Six Nations 2023 - Ireland v France Match Thread, Sat 11th Feb, KO 2:15PM - TV: RTÉ2, ITV, France2

Former Former Former · 11-02-2023 8:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230077#Comment_120230077

Farrell said it "doesn't look good" for Beirne.

crisco10 · 11-02-2023 8:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230067#Comment_120230067

True, reckon LAR would have kicked to the corner tho!

Former Former Former · 11-02-2023 8:44pm

Keenan carried for 203 metres today. That's crazy.

phily2002 · 11-02-2023 8:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230077#Comment_120230077

Ah crap, the fact they have him in the boot isn't great

Panrich · 11-02-2023 9:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230187#Comment_120230187

Not great, but I'd prefer to see ankle problems rather than knee. An ACL would be the one to worry about so I'll take that as a glass half full scenario.

11-02-2023 9:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230127#Comment_120230127

Farrell seemed quite downcast afterwards and implied he'd be going for a scan. I didn't see what happened - did he walk off?

martingriff · 11-02-2023 9:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120229590#Comment_120229590

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120229594#Comment_120229594

Jesus lads ye are starting to sound as conspiratorial as Manchester City.

BBC showed just the scores just before the start of the 2nd half I doubt Gabby Logan knew much more then what was seen I thought they were up to date on the ire of Ireland fans. ITV an English station were also stunned it was not red. Tomorrow they will have there program where they talk about games they don't show

Well talking about Barnes in nothing but distain result in a bans like talking about Saracens (a joke)

11-02-2023 9:33pm

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1624456373453918208

..

hold my beer · 11-02-2023 9:41pm

So many positives today. Doris outrageously good, James Ryan too. Sexton reeling back the years and a joy to watch in full flight. Ross Byrne slotting in seamlessly. Bealham a colossus. Ringrose playing the rugby of his life. We're a bloody good side.

OldRio · 11-02-2023 9:41pm

Re Barnes, it was a red IMHO. Everyday of the week.

I'd like to think he will look back and think 'cock up'. At the end of the day he is human.

Some of the shite posted on here regarding him was frankly embarrassing.

Yeah_Right · 11-02-2023 9:44pm

That was a cracking game of rugby. 2 top quality sides going at each other. Really enjoyable. And I think some of the credit has to go to Barnes. He kept the whistling to a minimum and let them play. And that suited Ireland as they got to keep the tempo up.

On the card, could have been a red but I've seen those given as yellows as well. Porter on Rettallick and Cian Healy against Ulster were very similar and both were yellows.

pickarooney · 11-02-2023 9:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230322#Comment_120230322

A try and a strike in the same movement!

redlough · 11-02-2023 10:01pm

Cracking game of rugby

No idea why people are so obsessed to talk about the ref, the hilarious bit was the French are saying they lost because of the ref

Best to just discuss the rugby!! IMO anyway

techdiver · 11-02-2023 10:14pm

I'm getting tired of the bullshit criticism of "the atmosphere". I was there and I'll tell you there was no shortage of atmosphere!

It's a lazy complaint at this stage. Get some new material.

If a game is exciting the crowd will respond (as today). If it's shite then the same crowd response will result.

What a fuckin performance! Best performance I've witnessed at the aviva!

farmingquestion · 11-02-2023 10:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230006#Comment_120230006

It was really good and a great game to watch.

I think people saying it was one of the best performances ever and even seen some saying it's the best test match ever are going overboard.

Clegg · 11-02-2023 10:21pm

Doris threw another outrageous offload earlier in the game as well. He's an outrageously good passer for a forward. Always has been, but he has improved something which was already a strength. That's a very rare quality to possess.

Brewster · 11-02-2023 10:30pm

Just back home relaxing with a cuppa. An incredible day, an incredible match, an incredible atmosphere and an incredible win, in doubt right up to Ringrose try. My 5/6 Nations games are in the hundred plus at this stage, that game was right up there. Great travelling support by French, good few tickets offloaded by clubs, which added to atmosphere. Onwards to Rome……!

farmingquestion · 11-02-2023 10:30pm

While we were great and our squad is great, it's worth pointing out a few things to show it's fine margins between winning and losing today.

