Ireland V France

by BODisGOD Sun 08 Feb 2015, 10:43 pm

First topic message reminder :

IRELAND v FRANCE
14 February 2015
KO: 17:00
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
AR1: Nigel Owens (WRU)
AR2: Stuart Berry (SARU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

IRELAND

15 Rob Kearney
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Jared Payne
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 Simon Zebo
10 Johnny Sexton
9 Conor Murray

1 Jack McGrath
2 Rory Best
3 Mike Ross
4 Devin Toner
5 Paul O'Connell (c)
6 Peter O'Mahony
7 Sean O'Brien
8 Jamie Heaslip

16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones

FRANCE

15 Scott Spedding
14 Yoann Huget
13 Mathieu Bastareaud
12 Wesley Fofana
11 Teddy Thomas
10 Camille Lopez
9 Rory Kockott

1 Eddy Ben Arous
2 Guilhem Guirado
3 Rabah Slimani
4 Pascal Papé
5 Yoann Maestri
6 Thierry Dusautoir (c)
7 Bernard Le Roux
8 Damien Chouly

16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Vincent Debaty, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Rémi Talès, 23 Rémi Lamerat

*****
This is an interesting battle, and very much a case of brains v brawn.
French flair is long gone, they now rely on the likes of Bastareaud and their pack of overweight lumps to get over the line.
Ireland are very much a team of robots, Joe gives instructions on how to dismantle a team like IKEA gives instructions on how to make a cupboard. With the right personnel in Sexton, SOB and the likes of Heaslip at the helm, they should be able to devour the French fatties like they're the last square of a Kinder Bueno.
All logic points to an Irish victory, but as so often happens the French defy logic.
Emo

by **Notch** Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:28 pm

Nachos, the context is that Sin was giving out last night about Jordi Murphy being on the bench ahead of O'Donnell and the utility reason being bollox and I made the point that because Murphy covers more positions it means we don't need to move players around if he has to come off. Sin ignored that point and has continued to post (hopefully) tongue in cheek comments about Denis O'Brien etc.

Sin é wrote:
Notch wrote:
Sin é wrote:That utility stuff is nonsense. Between POM & SOB, the back row is well covered.

you don't want to have to unnecessarily re-jig the back row during the game if you don't have to. Letting O'Brien and O'Mahony focus exclusively on flanker means less time spent preparing for a positional change in the week before.

POM is very versatile. You can put him anywhere.

Engine made the same point as I had made to Sin previously which he didn't engage with in good faith, so I made a wee jibe about the simplest explanation not being the one that is accepted when people have an axe to grind. Again, it was not a fully serious comment... maybe I should have put one of these? Wink

You've made separate points about O'Donnell being dropped for O'Brien which is a separate issue, and you interpreted that as being a dig at you or Munster fans more generally. Thats fine, but its a misunderstanding on your part. I was referring back to yesterdays exchange and the debate about the composition of the bench.

by Nachos Jones Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:32 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Nachos Jones wrote:I have read a few reasons for Boss' inclusion but the one that alarms me the most is that he is there to contain France in the final 15 - 20 mins.

Surely if Ireland were in a position to win the match with 20mins to go the A: Murray would not be subbed off and B: would it not be better to replace him (if required) with a 9 that could get the ball quicker to the backs than Boss?

Poor selection in my opinion.

Fully agree. Boss will inject pace for 4 minutes of play once he sprints onto the field.... then he'll revert to type with short pop passes to pods of forwards running round the edge. Marmion, the kid McGrath, Stringer and even Reddan would be better options than Boss.

I would love to see Marmion step up to this level but feel that he may struggle, therefor Ireland are left with pretty much one option and that is Reddan. Although not a great fan of Reddan, I believe he is a far better option than Boss.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:33 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:I have read a few reasons for Boss' inclusion but the one that alarms me the most is that he is there to contain France in the final 15 - 20 mins.

Surely if Ireland were in a position to win the match with 20mins to go the A: Murray would not be subbed off and B: would it not be better to replace him (if required) with a 9 that could get the ball quicker to the backs than Boss?

Poor selection in my opinion.

A. Im sure he will only be brought on if Murray gets injured or runs out of steam because Murray is a key player now.
B. Why would that make a difference in the last quarter? That would be more a consideration if we are chasing the game. The last three games v France they have been chasing us.

