Ireland v France - The 6N decider

First topic message reminder :

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.

True, Chelsea.  Schmidt likes to have something to work with in terms of opposition plans.

But if the French are trying to offset that by picking a 'plan' even they haven't roadtested yet (given they're all over the place with their current roadtested ones!) then perhaps against Ireland in a game for a Championship isn't the best time to do so.

We'll see though.

Ireland XV to play France: R Kearney; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell (capt); P O'Mahony, C Henry, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, I Henderson, J Murphy, E Reddan, Ian Madigan, F McFadden.

So in PredictorofTeams we have another Thornley. He said Madigan last night with the certainty of one who knew.

Ireland team announced as expected POM back in for Henderson

I hope they're not going to try to do another 'Italy' on France - Away - with even more intent???

Very ambitious if so. But that's a very fast and flighty bench there.

Really an odd choice.

Schmidt looking to counter the unpredictability of the French with a bit of his own?

I like it hes gone with the same 15 who have largely got us into this position, we then have great options on the bench to change thinks. Were ireland hve struggled for years is not the starting 15 but the bench options we have players who can come on and raise the pace.

Madigan for Jackson makes sense in the sense that Sexton is going to play 80 minutes in this one unless he has to come off. D'Arcy and BOD might not.

It's a slight gamble- if Sexton goes down injured in the first five minutes there's no doubt who'd be better coming off the bench- but its the right call in terms of having a different option to D'Arcy at 12.

Listening to Schmidt, he's been very clear about who'd be starting if Sexton was not fit since day one and he said the same in the press conference there. If Jonny was out Paddy Jackson would be starting. But I think he regrets not picking Madigan for England in that he had to bring Paddy Jackson on for BOD when the game was still in the balance.

Jackson is very clearly the second best 10 available but Madigan can cover more positions, so fair enough. I'll be worried if Madigan gets on at 10 with a lot of time on the clock but if he comes on at 12... showtime!   

Notch wrote:Madigan for Jackson makes sense in the sense that Sexton is going to play 80 minutes in this one unless he has to come off. D'Arcy and BOD might not.

It's a slight gamble- if Sexton goes down injured in the first five minutes there's no doubt who'd be better coming off the bench- but its the right call in terms of having a different option to D'Arcy at 12.

Listening to Schmidt, he's been very clear about who'd be starting if Sexton was not fit since day one and he said the same in the press conference there. If Jonny was out Paddy Jackson would be starting. But I think he regrets not picking Madigan for England in that he had to bring Paddy Jackson on for BOD when the game was still in the balance.

Jackson is very clearly the second best 10 available but Madigan can cover more positions, so fair enough. I'll be worried if Madigan gets on at 10 with a lot of time on the clock but if he comes on at 12... showtime!   

Very very reasonable and appreciated comment from an Ulster man who is a huge PJ fan (as I am). I'm actually a bit more hesitant on the wisdom of this. But its going to be a heart-attack inducing final quarter... I just hope we keep our structures enough in those conditions to pull off the win. I am 1% less certain now, but still think we will win.

Also... I wonder does Joe think there is a possibility of England destroying Italy enough to bring points difference back into play? If so Madigan's place kicking from 12 might be needed if Sexton gets a knock to his body or confidence...

Schmidt has been watching Madigan for 8 weeks... like he said.  If he feels Madigan has something to offer against France away with a Championship up for grabs, then I'm prepared to accept that Schmidt thinks about these things. And I'm excited.

Indeed, so detailed does Schmidt get in Interviews (not just about the Irish players and what he wants from them often as Individuals, but also about the opposition) that I'm beginning to think someone should ask him to say less.  Other coaches are listening in and I think some of them would actually be learning points from him.  He virtually went through the entire French team as if it was the one he was coaching.

For future interviews into the next few years, we might be better suited to play as daft as the French coaches try to be Or get back to our usual stuff of "Look, really, we're only interested in our game. You can't be too worried about the opposition"

My worry is if it is tight in the final quarter Madigan will either win the game himself or lose it. We saw what happened to Scotland. One over-ambitious pass in attack, Huget under the posts.

Oh and it might be off-topic, but Stephen Ferris is on the bench for Ulster tomorrow night   

Ulster are doing pretty well when they can start Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe on an international weekend, and have Stephen Ferris and Craig Gilroy on the bench!

