be hardfought, every score will be earned and there'll be handpassing galore. Not one for the purists.

Armstrong v Kimmage - soul of cycling

So Lance Armstrong has another troll to add to his list. Anyone who’s read Daniel Coyle’s excellent account of Armstrong’s 2004 Tour de France will know how paranoid the cyclist can be about people he feels are threatening to him in some way; he calls them all trolls. Paul Kimmage (who is actually a tad troll-like – sorry Paul!) confronted Armstrong at a press conference in the US earlier this week and it’s sparked the usual frenzy of Amstrong bashing/ loving and questions again about the authenticity of his wins and his comeback.

A few things first. Though we’re interested in the nuances of the world of doping in sport and have waded through many technical articles/ books on the subject, it’s not terribly exciting copy or conversation - for all the sports fans and writers who’ll lose sleep over a drugs cheat and forever know that the likes of Marion Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds are tainted, there’ll be ten other genuine sporting people who couldn’t give a damn. Calling out Lance Armstrong as a cheat in the cycling world is like lecturing someone for being drunk in any bar in Dublin on a Saturday night. Armstrong, Basso, Ullrich, Pantani, Landis are just some of the better-known names that’ve been either found guilty or heavily linked of doping. Cycling is/ was (depending on your point of view – and Jumpthefence reckons it’s getting cleaner slowly) a world where a cartel of drug use went on, a cosy little arrangement where it wasn’t talked about but it was expected of pretty much everyone. That doesn’t make it any more right though.

Pardon us then for being a little wary of comebacks and feelgood stories. David Millar has renounced the world he was in and come back all the better for it. But Armstrong can’t really get all cranky with questioning when he’s had serious links with doctors who’ve been proven to be dopers, with teams and cyclists where it’s been endemic, when soigneurs have claimed to have seen him taking, when L’Equipe have ran stories of his tests being positive for EPO use back as far as 1999. And his hugely-publicised brainchild of a relationship with Don Catlin, the foremost anti-doping researcher around, has been shattered as unworkable for some reason.

There’s a cheerleading posse of journalists around Armstrong of course, those who simply won’t question his integrity or who see his bravery at recovering from cancer and shy away from calling attention to anything darker in his life. There’s little doubt Armstrong is a remarkable athlete, a guy who pushed himself to the limit, who’s done plenty decent uplifting things and inspired a hell of a lot of cancer sufferers worldwide. But that doesn’t make him infallible. There’s been a very mixed response to the Kimmage questioning across the cycling forums and press, some have labelled Kimmage a twisted vindictive man who got his comeuppance from hero Lance, others see Armstrong as a liar who’s being exposed.

Paul Kimmage has taken on the mantle passed by David Walsh as questioner-in-chief. Kimmage has a rep as a cranky divil himself, a spiky confident chap who’s certainly not afraid to put the unmentionable question out there and see what mischief he can stir up. He sees himself as fighting the good fight - and though he can come across as bitter and a little obsessed at times, for the most part, he’s doing a worthy cause, being a good journalist and asking the right questions. (The cancer remark he made in an interview on Armstrong’s comeback was unfortunate and in bad taste rightly enough.)

Jumpthefence would like nothing more than to believe in Lance Armstrong. But when you’ve been stung many times (thanks Floyd Landis!), all the promises and denials in the world tend to mean squat and you fall back on proof, on evidence and on facts. Sport needs heroes and feelgood but it needs truth. Now, in these times, perhaps we need truth and honestly and real questioning over blind faith, more than ever.

Extras:
Have a look at their spat in part here
And ESPN's take on it here

Another Irish voice on Guardian pod

Jumpthefence notes with some worry that Ken Early of Newstalk's Off the Ball has been drafted in to replace James Richardson on the Guardian's football podcast this past week. It seems Richardson, Barry Glendenning and others are away on hols or something and for some reason they decided another Irish voice was necessary and sent for the Irish football correspondent across the water. Reaction has been poorish, Early's laid-back vocals perhaps not gelling right in the absence of the excitable Richardson.

The podcast can be sensationally entertaining at times - Sid Lowe from Spain (though his following on the blogs can be so lickarsey it's embarrassing) is solid and informative, Paul Doyle and Sean Ingle are likeably nerdy and other random contributors make a nice mix of funny yet intelligent views. Also we've been a fan of Offtheball on Newstalk, which is capable of some stunning radio. But Early bugs us - we know, we know, you either love him or hate him it seems. It's the voice and the pauses before each answer that seem to be fashioned for no other reason than to make him seem more intelligent. It's the drawling and searching for the right word to come across as knowing more than he does. He just tries too damn hard and we don't find it genuine. (Jumpthefence is more than willing to accept that many, more informed people would reason the opposite.) Anyways, we hope his appearance on the Guardian pod is a fill-in rather than a more long-term development.