UlsterRugby1999

[quote]2. Quick ball whipped out to Kennedy who takes ball at pace[/quote] [quote]4. quick ball to the backs, ball spread wide to space[/quote] It was refreshing to see this and it has been an aspect of the Irish game missing since dead head O'Sullivan came to us. We have consistently played with a SH who stands with one foot in the ruck while spinning his head around like a submarine turret for ages allowing the opposition to regroup and prevent any use of a quick break. And err, isnt that what we expect from O'Driscoll. I just hope that Kidney watch this one aspect of the Welsh game. It does my head in as does this continual kicking away possession  [:@][:@]

Morning baypond - just dont get too comfy. Its only a blip [Www][:P][;-)]

Ah man - the more times you guys chop and chop and change and chop the better for us. Let them roll on with it. [:D][:P][:D] Wales will eat England no matter how much England try to stiffle the flow of the Welsh. And God I hope they do because they'll be in their boots motivationally by the time we get to them. France, having seen Scotland play against Wales, will be rubbing their hands with glee. Ireland will possibly use the match to test a few younger players (or at least I hope so). Whatever happens we must come away with a BIG win from Rome.

[:)] Never - you do me wrong [:)]

[quote user="baypond"]My prediction of England beating Ireland now looking difficult, but Ireland have lacked consistency, so I will only eat my words after that match.[/quote] Sprinkle those words with something sweet baypond - you'll be tasting them soon enough [:P][:D]

Ah Quillan - for dear sake - Dublin is just plain silly. How the divil the folk over there can afford to live is beyond my understanding. I believe its the most expensive city in Europe to visit. How can you square that from a country thats only serious income comes from tourism. As for Martin Johnston - me neither but I do believe, that he'll do it if he's given time and the twits in the spin media leave him alone to get on with the job. Aye - and for sure, being an armchair critic doesnt hurt like the playing days did - does it [:D][:D]

In truth Quillan - a rebuild, especially from afresh is a long affair and Johnston needs time. This is tough on the avid English fans who must pay extortionate tickets prices (IMHO) but it'll come. Johnston does have the ability to draw the best out of those who are associated with him and he'll come good. More's the pity for us of course. I said earlier in this thread, that if Ireland can rid themselves of this monkey on their back, they can go all the way and the last match is Wales against Ireland in Cardiff. Its set up for a classic finale. Finally, if you've been to Dublin for the England Ireland matches you'll know that we'll slag the living daylights out of you, as we hand you a pint of Liffy juice. Sure it'd be worth that alone. [;-)]

Martin Johnston has a hell of a job left to do yet. England should be very grateful that their first match was against one of the most inept teams they are ever likely to meet. Had Italy played in a similar way to their encounter with England last year they would have destroyed that English team. Mind you, I hope that England keep that up, of course, and they will finish fourth or maybe even fifth. [:D][:P] I believe Ireland were described as a spent force. There was nothing spent that performance yesterday. Maybe they could have brought the wingers in more often but they held up well against a strong and mobile French pack. Our defense inside the 22 was immense. Some of younger players put in good performances and it was brilliant to see the O'Driscoll of old with some formidable hits, runs and his try. Magic. In theory, Wales should easily do the damage today but I wouldnt go writing the Scots off yet. They are up for it and should make an 80 minute match of it.

Morning raindog - I've just got your PM. I'll see you in there later.

[quote]Ireland vs England - England win (what - at Croke Park. You must be off your head [Www][;-)] England vs France - England win [/quote] Ha ha baypond whatever you're smoking will you PM me some [:D][;-)] So far England have shown little of the old grunt, save perhaps the last autumn test match, that is their characteristic doggedness. Indiscipline is the biggest fear I would have thought and especially against the French and the Italians. The Italians will be in your face niggling away trying to force the penalties out of you. The one thing that England has lacked since 2003 RWC, is cohesion within the forwards and backs. Too many changes and not enough time to knit maybe, I dont know, but they are anything but units, rather through other individuals. Like plod I think England will take fourth spot. If Ireland get the French monkey off their back, once and for all, they might just do it otherwise its a Welsh win.

In fairness raindog your are right and so could Ireland but ........... its a big ask. The Irish are under pressure to produce something given their gross under performances of late and they still have the players to produce a show. In 2006, Wales put themselves under too much pressure and Ruddock wasnt as well equipped, skill wise, as Gatland. I cant see Gatland letting them make the same mistake twice. Johnston is still very early into his rebuild and the last autumn tests werent too inspiring. The Irish insist on overloading the tired O'Driscoll who hasnt been half the player he was (or was expected to be) since O'Suulivan made him captain. I'm still a believer that your captain should play up front. Predictions - Wales to win - France or Ireland second, England fourth, fifth Italy and last Scotland. BUT If Ireland beat France on Staurday (IF) they should take second slot and maybe, just maybe, go the whole way as the final Irish match is against Wales, albeit in Cardiff. As I said, its open, wide open and it'll be worth a few Guinness at least.

