[2016 RBS Six Nations] Round 2: France vs. Ireland (13/02/2016)

[FrenchFan]

Where is Frenchfan could we now see a little POSITIVITY!!!!!!!,!!!!!

I'm here my darling did you miss me

What a dreadfully dull game.
Ireland threw it away by not ticking the scoreboard over in the first half.
Oddly enough France are now on track for the grand slam and they look awful.

It's the Beauty of the 6N - all in one game :lol:

And you're right. At this rate we'll have same 4 SH teams contesting same trophy again in 4 yrs

where o where is the entertainment value in that

do you see now where you can stick your next world cup

 

[TommiG88]

France were superb in the last 20. Useless for the first 60 though.

 

[gaston le gaff]

France were superb in the last 20. Useless for the first 60 though.

That makes winning so much sweeter!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TommiG88]

That makes winning so much sweeter!!!!!!!!!!!

I do not disagree! Good luck for the rest of the 6N. Lots of promise there.

 

[Tony Manx]

France were superb in the last 20. Useless for the first 60 though.

Superb is pushing it a bit!!

They certainly played better, with belief and confidence, and with enthusiasm.

Superb is not an adjective I could put to any single 5 minutes of action in this tournament so far!!

Certainly the odd superb moment but no more.......

 

[profitius]

Big decisions for Schmidt now. Its one thing playing puke rugby and winning but when you're losing its a whole different matter. Ignoring the form players is starting to pee people off as well.

 

[Saint4805]

Superb is pushing it a bit!!

They certainly played better, with belief and confidence, and with enthusiasm.

Superb is not an adjective I could put to any single 5 minutes of action in this tournament so far!!

Certainly the odd superb moment but no more.......

I stand corrected.

Twenty phases of team play followed by Russell's clever chip was probably the best few minutes we have seen in this tournament.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Big decisions for Schmidt now. Its one thing playing puke rugby and winning but when you're losing its a whole different matter. Ignoring the form players is starting to pee people off as well.

I largely agree, form players aren't getting a chance behind the scrum and it's possible that they'd inject some much needed excitement in the team. There's a paucity of options in the tight five though. Nathan White, Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy aren't exactly formidable. That's a huge issue.

 

[LukeFitzgerald]

Fair play to France. Ireland (on the basis of the first 60 mins) should have put the game to bed. If it weren't for a lack of accuracy, a giant injury list, terrible conditions and some horrific refereeing calls, Ireland could have put a decent score on France. However, France stuck in the game and dominated the last 20. Ben Arous and Slimani were class when they came off the bench. I'm rooting for France for the rest of the 6N.

For the rest of the 6N, we should go with Furlong at TH for White (who actually did fairly well in the scrum when he came on), Dillane on the bench, JVdF on the bench against Italy or Scotland, Marmion to get a shot, Jackson to start (if Sexton is out), McCloskey in the centre and bring Healy, Gilroy or Ringrose into the squad. We need to try to keep the margin close against England and just put as much points on Scotland and Italy as possible to improve our rankings.

Fairly disappointing 6N for Ireland but on the basis of injuries, luck and fixtures, it's no surprise things have turned out the way they did. In fairness, a draw and a 1 point loss in the opening 2 games are fairly gut wrenching results.

 

[TommiG88]

I stand corrected.

Twenty phases of team play followed by Russell's clever chip was probably the best few minutes we have seen in this tournament.

Ummm, this is the France Ireland thread.....

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Fair play to France. Ireland (on the basis of the first 60 mins) should have put the game to bed. If it weren't for a lack of accuracy, a giant injury list, terrible conditions and some horrific refereeing calls, Ireland could have put a decent score on France. However, France stuck in the game and dominated the last 20. Ben Arous and Slimani were class when they came off the bench. I'm rooting for France for the rest of the 6N.

For the rest of the 6N, we should go with Furlong at TH for White (who actually did fairly well in the scrum when he came on), Dillane on the bench, JVdF on the bench against Italy or Scotland, Marmion to get a shot, Jackson to start (if Sexton is out), McCloskey in the centre and bring Healy, Gilroy or Ringrose into the squad. We need to try to keep the margin close against England and just put as much points on Scotland and Italy as possible to improve our rankings.