The French forwards have replacements on the bench but its just Doussain and Mermoz covering 9-15. Bringing Madigan on at 10 or 12 tends to speed the game up which against tired French backs could be a good plan.

Notch wrote:Oh and it might be off-topic, but Stephen Ferris is on the bench for Ulster tomorrow night   

Ulster are doing pretty well when they can start Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe on an international weekend, and have Stephen Ferris and Craig Gilroy on the bench!

Just when people are starting to wonder about how to get SOB back into that side, Ferris enters the discussion! What a head ache to have.

Hope he comes through it unscathed and hopefully a steady run of a games to come.

Still off topic but something I've been pondering for a while.

If, as we all hope, Ferris comes back and reaches his former level what would the best Irish back row be?

Mine would be 6 Ferris, 7 SOB and 8 POM.

MunsterMac wrote:Still off topic but something I've been pondering for a while.

If, as we all hope, Ferris comes back and reaches his former level what would the best Irish back row be?

Mine would be 6 Ferris, 7 SOB and 8 POM.

6. Ferris 7. Henry 8. Heaslip
19. O'Brien

Notch wrote:My worry is if it is tight in the final quarter Madigan will either win the game himself or lose it. We saw what happened to Scotland. One over-ambitious pass in attack, Huget under the posts.

The thing about Madigan this year is that because O'Connor has favoured Gopperth, Madigan has often been on the field with lesser Leinster lights.  I think he has often over-played as a consequence and in an attempt to get into the mind of Schmidt again.  But with the genuine Irish side - populated by players with all their own hefty reputations, I don't think he'll feel the pressure to over-do stuff.  And he'll certainly get a gut-full of spleen from his fellow players if he does try stuff that he shouldn't be trying in a tight game.  With the guidance of the old heads, he could be a player to find good options.

And the other thing is that I don't think Jackson put a foot wrong against Italy... and yet, because of the detailed thinking that is now going on with the Irish coaches, they still choose to change things ever so slightly in the hope that France might get something they haven't prepared for.  I like that.  Jackson will definitely have a big role into the future but I like that it's a pin-Tinkywinky [?? Jesus Christ, guys.... even Pricque is censored?!] decision making process now in trying to get those tiny margins in distinct games against distinct opposition.

Let's hope it pays off!

Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

Pinprick. There. Shown you how to get around the swear filter and corrected your spelling all in one word!

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Notch wrote:Pinprick. There. Shown you how to get around the swear filter and corrected your spelling all in one word!

Testing:

Pin

Tinkywinky

Pin-Tinkywinky

Pinprick

Oh there it is! Okay...carry on folks.

wondering where laa-laa, dipsy and po are in all this.

2bFair wrote:Ireland XV to play France: R Kearney; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O'Connell (capt); P O'Mahony, C Henry, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, I Henderson, J Murphy, E Reddan, Ian Madigan, F McFadden.

Really good team. I think Jackson is unlucky but may have paid the price for the missed kick against Italy.

Tactically it makes sense to have Madigan there too - he and Reddan can come on and change the pace of the game and also his ability to cover more positions could be important in this.

Ruddock is unlucky too but with Henderson's ability to cover 6 it makes sense to have an extra open side.

Uber excited about this one!

thebandwagonsociety wrote:wondering where laa-laa, dipsy and po are in all this.

Stop that. This is a serious Irish rugby thread. Stop talking nonsense.

Dipsy isn't nearly good enough a player to replace Trimble, and you know it. I say Trimble deserves one final shot at impressing Joe, and if he doesn't work out then Joe naturally moves on to laa-laa

whocares wrote:meh .... french starting team announced   

Domingo Szarzewsi Mas
Papé Maestri
Picamoles (6!!) Lapandry (7) Chouly (8)
Machenaud Talès
Médard Fickou Bastareaud Huget
Dulin

Fickou and Bastareaud v D'Arcy and BOD that should be an interesting battle

Bastereaud's official weight is 18st 10lb.

Honestly? That must be heavier than all but 2 or 3 of the Irish pack.

The problem for him is that he actually looks his weight and starts to feel it too as the game progresses.

Man likes his food alright.

Is that all!

