France v Ireland

[RC]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of Dempsey, but other than that Ireland have got a really good backline, easily good enough to compete against the likes of the French backs.

 

[elgringoborracho]

France's team for saturday:

Starting XV : Heymans - Rougerie, Marty, Traille, Malzieu - Skrela (o), Elissalde (m) - Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Ouedraogo - Nallet (cap), Méla - Mas, Szarzewski, Faure

Replacements : Servat, Brugnaut, Jacquet, Picamoles, Trinh-Duc, Parra, Clerc

No Clerc on the field. I'm not too sure about that, he's by far our best winger. I like Rougerie but can we do without Clerc against Ireland?
Though I'm not worrying too much, he'll probably be there in the final minutes, just like last year. :cheers:
Apart from that, this team is pretty much my A-team, with our best scrum and Bonnaire to steal tons of balls in the lineout.
Nice to see Skrela in too. As everyone said, Trinh Duc did a good job last week but we need experience against Ireland. Plus it gives us a reliable boot.

 

[stevemagoo]

Backline Comparisons:

Reddan = Ellisalde
O'Gara = Skrela
Kearney < Rougerie
Trimble < Traille
O'Driscoll > Marty
Murphy > Malzieu (Experience wise?)
Dempsey > Heymans at Fullback

Hrm..

 

[shazbooger]

Backline Comparisons:
Reddan = Ellisalde
O'Gara = Skrela
Kearney < Rougerie
Trimble < Traille
O'Driscoll > Marty
Murphy > Malzieu (Experience wise?)
Dempsey > Heymans at Fullback
Hrm.. [/b]

Ahhhhh its all well and good comparing individuals on paper, but as a unit there is only one winner, especially when you take form and the quality of ball received into account. Irelands inability to get anything resembling fast ball from the breakdown swings it even more in Frances favour.

I'm happy with the changes made to the team, as it gives the backrow a little more balance (still need a proper openside), but I'm a little ****** off that I dont have the 'team selection' excuse to use for our poor performances . On form this Irish team could do well, but we havent seen anything close to decent for for 10-12 months. With that in mind its pretty much impossible to see anything but a French win here.

 

[Stillknox]

Another risky XV... moving our best winger (sorry, NH's best winger) and our lucky charm against Ireland, it's surprising. His harmony with Heymans will miss too.

And with Elissalde-Skrela on the starting team, we may have two rookies halves in the end of the match. Szarzewski is a risky choice too considering he cant' throw the f***ing ball accurately.

But this is still a strong team. Our scrum will be capable this time, and Bonnaire is this kind of player: low profile but vital. Skrela is also a good choice, he's a better kicker than Trinh-Duc and Elissalde and he's really excellent with le Stade Français this year. I hope he will at last confirm with Les Bleus, he deserve it.

For the backline comparisons, I agree on everyring except maybe the Malzieu / Murphy comparison. Did you see Malzieu against Munster ? He was a beast. This guy is very talented, strong, fast, clever... and Murphy is more a fullback for me. Dempsey is a more solid and experienced fullback but beware of Heymans at this position, he's impressive since a few week with Toulouse and Les Bleus.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

I'm not really surprised for Rougerie. It's in total accordance with the placement of Skrela.
We can prepare to sectors 2 and 3 kickings, hoping that Skrela is as precise as Broke James for Rougerie.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Also Rougerie and Malzieu are a powerfull "doublette" !!!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

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.
[/b]

True. I wouldn't like to see Horgan forced to come into the centre but I'd be far happier to have him there than Tommy Bowe or Paddy Wallace.

 

[Stillknox]

Bad news for Malzieu: he's injuried and out for the match.

Clerc replaces him in the first XV. Poitrenaud, Donguy (both from Toulouse) or Saubade (Stade Français) are the favourites for taking a place on the bench.

 

[elgringoborracho]

Bad news for Malzieu: he's injuried and out for the match.

Clerc replaces him in the first XV. Poitrenaud, Donguy (both from Toulouse) or Saubade (Stade Français) are the favourites for taking a place on the bench. [/b]

****. he still had a lot to show. is it serious?

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

For sure Malzieu off is quite sad...Would prefer Donghi than Saubade, who would be better in defense and more easy to integrate to the backline, that is now essentially based of Toulouse players

 

[Sir Speedy]

I think Clerc being benched would have benefited Ireland, since he's 'put them away' twice in one year. So to hear of Malzieu's injury may make Ireland worry too much over him, leaving gaps in midfield which that experienced centre pairing will exploit.

 

[An Tarbh]

I know it's always better to beat the best team that you face but it was very nearly happy days when Clerc wasn't picked, wonder if Lievremont was just messing with the Irish psychologically by leaving him out knowing full well the extent of Malzieu's injurry. Pity for him as he showed promise last weekend, although Rougerie is still a massive handful as well.

 

[thomas]

I know it's always better to beat the best team that you face but it was very nearly happy days when Clerc wasn't picked, wonder if Lievremont was just messing with the Irish psychologically by leaving him out knowing full well the extent of Malzieu's injurry. Pity for him as he showed promise last weekend, although Rougerie is still a massive handful as well. [/b]

Personnaly, Malzieu is the player that impressed me the most during the Scotland game, even if Clerc was clearly Man of the match,

He seemed to feel completly relax about his first cap, and I thought that he brought some fresh air and excitment as well as danger in his way of running / carrying the ball... You could see that he's special and I can see him earning his regular cap for France in the next years (still young, 25 y)

 

[Denis Hoctor]

I can't see there being a hope in hell of us winning this one. The boys put on a green shirt and fall apart these days!

 

[titi03120]

For me france win 21/15 on Ireland

GO FRANCE

 

[glosbigboy]

Im going for a shock Ireland win. It would be so typically French to undo what good work they did at Murrayfield. Also Ireland will be much tougher than Scotland.

 

[An Tarbh]

Here's hoping, there'll be serious questions to be answered this weekend if it a spectacular failure as it is a much nearer a form team than took the park last Saturday at Croker.

 

[stevemagoo]

Looking forward to it now - heading over this evening and after a rush of tickets, now have 5 for 3 of us. Will probably end up giving the others to a gendarme!

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Should be a disaster to having to give 2 tickets for this match... Moreover to Gendarmes.
Still volunteer to sind "Allez les bleus" but color is not all, or might I say you can't judge a book by its cover !!!!