Ireland v France

[Teh Mite]

And it begins...

 

[lucky number 7]

Pfft, the worse that can happen is he'll surrender to you

I should probably add he was one of Jerome Le Bannuers sparring partners for a while about six foot and 17 stone of brute...

Also ..Charles Martel....that is all.

 

[darkozone]

I do not doubt that Ireland can win this game by +10 for one second. I'm neither impressed nor intimidated by France's win against the (sigh) Scottish pushovers.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

10+ isn't likely but I agree Scotland were pushovers and the French are going to get cocky aswell. Perfect time to get them

 

[durbutter]

I completely disagree. I thought Scotland played some lovely stuff at times. Surprisingly they matched them out wide. It was their very decent pack that got hammered by the French. In fact i will fear going to 'burgh this year.

 

[coonor]

I completely disagree. I thought Scotland played some lovely stuff at times. Surprisingly they matched them out wide. It was their very decent pack that got hammered by the French. In fact i will fear going to 'burgh this year.

I agree with you. Scotland played brilliantly. They managed to score 3 tries and if they had cut out the turnovers and solidified the set piece then the result may have been different. Frances weakness is their defense at the moment. They missed 25 tackles and let in 3 tries and Scotland aren't known for their way of splitting defenses and scoring tries.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

They scored 2 of their 3 tries when France were clear and had fallen asleep Scotland can be good yes but Stade de France got to them and France ran in a few soft tries and I considered them a pushover because they let in the soft tries not because they're not a good team

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

I Imagine we can't pretend any decent result if we present the same passivity in the rucks as we did versus Scotland, wich was IMO deliberately in Lieremont's originals plans last saturday.

Traille as center is the less worst place for him, as I imagine his foot will be here to alternate and unload Trinh-Duc. Not to expect although a great fluidity beetween him and rougerie, another brand new 12/13 association...
Huget not seen as the terrifying "Clerc" could be more dangerous as he looks from Ireland, he made a good performance and he's still underderestimated by the opposition, TD should search to attack the line as he usually perform.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Heaslip's fit!!!!!!!!

POWWWERRRR!!!!!!!!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/9389039.stm

 

[munstermuffin]

Is team been named tomorrow or is it definitely delayed until Friday so as reason for delay was for Heaslip

 

[Feicarsinn]

It's named tomorrow.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

My XV for Sunday:

1. Court
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. DOC
6. SOB
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. Stringer
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. D'Arcy
13. BOD
14. McFadden
15. Luke Fitz

16. Best
17. Healy
18. POC
19. Wallace
20. Reddan
21. O'Gara
22. Trimble

 

[munstermuffin]

I don't understand the calls for Cullen to start as 2nd rows did fine on Saturday. Obviously TOL has 9 jersey I feel and is lucky. Healy I think will survive the chop too. I've feeling only change will be Jennings dropping out of 22 for Heaslip in at 8 SOB to 6 and Leamy to bench.
Also Trimble will probably get nod ahead of Earls or McFadden

 

[Feicarsinn]

Cullen adds strength to the scrum and is in far better form than POC, who still has yet to find his feet at this level again. He's a good lineout option and is the form lock in the country. He's certainly worth playing.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm not saying Cullen poor but just 2 lads didn't do any wrong

 

[monkeypigeon]

Cullen adds strength to the scrum and is in far better form than POC, who still has yet to find his feet at this level again. He's a good lineout option and is the form lock in the country. He's certainly worth playing.

What he said. I think O'Connell is too used to walking into squad's whenever he's fit though.

 

[Logorrhea]

I'm not saying Cullen poor but just 2 lads didn't do any wrong

If "not doing anything wrong" was the key requisite for continued selection we'd still be selecting the likes of Leamy, O'Callaghan, O'Leary and .......... oh I see where your coming from.

Look at it this way. Our scrum is going to get absolutely mullered on Sunday. DOC could only slap ball to Speedy O'Leary against Italy, and with no backrow option the French are going to have a field day with our lineout.

In the interest of retaining some minor percentage of the rugby ball, I'd like a second row that can do more then just "nothing wrong". I'd play Cullen and POC.

 

[munstermuffin]

Look if Leo is included I have no qualms and agree Paulie might need to know he has to fight for spot. But just I thought they were 2 of the better players Saturday

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I thought POC had one of his poorer games on Saturday,
Admitedly I only saw the first and last 20minutes of the game, but he didn't look great

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed hist first 30 mins were poor but he picked it up after that