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

[munstermuffin]

Glad to see Sexton, Heaslip back. Great news for O'Brien and Best! Didn't think they'd be in the starting 15!

Also: How weird does Healy beside nr 17 look?

Is Schmidt leaving himself short in the back row on the subs bench? Jordi will surely slip into number 7 for O'Brien after the 50 min mark or but what if Heaslip can't finish the game? Henderson?

Henderson more times than not comes on at 6 anyway so we are overstocked on back row cover. And every spot is covered. Henderson can cover 6 and Murphy other 2. And POM and SOB can play all 3

 

[Amiga500]

Don't see why Jones is on the bench.

Only covers one position and cannot really offer us anything except a worse version of Rob Kearney.

At least if you'd Earls or Fitz there, you'd have cover across all the backline (with Madigan as 10/12 option) and a different kind of full back.

 

[collace]

100% agree. Also, Payne is a top class fullback in his own right. Anything happens to Kearney he could slot in there very easily.

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't see why Jones is on the bench.

Only covers one position and cannot really offer us anything except a worse version of Rob Kearney.

At least if you'd Earls or Fitz there, you'd have cover across all the backline (with Madigan as 10/12 option) and a different kind of full back.

While Felix has shown in past he can cover wings too I agree fully. But Schmidt seems to love him. He's a Schmidt type of player. And I'd argue he's a much better defensive player than any of our starting back 3 but I agree. My worry is we don't have much spark off bench. Take Madigan and Henderson out and it's nothing France will fear. Healy is easing himself back.

 

[Amiga500]

Its strange that a coach as tactically astute as JS doesn't see the bench as a way to not only cover injuries (in the backs), but change the team's strengths and tactical approach to the game.

Unless... he really doesn't rate Earls or Fitz. Wonder if McFadden were fit would he be on the bench instead?

 

[collace]

While Felix has shown in past he can cover wings too I agree fully. But Schmidt seems to love him. He's a Schmidt type of player. And I'd argue he's a much better defensive player than any of our starting back 3 but I agree. My worry is we don't have much spark off bench. Take Madigan and Henderson out and it's nothing France will fear. Healy is easing himself back.

Not entirely sure I agree. I personally think that's one of the stronger benches we seen from Ireland in a few years. Three big ball carriers in Henderson, Cronin and Healy, a very good backup prop in Moore, backrow cover which can cover all three positions and versitile cover in the backs through Madigan who (on his day) can genuinely change a game from the bench.

Apart from Jones I'm more than happy with it.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not entirely sure I agree. I personally think that's one of the stronger benches we seen from Ireland in a few years. Three big ball carriers in Henderson, Cronin and Healy, a very good backup prop in Moore, backrow cover which can cover all three positions and versitile cover in the backs through Madigan who (on his day) can genuinely change a game from the bench.

Apart from Jones I'm more than happy with it.

Well as I said I'm excluding Healy as its 1st back. But I'd doubt many would say Murphy Boss or Jones can change game. Moore won't change a game he will give continuity.
There's a difference between covering all aspects and guys coming on that can really change it up.
Out of all them as I said Madigan can, Henderson can, Healy and Cronin yes but they will be busy regardless in front row battle. The rest will do jobs but not come on being game changers

 

[munstermuffin]

Its strange that a coach as tactically astute as JS doesn't see the bench as a way to not only cover injuries (in the backs), but change the team's strengths and tactical approach to the game.

Unless... he really doesn't rate Earls or Fitz. Wonder if McFadden were fit would he be on the bench instead?

Been honest I doubt it. He just really rates Felix and his attributes.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

My view on the game:

The banana skin that is the French side travel to Ireland on Saturday looking to show off more than what they were limited to at home in the opening weekend against Scotland. The Irish also have a point to prove after a less-than-impressive performance against a determined Italian side, and with the return of Jonny Sexton, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip, with Cian Healy on the bench, they will definitely have more to offer in attack than they did against the Azzurri. We expect to see a drastic improvement from the Irish side with these inclusions, if we don't then this game could cast doubts on their potential to retain their 6 Nations ***le. The 29 year old fly half will look to lead his Irish side to an important home victory against the French side who only scored from Camille Lopez's boot last weekend.

If the Irish get going then they could see this as a 15 point victory, however they need to show a lot more than they did in Rome, which should be easy with the return of their notable injured players. Fofana is a dangerous player for the French and they will have to look out for him and Teddy Thomas, who made my team of the week, who can cause problems for anyone, even the Irish at home. Guirado was another impressive player for the French, and Ben Arous comes into the fold, a solid prop who has looked good at domestic level. The Irish pack should be able to deal with this however, but will keep an eye out for Dusautoir who will make a nuisance of himself around the park, disturbing the breakdown and limiting Irish quick ball.

