France vs Ireland match thread.

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

France: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse), V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), JB Poux (Toulouse), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz)

Replacements: W Servat (Toulouse), V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), L Nallet (Racing Metro), L Picamoles (Toulouse), J Dupuy (Stade Francais), L Beauxis (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan)

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), K Earls (Munster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster)


After a nice exhausting weekend by the dam, I am at least back early enough to watch this match.

Irealand is up against it, but the French have not yet played a team in great form so this one might go either way.

Good luck to me Irish mates.

Of course I will be supporting the boys in green.

[Rory_Gallagher]

So do people still think SOB can't be an openside? That entire move was created by his turnover, and he has made two more so far this game. Made plenty of tackles also.

Come on Ireland!

[rodders]

I hope we hammer these feicers....turn the screw!!

Ulster scoring all the tries again!

[majesticimperialman]

Well who would have thought that Ireland would go in at half time in the lead? Not me thats for sure.

Could be in for an upset here today.

[maestegmafia]

What a game...

Great start by Ireland, glad we don't have to play you again this tournament..!

[eirebilly]

France really are here for the taking. Mon Ireland

[ChequeredJersey]

So do people still think SOB can't be an openside? That entire move was created by his turnover, and he has made two more so far this game. Made plenty of tackles also.

Come on Ireland!

I thought it was because France can't carry into contact

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I simply cannot believe that after getting rid of Lievremont France have become worse. Saint-Andre is actually a pretty good coach. This is simply astonishing.

[Guest]

Look Rev, we had two blatant ref mistakes against ye lot and it won ye the game twice. Luck is a shared out commodity. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you dont.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

To be fair, you were deservedly beaten twice though, refereeing decisions aside. Not sure of the relevance of that?

[TBJ9625]

ireland playing so well totally deserve to be in front!! Cari must be wetting herself with tommy excitement
but is anyone else getting annoyed with the camera work?

[ChequeredJersey]

Do I get a point in ESPN Fantasy Rugby for Rougerie's assist in Bowe's try?

[Cari]

Ulster Ospreys scoring all the tries again!

Corrected that for you Rodders, he's not there yet!

[Rava]

That is the best half of Rugby from Ireland since the Australia game. Some of our tackling has been bordering on assault it's so ferocious.

[rodders]

Much better from Ireland but they really should be down to 14 men. Pearson has them on a final warning though.

I think in fairness Billy we've been very poor, apart from in defence and at the contact area. We need to be much better.

France have been awful, they just can't be bothered but we are keeping them in the game with our tactics. This game could be over by now.

[Rory_Gallagher]

So do people still think SOB can't be an openside? That entire move was created by his turnover, and he has made two more so far this game. Made plenty of tackles also.

Come on Ireland!

I thought it was because France can't carry into contact

Nope he has done it three times now. Tackling like a beast also. He is having a blinder.

[Cymroglan]

Excellent first half from Ireland fully deserve to be ahead.
Great interception by Bowe for the try, more of the same in the second half should see Ireland a Irish win.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Much better from Ireland but they really should be down to 14 men. Pearson has them on a final warning though.

I think in fairness Billy we've been very poor, apart from in defence and at the contact area. We need to be much better.

France have been awful, they just can't be bothered but we are keeping them in the game with our tactics. This game could be over by now.

We've put it through the backs once and Bowe scores. YES KIDNEY, WE HAVE A DANGEROUS BACK-LINE!

[Cari]

ireland playing so well totally deserve to be in front!! Cari must be wetting herself with tommy excitement
but is anyone else getting annoyed with the camera work?

Not a dry gusset in my house!

Re: cameramen - French. What do you expect?

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

ireland playing so well totally deserve to be in front!! Cari must be wetting herself with tommy excitement
but is anyone else getting annoyed with the camera work?

Cari is wet alright, but for another reason. I should be above such chat, but I'm not.

[rodders]

Ulster Ospreys scoring all the tries again!

Corrected that for you Rodders, he's not there yet!

His never left Cari ........

[eirebilly]

Much better from Ireland but they really should be down to 14 men. Pearson has them on a final warning though.

I think in fairness Billy we've been very poor, apart from in defence and at the contact area. We need to be much better.

France have been awful, they just can't be bothered but we are keeping them in the game with our tactics. This game could be over by now.

Ireland are not at their best, granted but they are playing with bucket loads more intensity. I am enjoying this

[EnglishReign]

I hope France work themselves into exhaustion to get back into this. Need a tired outfit next week in Paris.

[Gibson]

Look Rev, we had two blatant ref mistakes against ye lot and it won ye the game twice. Luck is a shared out commodity. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you dont.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

To be fair, you were deservedly beaten twice though, refereeing decisions aside. Not sure of the relevance of that?

Not the last 2 in the 6-N Rev. Two bad ref decisions meant ye won them both. How can you not see the relevence? Refs make mistakes and it changes games. In every game.

