France vs Ireland buildup

Gidea

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Yep absolute crap this year they have been, clichés need not apply to this team. Two lucky bounces against England got them in a great position to win and they still needed to pull a last minute try to win it.

If we play like have all tournament we should win

Swiwi.

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Podge_irl wrote: »

France are useless.

They might pull it out of the fire for the Ireland game (and even if they did I would consider it a 50/50 game) but so far they are abject, rudderless and disinterested.

They're crap.

Also were France really that good in the '11 final? I thought it was more a case of NZ attempting the usual choke. I mean Dusautoirs try aside they didn't create much.

I really only rate Huget as a game breaker at the moment.

Podge_irl

Swiwi. wrote: »

Also were France really that good in the '11 final? I thought it was more a case of NZ attempting the usual choke. I mean Dusautoirs try aside they didn't create much.

I really only rate Huget as a game breaker at the moment.

Dusatoir was stupidly good but I think France mostly just kept NZ in check.

A really good team would have taken more advantage of NZ's choking and created something to manufacture some points.

Huget is very good. With Fofana gone the rest of the backline just doesn't inspire much

rockbeast

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Podge_irl wrote: »

France are useless.

They might pull it out of the fire for the Ireland game (and even if they did I would consider it a 50/50 game) but so far they are abject, rudderless and disinterested.

They're crap.

You are right.

(But I)bet you never thought you could make those statements before and be correct.

MayoSalmon

Podge_irl wrote: »

The 2003 RWC were France's smallest winning margin in the pool stages was 22 points?

When Scotland is the next best team in your group your laughing:rolleyes:

uggybear

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Have a good but slightly nervous feeling about this one, the atmosphere in Stade de France will no doubt give France a bit of a lift. Ireland will have to play a physical game, win possession in their line-outs, keep their defence focused and not get sanctioned at the breakdown. Could come down to one score.

Podge_irl

MayoSalmon wrote: »

When Scotland is the next best team in your group your laughing:rolleyes:

Well they very nearly conspired to lose to Scotland this time round.

France did nothing in 03 to suggest they were anywhere near as useless as this current squad. How they've managed to accumulate three wins is beyond me.

sydthebeat

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I think we will win it by at least 10

Quint2010

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By the time the players take to the pitch on Sat France should be well oiut of the reckoning. But this is Ireland. In Paris...

MayoSalmon

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well they very nearly conspired to lose to Scotland this time round.

France did nothing in 03 to suggest they were anywhere near as useless as this current squad. How they've managed to accumulate three wins is beyond me.

For the record I think Ireland will win...the emotion of BOD's farewell etc will prevail...BUT were still talking about beating France in Paris where they can technically still win the 6 Nations... this is not something we are very good at.....caution must be applied

rrpc

MayoSalmon wrote: »

For the record I think Ireland will win...the emotion of BOD's farewell etc will prevail...BUT were still talking about beating France in Paris where they can technically still win the 6 Nations... this is not something we are very good at.....caution must be applied

We've drawn with France twice in the last two years when we've been playing badly. I don't think we're playing badly now.

Oregano_State

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I hope Tommy Bowe comes straight back into the starting line-up.

Would love to see him seal the championship with an outrageous finish from a cross-field kick.

Kayless

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If you look at how many penalties each team give away in their respective games this weekend it would suggest that Ireland should win this match on penalties alone, however like many people have point out this is France in France. I have to say I think people on here are way too confident, It happened before the Aus game in November and look how that turned out, think we need to go into this one with our eyes opened and I really hope this confidence is justified next Saturday

Podge_irl

MayoSalmon wrote: »

For the record I think Ireland will win...the emotion of BOD's farewell etc will prevail...BUT were still talking about beating France in Paris where they can technically still win the 6 Nations... this is not something we are very good at.....caution must be applied

I agree, to a point.

Of course caution should be applied and there is no guaranteed thing in sport but I'm slightly weary of this kowtowing to France's ability to pull performances out of nowhere. They haven't done it in some time and our last two draws should have been wins - that they weren't was due entirely to Ireland and nothing to do with France. I trust in Ireland much more now than then

Quint2010

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I see Steve Walsh is trying to steal Gordon D'Arcy's thunder ahead of next weeks game..

rrpc

Quint2010 wrote: »

I see Steve Walsh is trying to steal Gordon D'Arcy's thunder ahead of next weeks game..

Is he going to shave the beard off?

pat_mas

... and to make things even worse for the frenchs, PSA's decided not to call Parra nor Trinh-Duc.

Swiwi.

