[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 3: Ireland vs France (25/02/2017)

[ncurd]

Yeah after that 3 point hammering England gave France I'm quaking.

Yeah but it's 3 weeks away Sexton will be injured by then.

 

[jackass11]

England were poor against france, thats why they only won by 3 points

ireland had the ref in the pocket so couldnt lose today, v lucky

 

[Saint4805]

BOD talking as if it's a two horse race between Ireland and England

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I feel a whooollleee lot better about going to Dublin after that.
Still a massive affair, and the third hardest game in international rugby (NZ in NZ and NZ at Twickers are top 2) but if the game has a halfway competent referee it's not half as daunting as it was before.

 

[Peat]

French could definitely have got more from that reffing performance.

Brutal team to be playing against right now though.

 

[profitius]

What a frustrating match...Ireland definitely stronger, do not want to deny this but again, Owens had a shocker, making it even easier for the irish..and nobody will say anything, everything is fine, the french got beaten that is all. next.

Agreed, but every home teams gets most of the decisions. Thats just the way rugby is.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agreed, but every home teams gets most of the decisions. Thats just the way rugby is.

Not to that extent though,
Owens specifically went against the new high tackle and tip tackle directives.

Then again the high tackle on Seymour when he scored a try was ignored in the Wales/Scotland game so maybe referees are just protesting it.

 

[ncurd]

BOD talking as if it's a two horse race between Ireland and England

It pretty much is Scotland have not won in Twickenham since before I was born. It's possible for victory but I'm not placing anything close to a bet on it. Aseeming that any scenario either crowns England champions or Ireland.

 

[ThebigARena]

Owens had an awful game today. I think Ireland will most likely end England's run though

 

[Saint4805]

Not to that extent though,
Owens specifically went against the new high tackle and tip tackle directives.

Then again the high tackle on Seymour when he scored a try was ignored in the Wales/Scotland game so maybe referees are just protesting it.

I wonder if they deemed the try being given as sufficient punishment and decided not to give a yellow too. That's not how it should work but they might have seen it as a safe compromise.

 

[Saint4805]

It pretty much is Scotland have not won in Twickenham since before I was born. It's possible for victory but I'm not placing anything close to a bet on it. Aseeming that any scenario either crowns England champions or Ireland.

We hadn't beaten Wales in ten years until today. England are strong favourites but its still a bit presumptuous and disrespectful on BOD's part especially after Scotland beating Ireland.

 

[Steveomac]

I feel a whooollleee lot better about going to Dublin after that.
Still a massive affair, and the third hardest game in international rugby (NZ in NZ and NZ at Twickers are top 2) but if the game has a halfway competent referee it's not half as daunting as it was before.

England have hardly been setting the heather on fire though with their performances though - doing what they have to do though and winning I suppose. If we are still in the hunt after Wales game I dare say we'll raise intensity for the English

 

[The Jones Boy]

I thought Nigel Owens was very fair.
That was a tough game to ref, neither team was giving any quarter at the breakdown.
Interesting to see the big noise about his performance today coming from the English fans, particularly Olly, no surprises there.
A bit of posturing before the key game in Dublin methinks.
Ireland played a great second half and Sexton completely outplayed his opposite number.
The French were off their feet or resting on the prone player (illegal), time and time again at the breakdown and it worsened noticeably as they tired in the second half, but because Ireland managed to retain possession the bulk of the time when the infringing was occurring Owens let it slide to keep the game flowing.
Ireland, especially in the second half were much more accurate at the breakdown and they were a step above France in this area.

In regard to this as a pointer to the potential outcome of the final match of the tournament, I don't think it says much.
Ireland are improving their form, England are also developing their form and still winning games when they are not playing at their best.
France are a very much improved team under Noves but there's only so much he can do in one season and if they can lift at 9 and 10 they will continue their increase in overall quality and their win/loss ratio. They sure are competing with the top northern hemisphere teams.

 

[Jockstap]

Ireland really should have won that game by more. So many mistakes. Why do France always play their best game against Ireland and completely fall apart when playing the English?

 

[The Jones Boy]

Agreed, but every home teams gets most of the decisions. Thats just the way rugby is.

It kept England in the game against France. ;-)

 

[Mike Rolls]

Well, that's not what happened in 2016 - they played their best game against England, so it certainly isn't 'always'. I was really worried at the end of the first half when Ireland managed to waste two golden opportunities in a matter of minutes - but thankfully they persevered and were well worth the victory.
Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Its a turgid game for the neutrals I'd say.

Well it certainly wasn't turgid for me - and I'm an England supporter, so hopefully neutral
Mike

 

[corny]

Jesus that was tough to watch. Ireland tried to play rugby in the first 20 but realised in a game like that they might lose. France were looking threatening in an open game. Sexton and Murray changed tack and just put structure on the game....game over. Serin, Machenaud and Lopez were completely outplayed. A wins a win is phrase of the day.

As always we really struggled with the physicality of the French tacklers. Zebo and McGrath were really poor. I lost count of how many times Zebo standing still in receipt of possession cost us. If you take out his kick returns he probably lost 25 metres. Half backs played well but everyone else 6's and 7's out of ten. Oh and Sextons variation and ability to pick the right options at all times is unmatched in these islands. If he's half fit i'd play him at 10 for the Lions.

The referee? Had a super first half but got a bit lost punishing the French in the second half. In fairness French frustration was giving him lots of opportunities. He could justifiably have sent a player to the bin for repeat infringement.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Ireland really should have won that game by more. So many mistakes. Why do France always play their best game against Ireland and completely fall apart when playing the English?

I think you got that the wrong way round...

 

[FrenchFan]

France are a very much improved team under Noves

Debatable.

but there's only so much he can do in one season and if they can lift at 9 and 10 they will continue their increase in overall quality and their win/loss ratio.

I agree. But it's as good as it's going to get for him i.e. time with players etc. No selector has ever got more prep time.

They sure are competing with the top northern hemisphere teams

This won't do according to Laporte though. He said he expects more. Can't see Noves doing better than 4th place with Sco likely ahead. Another 4th place will not be seen as an improvement...

 

[Jockstap]

I think you got that the wrong way round...

You kidding me? Ireland should have had few more tries in this game. Remember in the dark days of English rugby in the 10 years after 2003, France were the best team in Europe but would still routinely lose to England who at the time were utter ****e.