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.

[Thomond]

We decided to compete at the breakdown for some strange reason. If we fanned out and trusted our defence we would have won that game. The breakdown and errors in attack cost us in that game, aswell as some poor kicking for territory.

[eirebilly]

The plan was working in the first half somewhat but it just vanished in the second. Ireland clearly looked lost for a plan in the second half. Deccie has to be more brave but i think that his time is up after this 6N

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Well, there you are. If we had the tactics and structures to match our effort and endeavour we'd be a good team. We all know what's holding this team back, we all know what needs to be done. Sorry Deccie. IRFU, make it happen.

+1

The team are good enough, but they are directionless. 2nd half proved it.

+ 2 the writing was on the wall in the first half. It was obvious we couldn't defend for 80 min, it was suicidal to sit back and try and defend the lead. We didn't even deserve the draw.

Kidney needs to go now.

Wales and England will destroy this French side.

Wales will for sure, England won't. They don't look like they can score tries and are inspid in the back line.

I am truly disappointed with the result but there are more positives than negatives for me here. The problem is that the negatives are largely the same ones as over the past 18 months.

[rodders]

We decided to compete at the breakdown for some strange reason. If we fanned out and trusted our defence we would have won that game. The breakdown and errors in attack cost us in that game, aswell as some poor kicking for territory.

No Thomond you can't beat the French with 39% posession. We didn't want the ball at all. Once we were in a position when we had to manufacture a score it was shambolic.Trimble, Bowe and Ferris were just drifting across the field and no one wanted to support them. We have no attacking gameplan at all. Nothing.

[Cymroglan]

The plan was working in the first half somewhat but it just vanished in the second. Ireland clearly looked lost for a plan in the second half. Deccie has to be more brave but i think that his time is up after this 6N

The Captain should also be questioned POC is experienced enough to know what's working or not.
If BOD was available he would have changed things today.

[Cari]

Well thanks for your company as per, boys. See you next week for the next round.

[eirebilly]

The plan was working in the first half somewhat but it just vanished in the second. Ireland clearly looked lost for a plan in the second half. Deccie has to be more brave but i think that his time is up after this 6N

The Captain should also be questioned POC is experienced enough to know what's working or not.
If BOD was available he would have changed things today.

I think POC went into Munster mode and thought that Ireland could just phase France out of the match. Ireland played to defend a lead rather than go for the throat.

[eirebilly]

Well thanks for your company as per, boys. See you next week for the next round.

Take it easy Cari

[PenfroPete]

SCRUM V on BBC 2 Wales catch you later

[Gibson]

Will Wales hammer France? I doubt it. If they think they will, its setting them up for a fall. I think we will see the best of France in that one. And I think they will beat England too and win the 6-N. They got a good wake-up call today, to see where they really are. Expect them to improve.

[rodders]

No thanks Cari.I'm done with Ireland while Kidney is coach. Its a lost cause. It gets worse every season. See you guys on the club boards. This is the last straw.

Enjoy the rest of the 6N everyone.

[Golden]

Wouldnt mind Heaslip dropping to the bench for the next game. he was poor today and i think o brien at 8 and POM at 7 might do better.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Will Wales hammer France? I doubt it. If they think they will, its setting them up for a fall. I think we will see the best of France in that one. And I think they will beat England too and win the 6-N. They got a good wake-up call today, to see where they really are. Expect them to improve.

France have done nothing so far to suggest that this will happen. i cannot believe that getting rid of Lievremont they have actually gone backwards. Its astonishing

[eirebilly]

No thanks Cari.I'm done with Ireland while Kidney is coach. Its a lost cause. It gets worse every season. See you guys on the club boards. This is the last straw.

Enjoy the rest of the 6N everyone.

Rodders... Ireland can still finish well

[Gibson]

Will Wales hammer France? I doubt it. If they think they will, its setting them up for a fall. I think we will see the best of France in that one. And I think they will beat England too and win the 6-N. They got a good wake-up call today, to see where they really are. Expect them to improve.

France have done nothing so far to suggest that this will happen. i cannot believe that getting rid of Lievremont they have actually gone backwards. Its astonishing

New coach and new tactics? It takes a while to bed-in. St. Andre needs to learn from today.

Kidney, on the other-hand, will never learn.

[Biltong]

In my opinion there were two areas that let Ireland down today.

The first issue was sexton didn't kick well tactically, times he kicked too long, too often and then some just went directly into touch.

The seocnd problem was during the second hald, Ireland kept drilling the blindside with their loose forawrds and should have gone pen side and gone wide. Kearney, Bowe and Ealrs looked dangerous when they ran at pace and that is where France was showing most weakness.

Unlike in the Ireland vs Welsh game where Ireland made their go forward momentum in the middle of the field, this time they made it when they went wide. Alas they opted to have forwards outside Sexton too many times, and a few chances got lost when the backrow players came back in, instead of going wide.

That cost them a few oppostunities.

And then also at times if they had more patience, they could have scored.