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

"I could go into the NZ team. I could talk about all their strengths and about the challenge that faces the Irish team on Sunday. But so many other people are spending so much time fawning over them and paying them so much respect that I'm not going to (sorry ex-pat Kiwis!). This is sport. Any team can win on any given day. And if Ireland give it their all and if the game plan is right this side can win on Sunday. And right now there aren't enough people stressing that. I'll be there on Sunday afternoon screaming the lads on and I'll be expecting them to go out and win this game."

I thought it was pretty bold at the time. Not really it turned out. No need to fear France given what we have all seen with our own 2 eyes over the last couple of months. This Irish team is actually pretty decent...in fact ranked 5th in the world currently ahead of France in 7th place.

rrpc

pat_mas wrote: »

... and to make things even worse for the frenchs, PSA's decided not to call Parra nor Trinh-Duc.

That's what an away win over Scotland will do for you. Plenty of confidence in your infallibility.

:rolleyes:

MayoSalmon

Podge_irl wrote: »

I agree, to a point.

Of course caution should be applied and there is no guaranteed thing in sport but I'm slightly weary of this kowtowing to France's ability to pull performances out of nowhere. They haven't done it in some time and our last two draws should have been wins - that they weren't was due entirely to Ireland and nothing to do with France. I trust in Ireland much more now than then

They did it a few weeks ago against England

OldRio

For goodness sake. Positivity works.
As an Irish Rugby supporter my glass is half full for the first time in many a year.

MayoSalmon

OldRio wrote: »

For goodness sake. Positivity works.
As an Irish Rugby supporter my glass is half full for the first time in many a year.

Yeah maybe if your from NZ:D

pat_mas

OldRio wrote: »

For goodness sake. Positivity works.
As an Irish Rugby supporter my glass is half full for the first time in many a year.

Mine as a french supporter is full ... full of crap ... for a second year in a row :mad: My only hope is for a miracle in Paris now ... but that's not out of the equation I've seen that before.

It's a pity PSA hasn't called V. Clerc for BOD's last match.

BTW, I believe BOD will get a respectful ovation by the french crowd, I've seen forumers calling for that on many french rugby threads.

.ak

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm not sure I've mentioned this on the board at any point, but I'll be there.

I think it's also very important to remind everyone so am I.

BBDBB

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm not sure I've mentioned this on the board at any point, but I'll be there.

.ak wrote: »

I think it's also very important to remind everyone so am I.

Hell of a first date lads, fair play

.ak

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

BBDBB wrote: »

Hell of a first date lads, fair play

Unfortunately Podge is not a cheap date...

BBDBB

the classy ones never are

BBDBB

I think the English points difference chase will be an unwelcome distraction, Im confident Joe will just tell the squad to concentrate only on the game plan to beat the French, which we are capable of doing.

Strengths - We are in much better form,
we are disciplined,
defensively we don't concede many,
we are very fit as a team
and have strength and impact on the bench

France have been poor this 6N

Areas of concern -
We sometimes look a bit blunt in attack,
We can implode a bit mentally when under pressure (though I think that is less likely under Joe than previous coaches)
Its France, at home and sometimes they turn a half break in their own 22 into a brilliant try

George Hook

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Why did PSA not recall para?

sydthebeat

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George Hook wrote: »

Why did PSA not recall para?

He doesn't like those types around him

Mahatma Geansai

We should definitely be getting the win against France. I don't think we'll see any change to the squad other than POM returning. The side is winning, and Italy was the chance to build the squad.

.ak

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Yeah, so long as there is no injuries I think we'll see pom back in.

I think the bench will be difficult to pick though, especially 19 and 20.

Watching the Italian game again I kept a close eye on Ruddock and Murphy. I was very impressed with Ruddock, he got stuck in at every aspect of the game. Very physical and didn't look out of place.

Murphy was interesting, he took the role of being openside very technically. He worked very hard to get to every breakdown and had a good support effect at every one, providing us with very clean rucks. He was, however, a little hesitant in the loose and as such never got his hands on the ball from what I remember. It's a pity as the game was begging for him to carry at some tired legs. However that's down to inexperience and not wanting to do anything wrong.

I think the 19 jersey is between Hendo and McCarthy, and the 20 jersey is between Ruddock and Murphy, with an outside chance of Ryan and TOD being involved too.

Good headache to have.

captbarnacles

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Ireland clear favourites now on Betfair @ 1.9

P_1

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.ak wrote: »

I think it's also very important to remind everyone so am I.

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm not sure I've mentioned this on the board at any point, but I'll be there.

It'd be a terrible shame if there was some kind of industrial action taking place this weekend at the airport....

I reckon that speaks for all out us who are currently green with envy...

George Hook

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

It might also be good to note that although France actually beat England, England wouldn't have had the quality/amount of pre-match analyses that we now have at our disposal. Given that it's only a 6 day turn around without any major changes to the french team, their plans shouldn't change at all. I think we should be able to do a number on them.