An interesting game ahead, maybe not the most thrilling game of the tournament but it all depends on how the French play, we often see them fired up for the big games, and they don't come much bigger in this tournament than away at the reigning champions. Ireland by 15 is my prediction, Sexton playing his part in the Irish attack as he always does, creating opportunities and allowing the Irish to show-off the part of their game that lacked against Italy in front of an expectant home crowd.

Let me know of any errors, feedback is appreciated.

 

[Dolittle]

Time for Your Scores on the Doors

Time to put your reputation at stake. What will be the final score at Aviva Stadium/Twickenham/Edinburgh and will you do an ice-bucket challenge if you're wrong?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Time to put your reputation at stake. What will be the final score at Aviva Stadium/Twickenham/Edinburgh and will you do an ice-bucket challenge if you're wrong?

Nah mate, it's 2015.

 

[Dolittle]

Good contribution and analysis. Surprised you didn't mention the inevitable Bastaraud v Sexton battle that is likely to take place. Can Sexton survive and stay with the pace of the game? Will Madigan add to or diminish the Irish effort after 55 mins?

 

[bw245]

All I'm hoping for is a decent performance, a win, and no more concussions... although with guys like Basteraud and Atonio on their team, I can sense a few concussions coming.

 

[munstermuffin]

Dare I put my neck on line. I think we will win this handy. They've a team that couldn't be arsed, a coach that is away in his own world and well France don't travel great when they're in this attitude/atmosphere.

I think this is a game to get everyone up to speed for England. We have Earls, Keatley and Cronin back. (TOD stating with Ireland) so they'll all get game time. Leinster I presume will get Reddan Luke (who's also staying with Ireland) Strauss and few more back. And well Schmidt can pick a team with most having the game time to play England.

 

[Dolittle]

I'm with BW245. All I ever care about is the performance. If we perform, I think we'll win. JS is excellent at getting performance out of the individual players. Italy wasn't a great team performance, but that will come. Hoping to see some flair, but think IRL will play a relatively tight and conservative, but high tempo game. Last 10 minutes will tell the whole story of the match. Fingers crossed. COYBIG.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Flip performance, I'd take a 3-0 win any day of the week. I can't count the amount of times I've seen Ireland play well against the French and come away with nothing.

 

[Dolittle]

Flip performance, I'd take a 3-0 win any day of the week. I can't count the amount of times I've seen Ireland play well against the French and come away with nothing.

I guess I'm weird like that. I never mind being beaten by a better team and unlike many, I NEVER point fingers at the ref. I see the ref as just another tough hill that has to be climbed on the way to a win. I believe they are fair and doing their best at a VERY difficult job. So, I've often been disappointed by a loss to France, but never been bitter about it. In fact, I think Steve Walsh inadvertently gifted Ireland the 6N last year. That was a Blue penalty, not a held-up maul/Green scrum!

Back to Topic: I'm hoping Italy can hold England to less than 23 points, though at Twickenham, I think England will realistically put 50 on them. I've said all along that Ireland are going to have to Slam it to win this tournament. In the case of any loss by Ireland, England will win it. So I'm saying England 62, Italy 9. Ireland to do the GS and deny England again.

As for Scotland v Wales, it's a very close call with Scotland pipping a demoralised and off-colour Wales by 21 points to 17. Wales score a late try to flatter their performance and convert it,but it turns out to be too little too late. Gatland's tenure comes under ferocious media and public pressure, because he has had no Plan B in the past few years and this is evident again in this loss.

That's my fantasy rugby weekend. Who would be a pundit? Not me.

 

[bw245]

I want a performance and a win. The win more so than performance but performance is needed too. We need the favourites tag to be gone though. We always crack when we're called favourites, I think Joe has been attentive to this actually, and his game plan against Italy shifted some of the attention to England. Not saying it was done solely for that reason, but it could have influenced it.

 

[Jbobo]

I think this is going to be a tough game for Ireland. Although they're clear favorites, i think France just might have them this year.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I want a performance and a win. The win more so than performance but performance is needed too. We need the favourites tag to be gone though. We always crack when we're called favourites, I think Joe has been attentive to this actually, and his game plan against Italy shifted some of the attention to England. Not saying it was done solely for that reason, but it could have influenced it.

By performance do you mean nice rugby or winning rugby? Ireland teams don't beat France without a performance. If we play ugly and win this game that's enough of a performance as far as I'm concerned.

I dont agree with the favourites tag point to be honest. These are professionals and shouldn't be swayed one bit by being favourites, especially considering that most the Leinster players played under Joe Schmidt when they were favourites every time they stepped on a rugby pitch!