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

[munstermuffin]

Ireland (v France):

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Keith Earls
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell (captain)
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Richardt Strauss
17. Jack McGrath
18. Nathan White
19. Iain Henderson
20. Chris Henry
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Luke Fitzgerald

Has been said Payne has been training and just didn't convince Schmidt he was up to pace. Also no Sean Cronin.

 

[profitius]

A horses for courses selection. Interestingly Schmidt said they've picked it with one eye on next week.

 

[dunney77]

Hmm, not feeling too confident now that the team has been announced

 

[TheOvalBall]

Michalak has to control the game from the start. Then France stand a chance. Can't wait for this!

 

[Chistera]

France :

15. Spedding
14. Nakaitaci
13. Bastareaud
12. Fofana
11. Dulin
10. Michalak
9. Tillous-Borde

1. Ben Arous
2. Guirado
3. Slimani
4. Papé
5. Maestri
6. Dusautoir (c)
7. Chouly
8. Picamoles

Replacements:

16. Kayser
17. Debaty
18. Mas
19. Flanquart
20. Le Roux
21. Parra
22. Talès
23. Dumoulin

No surprises, Chouly back in for Leroux, Dulin on the wing to catch those mighty Sexton and Murray kicks, Nakaitaci ahead of Guitoune and Grosso.
Key players: Dusautoir, Ben Arous and Bastareaux, all three have to be dominant at the breakdown, the Irish will gain some tunovers from us, we need to get some too. Michalak, which Michalak turns up will decide on which France turns up.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

 

[TheOvalBall]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

I'd love that more than anything

 

[French TommyGun]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

Yes please!

 

[lynam1104]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

I'd be aight with that.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

I doubt any team will get within a converted Try of this All Blacks team.

 

[Kiwi_]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

Everyone can dream I suppose.

 

[Bazzy]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

Bring it on. Would definitely prefer facing Ireland than France in the quarters.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'll call it now. France will scrape past us by less than 7 but we WILL beat All Blacks by 7.

Aye, get it out of the way, beating world champions is the in thing over here at the moment.

 

[RoosTah]

I doubt any team will get within a converted Try of this All Blacks team.

Well the Springboks lost by a converted try and the Wallabies beat them by more than a converted try in this year's Rugby Championship. It's hard to get a real gage on the ABs in this RWC though, as they've been in one of the easiest groups with top spot pretty much guaranteed.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Well the Springboks lost by a converted try and the Wallabies beat them by more than a converted try in this year's Rugby Championship. It's hard to get a real gage on the ABs in this RWC though, as they've been in one of the easiest groups with top spot pretty much guaranteed.

Stop poking holes in my flimsy defenses.

 

[OverGore]

france will lose, get blasted in all media overhere, will have to save honour etc once again against Allblacks, and will beat them

 

[Wimero]

Much as I like the Irish I think they'll get hammered by the French(c 20pts ish) and hammered by the AB's(c20+pts ish).This French side are looking very very good and I think the AB's are just unbeatable and are nailed on to win the cup.

 

[jomjom]

Pretty grim hopeless predictions for Ireland, what makes you think were going to get 2 consecutive thrashings? As far as I know, under Schmidt any game we have lost has not been by more than a 7 point margin :huh:

I would be very very surprised if we lost to France or NZ by 20, let alone both of them...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Really looking forward to my first trip to the Millennium. Should be a great game and nice to be watching as a neutral for once.

Something tells me that the French are starting to get a little momentum up.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

The problem with the French is their desire to run away from combat/challenges.