Lowe was in touch for that try and it was an awful call for the TMO not to show the behind angle
I thought at the time Bealhams pass looked close to being forward and was surprised it wasn't looked at. Looking at the slow mo, it's clear to me Bealhams pass was forward.
There was a penalty won by McCloskey just 5 metres out at the start of the 2nd half. He went for the steal, then went off his feet. He didn't release the ball and got back to his feet. Barnes was looking at the other way for a second when he was off his feet. He then awarded a penalty to Ireland.

France's main goal is the home world cup. Wouldn't surprise me if they kept a few things up their sleeve they didn't want to show.

clsmooth · 11-02-2023 11:08pm

Margins at the top level are tiny. We were held up over the line several times. On another day we score one or two of those.

Dupont’s tackle on Hansen was incredible. I’m not sure any other player who would find themselves in that position would stop the score. He must be pound for pound the strongest player in contact in world rugby. Huge moment to keep France in the game.

And the biggest one, how on earth did Atonio avoid red? Rob Herring is 6ft 1. There was no dip from him on the carry. Atonio didn’t dip before the tackle. Stuck a shoulder in and caught him in the head. No wrap. Barnes said there was no high level of danger. Herring not being allowed back onto the pitch would contradict that statement. Puzzling. That’s exactly the type of tackle they were trying to stamp out.

Great game of rugby and delighted we were able to get through that tough patch after halftime and retake control of the game without the experienced heads of POM, Murray and Sexton.

11-02-2023 11:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230505#Comment_120230505

And Antonio could have seen red. There are always fine margins but at the end of the day we scored 4 tries to 1 and were held up over the line 4 times.

The better team won, just made hard work of it.

Neil3030 · 11-02-2023 11:15pm

Mate just asked an interesting thought question:

"Suppose France were a tourning side, and we play again next week (likely missing Sexton and Beirne), who wins?"

clsmooth · 11-02-2023 11:27pm

I’d back Ireland due to their superior fitness, home advantage and the fact they have backed up big performances one after another in NZ.

Would we be getting injured players back in this thought experiment?

awec · 11-02-2023 11:32pm

Haven’t seen him mentioned yet but McCloskey put in another banging performance. Gave them something to think about all day, and lots of hard carries.

Possibly his best outing in green yet.

Thought everyone was good. Murray a little questionable in the first half but I’m reluctant to be critical. Byrne and Casey good when they came on.

Doris and Keenan are different gravy at the moment.

Dubinusa · 11-02-2023 11:34pm

Fantastic match!

Clegg · 11-02-2023 11:51pm

Rob Kearney is still the best Irish fullback I've ever seen. But Hugo Keenan is playing at such a high level right now that it's really only the longevity of the former that's keeping him ahead.

I think Keenan has been making a pivotal play every game for the last 18 months now. He's world class.

https://twitter.com/TheLooseH/status/1624502992270422016?t=ugWPeDhn1f7b0vTKSfQ7CQ&s=09

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1624453713069854720?t=XUlLBu6286HSYi1IiR7aYQ&s=09

kuang1 · 11-02-2023 11:51pm

Agree with almost all of the comments/observations about our performance today.

But I think our defence needs more of a mention. It's bloody immense. The fact that France were happy to take 3 points from anywhere between the halfway line and the ten metre line testified to what they knew they were up against.

With hindsight, I think they were hoping for a low-scoring, arm-wrestle type of game.

I don't think they were expecting an Irish team that was that fit, that strong, and that was equally comfortable in broken play as France have historically been.

On 68 minutes, it was obvious that France were spent. To a man, they were blowing. Macalou came on at around 60 mins for France, and even he was blowing at 68 because he was trying to cover 3 different positions due to the rest of the back row being so exhausted.

An absolute triumph for Irish rugby today.

Personally don't give a sh1te about world rankings, but we've now beaten everyone. Deserving world number 1.

Could say so much more...am rewatching it right now with a very special whiskey for company.

But a very special day, thank you squad and coaching ticket. Loved that.

blackcard · 11-02-2023 11:53pm

Looking back at the Keenan try, you can see how rehearsed a move it was. Sexton was sprinting past the French defence as Bealham was about to pass to Keenan. As Keenan broke through, it was a 6 on 2 as everyone else was aware of the move, O'Mahoney was in a blocking position for the French defenders. Great to see a plan come together

TRC10 · 11-02-2023 11:57pm

To think that the English media we're putting Freddie Stewart in the same bracket as Keenan just a few months ago

aloooof · 12-02-2023 12:13am

Just got to see the game now and, well, that was a brilliant game of rugby; first half in particular. Some thoughts on that:

- Doris is just playing consistently oustanding rugby at the moment. Sensational offload for the Ringrose try (and what a fend as well).

