France V Ireland – Stade de France, Paris. Sunday 4th March 15:00 RTE2 & BBC2

Fishooks12

Higher wrote: »

O'Gara is delusional if he thinks Sexton is starting for development reasons. I love the way he tries to act as if he should be commended for sitting on the bench for the good of the national team's development :rolleyes: This is the same O'Gara who threatened retirement on national t.v because he didn't start the Australia game.

As for the 'rocky relationship at the beginning'....because this is an internet forum I won't say what I've been told by a player but let me just say that the rocky relationship had nothing to do with Sexton and everything to do with O'Gara feeling threatened. He only warmed to Sexton after some intervention from a number of senior players.

Yet you go on to say it anyway???

rrpc

JRant wrote: »

1: can't argue with that startegy tbh play the percentages inside your own 10.

Depends who you employ the strategy against. Against a good back three and you could end up defending in your own half which is what you don't want to be doing. But as a basic strategy it's not likely to get you in to too much trouble.

2,3 & 4 comes down to the scrum half more often than not. If he's missing then numbers are needed to secure ball. If he's taking an age at the back of a ruck you don't get quick ball. If he's constantly passing the ball one out to stationary players we've no option but to keep it tight.

Except if it's your strategy in the first place to keep the ball slow and set your attack as if it was defending, then it's not likely to generate anything except boredom.

5: this is unforgivable, if you stand off any of the top 6 teams they'll murder ya.

Yet it's exactly what we did against Wales.

Higher

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Yet you go on to say it anyway???

No I meant I wont go into the details of what ROG was at.

Benny Cake

Higher wrote: »

No I meant I wont go into the details of what ROG was at.

Yerra sure why not spill the beans Higher?

You clearly have the inside track into what goes on in the Ireland squad

Fishooks12

Anyway I feel it's time to give my tuppence worth

Few reasons why we can feel positive:

Our back-line is starting to look somewhat dangerous again when given quick ball. Maybe the influence of Tainton is starting to come through.

Sexton kicked impeccably last week so hopefully he's going to be the same model of consistency that he is for his club.

French defense is a possible weakness, fast up but we saw with the Scots that there's holes there to be exploited.

With Swarsecki coming off the back of a mare last week we should be able to disrupt French line-out

Rougarie had a stinker last week, here's hoping for another.

Reasons to be negative

Conor Murray probably won't have sorted out the indecision that plagued his last performance

We'll probably play a conservative game based on kicking to a dangerous French back three

We'll probably see Ferris and SOB standing at first receiver far too often trying to make inches with slow ball

Our midfield, while not as weak as some would proclaim, will still more than likely be breached at least once or twice

Our discipline in our own half was deplorable in the Italian game, we got away with it because of Botes but not with Parra kicking

Higher

Benny Cake wrote: »

Yerra sure why not spill the beans Higher?

You clearly have the inside track into what goes on in the Ireland squad

Thats exactly why I'm not going to spill the beans, posters like you who seem to think I am trying to impress some strangers on the internet. Theres no point because of childish remarks like yours.

Cpt_Blackbeard

The sheer dislike (is hatred too strong a word?) for everything O'Gara from a certain contingent really makes one wonder how they endured watching the national team before Sexton came on the stage.

Higher

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The sheer dislike (is hatred too strong a word?) for everything O'Gara from a certain contingent really makes one wonder how they endured watching the national team before Sexton came on the stage.

He is not just disliked by a portion of Leinster fans. Your delusional if you think that.

Benny Cake

Higher wrote: »

Thats exactly why I'm not going to spill the beans, posters like you who seem to think I am trying to impress some strangers on the internet. Theres no point because of childish remarks like yours.

You claims to have intimate contact with a player but can't go into the detail, in that case, why mention it at all?

What's that I smell?

Fishooks12

Higher wrote: »

He is not just disliked by a portion of Leinster fans. Your delusional if you think that.

I've met Ronan a good few times and he's spot on

I'm also friendly with a few of the younger Munster squad members and they've told me that O Gara was one of the more welcoming of the senior squad members and a really nice all round guy

Rattlehead_ie

Come on Ireland

France Vs Irelan d 2000
Hope this doesnt step over lines with rules.

Higher

Benny Cake wrote: »

You claims to have intimate contact with a player but can't go into the detail, in that case, why mention it at all?

What's that I smell?