Selecting Boss is obviously a tactical decision and given that Schmidt is tactically one of the most malleable and cunning amoungst International coaches I must say I trust his judgement wholeheartedly. Not many managers are as good at adapting tactically as he is.

by Nachos Jones Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:35 pm

Notch, I simply found your post was poor and designed as a wind up. If it wasn't then I apologise.

by **Notch** Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:36 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:Notch, I simply found your post was poor and designed as a wind up. If it wasn't then I apologise.

There's no need to apologise, the nature of forums means that this kind of misunderstanding happens all the time. As it happens, I could have made the context of what I was saying clearer.

by Nachos Jones Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:38 pm

GunsGerms,

God help us if Murray does get injured, especially early in the game because I have zero faith in Boss.

I would simply prefer more dynamism in the backs, be it at the start of the game or the closing moments of the game than that of a very slow and predictable 9.

You seem to have total blind faith in Schmidt, he is not god and will make mistakes. This is one selection that I see as being a mistake.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:41 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Interesting that TOD is being argued to be ahead of SOB for the starting spot. When in reality he isn't even in front of Jordi for the bench position.

And that doesn't even touch on Henry and Ruddock probably being between Jordi and SOB in the picking order as well (once fit).

Heaslip was fit to start last week but was given an extra weeks rest to be on the safe side of selection for the remainder of the 6Ns. Doesn't seem like it needs to be a rocket scientist to conclude that is a decent coaching decision.

SOB has been long term injured. Got 50 minutes to test out the repaired shoulder in an international 'A' game and came through with flying colours. Has a tight hamstring in warmup last week and Joe takes the decision put in the alternate who seemlessly fits into the plans for the game instead of risking a tight hamstring in game 1 of a five game competition. Again, seems like a decent coaching decision. And a tight hamstring isn't something that puts a player out for more than a day, let alone a week.

TOD will still be around, and if anything happens in the captains run or warmups on the day then he'll be called upon again and will do his job dutifully.

Healy straight onto the bench however! Totally disagree with that. If you sub McGrath off after 50 minutes (or if he goes down injured after 10 minutes god forbid) then you are hoping a player with zero minutes will step up until the final whistle. He shouldn't be in the squad. He should be starting for Leinster against Dragons on Sunday for 60 minutes and we should have a different LH option on the bench. I don't like that selection by Joe.

I wouldn't argue that TOD be ahead of SOB, I'd argue he should be on the bench instead of Murphy.

Ruddock and Henry are two different kind of players and less 'versatile'. Ruddock would never be played as a 7 internationally. I don't ever recall him being played there for Leinster either.

Henry might never pick up where he left off after his injury (though they are completely different types of players as well). Henry can do a job at 7 internationally - thats about it.

Schmidt may get away with dropping people at a whim kind of stuff because its a world cup year, but I can see a lot of players getting a bit fed up with the way he deals with players.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:41 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:GunsGerms,

God help us if Murray does get injured, especially early in the game because I have zero faith in Boss.

I would simply prefer more dynamism in the backs, be it at the start of the game or the closing moments of the game than that of a very slow and predictable 9.

You seem to have total blind faith in Schmidt, he is not god and will make mistakes. This is one selection that I see as being a mistake.

Look how tight France Ireland games tend to be on the scoreboard. They are also a big side. Game is made for Boss to stretch his legs for 10 minutes.

2014: Ireland won 22-20 in Paris
2013: They drew 13-13 in Dublin
2012: They drew 17-17 in Paris
2011: France won 26-22 in Dublin
2011: France won 19-12 in Bordeaux
2011: France won 25-22 in Dublin
2010: France won 33-10 in Paris
2009: Ireland won 30-21 in Dublin
2008: France won 26-21 in Paris
2007: France won 25-3 in Paris
2007: France won 20-17 in Dublin
2006: France won 43-31 in Paris

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 2:47 pm

Boss won't see the light of day unless Murray loses one arm and both legs. Even against Italy, Boss wasn't brought on until the job was done.

Schmidt used to use Boss away against French teams for the first 50 minutes or so, then he brought on Reddan to speed the game up. Boss is not good at closing out games (horror show against the Saxons a few years ago with iHumphs) trying to close out a game Very Happy

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:09 pm

Things are looking good for a Boss sniped try to win the game 35-31 three minutes into injury time in the second half Whistle

Thanks for the gloom guys, it's always a good omen for lost causes.

by Golden Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:10 pm

Sin é wrote:

Ruddock and Henry are two different kind of players and less 'versatile'. Ruddock would never be played as a 7 internationally. I don't ever recall him being played there for Leinster either.

His last two caps were at 7 against South Africa and Australia where he performed very well.

