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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 485719" data-attributes="member: 24910">France will obviously start this match as favourites, but I just have a strange feeling that Ireland may pull off the upset.I think starting Szarzewski over Servat is a mistake for France.&nbsp; They lose any advantage they may have had in the scrum, and while Szarzewski is very quick around the field he is prone to slip off tackles quite frequently (O&#039;Brien, Heaslip, and Ferris will enjoy running at him), and he seemed to get himself penalized a lot last weekend.&nbsp; Overall I think the front rows look pretty even, as do the locks (though I do think Ryan should be starting for Ireland).&nbsp; I expect France will target Ireland at lineout time, so Rory Best will need to be hitting the mark. I like the balance of the French loose-forward trio better this weekend, and though Harinordoquy didn&#039;t have a great game last weekend, I always think he looks better when playing at number 8.&nbsp; Again I think the loose-forward trios are pretty evenly matched, so it should be a good battle at the breakdown and in the loose.I do think France have the edge in the halves - I really rate Parra, and I&#039;m looking forward to the Trinh-Duc v Sexton battle.&nbsp; Again I see France having the edge in the centres - I&#039;ve been very impressed with Fofana thus far. Some good match-ups out wide too.So man-for-man I think France have an edge, but France are known for their inconsistency - I&#039;m picking (for no reason in particular..) that this will be one of France&#039;s &#039;off&#039; games, and Ireland will pull off the win.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 485719, member: 24910"] France will obviously start this match as favourites, but I just have a strange feeling that Ireland may pull off the upset. I think starting Szarzewski over Servat is a mistake for France. They lose any advantage they may have had in the scrum, and while Szarzewski is very quick around the field he is prone to slip off tackles quite frequently (O'Brien, Heaslip, and Ferris will enjoy running at him), and he seemed to get himself penalized a lot last weekend. Overall I think the front rows look pretty even, as do the locks (though I do think Ryan should be starting for Ireland). I expect France will target Ireland at lineout time, so Rory Best will need to be hitting the mark. I like the balance of the French loose-forward trio better this weekend, and though Harinordoquy didn't have a great game last weekend, I always think he looks better when playing at number 8. Again I think the loose-forward trios are pretty evenly matched, so it should be a good battle at the breakdown and in the loose. I do think France have the edge in the halves - I really rate Parra, and I'm looking forward to the Trinh-Duc v Sexton battle. Again I see France having the edge in the centres - I've been very impressed with Fofana thus far. Some good match-ups out wide too. So man-for-man I think France have an edge, but France are known for their inconsistency - I'm picking (for no reason in particular..) that this will be one of France's 'off' games, and Ireland will pull off the win. [/QUOTE]

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