Yes raindog - how goes it? This has got to be one of the most open 6N's we've had since it became the 6N's. I'll probably get killed for this but - the Welsh are hot and cold usually. Grand Slam 2005 followed by wooden spoon 2006 (oh and a dismissed coach for his trouble) then Grand Slam 2008 followed by - ......[Www][Www] Actually, I doubt, under warren Gatland it'll be a re-run of 2006. Ireland, new driver same engine (and bull droppings coming from the IRFU in Dublin) - England new driver loads of spare parts for his engine with few of them fitting together. France are still in building mode, according to Lievremont, as they look towards 2011. Italy continue to improve and will worry every team who plays against them, especially at Stadio Flaminio. Nick Mallet is improving them all the time and no-one enjoys a trip to Rome (except the supporters that is) And Scotland ...... aye , there's Scotland too. I guess Wales are front runners but never discount the French.

[quote]One of the nationals' rugby correspondents was saying that the GP was inferior to the Magner's - well there are three clubs from one country - England! [/quote] Interesting view plod but there are 4 Magners teams and only 3 GP teams in the last eight. From your prediction there are 2 from 4 teams from the Magners League. Personally, I dont actually think that the level of the Magners teams are, at this time, better than the GP but it is only the width of a fag paper in it. When the Italians come into  the Magners League, then you'll see the standard take a step beyond the GP.

[quote user="Val_2"] Strike a nerve did I? [/quote] Hardly - you simply reminded me that there are still some stupid and, possibly, ignorant/arrogant people who have come over here. Sadly for the rest uf us. Why would anyone come to France, ask a French artisan (I assume they at least had the whit to do that) to install into a French house, a system of which he would have been both ignorant of and not qualified to install. That, in itself is plain stupid and/or arrogant to believe that the English system was far superior to the French, and furthermore, it would have presumably proved more expensive as it would most likely have taken the guy longer. But then to come onto a public forum and castigate him as being a bodger - despite what was said earlier, that his work cannot have been that bad as it had worked for 17 years. For 17 years the system had wintered fine yet when they go off, most likely without having taken sensible precautions, and return to a horrible sight, they, and you, leap onto his back in condemnation. Poor fellow - its no wonder the world is in the mess its in. Pity your neighbours (or you if you are so concerned about them) hadnt had the sense to have the house checked, protected and secured.

[quote]Some elderly british friends when they bought their house here 17 years got the local BF bodger to install an english water heating system via the UK method of a cold feed tank with ballcock intheir attic space and numerous copper pipes descending across the attic floor.[/quote] Val_2 - what a complete clampit you are. They got a local guy to follow their foolish (near xzenophobic type) instructions (because the French dont know a damn what they are doing et al) and then when something goes wrong (beacuse the inferior British system is completely inadequate here) they get (and you too) on their hind legs and shout foul. [:@][:@] How crass are you to call this fellow a bodger - he would have every right to call you a moron. And I'd back him all the way. [:@]

Cheers Le Plombier - I'd looked at some of the milti units but the layout is one end of the house to the other and over quite a distance. I've seen a Tri Split LG unit for one end of the house and a Bi Split for the other end. Thats only 2 units and the price is pretty good too. I appreciate your time and input here and promise never to mention the rugby when times are hard [;-)]

Ah Murphy - my head hurts. So much info. In my hours of research I see there are many different makes and manufacturers. Some have R410A or R407C gas. Many have compressors made by well known companies while others make their own. Some have CoP's down to 3.2 while others CLAIM 4 plus. Does the gas matter? Is one better than the other? Sorry to drone on but it gets more confusing as I go on. [8-)][:(][8-)]

nomoss - thank you for your post. I have spent the morning searching various web sites that I have found, and some that other members of this forum have sent links to me (cheers for that) and I must admit I'm getting trawl weary. There are various units from all over the world at prices varying from the affordable to the incredible. Some of them are pre-gased, some have R407c gas while others have R410 (which has been mentioned on this Forum) some are Inverter type while many arent. I'm beginning to think its Guinness time [:D]. Seriously, its a minefield. Cost is the governing factor. The bedrooms are small and the barn is big. Is there help for me [:'(]