.ak

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P_1 wrote: »

It'd be a terrible shame if there was some kind of industrial action taking place this weekend at the airport....

I reckon that speaks for all out us who are currently green with envy...

Flying out on Saturday so fingers crossed!

P_1

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.ak wrote: »

Flying out on Saturday so fingers crossed!

Can't see it impacting you to be honest. Now if you were flying out on Friday I might have advised you to have a look at other means of getitng to Paris

its_phil

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No Parra or Trinh-Duc. Sound

:cool:

bilston

.ak wrote: »

Yeah, so long as there is no injuries I think we'll see pom back in.

I think the bench will be difficult to pick though, especially 19 and 20.

Watching the Italian game again I kept a close eye on Ruddock and Murphy. I was very impressed with Ruddock, he got stuck in at every aspect of the game. Very physical and didn't look out of place.

Murphy was interesting, he took the role of being openside very technically. He worked very hard to get to every breakdown and had a good support effect at every one, providing us with very clean rucks. He was, however, a little hesitant in the loose and as such never got his hands on the ball from what I remember. It's a pity as the game was begging for him to carry at some tired legs. However that's down to inexperience and not wanting to do anything wrong.

I think the 19 jersey is between Hendo and McCarthy, and the 20 jersey is between Ruddock and Murphy, with an outside chance of Ryan and TOD being involved too.

Good headache to have.

It's not too much of a headache for me to be honest. Henderson and Ruddock would be my picks. POM's ability to play 7 means we can go with Ruddock at No.20. IMO Ruddock is just better than Murphy.

errlloyd

BBDBB wrote: »

I think the English points difference chase will be an unwelcome distraction, Im confident Joe will just tell the squad to concentrate only on the game plan to beat the French, which we are capable of doing.

It won't factor at all. We will know by kick off what England will finish on. And we will train during the week assuming they don't get 50 points against Italy.

BBDBB

errlloyd wrote: »

It won't factor at all. We will know by kick off what England will finish on. And we will train during the week assuming they don't get 50 points against Italy.

exactly my point, our mission hasn't changed at all, beat Italy and beat France, simples

Eod100

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Just had a look at the odds for this, Ireland at 10/11 seems like pretty decent value..

Podge_irl

P_1 wrote: »

It'd be a terrible shame if there was some kind of industrial action taking place this weekend at the airport....

I reckon that speaks for all out us who are currently green with envy...

Getting the train :cool:

flutered

Oregano_State wrote: »

I hope Tommy Bowe comes straight back into the starting line-up.

Would love to see him seal the championship with an outrageous finish from a cross-field kick.

who will supply it?

aimee1

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

flutered wrote: »

who will supply it?

Mike Ross.

rockbeast

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

Ireland are/is going to beat France. Everyone's a bit ratty and cagey because we're afraid to say it.

It's not going to be easy, most likely a 2 point win for us, but win we will.

It's never easy being an Ireland fan

RB

PS Let's all put aside our provincial differeces and cheer on the team for the next week

spiralism

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Agreed with Hook on the postmatch yesterday, France picking Trinh-Duc and Parra who love to go off against us would have had me worried. Neither's been picked, good man Saint-Andre.

France are flighty as **** but they looked rubbish against Scotland and couldn't do the basics right at all against a seriously limited team. They lost 8 lineouts and two scrums. The scottish scrum is the weakest in the 6 nations and losing 8 lineouts is an absolute embarrassment. Only for Scotland being (predictably) hopelessly inept and giving away a matchwinning penalty 22 metres out in front of the posts they would have lost.

No Nyanga, Fofana, Trinh-Duc, Dusatoir or Parra and a lame duck coach that the French can't wait to see the back of. Maybe there's a player's mutiny a la 2011, but that was a world cup where they saw their opportunity and tried to seize it themselves, the fire was there and a straight knockout competition to perform in. If they need to beat us by 30 points imo it's equally as likely they just wont give a **** and mail in a performance to get PSA sacked.

its_phil

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

rockbeast wrote: »

Ireland are/is going to beat France. Everyone's a bit ratty and cagey because we're afraid to say it.

It's not going to be easy, most likely a 2 point win for us, but win we will.

Scotland had that exact same lead with two minutes to go and probably thought the same.

We know how that turned out...

awec

Dimitri Szarzewski's impeccable head of hair

Healy
Best
Ross
POC
Toner
POM
Henry
Heaslip

Murray
Sexton
Kearney
D'Arcy
BOD
Trimble
Kearney

Cronin
McGrath
Moore
Henderson
Ruddock
Reddan
Jackson
McFadden


That'd be my pick for this game. Be surprised if we see any player in the squad who hasn't been involved so far (i.e. Ryan or Bowe).

Hagz

I would swap Ruddock out for Murphy.