OH MY GOD! This poster has 'intimate' (lol) contact with a player!!!!

It's hardly a claim that is an extraordinary one. If you went to a rugby school in Dublin then chances are you know a few internationals its really not a big deal at all and certainly not something that should invoke responses like yours. You must idolize rugby players or be very young to suspect that someone is bull****ting when they claim to know some professional players in this country.

I mentioned it because it is something of interest for a lot of posters. I like to give something back to the community. I'm not going into the exact nitty and gritty because it will only invoke widespread responses like yours. If posters are really interested they can PM me.

MungBean

Match day.

Critics hat off.

Jersey on.

C'mon Ireland !!

JRant

rrpc wrote: »

JRant wrote: »

1: can't argue with that startegy tbh play the percentages inside your own 10.

Depends who you employ the strategy against. Against a good back three and you could end up defending in your own half which is what you don't want to be doing. But as a basic strategy it's not likely to get you in to too much trouble.

2,3 & 4 comes down to the scrum half more often than not. If he's missing then numbers are needed to secure ball. If he's taking an age at the back of a ruck you don't get quick ball. If he's constantly passing the ball one out to stationary players we've no option but to keep it tight.

Except if it's your strategy in the first place to keep the ball slow and set your attack as if it was defending, then it's not likely to generate anything except boredom.

5: this is unforgivable, if you stand off any of the top 6 teams they'll murder ya.

Yet it's exactly what we did against Wales.

Can't really argue about the strategy. We do look to be playing in a very conservative way. Keeping it tight is the way DK likes it and in itself there's nothing wrong with it. However we're trying to keep it tight while having the slowest ball known to man being delivered by the SH, Its a reciepe for disaster. No wonder our backline look nervous when they get the ball, leading to silly knock-ons, as they know they might not get the ball again for quite a while.

phog

danthefan wrote: »

Staggering lack of self awareness here, but whatever.

Take this to a PM and send me a few links of where you think I've been disparaging to players.

Higher wrote: »

As for the 'rocky relationship at the beginning'....because this is an internet forum I won't say what I've been told by a player but let me just say that the rocky relationship had nothing to do with Sexton and everything to do with O'Gara feeling threatened. He only warmed to Sexton after some intervention from a number of senior players.

oh, another friend of a friend That friend wouldn't be blinded by loyalty to one of the players now would he?

Cpt_Blackbeard

Higher wrote: »

OH MY GOD! This poster has 'intimate' (lol) contact with a player!!!!

It's hardly a claim that is an extraordinary one. If you went to a rugby school in Dublin then chances are you know a few internationals its really not a big deal at all and certainly not something that should invoke responses like yours. You must idolize rugby players or be very young to suspect that someone is bull****ting when they claim to know some professional players in this country.

I mentioned it because it is something of interest for a lot of posters. I like to give something back to the community. I'm not going into the exact nitty and gritty because it will only invoke widespread responses like yours. If posters are really interested they can PM me.

I don't think anyone really cares if you know a rugby player or two. What people do care about is you making unsubstantiated defamatory remarks.

rrpc

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

I don't think anyone really cares if you know a rugby player or two. What people do care about is you making unsubstantiated defamatory remarks about a Munster player.

Fixed that for you







I'll get me coat. Think there's a match on soon...

Higher

If Murray plays like he did last week then he should be hauled off after 30mins. Its vital that we dont let France pull ahead at half time.

JRant

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The sheer dislike (is hatred too strong a word?) for everything O'Gara from a certain contingent really makes one wonder how they endured watching the national team before Sexton came on the stage.

Do you honestly think that?
Jebus, talk about a seige mentality. O'Gara gets more than his fair share of plaudits from fans, players and the media alike. I mean if you looked up the word masterclass in the oxford dictionary you'd just get a picture of ROG. What more do you want for him? Maybe we should retire the 10 jersey in his honour.
What he should be doing is keeping the big "I AM" interviews till after the 6N's, just like during the WC he's doing this for a reason.

thomond2006

We must be within a score at halftime to have any kind of chance. If France blitz us in the first 30 then we won't have the ammo to haul back a deficit.

Judgement Day

Despite myself I'm looking forward to this game and if we lose I hope we go down fighting. 11/4 on Ireland looks a good gamble - for me anyway.

C'MON IRELAND!

