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

[munstermuffin]

Telling ye that's my scenario and it'll happen. Call it written in the stars. The All Blacks will be out next weekend.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Telling ye that's my scenario and it'll happen. Call it written in the stars. The All Blacks will be out next weekend.

Nah, no chance. The only way that'll happen is if there's a few blatantly missed forward passes.

 

[Shaggy]

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.

True enough, the ABs have had an easy pool, but the one France and Ireland are in, isn't much tougher TBH ... really looking forward to this match ...I read Joe S. doesn't want to win it to avoid the ABs, but to get the extra days rest for his players

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Payne out of the World Cup, probably the worst player we could lose outside the 4 "irreplaceables". Can't think of who to call up tbh, Reid or McFadden wouldn't get a look, McCloskey hasn't the experience, Kilcoyne and start using Cave?

 

[Peat]

Payne out of the World Cup, probably the worst player we could lose outside the 4 "irreplaceables". Can't think of who to call up tbh, Reid or McFadden wouldn't get a look, McCloskey hasn't the experience, Kilcoyne and start using Cave?

Tell Earls he's now a centre for the duration of the World Cup and call up Trimble.

 

[big ginger 8]

I'm a lot more nervous for this match without Payne. A certain amount of that is of course is due to the possible impact in defense the other one is that we've replaced a distributor with a strike runner which means that we now have no distributors outside 10. That's really worrying.

Tell Earls he's now a centre for the duration of the World Cup and call up Trimble.

Yep that's what I see happening unless Schmidt throws the ultimate Schmidt curveball.

 

[munstermuffin]

Payne out of the World Cup, probably the worst player we could lose outside the 4 "irreplaceables". Can't think of who to call up tbh, Reid or McFadden wouldn't get a look, McCloskey hasn't the experience, Kilcoyne and start using Cave?

Rumours are its Trimble or Felix Jones. Would disagree about him being a massive blow. It's a loss but we can still be ok and yes we loose a bit defensively but gain attacking.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Stuart Olding would have been perfect, damn that man's fragility. Fitz and Henshaw would be what I'd have moving forward, better hands than Earls and stronger defensively. Our semi final chances have taken a significant blow with this though.

 

[jomjom]

Agreed, and its no discredit to Earls either, hes a great player on the wing and to be honest not the WORST at centre, but lets face it he is not World Cup centre material

Earls v Fofana will be not interesting sadly one that I dont think Earls will win. NZ/Argentina is going be to very difficult, that extra days rest is all too crucial now! You never know though, Earls could be baptized by fire from this experience and come out as a recognized outside centre. Careers are made and destroyed in the World Cup. Unfortunately I think this is wishful thinking on my part!

For France though I know we can still do it. The only way I see is losing is an Irish under performance, something us Irish fans are only too familiar with!

 

[Scotsmanslanj]

Too close to call. If Bastareaud is allowed to run at Sexton and close him down the Paddies are in trouble since I can't see them making yards with ball in hand too much. They'll need his boot to make territory.
I'm ridiculously excited about this match up, but have the sinking feeling there's going to be little creative rugby on display from either side. It's more likely to be 80 minutes of aerial bombardment and 3-pointers. Whoever gives fewer penalties is going to have it - just what you want with players like Fofana, Bowe and the Kearneys on the field.

(That was sarcasm. To be clear.)

Ultimately I can't realistically see either team getting past New Zealand. Though if the French do their thing again that would be something to see.

 

[Mhumhain]

Keith Earls will come out of this match with flying colours, he'll score 2 tries and we'll beat the French! Good man EARLS **** the begrudgers! Ireland will beat Poland in the soccer too!

 

[Mhumhain]

we'll beat France because they no longer have backs with off the cuff flair and imagination, they will simply go route 1 all night smash it up they'll do it with no plan b around 60 minutes they'll realize plan a isn't working so psa will send on even bigger men. However Murray and Sexton will get the back line running and we'll move big French forwards all over pitch they won't live with the pace when we get them running. However if the French backs suddenly have a back line renaissance, then we'll be parking the BUS !!

 

[Jockstap]

Payne out is a HUGE blow, with all due respect to Earls the lad just isn't the brightest when it comes to Rugby. Constantly making the wrong decisions and stupi mistakes at crucial points in the game. He just doesn't have the top 2 inches for 13 and he's proven that time and again. Time to move Henshaw outside but I'd rather Cave with his experience come in, ****, ****, ****ity ****.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Earls plays centre like he's wearing a pair of oven mitts. I think he lacks the vision for the position, but the main thing is he seems to drop the ball an awful lot when we're moving forward. I'd much prefer Fitz in that position, but here we are.

 

[Tony Manx]

Earls plays centre like he's wearing a pair of oven mitts. I think he lacks the vision for the position, but the main thing is he seems to drop the ball an awful lot when we're moving forward. I'd much prefer Fitz in that position, but here we are.

Earls always looks like a miserable git, and reckon this influences my attitude, but never really rated him....?!

 

[Feicarsinn]

He's a very good finisher from about 10 meters out. Good winger to have in a side that need tries, but not what you want at centre for me.

 

[MunsterMan]

Earls is a quality finisher, and Ireland's fastest player since Denis Hickie. Skill set more suited to the wing for sure, but he'll do a job in the centre. I'd favour Darren Cave and keep Earls on the wing personally.

 

[munstermuffin]

Time for Earlsy to prove all the begrudges wrong to ****. Gwan Keef

 

[Tony Manx]

Time for Earlsy to prove all the begrudges wrong to ****. Gwan Keef

You not letting the Guiness close your eyes to reality are ye?!!

 

[TheOvalBall]

C'mon France. Please don't let me down.