[2025 Six Nations] Ireland vs France - 8/3/25

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yep, that Ireland are just a bunch of cheats. I can't blame them though, I'd be so scared of Italy too that I need to cheat to get Ringrose back in time.

I was joking initially, clearly, but it's hilarious that your anger is directed at Ireland. Very misplaced.

 

[Reiser99]

I was joking initially, clearly, but it's hilarious that your anger is directed at Ireland. Very misplaced.

What can I say, I don't like cheats.

I don't care if the citing committee or whoever let them get away with it or if it's just Ireland 'playing the system'. They knew what they were doing and got away with it, doesn't change the fact they chose to do it especially when it was completely unnecessary.

Just to be clear, if England did the same thing or when they did in the past, I'll be just as critical.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What can I say, I don't like cheats.

I don't care if the citing committee or whoever let them get away with it or if it's just Ireland 'playing the system'. They knew what they were doing and got away with it, doesn't change the fact they chose to do it especially when it was completely unnecessary.

Just to be clear, if England did the same thing or when they did in the past, I'll be just as critical.

I'd be livid if I was involved in any organisation that didn't use tools and arguments available (that are available to any equivalent organisation in the same position) to gain an advantage. Every union in the game would have tried to do what Ireland did, it's not cheating at all.

Unironically this time, the decision to play Osborne and have centre cover from the wing shows the plausibility of the argument too. Ringrose has started five games on the wing in his career, one since 2016. Likely, no, but enough for World Rugby's burden of proof which is where the problem lies.

 

[Reiser99]

I'd be livid if I was involved in any organisation that didn't use tools and arguments available (that are available to any equivalent organisation in the same position) to gain an advantage. Every union in the game would have tried to do what Ireland did, it's not cheating at all.

Unironically this time, the decision to play Osborne and have centre cover from the wing shows the plausibility of the argument too. Ringrose has started five games on the wing in his career, one since 2016. Likely, no, but enough for World Rugby's burden of proof which is where the problem lies.

We'll just agree to disagree. I personally see organisations trying to find loop holes in the rules for their advantage as cheating.

 

[Toulousain ex French fan]

This is a fully loaded French team, except for Ollivon missing. Fickou is back training but has played only one game with his club. Bit early for him. Could return vs Sco.
The starting XV is close to the best available. No unforced changes. The bench could work or backfire. I'm not sure about Jegou and Auradou. The 7-1 split is a gamble that rests entirely on Galthie. What happens if players get injured?

Still waiting on that big performance vs proper opposition...