JRant

thomond2006 wrote: »

We must be within a score at halftime to have any kind of chance. If France blitz us in the first 30 then we won't have the ammo to haul back a deficit.

Agree 100%, i'd also say need to start getting the scoreboard ticking over on a more regular basis. All to often we seem to only score in fits and spurts lately.

Diabhal Beag

I feel a Jamie Heaslip try is happening today.

iroced

I know it won't be funny to all the people who were at SDF 3 weeks ago but... weather forecast in Paris expects snow ... for tomorrow. Thought it would have been quite a bad joke from the weather to bring some snow during the game this afternoon.


Anyway ALLEZ LES BLEUS !

Teferi

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The sheer dislike (is hatred too strong a word?) for everything O'Gara Heaslip from a certain contingent really makes one wonder how they endured watching the national team before Sexton came on the stage.

FTFY.

People in glass houses...

Cpt_Blackbeard

Teferi wrote: »

FTFY.

People in glass houses...

Yes because I'm still banging that same drum... :rolleyes:

CIARAN_BOYLE

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The sheer dislike (is hatred too strong a word?) for everything O'Gara from a certain contingent really makes one wonder how they endured watching the national team before Sexton came on the stage.

Everyone here knows you are a oneeyed munster fan but you still often come up with usefull thoughts so could you do me a favour and answer me this.

Do you think ROG is the player he was two or three years ago.

He has always been something of a flawed genius, and he has his good points but to my eyes his best talent has declined over the last few years giving up about seven eight meters in terms of range from the tee

DDC1990

Teferi wrote: »

FTFY.

People in glass houses...

I don't understand that viewpoint personally.

While Heaslip was underwhelming in the WC, he has been very good in the 6N so far.

I was at the Italy game, and thought he should have been MOM or at least a Top 3 with Kearney and POC, only to find people criticizing him on Boards.

He might not be making barrelling runs as much as usual, but he more then makes up for it with his work at ruck time. Made some crucial steals against Italy, and IMO it maks no sense to drop him.

irishbucsfan

Heaslip was doing the exact dame during the world cup, which is why he led the team in turnovers.

I am pie

Here goes hook in full 'we cant do it' mode.

irishbucsfan

AHH!!

Being stuck in BBC land kills me.

Clegg

George Hook is great.

He's basically saying he wants the ride from Pamela Anderson

ricero

come on france its time to give us irish a wake up call and realize we are the 4th best team in europe

Benny Cake

Ferris looks pissed off in his interview... Hopefully he takes it out on the Frenchies!!

Higher

Heaslip was underwhelming in the WC?

He had the highest turnover count!

This is getting odd.

When Heaslip goes on barraging runs then hes a show pony and he doesnt do the infamous 'dirty work'

When Heaslip turns into a work horse on the ground and gets the most turn overs of the entire team then he is labelled Houdini and out of form.

DOC for years was praised for his 'unseen work' despite never coming out in top figures in the turn over count. Heaslip does and yet apparently hes anonymous and deserves to be dropped.

Something very odd is going on here.....

kevohmsford

I think the best thing to do when playing France, especially in France, is not to expect too much. That way we will not be too disappointed if we get battered. The first 10 minutes will be crucial. Fingers crossed we can get a good performance from the lads. Come on Ireland.

Principal Skinner

No matter what heaslip does it will never be good enough

irishbucsfan

Kidney says we need to cherish the ball. Hopefully that doesnt mean standing around looking at it!

DEVEREUX

COME ON IRELAND.......AAAAAAAAARGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

MickySticks

I have a feeling we are going to win 18-12 today.

Tox56

Every time during the anthems so far, I have just looked with incredulity as DOC lines up, wondering how is he there. How?

irishbucsfan

Gwan DOC murder them!

Mr.Crinklewood

17-17 draw.

I am pie

I am hoping so much for a good performance. I cant say what i would like to say to those irish 'fans' on here who are actually hoping to lose without getting banned from the forum.

Do us proud boys.

whatawaster

Scoreless draw

Mr.Crinklewood

Why did Pavel Nedved take the kick off?

rebel girl 15

Cmon Ireland!

jk86

I had a dream where I was watching this game last night! We were winning by 1 point in the 2nd half!!

Also, O'Brien was kicking (and missing) penalties

take everything

France by 15-20 i'd say.
C'mon Ireland.

Cormic

Come on Ireland !!!!!!!