[2015 RWC] Pool D: France vs. Ireland (11/10/2015)

[French TommyGun]

mm, well they've done it before...

Your such a wind up merchant!

 

[81st_Minute]

mm, yes I can be.

 

[French TommyGun]

I think it's impossible to call this game... there is nothing between them and if they both play well it will come down to a small error or the bounce of the ball.
... or a bad ref!

 

[korn1]

Will be going for France (well I am half Mauritian)

 

[munstermuffin]

We aren't a bad team, but f**k me, we're a long way short of where RTÉ et al would have you believe.

I'd disagree. It's a results based game. And if you look at it overall Schmidt has got those results. He's mixed a squad and take away 9 and 10. He's made literally 2 players for every spot and for the first time ever I think there isn't a solid 15 in terms of the team being fixed. Every row has reasonable debate.
Healy/McGrath, Toner/Henderson, Henry to come in??, Zebo/Earls/Bowe/Kearney x2, Earls/Payne/Fitzgearld/Henshaw/Madigan/Cave. And every player knows their role so well it doesn't weaken us much when these changes occur.

Nobody is saying we are a flashy team and yes we have flaws and can be exposed. But tactically and technically we will always stand a decent chance against anyone.

 

[truebluestu]

It's so tight.

As Sexton has said, Ireland need to play our best game of the Schmidt era to beat France. In fact, we need to play the best game in our history over the next "hopefully" 4 games. Part of me wants to meet New Zealand in the QFs, they'll be unbeatable in the final.

Any France fans out there want to agree to swap QF tickets based on the result of Sunday? I have 2 x Cat C for QF3.

 

[TheOvalBall]

If France win this, then it will be by no more than 5 points.

 

[wayevs]

The wheels might start to come off for Wales against Australia, and snowball into the South Africa match.

Why you talking about Wales v Australia, you do know there is a separate thread for that don't you? Concentrate on the cock v clover

 

[TheOvalBall]

Why you talking about Wales v Australia, you do know there is a separate thread for that don't you? Concentrate on the cock v clover

What are you talking about ?

 

[wayevs]

What are you talking about ?

Just giving you info in case you got lost on the forum

 

[truebluestu]

In fairness once we get to QF, it's fair game as all results are intertwined with possible future outcomes!

 

[Diomedes]

McGrath
Best
Ross
Toner (Henderson's been class, but we'll need guaranteed line out ball)
POC
POM
SOB
Heaslip

Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Payne
Bowe (hasn't impressed me much recently but his fielding ability could prove crucial)
Kearney

Cronin
Healy
White
Hendo
Henry
Reddan
Madigan
Fitzgerald (has looked sharp and offers better cover than Zebo/DK)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

McGrath
Best
Ross
Toner (Henderson's been class, but we'll need guaranteed line out ball)
POC
POM
SOB
Heaslip

Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Payne
Bowe (hasn't impressed me much recently but his fielding ability could prove crucial)
Kearney

Cronin
Healy
White
Hendo
Henry
Reddan
Madigan
Fitzgerald (has looked sharp and offers better cover than Zebo/DK)

I like this. Hendo and Toner doesn't matter that much, our line out is solid as **** either way and Earls and Fitz are interchangeable. If we want to win 22-16 pick Earld, 15-9 we pick Fitz. I think this team is ready for a final and this is the game they'll prove it. Ireland by <7 but never really look like losing, a bit like February and last Sunday.

 

[Fard]

You mean like the kiwis in 2011 ??

I watched again yesterday a big part of the quarter final in 2007, wanted to have another look at the refeing of Barnes. Apart the forward pass towards Michalak (which is impossible to see from Barnes position, he is hidden from Michalak), Barnes is very fair all along. Where Kiwis are gutted is that he has punished McCaw big time all the match for not rolling out. Finally Kiwis are ****** off against a referee who applied the rules.

This is a great post!

 

[dunney77]

God, I hope Sexton has a stormer.

Sometimes (v NZ 2013, v Wales 2014, v England 2015) we absolutely fly out of the blocks and really don't relent. We need that sort of performance to beat the French.

 

[jomjom]

God, I hope Sexton has a stormer.

Sometimes (v NZ 2013, v Wales 2014, v England 2015) we absolutely fly out of the blocks and really don't relent. We need that sort of performance to beat the French.

Dont forget France 2014. What a match.

I agree though, Ireland are capable of some seriously top quality performances when the stars align. I dont know what it is but when this team truly clicks they are on fire (apart from that 80th minute against NZ, ahem...).

Im a little bit shook by Sunday, but I have faith in Joe and the team. Im certain Schmidt has got some cards he hasnt played yet. I mean, he must have been planning this match for months...

 

[Chistera]

Dont forget France 2014. What a match.

I agree though, Ireland are capable of some seriously top quality performances when the stars align. I dont know what it is but when this team truly clicks they are on fire (apart from that 80th minute against NZ, ahem...).

Im a little bit shook by Sunday, but I have faith in Joe and the team. Im certain Schmidt has got some cards he hasnt played yet. I mean, he must have been planning this match for months...

Beware of Saint-Andre's master tactics as well... I'm predicting 6 forwards on the bench for Sunday and Bastareaud running at Sexton everytime he gets the ball.
Also, Dulin, a fullback, is touted to start on the wing, so our coaching staff is definitely afraid of the Irish kicking game, smart move I reckon.

 

[TheOvalBall]

I'd like to see Mathieu Bastareaud used a lot more in the opponents 22. He could create some serious havoc for the opposition.

Vive la France!

 

[bw245]

Nervous for this. I am up for winning by penalties. Our defence is solid. Gotta win up front to win the game. Rumoured (supposedly confirmed) team:

Healy
Best
Ross
Toner
POC
POM
SOB
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Kearney Jnr
Henshaw
Payne
Bowe
Kearney Snr

Henderson off the bench for impact will be needed. Toner needed to improve our maul and to steal line out ball.

 

[Rugby Jay]

I cant wait for this match really think this is where both teams show if they are really contenders for the world cup. My head says Ireland but my guts says France but who knows.