Lastly Kearney is just brilliant under the hidh ball, and Bowe had a top game. It is a shame Murray went off, as he did well.

[Cymroglan]

Will Wales hammer France? I doubt it. If they think they will, its setting them up for a fall. I think we will see the best of France in that one. And I think they will beat England too and win the 6-N. They got a good wake-up call today, to see where they really are. Expect them to improve.

They have no option but to improve if they have any ambitions of winning this 6N, If Wales click against Italy by scoring a few points then the championship is there for the taking.

[Thomond]

Yes, you can. When things opened up a bit in the early stages of the second half, partially, due to our own doing, we got killed. We spilled ball and didn't look threatening at all, we didn't look capable of scoring.
Sexton's game management could have been better, the French were flat in defence and they were liable to the chip in behind. We did it once and got a try.

Rodders, when we got up in the French faces in the first half they were scared, they had most of the possession but didn't look threatening.
We barely competed at the breakdown and that's the way it should have stayed. Defence is all about trust and timing, as well as getting the guy down.

Our attacking gameplan needs to be questioned and a lack of a backs coach is a worry. I'm by no means a Deccie fan but our attacking stuff is not really his territory and I don't think he can be blamed for most of it.

[Gibson]

Well, Im expecting a tough win v Scotland. Wont be easy with Kidneys tactics, but we have too much firepower for them.

England, are there for the taking at Twickers.

Man, I miss Shaggy at times like this.

[yappysnap]

Why do I get the feeling that the French are going to make us pay for what the Irish have done today.

[eirebilly]

I have a feeling that Scotland will turn Ireland over Gibbo

[MrsP]

Haven't read back but I am looking forward to see the tackle count from Sexton and Ferris today.

Both immense!

And Kearney was once again up there with those too as my MOTM.

[Taffineastbourne]

Did they not bother with MoM as both sides were so poor?Thought it was between Ferris and Kearney.

[Thomond]

Bowe got it.

[eirebilly]

Sexton was immense in defense today MrsP. I would not be suprised if he topped the tackle count.

[Taffineastbourne]

Fitting that even that call was wrong!

[Cymroglan]

Why do I get the feeling that the French are going to make us pay for what the Irish have done today.

The French today were close to the form they have shown for a while now, The only time they have shown any decent form was at the WC final the rest of the time they have been mediocre at best.
They were playing at home with two wins under their belt and still in the hunt for a GS what more motivation do they need ?
Get in their face and they will struggle I have seen nothing from them that would suggest that they will be favourites against England or Wales.

[dublin_dave]

a funny one that. as predicted we tried to win with 40% possession. our defence was that good for the bulk of the game we nearly did.

we had a few decent patches in the 2nd half mainly due to Kearney actually backing himself and doing amazing things. a combination of great French defence and a lack of composure saw to us. should have taken the drop with hindsight. that line out 5 metres out was a killer. our lineout was not good throughout. scrum hung on under serious pressure

we simply didnt get enough ball in the 2nd half. whether that was down to tactics or france upping it im not sure. bit of both probably

disappointing but a fair result. we must do more and mix up our game. garryowens are useful but not every time. mess them up and you are so vulnerable. see fofanas try on the counter.

we must win the next two games and score some tries. if we persist in kicking the ball so much just play o gara. and if that the way we want to play in every game the irfu will not be getting my money and kidney can do one. we are better than 10 man rugby and its a waste of our most talented squad ever.

where i disagree is france being very poor. we had to defend superhumanly to get a draw against them not at their best. they are straight into a 6 nations with a new coach. will take time. they have a lot of talent.

[majesticimperialman]

Well the first draw in partis since 1950. But seriously not one the best of games from both sides, France look way off the pace, and Ireland, well Ireland just looke like one lucky break and they would run away with it.

Only Wales now that can win the Grand Slam, so well payed to them so far.

This 6ns though, all teams seem to be playing at a slower pace than they usaly do. Every team seems to be using blitz deffence, and there fore teams do not seem to beable to get the ball out wide like they was doing last year.

Look forward to next week end now.

[Cari]

Bowe got it.

Are you sure? He was interviewed after the match and they never said. Usually they give the player the booze and congratulate them.

[Thomond]

That's what they said on RTE anyway.

[Cari]

That's what they said on RTE anyway.

Ah fair enough. Perhaps he got given his medal before Gill could hand it over.

[MrsP]

When will those interviewers realise that rugby is a team game and giving a player on the losing side a MOTM award and expecting him to look pleased or telling him he's close to a record is an anathema?

[The Great Aukster]

Come on, Ireland took on one of the games' powerhouses in their own backyard and nearly pulled off a win! Yet again Ireland punch well above their weight...

