France v Ireland

[An Tarbh]

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France v Ireland

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Ireland head to Paris looking for the first win against the French in 5 years and their first in the French capital for 8 years. Given that it's been 8 poor performances in a row for Ireland the odds will be pretty high on them causing an upset in Paris on Saturday evening.

France for their part will take huge confidence into the game following the culling by Lièvremont and the vindication of the tactics, something which Eddie O'Sullivan will be scratching his head over following the match against Italy.

O'Sullivan will be forced into at least one change for the clash with D'Arcy ruled out with a broken arm, but will it be just one change ot will he bow to the pressure, he certainly did a u-turn on his substitution policy so maybe there's some hope.

France, I imagine, will be looking to pick up where they left off in Edinburgh and with terroriser in chief Vincent Clerc in such fine form, I'm sure the Irish will be relishing coming up against him yet again.

So will we get the expected hiding or is an upset on the cards???

 

[Sir Speedy]

If France play like they did today, Ireland might suffer a humiliation. The result will be determined by whether Ireland can leave behind the demons of losing here in the Autumn. So good luck to them!

 

[nam97]

I think Lievremont will ring the changes and go for the more experienced side for this one. Especially in the forward pack with Bonnaire in for Ouedroagododgodogo (who had a fine debut by the way). The new front row looked solid but Mas should start me thinks against the slightly greener John Hayes.

Trinh-Duc was good but Skrela came on and didn't screw up so might see him starting. As for the back 3, well, they are the definite area of dominance France have over any other team.

Can't see Ireland getting close to be honest even if EOS does decide to flush those stale turds he persists with down the toilet and finally select on form. Would love to see them knock France over at le stade though.

 

[Stillknox]

I see a few changes in the French Side too:

- Mas, when he came out the scrum worked better.

- Bonnaire, for the experience, and a bigger player than Ouedraogo in the scrum.

- Skrela. Trinh-Duc was solid and cool for his premiere but nothing special. In a few minutes Skrela has made a decisive pass for the second Clerc's try, a good tactical kick and was as always great in defense. I think it's a safer choice for a match versus a bigger team... and also a better kicker than an average Elissalde today.

- Rougerie instead of Malzieu. Malzieu was good today, but I think that at the moment, Rougerie is still ahead of him.

- Jauzion if he's in good shape, because... he's vital.

Aside that I think this will be a tougher game than today. France got a large confidence advantage, after the Scotland game and this 5 year invincibility, but the team is still green, we made a few mistakes today, and we had a few good rebound too...

I see a game pretty close to the last one in the World Cup. Close, with one or two lightnings from France backline, most probably by Ireland's worst nightmare, Vincent Clerc. And no try for Ireland...

 

[nam97]

I see a few changes in the French Side too:

- Mas, when he came out the scrum worked better.

- Bonnaire, for the experience, and a bigger player than Ouedraogo in the scrum.

- Skrela. Trinh-Duc was solid and cool for his premiere but nothing special. In a few minutes Skrela has made a decisive pass for the second Clerc's try, a good tactical kick and was as always great in defense. I think it's a safer choice for a match versus a bigger team... and also a better kicker than an average Elissalde today.

- Rougerie instead of Malzieu. Malzieu was good today, but I think that at the moment, Rougerie is still ahead of him.

- Jauzion if he's in good shape, because... he's vital.

Aside that I think this will be a tougher game than today. France got a large confidence advantage, after the Scotland game and this 5 year invincibility, but the team is still green, we made a few mistakes today, and we had a few good rebound too...

I see a game pretty close to the last one in the World Cup. Close, with one or two lightnings from France backline, most probably by Ireland's worst nightmare, Vincent Clerc. And no try for Ireland...
[/b]

Agree with most of that Stillknox, but, I would keep Malzieu instead of Rougerie. Malzieu looked in place and was a damaging runner, Rougerie has never really impressed me so I think it's a good chance to keep Malzieu in while he's young so he can develop.

