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.

[Cari]

Come on Ireland, you can still win this. Believe!!!

I'm still praying for an Irish win. Tommy needs his hat trick...

[ChequeredJersey]

Did Kearney play Gaelic Football, and if so, does that have anything to do with his marvelous catching?

[Cari]

Did Kearney play Gaelic Football, and if so, does that have anything to do with his marvelous catching?

He did when he was younger I think, so it probably would do. Tommy used to play some GAA too.

[Gibson]

That looked pretty forward to me.


Lads, I have no problem saying that anyone who thought we should go wide was wrong. You've seen what has happened so far when we have tried to be expansive.

If we dont try to be expansive at key times, we will lose anyway.

Ring the changes NOW Deccie. Mix it up man.

[ChequeredJersey]

You didn't change it, just used a synonym

Maybe in Ireland's world.

Nah, I'm not Irish. You think Warbs never puts his hands in the ruck or stifles the tackled player? He does and it's why he's good

[Thomond]

Johnny, FFS.

Bring on ROG. (I'm joking, but that was shoite)

Kearney played minor level for Louth (it is Louth though so that probably doesn't explain it ) I think. Bowe definitely did, but he doesn't have great hands oddly enough

[Cari]

I'm sorry to say this boys, but during that slow-mo shot of Chilli...well I could see his tackle flapping about in his shorts...

[eirebilly]

Stupid indiscipline from Ireland will cost them thematch here.

[wales606]

Healy wasn't the tackler - so it should have been an Irish penalty for not releasing.

[dublin_dave]

miss it parra you little creep

[Chunky Norwich]

You didn't change it, just used a synonym

Maybe in Ireland's world.

Nah, I'm not Irish. You think Warbs never puts his hands in the ruck or stifles the tackled player? He does and it's why he's good

Ireland and Munsters whole gameplan is based around cheating. It's incredibly anti-rugby.

[Cari]

17 all GAME ON!!!

[thebluesmancometh]

UH OH

Ireland just starting to panic, and now the decisions are going Frances way!!!

Fofana has missed 3 1 on 1 tackles now, for all his attacking abilities I'd be attacking his outside shoulder more!!!

Also Kearneys kicking has been poor!

[Thomond]

Bring on Ryan and maybe POM but Reddan isn't the smart call.

[Cari]

Donnacha ryan on. Possibly ROG coming on...

[eirebilly]

11 points to nil so far this second half.

Shut up Woody, ROG doesnt need to come on.

[Gibson]

Deccie thinks defence 1st. Attack last.

[ChequeredJersey]

You didn't change it, just used a synonym

Maybe in Ireland's world.

Nah, I'm not Irish. You think Warbs never puts his hands in the ruck or stifles the tackled player? He does and it's why he's good

Ireland and Munsters whole gameplan is based around cheating. It's definitively rugby.

I fixed yours for you

[HammerofThunor]

Healy is clearly assisting in the tackle so it was a fair penalty. Players often get away with it but it doesn't make it right

[Cari]

Oh no I could hear Connor Murray screaming in agony! god I hope he's OK.

[nobbled]

That looks bad. Poor guy.

[ChequeredJersey]

Poor bloke

[eirebilly]

Thats Murray's knee gone

[Chunky Norwich]

Murray looks crocked

[Thomond]

Johnny should stay here, Murray gone done, big blow. He will be out for a few months.

[Cari]

Reddan will come on then. Get well soon Murray. Hope it's not as bad as it looked.

[dublin_dave]

right thats a sore one. reddan here. just give him a few minutes with sexton please deccie.

few errors creeping in. need the ball badly.

[Gibson]

Murray injured. Reddan on. Horrible way for it to happen. He has played well. Hope he's ok.

Now Ireland. TORA TORA TORA!

[thebluesmancometh]

You lot make me laugh, we are awesome we are awesome, we will definately win...

France score.

We are crap, Kidney never thinks of attack, Murray needs to go off etc...

[Biltong]

Rob Kearney must be the greatest exponent of the high ball in europe.

[Thomond]

Gibbo, defence wins you games, it's what would win us this game. Our two tries came from solid defence and a great kick from Bowe. We have tried to be more exapansive this have and were gutted.

[Cari]

Bluesman - read my posts, I know Ireland can win this. They just need to know that too.

[Golden]

Really have lost the head in the second half

[Cari]

Oh sheet! Discipline Ireland!

[eirebilly]

Wow, i cant believe how poorly Ireland are playing now and the indiscipline is shocking

[Cari]

35 year old Nallet on. Fairdo's.

[dublin_dave]

thomond just defence is not enough to win in paris.

WE NEED THE BALL

[ChequeredJersey]

France have gotten some composure, Ireland need to get their intensity back or France will cruise

[Cari]

Come on Ireland ta phoook! Good run Chilli.

[Chunky Norwich]

I've been watching Heaslip - he has not been in any of the last 8 rucks. He is standing on the wing.

[Gibson]

You lot make me laugh, we are awesome we are awesome, we will definately win...

France score.

We are crap, Kidney never thinks of attack, Murray needs to go off etc...

Bit of an exaggeration there bud. It worked in the 1st half. But now, we need to make the changes.

MON Ireland attack em!

[Chunky Norwich]

Heaslip joins a ruck because it comes near his wing

[Thomond]

We played it right in the first half, and have changed our tactics in the second. Don't compete for it, fan out and trusr in your defence. We do need to attack a bit, you're right but we need to play smart too. Don't throw it around for the full game.

[ChequeredJersey]

Key point there, Kearney's strength to stay up so support could arrive. Often not done well enough, really good to avoid/make up for being isolated

[HammerofThunor]

I've been watching Heaslip - he has not been in any of the last 8 rucks. He is standing on the wing.

Tut tut. Croft wannabe

[Cari]

Come on Ireland! You're nearly there!

[ChequeredJersey]

Healey has had a good game

[dublin_dave]

great stuff boys great stuff.

[Gibson]

NOW! Punish em! Keep cool.

[Biltong]

Irealnd must have patience now.

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