I would have had him over 19st

Forget the rugby. The title should be settled with a one-on-one steak eating contest with MB and Cian Healy.

Unfair contest!  MB already has the bullock he's going to get his steaks from eaten...on the hoof, bone and all.  Head start.

Just so long as there's no after dinner mint at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx0ME65y72E

Actually technically the after dinner mint is this one:

The one certain thing in Le Stade is that there'll be no certainty.

That holds a rough and ready comparison to the graffito I once saw in a Belfast bar toilet in the early 70s:
"If you are not confused, you don't understand the situation" (or something along those lines).

Belfast bar, early 70s. Kinda like saying "I once had a drink in a Saigon bar back in '68"

SecretFly wrote:Belfast bar, early 70s.  Kinda like saying "I once had a drink in a Saigon bar back in '68"

There are still some bars in north Belfast where you could make that comparison.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:wondering where laa-laa, dipsy and po are in all this.

Back home in Munster, too rural for Holy Joe... actually, there's a point. Has anyone seen any of the regular Munster posters regularly?   

They've given up for a while, I reckon.
We could be doing with them though. Always great for livening up a thread. I like having them around.

Well you'd better hope the wheels come off in Paris then!

Oh they'll be around even if we win. They ain't cowards - at least the two main guys we're refering to ain't. And behind all the bluster and Provincial divilment they get up to, they'll love every moment of it if we do win. We're all Irish.

Aye, true. The love in if we win will be orgiastic   

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Get over it lads. POM is already on the shortlist for player of the tournament let alone best Irish player after 2 mom performances in the first 2 games.

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Get over it lads. POM is already on the shortlist for player of the tournament let alone best Irish player after 2 mom performances in the first 2 games.

Shortlist is irrelevant Mike Brown has it sown up

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Get over it lads. POM is already on the shortlist for player of the tournament let alone best Irish player after 2 mom performances in the first 2 games.

Nothing I said would negate a Player of the Tournament, Blue.  
If you look around you'll see me prodding the odd English man with the taunt that he'll take the title off their favourites for it.  
Nothing says you have to be a starter to make you an essential part of a winning team.  How many needed tries were scored by the benchers against Italy?  You undervalue the players on a bench - I don't.  Plus he wasn't 8 when he was winning his MOMs.  But Heaslip was.  You could say Heaslip allowed POM to be POM and get his prizes.

marty2086 wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Get over it lads. POM is already on the shortlist for player of the tournament let alone best Irish player after 2 mom performances in the first 2 games.

Shortlist is irrelevant Mike Brown has it sown up

I think France is much too big a game to sow up anything before it. I'd give the title to Huget. Virtually alone, as a free agent sniper, he's kept France in the running, and, who knows, might give them a title too. Stranger things have happened.

PredictorofTeams wrote:Just wanted to inform everyone, Mad-dog Madigan is sitting on the bench for Saturday and Mr.Jackson has been dropped.

Hmmmmmmmmm

I did tell the room all about your amazing senses earlier Predictor.

Of course now you're going to tell us all who your inside mole is - because for a cert, you've got one...or...you're Madigan - or - you're Jackson.

SecretFly wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ferris, SOB and Heaslip every day of the week. POM on the bench.

That would be mine too.  POM isn't as controlled as Heaslip...and yet has tons of hot-blood to make a second half visitation count.

Get over it lads. POM is already on the shortlist for player of the tournament let alone best Irish player after 2 mom performances in the first 2 games.

Shortlist is irrelevant Mike Brown has it sown up

I think France is much too big a game to sow up anything before it.  I'd give the title to Huget.  Virtually alone, as a free agent sniper, he's kept France in the running, and, who knows, might give them a title too.  Stranger things have happened.

Actually Fly on the official data Brown is well clear, Hugut doesn't even make the top 10, Dulin is the only Frenchman on the list

Oh I know where Brown is.

My point is Huget is the man I'd have there for now.  He's been a one man army so far.  No other single player has had such a positional (as in leader board) influence on their team's fate.

But I'm fully aware he hasn't got a hope.

Of course now you're going to tell us all who your inside mole is - because for a cert, you've got one...or...you're Madigan - or - you're Jackson.

Or he is Gerry Thornley - or - he reads Gerry Thornley - or - listens to Gerry Thornley.