Thanks J.R's gone native - in addition Quillan has installed 2 DC Inverter units himself which, if I'm correct, he bought from BricoDepot. Le Plombier's point is, as always, well made and well intended and the advice of a professional given freely should be logged in the Inbox. That said, I also appreciate that Le Plombier has both his reputation and future to protect and he is, of course, quite right to be ultra cautious. My biggest driver is money so I need to keep all options open until I have exhausted them all. krusty - going back to the Blogg - while there is, no doubt quite rightly, annoyance from Mr Howe, I wonder how tactfully he has approached the whole thing. I dont doubt he has cause for upset but maybe he has come across a wee bit too strongly, especially when we consider that it isnt the French way to complain. Backs up and all that. I say this because I have had cause to return a few items to BricoDepot and never had a single problem. One of the items was worth a few hundred Euros. The alternative is to buy via the web and what recourse is there if anything goes wrong with such a unit bought via the internet. IT sure as Murphy aint easy is it [8-)][:(]

Mmmmmmmm -  thanks guys (guys is without gender by the way) - krusty you have got to feel really sorry for Mr Howe. Frustration wouldnt be in it. I'd be blattering doors down long before this even with my restricted French. Le Plombier - as I said in my opening blurb, I was using the BricoDepot catalogue as a guide to demonstrate, I guess, where my thinking is/was going. I understand what you say and thanks for that. Is it possible to obtain a Bi-Split/MultiSplit unit that would properly cover 2 of the bedrooms at a time. As with all cases, money is the main driver but not to the point that I'd waste it either. I would not be keen on 5 separate units feeding the 5 rooms. I've been looking all over the web for low(ish) cost units and they appear to be there its just matching it all up. If you see what I mean.

In a previous, and highly educational thread, we had been discussing air-air reversible inverter type units. Much excellent advice and sound common sense was offered and I, for one, have been converted to the system. So, now I'm ready to take the 16 stone plunge, but before I produce my own Tsunami I would be very grateful for you input before I go shopping. Firstly, I have spent many hours on the web searching for units such as those which Quillan installed and which krusty (the research champion) sourced on the web and folks like Le Plombier with his knowledge. Brillaint input and much food for thought. So here's where I am. Old (still draughty but reducing week by week) 2 storey cottage with larger barn attached and opened up into one large house. The barn ceiling is, of course, to the roof. At the moment we heat the entire house using 2/3 poele en bois one of which cracks out 18kw and has a recuperater linked into it. It works okay but this year we have bought 8 cord of wood. At 130€ a cord delivered that comes in at a cool 1040€. I want to heat the barn and 4 medium sized bedroom (circa 15 - 18 m²). Using the BricoDepot catalogue as a guide, I'm considering the following units http://www.bricodepot.fr/chateauroux/node/71812 - which would cover the barn (keeping the wood burner there as both an option and a top up if required) http://www.bricodepot.fr/chateauroux/node/71820 - these are the cheaper Bi-Split models as opposed to the more expensive A rated DC Inverter model. My reasoning here is that the room sizes are approximately max 60% of the to quoted room sizes and, therefore, I am working on the basis that they wont be working as hard, therefore, they wont run as hard so they'll cost less to run. If this logic is wrong then its the more expensive http://www.bricodepot.fr/chateauroux/node/71824 - obviously the 2 big advantages with the more expensive units are the A rating and that they work down to -15C which, right now, would be beneficial. So, in a large nutshell sorry, thats what I have been looking at. What are your considered views folks. Cheers.  

Mmmmmmmmmm - all good feedback - as usual (oh and good maths too of course). I'm planning to have this all in place for the next winter but I can see me getting some of it organised sooner rather than later. Even with 3 wood burners, two of them running 24/7, this Baltic is hammering the hell out of our ever decreasing wood pile. We've just had to order 2 more cords. That'll be 8 in total by the end of the winter - God willing it doesnt last too long. Thanks folks for the input [:D][:D] 

Hey - no worries Big Mac I found it funny. I asked the question and got a correct answer. [;-)] Anyway, what I was really getting at was to try and find out which would be better. I had assumed that the 101,20€ more expensive machine would be more efficient, use less electricity than its cheaper counterpart. All this talk of convected this and radiant that - well me is confudled. At the moment there are the cheaper convecter radiators in the house. The kitchen will have 1 unit to kick in in the cold mornings (much like this morning - it's showing -7C right now) until we get the fire lit. Will one be more efficient and cost effective than the other. Over to you Big Mac [kiss][;-)][:P][kiss]

Bless you. [kiss][kiss] So, in your infinite wisdom me Scottish friend, why the price difference and does this have anything to do with the performance of the two units. Mother of God it is hard sometimes. [;-)]

While still studying the air-to-air systems for chez moi for next winter, I'm looking at keeping the kitchen with its existing wood burner and a smallish electric heater that will thermostatically kick in in the mornings until we get the fire up and running. In the BricoDepot bible I see there are 1.5kw Convecteur Mecanique units at 32,80€ while there is a fine and dandy looking Panneau Rayonnant unit at 134€. I'm sure the answer is obvious but what is the difference[8-)]