[dublin_dave]

some positives yes but punching above our weight? not for me.

sick of this loser talk. plucky little ireland crammed to the hilt with HC winners settling for 3rd in the 6 nations and an occasional win v the big teams.

players gave their all and im sure they are sore tonight. just feel if we kick the ball less (and better) we can cause teams more problems. we set up to defend 2nd half and paid the price

[Feckless Rogue]

Very poor 2nd half from Ireland. Their incompetence in attack would be laughable if I didn't support them. More like Scotland or Italy than the Irish provinces, who I think are superior to the test team now. It's so annoying because the likes of Kearney, Bowe and Earls are constantly giving us glimpses of their individual ability. But as a team, when they have possession it looks like they have no coach and just met each other for the first time that day. They'll run into brick walls all day and then kick it away. It's dreadful.

Two bits of individual skill from Bowe got us 14 of our 17 points. I think the fact that we drew rather than lost, might just keep Kidney his job, IF we win the last two games.

That was not a very impressive French performance. I think Wales will beat them in Cardiff and get the Slam. A team with our players should be going for the championship every year. But we haven't even competed for top spot for three seasons now.

Ireland showed they can play with enormous physicality and intensity. But there is absolutely no structure to their attacking play. They look clueless when in possession. I just really hope the IRFU do the right thing at the end of this tournament. What's the point in wasting another 18 months with Kidney, when it's clearly not working, and hasn't been for nearly 3 years.

[Gibson]

He has to go. It's done now. That 2nd-half approach was a disgrace. 6-17 up and we threw it away to a defensive call from the Coach.

Did you hear the interview after the game? I near...

"Ah yeah, I told the lads if they got in front, nothing magical. Keep it tight."

There, that statement right there - Ladies and Germs, should be the death-knol for Deccie.

The Gibbo Jury rests its case.

[whocares]

The game'
-crap weather
- 3 very soft tries, if the scoreline only took into account points derived from genuine attcking play, the final score would be 3-3
- not sure if it was a good entertainment for a neutral but probably a good return for phillips morris

The teams:
- ireland: very good agressive defense and very efficient when a french player was on his own. They got penalised a little but considering how many turnovers they got it is still very good. As for the rest, good opportunism from tommy bowe and a very good game from kearney. Thats it really, the basics have been mediocre and they didnot look as a menace when trying to attack while they should have killed the game.
- france: like against scotland they were annoyed by ireland blitz defense, they basically stopped any attempt of doing more than 4 passes once in 2nd half. Luckily they had some good set pieces and if I had to pick one player I would go for trinh duc who actually improved since last game. (french tv awarded their motm to maestri), the rest of their performance was poor but this is down to a very good performance by ireland so credit to them.

Gutted there wont be anymore GS showdown for france but they can still win their last 2 games (same for ireland) despite being mediocre, Wales defense is less effective than the irish one and england has nothing special to offer.

[rodders]

Come on, Ireland took on one of the games' powerhouses in their own backyard and nearly pulled off a win! Yet again Ireland punch well above their weight...

[dublin_dave]

my head unfortunately says we will not win the next two games.

why on earth do we not have a recognized backs coach. i know im like a broken record but a new voice is needed. kidney delegates his coaching fair enough. kiss is organized a terrific defensive effort he cannot do it all.

scotland will be a huge game. they an improving side and will cause us problems

[Biltong]

I think you Irish are far too negative and harsh on your team.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Come on, Ireland took on one of the games' powerhouses in their own backyard and nearly pulled off a win! Yet again Ireland punch well above their weight...

NO!

[eirebilly]

dave, i honestly feel that Scotland will turn Ireland over. Ireland have a great team but they are being coached to Deccies strengths and not to their strengths.

Its very sad to watch

[rodders]

On the plus side Billy you won't be getting that pint from me now..... ...so much for your bones sir!

[eirebilly]

Ahh sure rodders you will still get to Holland one day and we will have a pint

Damn lying bones but in my defence, Ireland really should have won that.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I think you Irish are far too negative and harsh on your team.

In defence, all praise to Ireland. We have to be one of the best defensive teams around, putting in an admirable shift. In attack, we are one of the worst teams around. If not for the individual brilliance of Bowe and Kearney, we would be struggling to score tries.

[Feckless Rogue]

I think you Irish are far too negative and harsh on your team.

Biltong exasperation is boiling over. We believe we are underperforming, and have been since 2010. We believe the problem is the head coach. I'm sure you know how that feels.

Imagine the SARU gave PDV a new two year contract before the World Cup. He then failed at the quarter final stage, but carried on as head coach with all the same problems remaining.

You'd be frustrated too.

[Shifty]

Gutted there wont be anymore GS showdown for france but they can still win their last 2 games (same for ireland) despite being mediocre, Wales defense is less effective than the irish one and england has nothing special to offer.

I hope the French team think the same way.

Wales have conceded 3 tries in 3 games, Ireland conceded 3 against Wales alone!
3 tries conceded when you have gone to and beaten Ireland in Dublin and England at Twickenham is a bloody good record to be fair.

[Feckless Rogue]

Agree Alyn. The Welsh defence is better than the Irish one.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Then again, Wales did play three teams who are struggling in attack. Ireland, Scotland and England.

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