Would much prefer Healy got some time with Leinster this weekend but Schmidt must not rate Cronin much at all.

Fingers crossed nothing happens to McGrath or Murray.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:48 pm

Golden wrote:
Sin é wrote:

Ruddock and Henry are two different kind of players and less 'versatile'. Ruddock would never be played as a 7 internationally. I don't ever recall him being played there for Leinster either.

His last two caps were at 7 against South Africa and Australia where he performed very well.

Would much prefer Healy got some time with Leinster this weekend but Schmidt must not rate Cronin much at all.

Fingers crossed nothing happens to McGrath or Murray.

Yea, with POM doing the Openside's job.

All Schmidt wants is big bruisers that can beat people up. The problem is Murphy isn't a big bruiser yet.

There is logic in having a Leinster front row coming on (Healy, Cronin & Moore). (see, I don't have a conspiracy theory about every Munster player Wink

) Healy needs the runout.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:49 pm

Personally I reckon Healy on the bench is a bigger risk than SOB and Sexton in the team. Healy had a pretty nasty injury and no game time at all since.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:52 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Personally I reckon Healy on the bench is a bigger risk than SOB and Sexton in the team. Healy had a pretty nasty injury and no game time at all since.

As with props, he can come off and McGrath can go back on if he gets injured.

Hey Guns, hear a Clongownian has deserted Leinster for Munster to get some decent coaching in the backrow Smile

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:53 pm

Jordan Coughlin. Great schools player at number 8. Has played in the centre for Leinster. Could have played cricket for Ireland but opted from rugby. He made it on the recent Clongowes team of the last two decades at number 8.

He is from Cork so the switch to Munster makes sense.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:54 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Jordan Coughlin

I know. I hear he couldn't wait to get out of Leinster because of the way he was messed around by Schmidt trying to turn him into a big boshing centre.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:55 pm

Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Jordan Coughlin

I know. I hear he couldn't wait to get out of Leinster because of the way he was messed around by Schmidt trying to turn him into a big boshing centre.

No you made that up.

He is from Cork and isnt getting game time in Leinster. The move makes perfect sense.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:55 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Jordan Coughlin

I know. I hear he couldn't wait to get out of Leinster because of the way he was messed around by Schmidt trying to turn him into a big boshing centre.

No you made that up.

He is from Cork and isnt getting game time in Leinster. The move makes perfect sense.

He is from Cork when it suits the narrative.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:56 pm

Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Jordan Coughlin

I know. I hear he couldn't wait to get out of Leinster because of the way he was messed around by Schmidt trying to turn him into a big boshing centre.

No you made that up.

He is from Cork and isnt getting game time in Leinster. The move makes perfect sense.

He is from Cork when it suits the narrative.

No thats where he is from.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 3:59 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Jordan Coughlin

I know. I hear he couldn't wait to get out of Leinster because of the way he was messed around by Schmidt trying to turn him into a big boshing centre.

No you made that up.

He is from Cork and isnt getting game time in Leinster. The move makes perfect sense.

He is from Cork when it suits the narrative.

No thats where he is from.

When he signed for the Leinster academy he was quick enough to say that he grew up in Clontarf! Wasn't he born in Barcelona anyway. He only spent a few years in Cork - probably less than Luke Fitz Smile

PS - he isn't coming to Munster for gametime with the amount of young backrows Munster have.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:00 pm

Are you not confusing him for Jordi Murphy? He was born in Barcelona.

Maybe he is going to Munster as a centre? You need one dont you?

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:02 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Are you not confusing him for Jordi Murphy? He was born in Barcelona.

Oh, you are right. Coughlan may have been born in Cork, but he grew up in Clontarf (and where the cricket comes in I think).

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:04 pm

Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Are you not confusing him for Jordi Murphy? He was born in Barcelona.

Oh, you are right. Coughlan may have been born in Cork, but he grew up in Clontarf (and where the cricket comes in I think).

Right, he was known as a Cork lad as far as I know in school but I dont know the chronology.

In any case he is a good player. Did well when playing for the under 20s. Really hope he does well.

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:05 pm

Are you saying you don't want him down in Munster Sin? Or that he's a good catch, even though he's only a half-bred?

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:07 pm

SecretFly wrote:Are you saying you don't want him down in Munster Sin? Or that he's a good catch, even though he's only a half-bred?

I'm delighted he is coming to Munster (as I would any young player) and hopefully Munster help him to fulfill his full potential.