Welcome back btw.

[thebluesmancometh]

Sexton is having an absolute pearler, defencively he has been immense, slowing French ball down in the tackle area, wrapping up ball carriers and generally stifling France.

Bowe has scored 2 good tries but it'll be Sextons defence that wins this!

[rodders]

Intensity in defence Billy but thats not enough...we need enthusiasm in attack too. Murray has been poor again and we've just booted the ball away. We're on thin ice here.

[TBJ9625]

gee thanks cari...........have you not heard of TMI? Lol x
you enjoy yourself chicken. I just hope yr at home and not watching around the pub

[Breadvan]

TOMMY BOWE!!!!

5 tries in 3 games

Chris Ashton will be crying tonight.

Why? Did he bet on Trimble being first try scorer or something?

[Cari]

Healy's not friends with Clerc today is he? What's clerc done to upset him then?

Sergio for Chelsea manager!

Woody reckons Tommy shouldn't have done that "muppet" of a kick to score his try. If that's Tommy as a muppet, wait til he's not resorting to muppetry!

WAGGA on telly!!

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Actually I have impressed with Earls. His lines of running have been better and his distribution has been much better. He did excellently for Bowe's try.

I know Rory_Gallagher, who is actually Sean O'Brien's mum, has praised his performance. He has been better this week, but again Ferris has been tremendous.

[eirebilly]

I am not so sure that Ireland are on thin ice rodders. The ball has gone through the hands quite well. I would bring Reddan on for Murray around the 50 minute mark if the scores are the same.

[Notch]

We need to step it up a gear in terms of our attacking play after half time- if we do, we'll win handily.

Our pressure in defence and at the ruck is great- would be nice for us to create some more opportunities and treasure the ball a bit more.

[rodders]

Sexton is having an absolute pearler, defencively he has been immense, slowing French ball down in the tackle area, wrapping up ball carriers and generally stifling France.

Bowe has scored 2 good tries but it'll be Sextons defence that wins this!

I agree his defence has been phenomenal...Ferris, O'Brien and Best too..thats 4 or 5 turnovers by forcing the maul I think.

[WillyGilly]

That Healy thing is abominable. In the slow motion there you can see POC expression change when it happens. Very lucky.

[wolfball]

Watched first half on ipad in oslo airport, boarding now, sickened I'm missing the second half!

[Biltong]

Ireland led France by halftime in:

2001 by 9-3 and won 22-15
2003 by 12-3 and won 15-12
2009 by 12-10 and won 30-21
2011 by 15-12 and lost 22-25


Odds are looking good with France not looking convincing at all.

[nobbled]

Keep going Ireland! Enjoying this so far. Go Green!

[TBJ9625]

yes murray is not the answer at 9. Poor again so far. Not helping sexton at all

[dublin_dave]

hm. i think murray has had a good game. passing has been good and kicked quite well

tactics cannot be that bad if we are 17-6 up at half time. our defence has been superhuman in the main.

massive 10 minutes here. they are going to tear into us. If we get the ball we need another try. lets get the ball and make them defend.

[Thomond]

I said after the Wales game we need to do two things, get in people's faces in defence, and chip in behind flat defences. I'm obviously a genius as our tries have come from both of these things.

Lads, we're playing superb, and playing the right kind of rugby. If we try to go and attack the French, we will get crucified. Murray doing well, play it smart and play the ball in their half.


Foley has the forwards well drilled

[Gibson]

Nathan tells it like it is. He plays in France. The French dont like being strangled. It is affecting them. They have no room to run. Being stopped at source. MORE!

Maybe Reddan and POM on before they get back into it.

[Cari]

gee thanks cari...........have you not heard of TMI? Lol x
you enjoy yourself chicken. I just hope yr at home and not watching around the pub

That's why they invented Tena Lady you know...

Yeah I'm at home in my jimjams I don't like watching rugby in the pub. There's no guarantee you get a good seat, and you always get interrupted when you do.

Really hope Ireland can win this. I really hope Tommy could get a third too wouldn't that be nice. 12 years after BOD did the same?

[rodders]

Right come on lads huge 40 minutes. Next score will win this.

[Gibson]

Tommy Bowe hat-trick to equal BOD's in Paris? What odds now?

FOCUS here lads. France will throw le kitchen-sink at us here.

[rodders]

Poor lineout throw by Best...huge scrum here....

[eirebilly]

POC is not being lifted fast enough.

[Thomond]

Why would you bring Reddan on? It's a tight game, France have gained ground the few times they went wide, keep it tight and don't go all out attack.

[Cari]

"Le kitchen sink"

Heeeeave!

[WillyGilly]

Shaft. Line out is poor. Come on boys.

[rodders]

We're getting minced in the scrum....

[Cari]

France getting desperate now...Poitrenaud winded by the looks.

[eirebilly]

Come on Ireland, lets get back into the French half...

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