France vs Ireland - 13/08/2011 RWC Warm up

[Dougydeluxe]

Not a good game from Ireland, France played well at times and could be much improved next game, after brushing off the cobwebs.

 

[Darwin]

A few thoughts/questions (from someone who watches little North Hemisphere rugby):
-Trimble looked classy on the wing, and I thought Kearney looked quite good too. Fitzgerald was pretty poor, and Earls didn't impress me. What are the chances of Trimble starting on the wing in Ireland's top line-up (alongside Bowe).
-The starting props were very good (Healy was very impressive with ball in hand too)...It is a bit of a worry how fast Ireland's scrum went back once Buckley came on. Is he the next best tighthead prop in Ireland, or are we likely to see Tom Court on the bench in crucial matches? I'd even consider the (approximately 100 year old) John Hayes ahead of Buckley...
-Rory Best lineout throwing was shocking. I don't recall him being a poor thrower - was this just an aberration?
-Clerc impressed me for France - he always seems to plays well vs Ireland, but he has never impressed me when he has played against the AB's.
-Traille is a pretty average fullback (though he does have a big boot on him).
-Yachvilli was very impressive at halfback
-Harinordoquy looked good, but I feel his skills are much better suited to 8 than on the flank (I'm sure he will start at 8 in the big games though).

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

@darwin_23
Bowe and Earls are the likely starting wingers. Trimble's performances thus far should push him ahead of Luke Fitzgerald as next option.

I'm a better prop than Tony Buckley. I'll scrummage just as incompentently as him but will gladly settle for only 1/3 of the wage he's on. Buckle had his chance to become top backup prop but blew it. Court will probably wear the 17 shirt in the big games now.

Best's bad lineout days happen all too frequently. He's Ireland's best scrummaging hooker though so it's probably a 50:50 race between him and Flannery for the 2 shirt. I'd go with Flannery.

 

[Logorrhea]

He [D Ryan] has certainly put himself about better than Cullen, who I rate btw.

One was playing 6 the other 5. You understand the very clear difference between the two positions yeah?

 

[munstermuffin]

One was playing 6 the other 5. You understand the very clear difference between the two positions yeah?

Loog I think if you read the full comment he was on about Scottish game where both played in 2nd row.

 

[Logorrhea]

Loog I think if you read the full comment he was on about Scottish game where both played in 2nd row.

I read the full comment. A few times. Ive read it again just now, all three sentences of it. Dont see any reference to the Scotland game.

 

[OnTheBall]

There were some positives to take from this match. The scrum was good while our first choice props were on. Tony Buckley is an embarrassment to say the least. Didn't think I would say this but I would prefer John Hayes to go to the world cup if it means Buckley is nowhere near a pitch in New Zealand next month.

The lineout was poor but improved somewhat when O'Connell and Flannery came on. Flannery will reclaim the 2 jersey for the World Cup.
The backrow combination didn't work that well and I thought Ryan was a bit anonymous. Things improved with Heaslip on the pitch though.

The half backs were pretty good, especially ROG, who will have given Kidney (and Sexton) something to think about. I thought Reddan was pretty competant for the most part and provided better delivery than TOL last week. Murray looked sharp when he came on and in a fair world would be getting decent gametime over the next few weeks and be going to the RWC.

The centres were poor and the more I see of Earls in the centre, the more I think he's best on the wing. Trimble has been superb over the two matches and looked classy every time he got the ball. Has surely booked his ticket to NZ and should be ahead of Fitzgerald in the pecking order.
Kearney was very good I thought and looked more like the Rob of 2009 than we have seen in recent years. Hoping he's hasn't picked up anything serious.
Jones was impressive when he came on and deserves a start against France or England.

 

[profitius]

I think people are being too harsh on some of the players or maybe delusional. They want certain players replaced by players who are about the same standard.

Ireland played well against France in many areas. The set pieces went to pot again but even if the lineout functioned like a normal lineout they could easily have won that game. The malfunctioning set pieces ment that France were able to dominate possesion just like Scotland did the week before. There are other small areas too like protecting the ball at the breakdown that needs to be fixed. In the second half when they got more ball they looked dangerous and did well at the breakdown.

Next weeks team could be the strongest put out yet but I think kidney will continue to mix it up a bit although with all the injuries he has to make some enforced changes.

 

[Irishflanker]

One was playing 6 the other 5. You understand the very clear difference between the two positions yeah?

You were referring to Ryan's comparative performances over the two games, judging by your previous comment, as was I. Ryan was the better of the two against scotland and while he didn't set the world alight against France he wasn't a gaping wound in our team like some would claim.

 

[Logorrhea]

You were referring to Ryan's comparative performances over the two games

No I wasnt (quote me please). YOU were. Thats what I dissagreed with. I pointed out that you cant compare the two different positions.

Ryan was the better of the two against scotland and while he didn't set the world alight against France he wasn't a gaping wound in our team like some would claim.

He was in my ass the better lock against Scotland, he was anonymous for the game doing all the hidden work I'm sure. As for the France game, if thats the standard you expect of an international 6 then god help us. Hes not even a ML standard 6. I'm not saying hes not a worker, but hes not athletic enough to be a 6. He cant carry, cant jump and doesnt have the hands required. Hes an effective lock, and could travel on that basis, but hes not a serious utility option.

 

[big ginger 8]

Don't tell me you're gonna do what you did with the Scotland thread and spend ages after it argueing about one bit part player (last time Wallace).