Ireland v France

[Feicarsinn]

Tbh, I think there's been a wee bit too much hysteria. The forwards won enough ball for Ireland's backs to have a real stab at it. If it wasn't for D'arcy and O'Driscoll running "can't pass, won't catch", you'd have won comfortably.

I wouldn't argue with that. It's always going to be tough against the Italians and we weren't clinical. When you compare this performance to the one in Rome two years ago they look remarkably similar, save a few late tries. Job done, move on.

 

[coonor]

I still want to see a back row of Ferris, Heaslip and O'Brien (Who says his sees himself as a 7). We haven't had an out and out 7 for ages now and both Heaslip has good rucking skills and so Ferris' jackling skills are improving (he made a great turnover in the Barritz game). Ferris is world class and was the best player in the AI. He has proven himself at levels as high as the British and Irish Lions and is Ulsters best player. If he is fully fit he must play. Jennings is good and provides a different sort of style but Ferris and Heaslip have formed a great partnership and they linked up twice in the Autumn to 2 tries.

 

[Peat]

I get a little tumescent imagining the possibilities of Ferris/O'Brien/Heaslip*

*providing its not against England

 

[Curls]

Well to be honest I think Ireland's larger problem is in relation to what they will do for the world cup. I think that Kidney is afraid to venture down the road of playing the Leinster game plan and basically weighing the team with the players that in my opinion make up the form team in Europe at the moment! Kidney being a munsterman and at this stage quite obviously heavily influenced by opinions down South(DOC being played while out for form over and over year by year). Ferris is a good player but if you want a team that is gelled then you have a ready made set in O'Brien, Jennings and Heasip.

If Ireland play the best form players I believe they will win aganist France or atleast push them really really close! From what I saw from France against Scotland if Ireland get quick ball they could do real damage as the French seemed to panic at time when they had to reset in defence quickly and there were holes you could sail and oil tanker through at some stages!

For me Ireland's best team for France should be:

1. Healy
2. Best(look we need line-out ball)
2. Ross
4. Cullen
5. POC(he's a leader)
6. O'Brien
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Darcy(Wallace for me is a liability at this level as he showed in Cardiff and V Samoa)
13. BOD
14. Bowe(or McFadden)
15. Fitzgerald

We need the ready made pairings and in my opinion if we played thre game this team can play we'd win the Grand Slam and pass off the Italy game as "a wonky one"

 

[munstermuffin]

Did I just read somewhere that Niall Ronan should be considered at 7

On French game, it's as simple as this if France turn up then we are in massive trouble.
As for team, I don't understand the calls for Cullen to start as DOC and POC did well. DOC had good game all game and Paulie lifted it bigtime in 2nd half.
I think Healy is lucky we have no other decent LH (I don't think Court is a starter)
Curls if we need lineout ball Best isn't your guy and well he was a spectator for alot of Italian game.
On the backrow I'll have to see our options before making a call but I agree with a recent comment that the hype of Sean O'Brien at this level has to calm until he turns in big performance - I do think the French game will suit him perfectly though.
If I'd to pick I'd have Wallace on bench with a Ferris, O'Brien and Heaslip backrow.
Again at 9 I don't think Reddan great at this level and while I agree O'Leary deserves the chop I think a Stringer/Sexton combo is best for Ireland.
It hard to judge backs. I thoughs Earls and McFadden were ok against Italy just it was hard to judge as events inside them were crap.
D'Arcy should be sweating over his spot

 

[coonor]

I can't believe anyone would leave Ferris out. He is an absolute beast who has been one of Ireland's on form players. He was brilliant against Bath and was Ireland's best player in the Autumn.

Just look at some of the things he has done RECENTLY at INTERNATIONAL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWa6i3jzXIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjm9u6ME4zg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2AxUSpKg7o

 

[Peat]

Rory Best for safe lineouts :lol: Rory did his job at the lineout well enough, but that was helped by the fact it was all called to the front or middle (what with no tail jumper).

Mindyou the other options aren't greatly more convincing. If Ireland were to pick a hooker for lineout throwing first and foremost at the moment, I am not taking the **** when I say I think thats Nigel Brady. And I don't think Nigel Brady should leapfrog the Irish lineout.

Or the queue of Irish hookers, which is what I'd meant to say before my mind slipped. If Brady could leapfrog entire lineouts all of a sudden he looks worth a place in the team.

Anyway. Yeah. I reckon hooker should be Cronin, as Best I don't think is fully fit or in his groove (did hit a lot of rucks though), unless the scrummaging difference really is noticeable.

I also think O'Callaghan completely redeemed any queries about his selection and just can't bring myself to debate the idea you'd bench Stephen Ferris for Shane Jennings and Sean O'Brien.

