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

[munstermuffin]

Pretty gutted for Earls but I think the 2 selections show our game plan will be aerial and very tactical.

 

[Peat]

I'd like to congratulate Gatland on no longer being the most boring NZ coach in the British Isles. ^_^

 

[Tony Manx]

Pretty gutted for Earls but I think the 2 selections show our game plan will be aerial and very tactical.

That should fool the French then!!

 

[munstermuffin]

That should fool the French then!!

Well nothing to do with fooling French. Just Schmidt has picked a tactic and picked best suited.

Healy in as without Henderson we loose a ball carrier so Healy fixes that. Toner is added height and also his frame makes it awkward for French defending mauls.
Kearney and Bowe on wings are our 2 best in the air and well I presume a lot of in the air kicks so they'll be our 2 main chasers.

 

[French TommyGun]

Given the Irish selection I think PSA will play Dulin on the wing which has it pros and cons. Pros is he is probably the best under the high balls in this French group. Cons being he obviously isn't that comfortable on the wing and I would much prefer Guitoune there in his place.
I would love to see Nakaitaci and Guitoune on the wings with Dulin at full back... but PSA will always pick Spedding over Dulin at 15.

 

[munstermuffin]

Irish bench is rumoured to be
Cronin
McGrath
White
Henderson
Henry
Reddan
Madigan
Fitzgerald.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We showed as a nation we aren't half bad at kicking a ball last night, Sunday will take it to a new level entirely. Playing structured rugby is the way to beat France and that is the 23 to do it, this was always going to be the first game of both sides' World Cups so throw the form book out the window and we'll finally see what Les Bleus and Ireland are really packing this tournament.

 

[merlinux]

We showed as a nation we aren't half bad at kicking a ball last night, Sunday will take it to a new level entirely. Playing structured rugby is the way to beat France and that is the 23 to do it, this was always going to be the first game of both sides' World Cups so throw the form book out the window and we'll finally see what Les Bleus and Ireland are really packing this tournament.

We beat you at THAT game playing by hand heh heh. Hopefully you won't beat us in this game with your kicking...

 

[MunsterMan]

Joe Schmidt has been Ireland coach for two years, he has delivered two 6N ***les and it has felt like we have been on an upward trajectory the whole time, so as far as I am concerned he can pick the team he wants, and we will play the rugby he wants us to play. Still, all this talk of Ireland 'holding things back' for the big games, when it looks like we are just going to kick the leather off the ball is a little bit disconcerting . If we win our next 4 games 3-0 and get a little golden trophy at the end of it, no one will complain at the same time.

We beat you at THAT game playing by hand heh heh. Hopefully you won't beat us in this game with your kicking...

It's still too soon man. Ouch.

 

[munstermuffin]

Joe Schmidt has been Ireland coach for two years, he has delivered two 6N ***les and it has felt like we have been on an upward trajectory the whole time, so as far as I am concerned he can pick the team he wants, and we will play the rugby he wants us to play. Still, all this talk of Ireland 'holding things back' for the big games, when it looks like we are just going to kick the leather off the ball is a little bit disconcerting . If we win our next 4 games 3-0 and get a little golden trophy at the end of it, no one will complain at the same time.



It's still too soon man. Ouch.

That's the fairest way to look at it. I think Schmidt simply has decided the best way to win is tight with pinning them in the corners. Attack their lineout and try force them in to submission. The team obviously shows we won't be going out wide and will attempt to outlast the French and patiently break them down.

 

[Bull]

Before the WC I picked Ireland to win this match and quite easily too, now I'm not sure about it. I'm leaning more towards the French, also leaned towards them in 2011 but didn't pick them. Don't want to make the same mistake again.

 

[Macsen]

The Rugby Gods dictate that France must have at least one stinker before beating the All Blacks and reaching the final, so will probably lose this one 33-8.

 

[French TommyGun]

The Rugby Gods dictate that France must have at least one stinker before beating the All Blacks and reaching the final, so will probably lose this one 33-8.

Haha! I think the rugby gods have completely abandoned us over the last 4 years! 3 x 4th position is the 6 nations, 1 wooden spoon and every spring test tour the SH lost... if we make it to the finals this tournament it'll be through the sheer will of man! "dear rugby gods... stay the hell out of our way!!!"

 

[French TommyGun]

Ben Arous, Guirado, Slimani - Papé, Maestri - Dusautoir (cap), Chouly, Picamoles - Tillous-Borde, Michalak - Dulin, Fofana, Bastareaud, Nakaitaci - Spedding Les remplaçants : Kayser, Debaty, Mas, Flanquart, Le Roux, Parra, Talès, Dumoulin

That's a strong French side! Our pack looks formidable with Picamoles, Chouly, Dusautoir and a solid front 5.
I understand why he hasn't started Parra. If TB is crap or Michalak is injured he'll bring him on from the bench pretty quickly I'm sure.
As for Dulin at wing... it's not great when we have Guitoune that we could play but considering Dulin's ability under high ball it might just be the right choice??
I'm excited now!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd like to congratulate Gatland on no longer being the most boring NZ coach in the British Isles. ^_^

Give me boring, I love it... Far sexier than the pantomime villain that's about to resign as England coach!!!

 

[MunsterMan]

Both teams seem to be leaning towards a conservative, kicking based game. So I'm predicting both teams to score 4 tries in one of the games of the tournament, just because.

 

[Rugby Jay]

The trouble with the French is that they might lose to Ireland and play really poorly and then in the quarter's suddenly come to life and end up in another final. They are so unpredictable it's scary. I know AB's won't want to meet the French.

 

[munstermuffin]

Rumours Earls at 13 for Payne who failed fitness test.

Edit wrote at 12 only posted now.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Earls v Basteraud... Cave's selection thoroughly pointless if true... Sexton being out is the only worse news I could think of! Change of gameplan needed, at least the backline will be more potent.

 

[munstermuffin]

Earls v Basteraud... Cave's selection thoroughly pointless if true... Sexton being out is the only worse news I could think of! Change of gameplan needed, at least the backline will be more potent.

Like all other selections I'm sure Schmidt is picking on form. Rumours are it has been known all week and Schmidt has been ready. The fact is Cave was never in contention as I predict Fitz was next in line. I think Earls should've been starting on wing regardless and Cave at 13 if Payne out.