Ireland v France - The 6N decider

With such a strong points advantage if Ireland can just win in Paris then the Championship is there's. Now it's never been a happy hunting ground for Ireland - can they do it?

I think it's there year and I'm going to say yes.

Don't waste too much time do ya   

Can Ireland actualy ( lose) the 6ns?

Yes. If they lose and depending on tomorrow's winner and the results next weekend, they can indeed lose. Today's thrashing of Italy changes nothing in that regard. Win next week and they win easily. Lose and they depend on other results.

France without Nyanga, Picamoles and Fofana still?

It's Irelands 6nations to lose.

France doesn't need to come into it. England or Wales can beat their remaining opponents and if Ireland lose in Paris then they lose the 6N.

I have already conceded it on the Ireland vs Italy thread, France look to be without some key men and Ireland are on fire, so I think it is theirs.

Having said that, if Ireland are on fire, so must be England for tomorrows game, perhaps I conceded to early after all

IronMike wrote:France without Nyanga, Picamoles and Fofana still?

I think they will recall Louis Picamoles and Parra will come back as well. But I really don't rate this French team that highly. They just aren't that good.

We shouldn't have any fear- not saying we'll win but we definitely can win against a team that seems to be pretty rudderless and error prone.

If France beat Ireland, Wales beat England France could take the championship.

Even if they do beat Ireland I highly doubt France could muster the points difference to seriously threaten the tournament. But crucially they'll only have suffered the one loss if they do win, which opens up a myriad of possibilities depending on other fixtures.

From now until the end of the tournament, it's intensity-central. Come kick-off tomorrow I'll be a nervous wreck

If Wales win tomorrow by 1 point, French would need to beat Ireland by 4 more points than Wales beat Scotland. If England win tomorrow by 1 point they need to beat their score against Italy by 20-odd. Of course if it's a draw tomorrow...

Ireland's best chance to win the championship and they just need to beat France in France. If they lose it'll be another kick in the balls to the guys who've had that happen over and over in the last decade. Win and it's an awesome send off to BOD.

And they know what they have to do when the game starts as they go last.

France have only lost to Wales. If they beat Ireland then that's only one game they've lost and Ireland 2 games. If games go the other way for France then surely only one loss wins them the tournament and points difference doesn't come into it.

Yes, if whoever wins tomorrow loses to either Scotland or Italy and France beat Ireland then France wins.

Why do I have the feeling that is going to happen...

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:France have only lost to Wales. If they beat Ireland then that's only one game they've lost and Ireland 2 games. If games go the other way for France then surely only one loss wins them the tournament and points difference doesn't come into it.

Difficult to see Italy beating England or Scotland beating Wales at this point though. You'd have thought that the winner tomorrow will consequently have the motivation to overcome their final opponent, though barring a titanic margin that won't matter if Ireland win. For the latter you'd be inclined to think everything now hinges on the result alone, never mind the margin. I bet Ireland would happily take a one-point win.

This would naturally be mentioned sooner or later but Irish wins in Paris have (in)famously been few and far between. Form has very rarely yielded the desired result from an Irish perspective. You'd still have to dub them favourites though.

Italy England is irrelevant. The crunch match is tomorrow. If England win that then they become front runners with an Italy match to increase their points differential if France beat Ireland. More difficult for Wales but not impossible either. Of course this is dependent on Ireland losing but the fact is three teams will only have one loss going into that final weekend so Ireland must win otherwise they can't win.

Well after watching today's France V Scotland game today. Ireland will not have any worry's, if they play next week like they played this week Ireland will be 6ns champions for sure.

It would be a real shame for the tournament if France won based on their performances so far. Up to us to stop that happening.

Notch wrote:It would be a real shame for the tournament if France won based on their performances so far. Up to us to stop that happening.

It nearly happened in 2011. France seem to be the only side that can totally neglect structure and cohesion and somehow still end up near the top of the pile. Somehow the rules that apply for any other side to attempt this strategy doesn't in the case of France. It gets infuriating after a while.

All we need now is for them to pull a world class performance from their backsides on Saturday and the irrationality will be complete.

Knowsit17 wrote:

Notch wrote:It would be a real shame for the tournament if France won based on their performances so far. Up to us to stop that happening.

It nearly happened in 2011. France seem to be the only side that can totally neglect structure and cohesion and somehow still end up near the top of the pile. Somehow the rules that apply for any other side to attempt this strategy doesn't in the case of France. It gets infuriating after a while.