Fairly disappointing 6N for Ireland but on the basis of injuries, luck and fixtures, it's no surprise things have turned out the way they did. In fairness, a draw and a 1 point loss in the opening 2 games are fairly gut wrenching results.

Ross will be back and I think that today is the end of White's international career, Furlong is not ready to start a game in Twickenham. McCarthy is almost certainly concussed so we'll see Dillane, VDF doesn't fit a bench too well so he'll have to start or wait for South Africa. Marmion hasn't an international future, Luke McGrath on the other hand is playing great stuff and could do some damage from the bench. I would like to see McCloskey, Payne and Henshaw all start against England, not sure who fits in at 15 between the latter two. I'd also start Jackson regardless, Sexton could do with a month off.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ross will be back and I think that today is the end of White's international career, Furlong is not ready to start a game in Twickenham. McCarthy is almost certainly concussed so we'll see Dillane, VDF doesn't fit a bench too well so he'll have to start or wait for South Africa. Marmion hasn't an international future, Luke McGrath on the other hand is playing great stuff and could do some damage from the bench. I would like to see McCloskey, Payne and Henshaw all start against England, not sure who fits in at 15 between the latter two. I'd also start Jackson regardless, Sexton could do with a month off.

Agreed. This 6N is over so let's use it.
Sexton is getting crocked weekly. Let him take month off relax and build depth. Madigan is done too so use Paddy Jackson.
Today showed Rob K is done. He offers no attack so put Zebo, Olding or Payne there.
Ringrose is good enough so he's old enough. Try him or McCloskey at centre. Or Marshall.
Dillane will come in too. VDF doesn't fit a bench as you say and with SOB out I'd say put him in as a direct replacement. I think White was good today. But Furlong also needs more time. James Cronin is on form too so deserves more time. Build depth there as Healy is off the boil so get McGrath and Cronin up to scratch. McGrath should've been replaced at 55-60mins today. He looked shattered.
On all these changes though do it gradually. 1 or 2 per game. It's no surprise Stander, McCarthy and all these form guys have stood up the last 2 weeks. We got to reward form and transfer it to national team

 

[Peat]

Agreed. This 6N is over so let's use it.

It's not though, is it? Ranking points, prize money, and the state of Schmidt's CV are still all up for grabs. Winning the next three games ugly might not thrill the fans, but the rest will do well for them (and wrecking a potential England Grand Slam might please fans, ugly or not).

I mean... I've been pretty vocal for Schmidt changing it up to get a team that plays better rugby ball in hand and I haven't stopped believing it, but the pressures are still there, so expecting a change might be a little hopeful.

Me, I'd be demanding Ultan Dillane and Stuart McCloskey. Young athletes who'll boost Ireland's attack and solve problems. There's a lot of changes that could be made, but those are the two most obvious and wouldn't be majorly disruptive. But I'm expecting Schmidt to have another go with the current mob against England.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Well so far so good for France under 20's, girlies, and the National squad, v Italy 3 played 3 won and now Ireland 3 played 3 won and after reading all those threads about how France were poor etc etc. So Grand Slams still possible for England and France at this moment, now who would have thought that after seeing all those thread pundits putting France just in Front of Italy in 5th position. Funny old World.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Enjoy Gaston.....enjoy!!!

The Cockerel (see what I did there) can crow but only for so long before everyone else does tire of it though!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Enjoy Gaston.....enjoy!!!

The Cockerel (see what I did there) can crow but only for so long before everyone else does tire of it though!!!

The Cockerel is not crowing just quietly confident we have been written off since the start of the 6 Nations the majority of forumers placing us in 5th place, rugby is all about skill and CONFIDENCE PSA ould not do that because of a lack of ability, Noves is respected and the term Monsieur is used by the players, they are young and will listen to him as i have said win all 3 home games and that is a foundation to build on for the future. France has it's class young players plenty of them all they need is someone with balls to give them a chance. Noves is that person.