Oh, and munstermuffin, why do you think Court's not a starter?

 

[Jockstap]

Healy is great in the loose and is a good ball carrier but after seeing what the French did to the Scottish scrum Court MUST start. Unleash Healy in the last 20, I think a Front row consisting of Court, Best and Ross could be Ireland's strongest Scrummaging front row in over 10 years.

 

[munstermuffin]

Peat I just feel Court is a player that is vital bench player and I just don't think he's been tested enough at this level. I mean that in a respectful way because I don't believe he got a fair shot. I think Ross did well too on Sat as it was Healy who got raped in scrum.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Guys, as for Ireland, I think O'Brien was the best backrower in Europe this last month. I admit I haven't seen Ferris's club performance of late, but I don't see how O'Brien could be dropped. Anyway, I really don't think that either O'Brien or Ferris can do the job at 7. I see Heaslip more in that role, but he's so dominant at 8 that it would be perhaps not the best idea. Playing the three together seems like an overlap, but if they are all fit, I think it's what should be done. As for the locks, I don't think cullen as done enough to take either of the Munster locks out of the team. I admit I'm not a scrum specialist, though, and if Cullen makes a noticeable difference in the irish scrum, then it could be necessary to play him.

France has lost Mermoz for the rest of the Championship, which sucks, but at least brings back Jauzion to the starting XV. Mermoz is very creative in attack, but his defence would have been a real liability against Ireland. Jauzion is a much stronger defender and, IMO, also better offensively. As for the rest, I don't see any reason why Lièvremont wold change the team, but with him you never know... Perhaps he will move Traille 8his favourite player...) to centre and play Poitrenaud, or perhaps he will just replace Mermoz by Jauzion. Traille should be dropped from the XV, but his selection has already been too criticized and if ML drops him, it would be seen as a sign of weakness vis-à-vis the press (same applies for Huget). So, the team will probably be:

15. Traille
14. Huget
13. Rougerie
12. Jauzion
11. Médard
10. Trihn-Duc
9. Parra
1. Domingo
2. Servat
3. Mas
4. Nallet
5. Pierre
6. Dusautoir
7. Bonnaire
8. Harinordoquy

16. Guirado
17. Ducalcon
18. Thion
19. Chabal
20. Yachvili
21. Clerc
22. Poitrenaud

(Question here: the french press always lists 23 players in the squad. Marconnet was listed as #23 against Scotland, as in the ERC matches. Is that just because they're wrong or is there some way of making 23 players play?)

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Healy is great in the loose and is a good ball carrier but after seeing what the French did to the Scottish scrum Court MUST start. Unleash Healy in the last 20, I think a Front row consisting of Court, Best and Ross could be Ireland's strongest Scrummaging front row in over 10 years.

I think you are right. Ducalcon is not as good a scrummager as Mas, so once he's in, Healy could make a difference.

 

[lynam1104]

The French name the 23rd as a back up I think, in Europe there are 23 man squads top allow for another prop/front row.

 

[Conal]

Forwards Brett Wilkinson, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Stephen Ferris, Mike McCarthy and Jamie Heaslip have been drafted in.

Nevin Spence, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley, Andrew Trimble and Gavin Duffy are the additions to the backs.

Trimble (hand) and Leinster back row forward Heaslip (ankle) were also sidelined for Italy game through injury and their fitness will continue to monitored.

The Leinster number eight appears the most likely of the players who missed the win over Italy to return for the clash with the Six Nations champions.

new players in contention for this weekend (recovery permitting)

mabey brett wilkonson at 1 after healy's last outing?
hopefully ferris and heaslip are back aswell could put sob on 7 he may not be a 7 but would be best choice i think (far better than jennings)

 

[Feicarsinn]

I wouldn't say far better than Jennings. He's been excellent this season and is the only real top seven in the country

 

[lucky number 7]

Hes a lesser 7 than Jennings but with the form he is In Sob is a shoe in.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland to win Darce to bounce back from the ''Performance'' against Italy with a MOTM performance or France to win about 40-7

 

[durbutter]

I don't know. SOB is not a 7. Play him at 6 and release Ferris off the bench with 20 to go.

 

[lucky number 7]

He is the same mold of player as Wallace yet he was 7 for many years and arguably out most consistently good player :/

 

[Feicarsinn]

I don't know. SOB is not a 7. Play him at 6 and release Ferris off the bench with 20 to go.

Me likey.

 

[munstermuffin]

I've no prob with SOB at 7 and Wallace off the bench as fact is Wally hasn't the legs for 80 mins at this level anymore but can make a superb impact.

But did I hear it's looking like none of casualties will make this weekend.