Ireland v France

[lynam1104]

What happen to Paul O'dunehuge(is that how you spell it) or was he just part of the hype machine?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Paul O'Donohoe. He's Leinster's third choice scrum half. Looks alright but nothing special. He probably needs to move to further his career because he has no chance of getting ahead of Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan.

 

[munstermuffin]

Only negative I would say is Boss and Reddan are both at age that they want to be first choice and maybe one might eventually move on. I know they're used in rotation and both get gametime bit just it is a possibility

 

[coonor]

I would have Stringer starting and Boss on the bench. I think Stringer would give Sexton the quick ball he needs and has experience of winning big games. Boss can be brought on to change the game and he would give the backrow some good ball and his physical side can break through tackles and he has a good offload. Paul O'Donohue is crap but Conor Murray looks quite good.

 

[darkozone]

I would have to agree with you. You can't really argue against Stringer's experience and preformance. Oh, and Donahue isn't crap he's just not that good....trust me, there's a difference.

 

[coonor]

I would have to agree with you. You can't really argue against Stringer's experience and preformance. Oh, and Donahue isn't crap he's just not that good....trust me, there's a difference.

I know he's not crap I was just trying to really make a point that he is not international quality.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Only negative I would say is Boss and Reddan are both at age that they want to be first choice and maybe one might eventually move on. I know they're used in rotation and both get gametime bit just it is a possibility

Unlikely. Considering that Boss moved to Leinster with the aim of winning trophies and Reddan came to Ireland to bring himself into national team contention, I wouldn't see them going anywhere. Boss has played 17 games this season and Reddan 14. That's a good amount for this stage in the season. They're both in the reckoning for the Ireland squad and are, no doubt, on pretty good money. I can't see any reason for them to move anywhere, especially when you consider that they've both only been signed in the past 2 seasons.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree Snoop just said it is the only negative but agree that rotation has been done superbly

 

[M Two One]

France to win it.

 

[dangandan]

my first time goin to the aviva so they better win it or at least put in an entertaining performance!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

@munstermuffin
Think you're mixing me up with Feicarsinn

My opinion is similar to Feic's anyway. Swapping Reddan and Boss each week and bringing the sub on to inject pace into the game with 20 to go has worked brilliantly for Leinster and both players this season. Since both scrum halves are 30 now, not flogging them for 80 minutes per week will extend both players career. They work in tandem just as well as O'Leary and Stringer do for Munster and the Munster players international prospects haven't been damaged by it. Next season I suspect Leinster will rotate Mike Ross and Jamie Hagan in a similar way and it will boost each of those players careers too.

Back to the game, I wouldn't wish injury on any player but I do hope either Reddan or Stringer start for Ireland tomorrow. O'Leary can't pass, can't kick and makes some baffling decisions in games. Neither Reddan nor Stringer are top class but both are better than the incumbent starter. Their faster service would free up the backline and not have defenders in their faces as was the case last week.

 

[dangandan]

i mean ireland not france hah

 

[coonor]

My 5 top ways to beat France:

1) Do not turn over the ball- France scored for tries from 4 turnovers last week. They can run the ball from anywhere and they have quality players that can punish anyone on the counter attack.

2) Put width on the ball and use strike runners- France have troubles in defense and they seem to have a weakness in the centre. If we can make space and get big ball cariers crashing through tackles we may be able to get some momentum in attack.

3) Slow them down- France will thrive on quick ball and if we allow to gain forward momentum they will be able to finish off any move. We need to stop them from getting on to the front foot and offloading. We must tackle hard and close up space and therefore slow them down.

4) Front up up front- The French forwards will physically challenge us whenever they can. We must lay down a marker, hit them backwards and force them to make errors. We can not give away to many penalties and therefore we must be controlled at the breakdown.

5) Win your set piece- We need to keep as much possession as possible and France will use counter turnover ball with great effect. France will use the scrum as a weapon and we really need to try and control the scrum. especially on our own ball.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

My major worry is if we can manage attacks with an reverse defense better than we did.
As Coonor said, we played well the turnovers last week-end, we are improving in the ways to have quicker balls after rucks on first hands attacks, but we're still very disturbed by a reverse defense to make play the wingers.
Maybe we could tomorrow see them play more around the middle of the field, as England brillantly did today.

For the defense, I'm 90% sure we won't see the same than versus Scotland, it should be quite more high and agressive, and less malleable.

Keys for Les Bleus to win it

Permanent support
Poor tackle missing
Good game attack variation

 

[lucky number 7]

My First day in the Aviva...how much are pints inside ?

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

My First day in the Aviva...how much are pints inside ?

That's the most intelligent interrogation I've ever read on this forum !

 

[lucky number 7]

That's the most intelligent interrogation I've ever read on this forum !

I don't know whether to take this as mockery or a compliment but either way it is an important part of the day to budget your beverage intake

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Definately not a mockery

Like this kind of "back to basics" when we're all talking on how to appreciate good moments !

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's Dublin, and in a stadium.....€35ish?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Dude, you really don't know how much a Euro is worth