 

[jomjom]

Disappointing, and embarassing. For both Ireland and the 6N. I have a South African friend who wanted to watch the match with me but now I'm relieved he didn't!

Ireland are such a limited team, nothing to offer in attack. SOB's presence was sorely missed. R. Kearney is useless. I was hoping for some magic from Trimble but I dunno, he just seemed a little off-pace or something. Maybe his time is passing. I thought Payne had a good enough game though. I will give credit to France for their last 20 minutes but overall, this was a win handed to them by Irish ineptitude. (but it was definitely refreshing to see France play with more enthusiasm and ambition than recent years)

So I think the writing is on the walls. 1 try in 2 matches? That is truly sad. I know injuries, retirement, weather, etc... But still, we're capable of more. Game plan needs to change, we simply need a more bold attack. And depth in the squad. Could really feel the difference between the French and Irish bench. I still favour Schmidt as our coach but he needs to shake things up. Start playing Jackson, put Payne at 15, bring in McCloskey and Ringrose, etc. I am no different in echoing in other Irish people's wishes - use the rest of this 6N to experiment. Even if mathematically we still have a vague chance of winning I don't really care. As soon as the slam and triple crown were lost against Wales, my interest levels in retaining the ***le waned. I want to see Ireland evolve and progress as a team. It's starting to smell a bit like D. Kidney.

I don't really know who to support now. Looks like it's gonna be Wales. I can't really bring it in me to support France based on their 2 flukey wins. England could still have a few surprises. I don't know, I don't really care. It's likely augmented by the fact that Ireland are out, but I wasn't really that excited about the 6N before it started and I most definitely still amn't. Wales vs Scotland was a decent enough match (not superb though), but so far there has been nothing in this tournament that has got me excited. People are probably sick of hearing it, and pundits and analysts etc can downplay it as much as they want but that gap most definitely exists and if the 6N and NH team continue the way they do it's going to be another SH team lifting that trophy in 4 years. Well, it's all beyond my power anyways. So might as well make the most of it and enjoy what I can.

 

[ncurd]

Have to say people placing France in 5th place are a little deluded. Reading too much in Scotland's ability to lose close games and pretty much forgetting France usually have something to say about how the tournament goes even if it's been a while since they competed for top honours. I've tried to not make predictions this year as I honestlyrics believe it's too close to call.

I do hope they beat Wales and Scotland as well as England winning the next three games. Mainly as I'd like to see a winner takes all grand slam decider. As last year's three teams points difference try fest is unlikely now.


Side note: anyone know why this year's final day fixtures are exactly the same this year?

 

[jomjom]

Have to say people placing France in 5th place are a little deluded. Reading too much in Scotland's ability to lose close games and pretty much forgetting France usually have something to say about how the tournament goes even if it's been a while since they competed for top honours. I've tried to not make predictions this year as I honestlyrics believe it's too close to call.

I do hope they beat Wales and Scotland as well as England winning the next three games. Mainly as I'd like to see a winner takes all grand slam decider. As last year's three teams points difference try fest is unlikely now.


Side note: anyone know why this year's final day fixtures are exactly the same this year?

People are hardly still placing France as 5th? They're on top of the table But yeah a slam is preferrable to a points difference win, so I guess best of luck to England and France. I have no idea why last years fixtures are the exact same regarding the last day though I wondered the same. How are the draws decided in fact? Is it chosen or is it random?

 

[corny]

People are focusing on the wrong areas for me. The addition of McCloskey, Ringrose, Gilroy etc won't make a blind bit of difference if your forwards can't match up physically. I saw a game yesterday where both sides knew who had the stronger pack. The French had no structure, no control at half back (until Machenaud came on) and no of kicking game. But it didn't dent their enthusiasm because they were intent on bullying Ireland. It worked too. Tommy O' Donnell almost conceded he wasn't physically able in his body language. The backs, with no platform, were up **** creek as a result.

I'd echo the calls for McCloskey and maybe one or two younger lads but make no mistake it won't be a magic elixir. England are everything France are and more. Unless someone waves a magic wand over Henderson, POM, SOB, Henry, Ross, Moore and Healy the new lads behind the scrum will look equally clueless.