- Closely followed by Keenan, who has legitimate claims to the best FB in the world at the moment. Imperious under the high ball, a brilliant kicker but he offers a huge amount in attack as well. His try was a brilliant finish off a set move, but he's such an intelligent player overall. For Hansen's intercept he seemed immediately switched on; he must've received the pass at full pelt.

- Thought Lowe as well was excellent. His finish was obviously outstanding but his kicking now is beyond important to us too.

- Delighted with Bealham's performance as well, he's been playing great stuff for the last 12 months or more. Super execution for the try and any one of about 5 players could've scored that try in the end.

- And on that, France's opportunities were restricted to broken field, improvised moments of genius. Whereas our tries and attack seems way more repeatable and sustainble. The fact they went for the drop goal in the 2nd half suggests to me we had their number tbh.

- Thought Atonio's was a clear red card tbh; absolutely no attempt at a hinge.

- You'd have to mention Dupont, he's got the be one of the best players in the game at the moment. His tackle on Hansen was phenomenal. By contrast, I thought Ntamack was anonymous.

- We clearly kicked to keep the ball in play again, like vs Wales last week (unless there was an obvious territorial advantage on). And it worked brilliantly, we seemed to be increasingly in the ascendency as the game progressed.

- Thought Craig Casey was excellent when he came on; I've been saying for awhile I think his kicking has improved for Munster over the last 6-12 months and he gave a perfect example of it here as well as his usual quality passing.

stephen_n · 12-02-2023 12:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230732#Comment_120230732

BOD analyzed it at half time. It was setup from the moment Keenan passed to Doris. Keenan immediately tracked his run as soon as he passed to Doris. POM did really well to make sure Baille couldn’t get in the channel. Antonio was totally asleep for it. Clearly identified in analysis.

typhoony · 12-02-2023 12:44am

Agree with what the previous poster said about some key decisions going are way when they were dubious at best, however if you look at the game overall we clearly were the Dominant team in defence and attack and played better rugby

molloyjh · 12-02-2023 1:23am

One of the best things about that game today was that we have more in us. We got held up over the line 3 times and botched 2 or 3 chances too. Murray was off (tough week for the guy) and Hansen was a bit mixed. We were missing Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, JGP and Henshaw. We lost Herring to injury early and Sexton went off earlier than we’d have liked. Our tackle success was low (73%) and we lost a few line outs. And yet we won comfortably in the end. There are improvements we can make and players we can bring back.

And everything we have done is all repeatable, and has been repeated consistently now for a while. Our fitness levels are far higher than the French, which is why we were keeping it infield on our kicks. And our defence, particularly our scramble on a French line break, was very impressive. We restricted them to 2 visits into our red zone. One for their try and one for McCloskeys steal. Other than that they were never close to a try. On the flip side we could, and probably should, have had another couple.

Anyone not very pleased with that must be pretty miserable!

Ardillaun · 12-02-2023 2:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230726#Comment_120230726

On Keenan’s try, Ringland contributed by calling for the ball and creating indecision in the minds of the French.

Dubinusa · 12-02-2023 2:52am

Impressive performance by Sexton. 37 years old!!!! This man is a gem. Ross Byrne with a good effort.

The depth has really come on. Tom O'Toole getting valuable minutes and demonstrating his ability in the loose. He's just 24! Stu McCloskey playing very well, he's a difficult man to take down. He appears to be enjoying his rugby.

Murray played well, I thought. Casey very good also. That was a seriously good test. Ireland lost Herring after 20 minutes or so and Kelleher finally got back on the field. I thought Kelleher did well. Seriously powerful lad.

All in all, a great spectacle. I will say I wish Dupont was Irish, lol. The wee lad is in a class of his own.

Ardillaun · 12-02-2023 3:06am

I’m delighted with what we are doing right now. Let’s not jinx it with irrational exuberance.

Ardillaun · 12-02-2023 3:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230666#Comment_120230666

In my imaginary seven game series format, games would be played at home and away à la North American sport. On this performance we’d have a decent chance of winning such a series.

