Ireland vs France - 09/03/2013

[munstermuffin]

In fairness I think Archer is the best of what is left available. And Peat they do have some role like that but I wonder does the restructuring issue mean Kiss will go and Feek. Personally I like what Dean Ryan is doing at Scotland and hope it someone like him if it coaching changes but I do worry that Bradley may be about to enter in some capacity.

 

[Amiga500]

Heard from a nicely placed source that Kidney may avoid axe but be part of a restructuring of coaching team.

:huh:

:blink:

:mellow:


:wah:

 

[big ginger 8]

http://origin.irishrugby.ie/matchdaytv/play/media/id/14615

Nice little sign off by Quinlan.

 

[Big Ewis]

Regardless of the outcome of this match or the next (we're winning both....), if we do however get the Wooden Spoon it would be the first time since 1999 (when we got it for but A POINT in goal avg. to Ireland !...); and that year we went on to achieve the greatest upset in Rugby history...after a shhitty 5N.
We're going to NZ this summer, and we sure have the potential for greatness on paper, does anybody see a big performance coming this summer (as to perpetuate the now legendary yet very real French inconsistency notion) ?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

No I not suggesting Archer better than Court in general although I'd rate him as a better THP. Also it doesn't matter what team is out for giving away 3 scrum pens. Also Munster destroyed Saints in Rd 6 of HEC last season. That doesn't mean anything as Saints can have off day. My point is Archer isn't as bad as people are suggesting but I accept he's not ready for international but Court has been destroyed so much at THP he's worst than Buckley in my book and should be left as a LHP exclusively. And I would seriously say Archer a better scrummager than Court in THP jersey but not when Court is LHP.

Well maybe that's because he isn't a THP? Lmao

 

[munstermuffin]

Well I agree 100% it's no coincidence that Court having argubally his best form when playing as a LHP exclusively. As I pointed out last week when he started ahead of Kilcoyne who is in great form nobody complained. Was just pointing out Archer is best of what is available as a THP for bench and that doesn't say he is ready for International rugby but if he has to give 10mins or whatever I'm certain he won't let us down. But eventually we will have likes of Furlong at Leinster and few more come through maybe even Macklin at Ulster and there will be depth in this area eventually. Think Hagan is the man that will be lost in limbo as Fitzpatrick can be serious stuff if he can stay in 1 piece and McAllister up in Ulster is a forgotten man who in my opinion is a good player if he can get over injury

 

[KAPman]

Aye, i thought that after France's problems at the last world cup Phillipe Saint Andre, given his history as a good tactical coach, and a good man manager, would bring some consistancy and structure to the way France played, but he seems to be sliding the Marc Lievremont route, if not worse, Lievremont never lost 3 six nations matches in a row. He keeps making changes. His French team aren't settled and behind the scrum they don't look like they know how they want to play as a team, even with Parra and Trinh-Duc in against England, though there was better control, there was still an element of cluelessness in their side apart from the centres. with Michalak, who brings no control to the 10 shirt, they look to be going backwards. Ireland need to put Michalak under-pressure. Michalak has shown this championship that he doesnt know what to do when he's got no time to play and on the backfoot. He was good in the autumn because he was on the front foot and given space to play.

 

[munstermuffin]

Dare I say it type of game that 1 team is going to come out and score 40+ points.

 

[Big Ewis]

Good post KAPman, well said.

Dare I say it type of game that 1 team is going to come out and score 40+ points.

....and that team putting 40 on the other would be ??.....

 

[munstermuffin]

Yoe91. It can be either team both so low that surely 1 team will get fire in belly and sense blood. I think this is fixture that France probably feel most comfortable away as they always seem to play superb in Dublin and no doubt Clerc is licking lips but heart is saying Ireland are going to perform a miracle. Jackson for 100% kicking, Donnacha Ryan to seal Lions place and Archer to come on early and finish with 2 tries WAHEY

 

[Aedaphon]

I predict a loss for both teams.

 

[big ginger 8]

I predict a loss for both teams.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HY-03vYYAjA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Big Ewis]

Yoe91. It can be either team both so low that surely 1 team will get fire in belly and sense blood. I think this is fixture that France probably feel most comfortable away as they always seem to play superb in Dublin and no doubt Clerc is licking lips but heart is saying Ireland are going to perform a miracle. Jackson for 100% kicking, Donnacha Ryan to seal Lions place and Archer to come on early and finish with 2 tries WAHEY

could you imagine if Ireland leads by 4 and at the like 77th minute Clerc goes for a try again to win the game :lol:
I bet the IRA would attempt to assassinate him if that happened !! XD

I predict a loss for both teams.