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:11 pm

I would have preferred Earls on the bench to Felix Jones.

by **Notch** Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:20 pm

I actually really like Felix Jones, in any of the back three positions. He's a guy who has actually grabbed every chance he's been given in a green jersey.

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:20 pm

I think Earls is probably still on his Resourcing of Rucks lessons. He's come to Oberführer Schmidt's Camp reasonably late and probably has a lot of catching up to do on the robot detail.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:41 pm

SecretFly wrote:I think Earls is probably still on his Resourcing of Rucks lessons. He's come to Oberführer Schmidt's Camp reasonably late and probably has a lot of catching up to do on the robot detail.

Not. At. All. Earls is giving classes on ruck resourcing. Wink

(Murray Kinsella did a feature on Earls' 'ruck resourcing' last spring. Really good at it (which is hardly surprising bearing in mind who his father is!)

Earls has started one game in the last 8 or 9 months. He needs to get match fit first.

edit: Payne & Henshaw need to up their game in that respect. Zebo can't always cover for them. He needs to be available to score tries, not have his head stuck in a ruck.

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:51 pm

Henshaw didn't need any minders from what I saw of him. Payne - quieter.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:53 pm

SecretFly wrote:Henshaw didn't need any minders from what I saw of him. Payne - quieter.

Henshaw was mostly defensive. He didn't get a lot else to do. I'm really not sure why Payne is there. The best pass of the game was from Zebo to him and he didn't have the legs to finish it (or was afraid to try and finish it).

by GunsGerms Fri 13 Feb 2015, 4:55 pm

Anyone going to the game? Anyone have spare tickets?

by MissBlennerhassett Fri 13 Feb 2015, 5:04 pm

Looking forward to this. Ireland the form team against (for me) the pick of last week's teams, France. It'll be won or lost at the breakdown and the referees interpretation of it. The winner's to be champions but not slammers. Bring it on!

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:04 pm

Over on the North concussion thread, I asked a few days ago about some of the fringe issues that arise from a deeper concern for concussion seriousness and a strengthening of the rules around it.
I asked might it become a 'strategic' issue amongst teams whereby they now know that the likelihood is that a player won't return to the field if they sustain what is considered a serious hit, and so might indeed focus on certain key players for 'legal' rough treatment - hoping they might have to be replaced because of concussion protocols.
Now 'targeting' central players has always been part of the game - but my point is that now the stricter rules make a stoppage for impact fogginess more likely to result in a player being sent off for good.

And now we have the French saying they will 'target' Sexton (obviously all too concious that he's had four? concussion incidents in the last 12 months.)
They obviously know too that because of that recent history, Sexton will be observed much more closely by the Irish and they (the Irish) will feel compelled to act on even the slightest sign of 'grogginess' - and rightfully so too.
Obviously it's legal to attack the organisational focal point of 10, and it's a contact physical sport - but there is the conundrum and complexity of the issue. When does playing the man and not the ball become an actual formal strategy to take a player out of a game?

by ME-109 Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:05 pm

Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

by whocares Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:18 pm

French will "target" Sexton not to knock him out ....but rather to check if the lack of game time made him softer in his defense and decision making!

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:41 pm

whocares wrote:French will "target" Sexton not to knock him out ....but rather to check if the lack of game time made him softer in his defense and decision making!

Yeah.., that's the euphemistic version, whocares.

Rather than take offence where none was meant, maybe better for us both to accept we're old enough to know what 'targeting' means when 10s are mentioned in the modern game - big guys coming down their channel time and time and time again. The 'laughable' O'Gara fall overs when being tanked down by much bigger men for example. The famous "I get knocked down" videos.

I'm only mentioning France because it's the first time I've heard the declaration after the North drama - and in the context of that drama it did stand out as a noticeable comment. And I'm not going to slide past it just not to fluster anymore feathers. Had Italians said it about an English player then I'd be bringing up in an English/Italian context.

I keep to my opinion that the new stricter protocols will potentially complicate the landscape and in time I'd almost predict we'll have long posts in the future arguing about who did what with what intention to central players that had to leave the field for good. We'll see.

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:44 pm

ME-109 wrote:Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

Plenty of west brits in west cork Wink

by ME-109 Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:49 pm

Sin é wrote:
ME-109 wrote:Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

Plenty of west brits in west cork

They are all sequestered in Glandore thankfully...with the odd few escaping to Schull

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 6:55 pm

...............we've been witnessing quite a number of West Corkonian westbrits on the airwaves recently.......... and a right odd lot they seem to be.

