Ireland v France

[ZeFrenchy]

Would Cullen make such a difference in the scrum? I think Mas will kill Healy, not sure that #4 would make a signifficant improvement. As for the line-out, I think POC is irreplaceable and DOC is good too. Ireland lack options in there, though. Their backrow is far in line-out performances from what Bonnaire and Harinordoquy can do (France's #4, #5, #7 and #8 are all lineout specialists).
My opinion: leaving POC out of the team would make Ireland too weak in the line-out, and the gain in the scrum from replacing DOC by Cullen is not enough to offset DOC's defence in the loose. Therefore, the starting second row whould be the same as against Italy.

For France, the team does look strong, although they have to find a way to make the ball reach the wings when in possesion, not only from turnovers. Rougerie has never made a pass in his life, I'm sick of him being played at centre (both at club and international level). Fritz, David or Marty are way better.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

IMO (before Munster fans kill me) Cullen is better in the lineout than POC these days

 

[munstermuffin]

The only problem our backrow have is we are tiny at this level like 6'1 is small for backrow com lineout time

 

[munstermuffin]

Olyy can't agree or disagree because neither have really been at their best

 

[Logorrhea]

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

And the last 20 mins he was knackered. He came off with 10 to go so overall he was useful for about 20 minutes.

Olyy can't agree or disagree because neither have really been at their best

Get off the fence would you. POC is the better player but Cullen is on form.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well Paulie is still getting fitness back but I disagree with been on fence as Cullen hasn't played out of his skin either. And I think your been bit harsh on Paulie

 

[durbutter]

Yep, POC is only really on is way back from pretty much a full year's break.

In fact i was expecting him to be quite poor and have to gradually improve.


So the team. Is it not just re-arranging deckchairs on the titanic?

We're only kidding ourselves if really think we have a good chance of winning this one.

Ireland need to play well and France need to play poorly. that's the only way.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

15 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster) Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Ah ****!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How did O'Learys form warrant another start?

No surprises in the squad, really

France by 12

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Tomas O'Leary?? Declan Kidney, you are a joke!!

 

[Logorrhea]

**** off. Stupid f**king selection. F**king gobshite of a coach.

Its impossible to get dropped form this team.

 

[Teh Mite]

 

[munstermuffin]

This team doesn't surprise me. I said it earlier today I expected the change in backrow but Kidney doesn't chop and change much even though the year we won grand slam and he tinkered with the team it helped us.
We need a passing 9. Also it worries me we've no real matchwinner on bench again like yes ROG can do drop goal but no real impact guy that will lift the crowd and team.

 

[Logorrhea]

Remember all that frustration you felt when Johnson kept on picking Borthwick and ignored players like Ashton, Lawes and Foden?

Well I'm sorry for laughing at you. I feel your pain

 

[munstermuffin]

I'll predict Ireland to sneak it. They shouldn't but just have the feeling they'll deliver. It's set up for them.

 

[Teh Mite]

Remember all that frustration you felt when Johnson kept on picking Borthwick and ignored players like Ashton, Lawes and Foden?

Well I'm sorry for laughing at you. I feel your pain

Bloody annoying, ain't it!

 

[cyRil]

What does David Wallace have to do to get dropped?

 

[munstermuffin]

Wallace isn't 80 min man at this level any more. I'd love to know if Ferris was fit who'd loose out

 

[King_D'Arcy]

What does David Wallace have to do to get dropped?

Die...


I'm off to get a gun