[2015 Six Nations] Ireland vs France (Round 2)

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Ireland vs France

Date: Saturday, 14 February 2015 - 17:00 WET (UTC+0)
Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)


Team Line-ups:
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Ireland
[/TD]
[TD]vs[/TD]
[TD]France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rob Kearney[/TD]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]Scott Spedding[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tommy Bowe[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Yoann Huget[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jared Payne[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Mathieu Bastareaud[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Robbie Henshaw[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Wesley Fofana[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Simon Zebo[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Teddy Thomas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonathan Sexton[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Camille Lopez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Conor Murray[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Rory Kockott[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jamie Heaslip[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Damien Chouly[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sean O'Brien[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Bernard Le Roux[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Peter O'Mahony[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Thierry Dusautoir[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paul O'Connell[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Pascal Pape[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Devin Toner[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Yoann Maestri[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mike Ross[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Rabah Slimani[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rory Best[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Guilhem Guirado[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jack McGrath[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Eddy Ben Arous[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Replacements[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sean Cronin[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]Benjamin Kayser[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Cian Healy[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]Uini Atonio[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Martin Moore[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Vincent Debaty[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Iain Henderson[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Romain Taofifenua[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jordi Murphy[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD] Loann Goujon[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Isaac Boss[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Morgan Parra[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ian Madigan[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Remi Tales[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Felix Jones[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]Remi Lamerat[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

​

 

[profitius]

I didn't think Ireland were good yesterday but neither were France.

The type of performances were kind of opposite each other. Ireland did the basics well but lacked any flair. France had plenty of flair but couldn't do the simple things.

Both teams should be better next week.

 

[lynam1104]

Ireland will need to improve a lot if they want to win this game. Sexton, Heaslip and possibly SOB should bring that.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland were always likely to appear mediocre against the Italians. The way they've been grinding out wins under Schmidt only looks good against opposition of an equal level, what was promising yesterday was that Ireland never were dragged down to the Italians level and won the game without breaking a sweat.

France is a different matter, they have bags of potential out wide and and very good half backs and centres, something the Italians did not. They're also probably the side Schmidt likes preparing for the least given their lack of structure and consistency. The game will come down to how well Ireland's kicking game is carried out, as long as Huget and Thomas aren't allowed to counter effectively Ireland should be safe...

 

[big ginger 8]

So if we presume SO'B is out (although I wouldn't be shocked to see him) with Heaslip coming in who stays in the backrow? TO'D or Murphy or will we shift PO'M to 7 and bring Henderson in? I think the Henderson option will be limited by whether or not Mike McCarthy is fit and presuming he isn't I'd probably bring Murphy in. Although both had good games I thought Murphy was that much better and we need his carrying.

Ross or Moore is another question. I can't really make my mind up on it. Moore will be brought on at the 50 minute mark anyway and offers more impact than Ross who'll probably just be solid while he is on but I'm thinking Moore is simply the better player now.

I think Schmidt will stick with Payne at 13 but I would love to see Fitz vs Basteraud as his step has made more agile men look flat footed, though I suppose with his injury record maybe not the brightest idea to have him tackling a human wrecking ball.

 

[munstermuffin]

Reports from insiders in camp are that Sean O'Brien and Heaslip along with Sexton will start and Healy will bench for this one along with Reddan.

Presume O'Donnell, Diack, Keatley, Boss and Cronin (J) will all drop out of 23.
Earls and Luke Fitz I presume will both push for inclusion

@BG8 I think Schmidt doesn't see Henderson as a starting 6 and I don't think McCarthy is up to it at this level any more. They use Henderson as they're back up lock knowing they can use him at 6 too. Murphy will be benching for back row but it will be worrying times again with 2 lads returning from injury.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm interested to see what will happen in the centres this week. We have more options with Johnny back and can pick a more creative pairing. The lack of a 12 is worrying (and ironic considering He retired and we have loads of 13s), Henshaw is there purely for defence and doesn't offer as much in attack as he does at 13. The best fit 12 in the country is Madigan but he doesn't fit the gameplan. Henshaw and Fitz is our best option in my opinion with the two of them interchanging in attack, it adds more scope to the offence and gives us a centre pairing where both players can make clean line breaks with little to work with... Sounds familiar!