12-02-2023 4:39am

There are a lot of remarkable things from the game but one of the most remarkable - France only spent 57s in the Irish 22 in the entire game. They still obviously had the ability to score from range (or anywhere on the pitch really) but Ireland controlled that game about as much as is possible against a team as good as France.

midnightblue · 12-02-2023 5:02am

Agreed. The place was buzzing. I haven’t been to the Aviva for test rugby in years, but I was pleasantly surprised pretty much everyone was in their seats by the time the anthems started.

I also think it helped that there were no green flags distributed, perhaps that helped with keeping the home crowd focused on roaring the team on.

Neil3030 · 12-02-2023 5:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230666#Comment_120230666

Yeah the general consensus was we would like absorb the loss of Sexton and Beirne if Sheehan and especially JGP returned. And that yeah, we'd leave fewer points on tbe table.

Ardillaun · 12-02-2023 5:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230099#Comment_120230099

I think we are still vulnerable to that sort of deep counter-attack.

For the RWC the best thing about this 6N so far is our emerging depth in positions where we used to have one decent player.

aloooof · 12-02-2023 6:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231011#Comment_120231011

If that’s the calibre of try required to score against us tho, I think we can be extremely happy with that.

aloooof · 12-02-2023 6:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120230885#Comment_120230885

Our fitness levels are far higher than the French, which is why we were keeping it infield on our kicks.

Exactly the same vs Wales last week too, we kicked centrally to keep the ball in play.

Resulted in the following:

https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1624554618238930946?s=46&t=mqKhpbA2K01t_7rryS0IXg

Musicrules · 12-02-2023 8:03am

Alright lads. Your hot tipster is back, just checking in to see if you all cashed in on my latest prediction? I do apologise, I was a little out and I expected more tries from France but I'm sure you all made a nice wedge off the below:

'Here is the conclusion of my analysis. It will be a high scoring game. Ireland will be far ahead in the high scoring contest but not as much as last week. France will struggle to stay in touch but score some outstanding tries but Ireland will outclass them. Here we go:

Ireland 32 France 22'

I'll be back when I've finalised my analysis for the Italian game. I'm due to travel to Rome to do some research. Stay tuned for that and it's a bit early for my world cup hot tips but let's just say that the early lookout is positive for Ireland. I'm talking silverware positive. But you'll need to wait till later in the year for a full prediction.

Jump_In_Jack · 12-02-2023 8:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231034#Comment_120231034

Notwithstanding the absolute brilliance of Ireland throughout, that try will be a sore point within the squad I’d say.

Sexton reached for some sort of one handed swipe on the ball carrier, Jelonch, to dislodge the ball and he let him slip past him way too easily, shockingly unacceptably terrible effort. It meant Keenan was forced to commit to stop him, and Hansen drifted over to help then when the pass went to Penaud off a different angle Hansen had to turn and Penaud was too quick to stop.

Not sure if Sexton was playing with a half-dead leg going into the match, might explain why he was subbed off again for another dead leg, but it didn’t make a difference in this instance as he was close enough to make a proper tackle.

See that passage of play again here starting at 1:42

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/video/highlights-ireland-v-france/

12-02-2023 8:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231115#Comment_120231115

I think Farrell needs to hold a public inquiry into that passage of play. What exactly was Sexton trying to do and was he perhaps attempting to assist the French?

"Shockingly, unacceptably terrible". Lol what are you like.

Jump_In_Jack · 12-02-2023 8:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231127#Comment_120231127

The standards they set are way higher than that effort, sorry if you don’t see it that way, but clearly Sexton was absolutely at fault there.

12-02-2023 8:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231130#Comment_120231130

He attempted a more upright tackle well inside our own half and two seconds later got the player down on the second attempt.

It was a well taken try, our tackling wasn't great all day but then that's what makes France world number 2 - they're are good evasive runners who score tries from broken play.

They scored 1 all day.

You are being ridiculous.

clsmooth · 12-02-2023 9:07am

Penaud is a tough man to stop ala Dupont. Seems to bounce off a fair amount of attempts.

Should Beirne have nailed him when he started the break? Obviously on hindsight he should have completed the tackle to take him out of the equation but I wonder what the point of view in camp is in these situations? Leave him as the ball is gone and keep yourself in the game?

hold my beer · 12-02-2023 9:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120231076#Comment_120231076

What does your research involve lol.....

Iamabeliever · 12-02-2023 9:49am

Think larmour should get a go against Italy, Hansen was average

Six Nations 2023 - Ireland v France Match Thread, Sat 11th Feb, KO 2:15PM - TV: RTÉ2, ITV, France2

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