Jauzion is a must if he's fit, but you still have Marty who was solid today with Traille. Jauzion would easily take his place if he's fit, but if not, it's no big deal IMO.

Agree with Mas, Skrela and Bonnaire all to start. All the young guys had good games but France need experience and these fellas will offer it. Szarzewski is definitely an impact player and works great coming off the bench in the 60th minute and Servat is good enough so I wouldn't change anything there.

 

[An Tarbh]

I don't see the need for changes although any changes that the coaches make won't make much difference to the eventual outcome i.e. easy French victory.

It's so feckin frustrating that the IRFU continue to allow this clown to **** away our so called golden generation. If only BOD had the balls of Wood to knife Eddie in the back but somehow I can't see that happening.

 

[stevemagoo]

Looking forward to this one, but i fear that we could be on the end of a French rugby revolution hammering.
So unpredictable though...We made chances in the Italy game that we should have finished - could have made the game on Saturday a very different one if we had.
France were pretty impressive, but also got every lucky bounce they could get. I thought that the Scots had a couple of periods, but all in all, were pretty impotent.
Making this game the crunch match for both teams. I'll do my usual and go with my heart and think we'll click into action at last!
If not, i'll head into the nearest Parisian cafe and smoke black cigarettes, drink copious amounts of black coffe and read obscure dark poetry.....whilst wearing a black poloneck.

 

[elgringoborracho]

<div class='quotemain'>
I see a few changes in the French Side too:

- Mas, when he came out the scrum worked better.

- Bonnaire, for the experience, and a bigger player than Ouedraogo in the scrum.

- Skrela. Trinh-Duc was solid and cool for his premiere but nothing special. In a few minutes Skrela has made a decisive pass for the second Clerc's try, a good tactical kick and was as always great in defense. I think it's a safer choice for a match versus a bigger team... and also a better kicker than an average Elissalde today.

- Rougerie instead of Malzieu. Malzieu was good today, but I think that at the moment, Rougerie is still ahead of him.

- Jauzion if he's in good shape, because... he's vital.

Aside that I think this will be a tougher game than today. France got a large confidence advantage, after the Scotland game and this 5 year invincibility, but the team is still green, we made a few mistakes today, and we had a few good rebound too...

I see a game pretty close to the last one in the World Cup. Close, with one or two lightnings from France backline, most probably by Ireland's worst nightmare, Vincent Clerc. And no try for Ireland...
[/b]

Agree with most of that Stillknox, but, I would keep Malzieu instead of Rougerie. Malzieu looked in place and was a damaging runner, Rougerie has never really impressed me so I think it's a good chance to keep Malzieu in while he's young so he can develop. [/b][/quote]

I know you can always find videos of players being good and that i doesn't prove anything, but just for you to make sure that Rougerie is_sometimes_ bloody good, this is a try he scored last year against Toulouse in the Top 14 semi-finals. The three guys he beats are Heymans, Poitrenault and Clerc, so they're not really clowns :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AarCSY1Ha18

having said that, I would also keep Malzieu, as he still has a lot to prove to the french staff, and looks eager to do so.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Same 22 players will be reconducted for France vs Ireland
Starting team will be annonced on Wednesday morning at 9.

General same position as Stillnox, and would see for starting Mas as he clearly stabilised the scrum when he entered the game.
Malzieu, even he did not performed exceptionnaly, found immediately is place and was has been cold minded enough to analyse a defense weak and place a try.
Maybe Bonnaire iso Vermeulen for starting, just to alternate
Ellissalde is physically OK, so should start. Good thing cause I found Parra a bit hesitating, slow and sometimes lost, he should have more problem against Ireland with whom speed is essential

 

[thomas]

I'm so much looking forward to Wales against France

it WILL be the decider !!

the 2 craziest backlines one against the other... :cheers:

 

[DonBilly]

Lièvremont is going to keep the same team which played Scotland last Sunday unless there are injuries.



