[2015 RWC] Pool D: France vs. Italy (19/09/2015)

[TRF_heineken]

Twickenham, London (19/09/2015, 20:00)
Pool D, Round 1

Referee: Craig Joubert

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Teams

France: TBA

Italy: TBA

 

[French TommyGun]

Joubert!?? Well that's not a spit in the face! So he screws up the end of the last World Cup and now he'll screw the start of this one!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Parisse out injured, and France will play the first-choice XV, as Ireland will be still three weeks away. I give Italy no chance, despite France being shiite.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Joubert!?? Well that's not a spit in the face! So he screws up the end of the last World Cup and now he'll screw the start of this one! 

Don't worry, SA got both Garces and Poite in the pool stages. Nothing close to a RWC final I'll admit but how long are SA gonna pay for one man (Joubert's) lack of spine? Our governing bodies should actually get smart and if we are going to see 'questionable officiating' it might as well be to the benefit of our respective teams, eh?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Don't worry, SA got both Garces and Poite in the pool stages. Nothing close to a RWC final I'll admit but how long are SA gonna pay for one man (Joubert's) lack of spine? Our governing bodies should actually get smart and if we are going to see 'questionable officiating' it might as well be to the benefit of our respective teams, eh?

We don't have Poite... We have Garces against Japan, Nigel Owens against Scotland, Wayne Barnes against Samoa and Pascal Gauzere against USA.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

We don't have Poite... We have Garces against Japan, Nigel Owens against Scotland, Wayne Barnes against Samoa and Pascal Gauzere against USA.

Ahh, I remembered incorrectly. Thank you for correcting me but I'll probably have to give you an infraction for going off-topic..

On 2nd thought seeing as we're likely to see all of Joubert, Le Roux, Kockett and Spedding (and maybe even Geldenhuys for Italy still?) in here we can afford a little SA flavor?

Anyway, easy win for France one would think seeing as Italy is losing out on half of its player talent (Parisse). But then France are the one team more difficult to predict for than SA and has a lot more questionable selections. Les Blues are good value for their dark horse tag IMO. This fixture is their banana peel though IMO so good thing its first up!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Anyway, easy win for France one would think seeing as Italy is losing out on half of its player talent (Parisse). But then France are the one team more difficult to predict for than SA and has a lot more questionable selections. Les Blues are good value for their dark horse tag IMO. This fixture is their banana peel though IMO so good thing its first up!

I think the questionable selections are not too many in number (I think most people agree on almost the entire forward pack and about 4 backs). It's more about selections on some key positions, and the gameplan (or lack thereof) that they imply.

 

[Chistera]

Parisse out injured, and France will play the first-choice XV, as Ireland will be still three weeks away. I give Italy no chance, despite France being shiite.

I agree, without Parisse, Italy stands no chance. I hope that our players will take these 3 first games -against inferior opponents- as an opportunity to get more adventurous.

 

[French TommyGun]

I agree, without Parisse, Italy stands no chance. I hope that our players will take these 3 first games -against inferior opponents- as an opportunity to get more adventurous.

I worry that the more sure we are of winning the less likely we will win!

 

[LiRFCMatt]

I worry that the more sure we are of winning the less likely we will win!

That's what I was just thinking...

I think this game for France is just about getting through it with a victory, in whatever fashion that may be.

On a scale of 1-10 how nervous are the French ahead of this game?

 

[French TommyGun]

That's what I was just thinking...

I think this game for France is just about getting through it with a victory, in whatever fashion that may be.

On a scale of 1-10 how nervous are the French ahead of this game?

I agree France just need to win this one nothing more. Given our reputation we are the prime target for teams like Romania and Canada (and Itali) who will try to claim a tier 1 scalp and be this tournament's Tonga.
If 10 is the most nervous then I'm an easy 7... if we slip on this Italian banana skin we're basically out of the tournament

 

[LiRFCMatt]

I agree France just need to win this one nothing more. Given our reputation we are the prime target for teams like Romania and Canada (and Itali) who will try to claim a tier 1 scalp and be this tournament's Tonga.
If 10 is the most nervous then I'm an easy 7... if we slip on this Italian banana skin we're basically out of the tournament

We'd hate for this to happen again...



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Or even this



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Is there a sense that the Italians are somewhat of a bogey side nowadays?

 

[FrenchFan]

On a scale of 1-10 how nervous are the French ahead of this game?

on a scale of 1-10? 0
However if Romania dress as Tongans they have a chance.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

on a scale of 1-10? 0
However if Romania dress as Tongans they have a chance.

It's Italy not Romania!

 

[jomjom]

Is there a sense that the Italians are somewhat of a bogey side nowadays?

lol, no. Italy are pretty shambolic. This year vs Wales I had the faint glimmer of hope, in the first half, that they just MIGHT not totally fail at playing rugby and make it somewhat tough for Wales to win but nope - come the second half, complete and utter capitulation. It was embarrassing to watch. They have the very, very occasional good game, and even at that only against teams that were performing poorly (Scotland, PSA France, D. Kidney Ireland on a bad day). I honestly question their tier 1 status.

I know, I know, Scotland have a pretty poor record but at least Scotland have SOME skill (sloppy and impetuous as it is) and dont just give up half way through 'cos theyre losing. Plus they're a home nation, second nation ever to play rugby, it would be crazy to demote them and not have them play in the 6N and such.

Anyways, Im getting off topic. France to win this by 10 at least.

 

[FrenchFan]

It's Italy not Romania!

ach so. Correction: If Romania and Italy dress as Tongans they have a chance.

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lol, no. Italy are pretty shambolic. This year vs Wales I had the faint glimmer of hope, in the first half, that they just MIGHT not totally fail at playing rugby and make it somewhat tough for Wales to win but nope - come the second half, complete and utter capitulation. It was embarrassing to watch. They have the very, very occasional good game, and even at that only against teams that were performing poorly (Scotland, PSA France, D. Kidney Ireland on a bad day). I honestly question their tier 1 status.

I know, I know, Scotland have a pretty poor record but at least Scotland have SOME skill (sloppy and impetuous as it is) and dont just give up half way through 'cos theyre losing. Plus they're a home nation, second nation ever to play rugby, it would be crazy to demote them and not have them play in the 6N and such.

Anyways, Im getting off topic. France to win this by 10 at least.

Italy by 15.

 

[Tony Manx]

This must be the only contest this weekend is it not?

 

[French TommyGun]

This must be the only contest this weekend is it not?

I wouldn't be surprised if England Fiji turns out to be tighter then people imagine

 

[Shaggy]

Joubert!?? Well that's not a spit in the face! So he screws up the end of the last World Cup and now he'll screw the start of this one! 

... I guess you'll have to get over it ... we have Barnes against the Pumas

How have the Italians been going: I know they'll be up for this match, as they have to knock over you guys or the Irish to have any chance, but they haven't really shown any form to suggest that they could beat you guys, have they?

 

[jomjom]

... I guess you'll have to get over it ... we have Barnes against the Pumas

How have the Italians been going: I know they'll be up for this match, as they have to knock over you guys or the Irish to have any chance, but they haven't really shown any form to suggest that they could beat you guys, have they?

No they havent. IIRC they beat Scotland in a drab 1 point victory over them this year or something like that but barring that they havent really played well in quite a long time.