Easy now friend from across the Chanel (and across the Atlantic as well I see....) !!! Beating Ireland and France by surviving them and committing less penalties without a single (legit) try ain't no fkn achievement either !!
Don't fart higher than where your ass is, as we say in french !

 

[big ginger 8]

Boredom is leading me to something stupid...a team comparison sorry about this.

1. Healy vs Domingo : Healy. I really like Domingo and this is really close but Healy just edges it for me. I can't imagine how good Domingo would be if not for all the injuries.
2. Best vs Kayser : Best. Despite being a bit dodgy with his throwing this season I still feel Best is the form hooker in the NH.
3. Ross vs Mas : Mas. Both like there scrums but Mas contributes much more.
4. McCarthy vs Samson : I haven't seen enough of Samson to make an objective judgment.
5. Ryan vs Maestri : Draw. Not sure if anyone will agree with me but I really rate both of them. Both with different strengths. If I had a gun too my head and was forced to choose I'd say Maestri.
6. O'Mahony vs Nyanga : Nyanga. Nyanga is the player O'Mahony wants to be.
7. O'Brien vs Dusautoir : O'Brien. Controversial but ah well. Don't think this means I don't rate Dusautoir incredibly highly on top form.
8. Heaslip vs Picamoles : Picamoles. Many will know how big a Heaslip fan I am but Picamoles is such a tank with great hands.
9. Murray vs Parra : Parra. No debate.
10. Jackson vs Michalak : Depends which Michalak turns up.
11. Earls vs Medard : Medard. Haven't seen Medard since his return but if he's anywhere near his best wins this hands down.
12. Marshall vs Fofana : Fofana. Maybe in a few years I'll be able to say something different.
13. O'Driscoll vs Fritz : O'Driscoll. I can't pick anyone over him.
14. McFadden vs Clerc : Clerc. I really like McFadden but this is Clerc against Ireland.
15. Kearney vs Huget : Draw. Huget has surprised me this tournament. Kearney hasn't been at his best but improving every game hopefully he keeps doing that.

16. Cronin vs Guirado : Cronin. I honestly haven't seen Guirado for a while bi=ut I'm going to pick Cronin. Chronically underrated IMO needs to be given more time.
17. Kilcoyne vs Debaty : Debaty. Both will make impacts. Debaty will make a bigger one I think as long as Ross doesn't stick him in his pocket again.
18. Archer vs Ducalon : Ducalon. No contest.
19. O'Callaghan vs Vahaamahina : O'Callaghan.
20. Henderson vs Claassen : Henderson.
21. Reddan vs Machenaud : Machenaud
22. Madigan vs Trinh-Duc : Trinh-Duc. Can't wait to see Madigan play for Ireland even if Kidney will probably give him less than 5.
23. Fitzgerald vs Bastareaud: Rapier vs the Hammer: Fitzgerald.

Oh and a disclaimer. Even if the Irish scrum does poorly tomorrow I still maintain my ratings. French frontrow have so much more coming through.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I think those are not too stupid. I'd put Domingo over Healy, Dusautoir over O'Brien and... Heaslip over Picamoles. Kearney's form has to be in a serious dip for you not to choose him.

And the bench ratings are too hard to call imo. I don't know the irish players enough (and some french either, tbh).

 

[munstermuffin]

I think those are not too stupid. I'd put Domingo over Healy, Dusautoir over O'Brien and... Heaslip over Picamoles. Kearney's form has to be in a serious dip for you not to choose him.

And the bench ratings are too hard to call imo. I don't know the irish players enough (and some french either, tbh).

 

[Big Ewis]

^ looooool

and in randomness, I'd like to say this (to which you may reply "cool story bro" if you wish)
France wins this by an okay margin, not super super tight.
Wales beats Scotland
England beats Italy, but Italy look alright in certain aspects

Next week:
France beats Scotland at home after finding their groove in Ireland
England loses in Wales in a tight semi-thriller
Ireland beats Italy in Rome

England wins the tournament, followed by Wales. Then it's between Ireland and Scotland, France 5th (one worse even than last year's bad rank) and Italy with the Spoon...

 

[SelimNiai]

France 5th (one worse even than last year's bad rank).

Have France ever finished that low. Can't pinpoint a time in the last 40 years where they have been as bad as this lot

 

[Big Ewis]

Have France ever finished that low. Can't pinpoint a time in the last 40 years where they have been as bad as this lot

EYYYY !!!! SHUT UP MAN !! Wales just came off an 8-game losing streak !!! :lol:
...yes, I think this is our worst showing since 1483.

 

[SelimNiai]

EYYYY !!!! SHUT UP MAN !! Wales just came off an 8-game losing streak !!! :lol:
...yes, I think this is our worst showing since 1483.

I wanst having a dig. In my experience of rugby even an average French team is usually challenging for the Championship.