All we need now is for them to pull a world class performance from their backsides on Saturday and the irrationality will be complete.

A lot also seems to depend on how France start. They had a couple of lucky breaks vs England and I think they played much harder because of it. Nothing worked early on vs Wales - Wales got a lead and they fell apart. Ireland should walk it next weekend but it is entirely conceivable that France get an early score turn it on in the forwards and grind Ireland into the dust. It would not be just but it is possible

I'm not at all confident for the simple reason is the sight of the blue jerseys turns Irish players to jelly. Its like kryptonite to Irish players. Honesty theres a massive mental barrier to overcome.


As well as that you could have a homer of a ref, another few Rob Kearney missed tackles, Sexton could have an off day etc.

majesticimperialman wrote:Well after watching today's France V Scotland game today. Ireland will not have any worry's...

gosh...if I had a penny for every time I've heard that...

bold prediction number 1:

if france put gilian galan in at 8 they will beat Ireland

Take it away Ireland... the 6N is yours so far as I can see.

Schmidt has made Ireland a credible team again, the championship would be a bonus.

quinsforever wrote:bold prediction number 1:

if france put gilian galan in at 8 they will beat Ireland

I'm 11/11 at the moment and I'm picking France to topple Ireland, similarly to the England game. I think France just didn't turn up today. They did the bare minimum needed to win, again. A finely judged shrug of the shoulders and they'll move on without any of the crippling introspection de rigeur for any other team.

As far as I can see, it'll be on points difference between France and England.

hope you're right there GE

relieved France edged it against Scitland tbh. If they lost I would have expected a player mutiny and a fine performance against Ireland. instead we have 2 teams battling it out with same pressures on winning. France under pressure have been dismal and as long as Ireland can continue along this road I can see them edging it. They do have some incredibly dangerous players though so it's going to be a great finish to the 6N

So let me do a synopsis on everything that's been said so far.  Ireland losing is what most people need to open up the possibilities?

Hmmmm............ we're going to feel the Love next week as we're playing

With the way Ireland have been Playing and the way France have been playing. It would be a great shame if France actualy beat Ireland and stole the 6ns from them.

Secret, you will hump France they are merde this season. 6N deservedly should go to Ireland.

ireland are entitled to feel they can win. but there is always that very gallic unpredictability. if france for some reason actually gelled and played well, the will win. because they have the threats in the backs to score tries from open play and counter attack, and their forwards could be great.

but ireland could conceivably put 20+ points on them.

like most scrum interpretations, its a lottery

Last time Ireland beat France was THAT game in 2000. 14 years ago when BOD was probably under 13 stone! He's come a long way that lad. On the other had it reinforces the notion that France are like kryponite to us....

Parra not selected in the 30 men squad... Picamoles and Szarzewski are back though...

So it'll all come down to that final match of the tournament.
England will look to run in the tries in Rome, they're currently 49 behind Ireland in terms of points difference.
Barring Italy capitulating and England running up a cricket score. A first win in Paris in 14 years and it'll be the perfect send off for BOD   

Nothing less than BOD deserves...

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:France doesn't need to come into it. England or Wales can beat their remaining opponents and if Ireland lose in Paris then they lose the 6N.

Am I the only one to see the stupidity of this comment? If Ireland lose in Paris it is BECAUSE of the French .. so how can they not come into it?  

BOD needs to go for Ireland's sake.

Besides him, seven of yesterday's team will be over 30 come the World cup plus another three will be 29.

But who'd deny the Zimmermen one last big 6Ns hurrah?

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:BOD needs to go for Ireland's sake.

Besides him, seven of yesterday's team will be over 30 come the World cup plus another three will be 29.

But who'd deny the Zimmermen one last big 6Ns hurrah?

really? nice! that will set us up nicely for the World cup so.

whocares wrote:Parra not selected in the 30 men squad... Picamoles and Szarzewski are back though...

so at least france might win some of their own lineouts as opposed to vs scotland.

is going to be a really interesting game. schmidt's alleged tactical nous isnt going to be as useful against France, as one never knows quite how they are going to play!

obviously i would like to see england finally win a 6N, but i definitely wouldnt begrudge Ireland and BOD a win at all.