 

[Chistera]

For France, couple of changes to make following yesterday's game:
-Papé out for Taofifénua
-Chouly replaced by Picamoles (back from a minor injury)
-Kockott out for Parra, who then partners with his club mate Lopez
-Spedding out as well, I'd like to see Dulin have go, he's back to his old elusive self and could offer more creativity from the back
Don't know about Bastareaud, he had an excellent game against Scotland (a couple of crucial turnovers and the usual destructive runs) but his partnership with Fofana is still as sterile and it'd be nice to see the ball go all the way to our wingers more often. Also, I like the prospect of Bastareaud subbing in around the 50th, can have a huge impact on the match and seriously hurt the opponent.

 

[bw245]

Upon second viewing of the match, there is a lot of improvement needed. Execution and precision are obviously two big factors. However, I didn't predict Ireland would win by 23 points, nor did a lot of people. We got the job done. It wasn't pretty, which we expected, but it's done.
France will be a completely different set up. Ireland's game plan will not be to tire the French out. There will be a lot more rugby played. Johnny Sexton is key and he needs to have a good game. He knows the French better than any of the other players on that squad so he will be key.

 

[big ginger 8]

If Best is out, who starts Cronin or Strauss?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Strauss, need the scrum and line out to be solid for the Frenchies.

 

[profitius]

I expect Ireland to play at pace and test the French fitness levels. I also think we'll see some good rugby and tries from both sides. It has the look of a good game.

 

[bw245]

It's a tough one. Would normally say Cronin but think he's like Madigan in that he is better when he comes off the bench and can really add something to the game. Strauss would be more fired up and like others have said is better for a solid scrum, which will definitely needed. I think Strauss maybe.

 

[big ginger 8]

Listening to Mick Kearney being interviewed and Healy and D. Kearney are both available. SO'B and Best are also probable. So clearly that is some fantastic news there are also rumours that Trimble will be starting for Ulster this weekend.

Interestingly he mentioned that Schmidt holds a meeting just with the subs every week, to outline their jobs and make sure they're able to come in when needed.

 

[munstermuffin]

Listening to Mick Kearney being interviewed and Healy and D. Kearney are both available. SO'B and Best are also probable. So clearly that is some fantastic news there are also rumours that Trimble will be starting for Ulster this weekend.

Interestingly he mentioned that Schmidt holds a meeting just with the subs every week, to outline their jobs and make sure they're able to come in when needed.

But in fairness weren't all available last week with Healy the worry simply due to not playing all winter. The big worry is will any injury reoccur.

 

[big ginger 8]

But in fairness weren't all available last week with Healy the worry simply due to not playing all winter. The big worry is will any injury reoccur.

Neither Kearney or Healy were available last week and obviously there's worries about SO'B and Best.

 

[bw245]

Where can I find that interview with Mick Kearney? On the IFRU site?

I'm also oddly relieved at the fact that we've dropped in the world rankings.

 

[big ginger 8]

Where can I find that interview with Mick Kearney? On the IFRU site?

I'm also oddly relieved at the fact that we've dropped in the world rankings.

It was on Drivetime, so it could be on the RTE Player.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-six-nations-game-plan-analysis-1929325-Feb2015/?utm_source=twitter_self

Not a lot here that we don't know already but Kinsella, as usual, makes his points a lot more professionally and better than we could ever hope to!

The clips here also would suggest that Payne and Henshaw can be a lot more effective in attack, they were 2 and 3 in metres gained at the weekend for Ireland iirc and that was only with one half of attacking rugby.

 

[goodNumber10]

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-six-nations-game-plan-analysis-1929325-Feb2015/?utm_source=twitter_self

Not a lot here that we don't know already but Kinsella, as usual, makes his points a lot more professionally and better than we could ever hope to!

The clips here also would suggest that Payne and Henshaw can be a lot more effective in attack, they were 2 and 3 in metres gained at the weekend for Ireland iirc and that was only with one half of attacking rugby.

Kinsella is excellent, i posted his try breakdown in the "analysis" thread. Here it is: http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-italy-conor-murray-try-1928118-Feb2015 worth a read.