I found that the Scottish team didn't pressurise the French halfbacks that much. The Ireland backrow will be a bigger chalenge from this perspective. Of course the French team will have then spent more time together, basicaly twice than before their opening game. The French team should be better at the breakdown, the scrums but also when contesting the line-outs.



I think it is going to be closer than most of us think at the moment.

 

[shtove]

The only thing that gives me hope for Ireland is that people are writing them off. Paris is a great place to rejuvenate yourself!

Will have to see the selections before saying anything.

 

[shazbooger]

Yep, its kinda good to be written off, but its kinda difficult to be optimistic at the same time . I'm waiting for the team before saying anything.

 

[An Tarbh]

Well it doesn't look that bad to be honest, he's actually made some changes.

Trimble stays in the centre with O'Driscoll, so no Horgan thankfully, Kearney starts on the wing, Jackman and Heaslip come into the pack with Leamy switching to the blindside.

Easterby on the bench though makes no sense as I can't see him having any impact other than conceding a penalty or two. Quinlan would have been the right call.

He must be feeling the pressure, first he uses substitutes in the Italian match and now he makes changes, maybe there's some cause for hope yet.

Ireland XV: 15. Dempsey, 14. Murphy, 13. O'Driscoll, 12. Trimble, 11. Kearney, 10. O'Gara, 9. Reddan, 1. Horan, 2. Jackman, 3. Hayes, 4. O'Callaghan, 5. O'Kelly, 6. Leamy, 7. Wallace, 8. Heaslip

Replacements: 16. Best, 17. Buckley, 18. O'Driscoll, 19. Easterby, 20. Stringer, 21. Wallace, 22. Horgan

 

[An Tarbh]

There might be a doubt over Murphy who missed training with a corneal scratch, so it could mean Horgan starting if he doesn't make it, although that's not expected at this stage.

You'd think with a doubt hanging over Murphy that Bowe would have been involved especially given his form is so much better than Horgan's.

 

[el_tk]

Good to see Jackman and Heaslip in, the back row looks like it has a good balance now.

Hopefully Trimble will run more directly in the centre, BOD is always at his best with a player who can run directly inside him. With Murphy and Kearney on the wings we can match Heymans and Clerc in terms of going from brilliant to headless in seconds.

France still overwhelming favourites, as I see it Ireland's only chance is to pressure the French halfbacks, Trinh-Duc wasn't put under any pressure by Scotland and if Elissalde can't play France will have a very inexperienced halfback combo.

 

[stevemagoo]

I would much prefer to see Bowe over Horgan.
In the 'A' game, he was streets ahead of Horgan in terms of attacking play, plus his scramble defence was spot on which could be required on Saturday!
Mind you.....Horgans beard was priceless - he looked like Non fom Superman II

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

France still overwhelming favourites, as I see it Ireland's only chance is to pressure the French halfbacks, Trinh-Duc wasn't put under any pressure by Scotland and if Elissalde can't play France will have a very inexperienced halfback combo.
[/b]

I'm afraid of that too.
Lieverment might engage first Ellissalde and Skrela first that way, and despite Ireland is still very dangerous until the last second of the match, should call in the order Trinh-Duc once teams are a bit used.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I'm quite pleased with the selection. Perhaps Tommy Bowe should be in the team ahead of Rob Kearney but it's a minor quibble. Also, Easterby offers nothing from the bench. He should either start or be left out of the 22. Alan Quinlan should be the cover in the backrow with Leo Cullen covering the 2nd row.

While Horgan isn't 100% fit or showing great form, I understand the logic behind having him on the bench rather than Bowe. Horgan can cover the centre or wing which Bowe can't do. If Easterby offers nothing from the bench, the same is true for Bowe.

 

[Charles]

Horgan can cover the centre or wing which Bowe can't do.
[/b]

Last time I saw Horgan in the centre (last year 6N maybe ? not sure) he was dreadful, esp in defence.