No Parra for France but Picamoles recalled

Oops missed it above   

He's gone...He's gone Portnoy!!!  Don't you guys listen to after dinner speeches?  BOD has been giving the same speech to anyone who interviews him for the last five or six weeks.  
It is Over.  
So many of you talk as if you're afraid he might change his mind and say 'one more year'.

Ain't it great for auld anti-ageism all the same that so many of them are lording it over so many young, stylish, powerful, skillful, youthful, super-fit and young players.  It's a breath of fresh air to see middle-aged spread represent us non-20something types on 606  

Ireland, we salute you, you old basterauds!

Davie wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:France doesn't need to come into it. England or Wales can beat their remaining opponents and if Ireland lose in Paris then they lose the 6N.

Am I the only one to see the stupidity of this comment? If Ireland lose in Paris it is BECAUSE of the French .. so how can they not come into it?  

+1 What a numpty.

SecretFly wrote:He's gone...He's gone Portnoy!!!  Don't you guys listen to after dinner speeches?  BOD has been giving the same speech to anyone who interviews him for the last five or six weeks.  
It is Over.  
So many of you talk as if you're afraid he might change his mind and say 'one more year'.

Ain't it great for auld anti-ageism all the same that so many of them are lording it over so many young, stylish, powerful, skillful, youthful, super-fit and young players.  It's a breath of fresh air to see middle-aged spread represent us non-20something types on 606  

Ireland, we salute you, you old basterauds!

I know he's gone, SF. But Joe will have just twelve months to look at his side and build a competitive squad.

Even SCW's Dad's Army had an average age of 28.84.

Our hassles though. And I'm sure our competitive neighbours - all of them from Wales, to England, to France, to Italy, to Scotland - will all be secretly wishing us the toughest task in unearthing our future so that anything promising is stalled for as long as possible. We're all competitors.

It's the faux concern shown by outsiders for Dear old Ireland, and the 'rebuilding' it has to do in the near future, that is the humourous bit.  You yourself have a long memory, I'm sure, Portnoy; and you'll know that the chat about Ireland for practically the last seven or eight years is that it needs to 'rebuild' the 'Golden Generation' foundations.  

In the eyes of the world, Ireland are eternally trying to offload its old folk so that they can get to their new boys.  It's the eternal story about us.  But the truth is we're not trying to rebuild on youth - we're simply trying to build a team that wins.  That's all you need.  

I think Schmidt is proving that he's as much on the right track as Lancaster is - and Lancaster has his year's head start to burnish his efforts so far.

I'm not concerned at all about Ireland, Fly.

I'm just pointing out the facts. I'f Joe (who has barely had time to have had any affect on the golden generation) and the IRFU want to persist in their bed-blocking policy of central contracts, then that's up to them.

P.s. If BOD wants another year, I'd be quite happy.

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:I'm not concerned at all about Ireland, Fly.

I'm just pointing out the facts. I'f Joe (who has barely had time to have had any affect on the golden generation) and the IRFU want to persist in their bed-blocking policy of central contracts, then that's up to them.

P.s. If BOD wants another year, I'd be quite happy.

I know you're not concerned about us.  You're quite happy with the idea that Ireland have an aging side in comparison to Lancaster's Babes.  In your opinion that will probably be your edge in the next few seasons over us.  You will consider you have edges over your other competitors for different reasons again - but for us, it's that age profile that you seem to keep thinking about.

All I can do is repeat for you the idea that Ireland are trying to 'rebuild' a winning side - nothing more.  That will require new players because certain players will be retiring but replacing old players with new ones won't be THE project.  The Project will be to continue to establish systems and a style of play that will allow Ireland to win more games than they lose.  Winning is the goal not bringing down our age profile.

p.s. - BOD does not want another year.  Neither are we crying for him to please stay another year.  In brief, there are more players than BOD in the Irish squad that is still trying to win a Championship.  In the words of BOD himself and his Ireland career: "It is Accomplished"

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:BOD needs to go for Ireland's sake.

Besides him, seven of yesterday's team will be over 30 come the World cup plus another three will be 29.

But who'd deny the Zimmermen one last big 6Ns hurrah?

Irish people age differently because the pace of life is slower here, in English years those guys would only be 26.

It's true. I still look 25.......................................

I DO!!!!!! Ain't kidding. It's the Sellafield air that does it.

For Ireland, POM back in (Henderson did nothing wrong but POM is too good to leave out) and maybe Bowe if he gets up to speed in training?

Henderson in for Murphy on the bench and D. Kearney to drop out and leave McFadden on the bench.