Eccentric, probably over-sexed, moon howling, naked swimming, key-swapping, spy lurking, lane crawling, window peeping, SAS boasting, multiple 'true story' telling weirdos Wink

by Sin é Fri 13 Feb 2015, 7:10 pm

ME-109 wrote:
Sin é wrote:
ME-109 wrote:Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

Plenty of west brits in west cork

They are all sequestered in Glandore thankfully...with the odd few escaping to Schull

Has Tony O'Reilly retreated to Cork now that they have sold him out in Leinster?

by FecklessRogue Fri 13 Feb 2015, 8:08 pm

If Schmidt is as prepared and detailed as they say, he'll be reviewing last years England game. They absolutely battered Sexton until he barely knew where he was. Once in that state he kicked the ball out on the full and swung the momentum England's way which gave them a tight win. Leaving Sexton on in that game was probably Schmidt's biggest mistake in his tenure.

We'll have to look back on that game and figure out how to protect Sexton better. Because they showed that beating Sexton is crucial to beating Ireland. He's rare as a flyhalf who loves the physical and defensive stuff, but there's only so much punishment someone can take against the most physical teams like England and France.

Some beautiful ties from the Ireland under 20's against France. Wouldn't mind seeing that tomorrow.

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 8:49 pm

U20s put the pressure on the senior guys with their 37 - 20 victory over the French.

by whocares Fri 13 Feb 2015, 9:04 pm

SecretFly wrote:
whocares wrote:French will "target" Sexton not to knock him out ....but rather to check if the lack of game time made him softer in his defense and decision making!

Yeah.., that's the euphemistic version, whocares.

Rather than take offence where none was meant, maybe better for us both to accept we're old enough to know what 'targeting' means when 10s are mentioned in the modern game - big guys coming down their channel time and time and time again. The 'laughable' O'Gara fall overs when being tanked down by much bigger men for example. The famous "I get knocked down" videos.

I'm only mentioning France because it's the first time I've heard the declaration after the North drama - and in the context of that drama it did stand out as a noticeable comment. And I'm not going to slide past it just not to fluster anymore feathers. Had Italians said it about an English player then I'd be bringing up in an English/Italian context.

I keep to my opinion that the new stricter protocols will potentially complicate the landscape and in time I'd almost predict we'll have long posts in the future arguing about who did what with what intention to central players that had to leave the field for good. We'll see.

Am not taking offense but last year Sexton was already Knocked down by Bastareaud I think because he's brave enough to put himself in such position... What do you expect to happen tomorrow? French players to avoid the 10 channel? It's almost the only one they know! 1st ball to France will be Kockott to Bastareaud to .... Do the French have to play differently because Sexton is playing his first game against them? Do we need to outlaw Bastareaud? Am not sure what's your point is...

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 9:10 pm

I'm not telling France how to play. Not suggesting they kiss Sexton instead of hitting him either Wink

All I'm saying - was saying - is that stricted protocols on concussion (and I'm not against them and I've been arguing for them) WILL introduce the knowledge in the heads of players and coaches that centrally important players might have only one fuzzy moment and they might very well be gone for the rest of the game.

That's something that can't be ignored by the subsconcious of competitive players. It can't.

I was just mulling over those realities. France can and will play to win, and Sexton is in their way. Good luck to them Wink

by whocares Fri 13 Feb 2015, 9:13 pm

Luck is what we need indeed. What's the weather like tomorrow ?

by **profitius** Fri 13 Feb 2015, 9:13 pm

Sin é wrote:
ME-109 wrote:Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

Plenty of west brits in west cork

Bandon

by SecretFly Fri 13 Feb 2015, 9:15 pm

whocares wrote:Luck is what we need indeed. What's the weather like tomorrow ?

Don't really know but it's been quite wet today and overcast - after a good few days of lovely crisp dryness.

by ME-109 Fri 13 Feb 2015, 10:45 pm

profitius wrote:
Sin é wrote:
ME-109 wrote:Christmas..a Corkman who plays cricket.
Maybe the westbrits could keep him a bit longer...

Plenty of west brits in west cork

Bandon

...a quote I remember from my grandmother everytime we passed through...always felt sorry for the pigs

by thebandwagonsociety Sat 14 Feb 2015, 11:54 am

SecretFly wrote:I'm not telling France how to play. Not suggesting they kiss Sexton instead of hitting him either

All I'm saying - was saying - is that stricted protocols on concussion (and I'm not against them and I've been arguing for them) WILL introduce the knowledge in the heads of players and coaches that centrally important players might have only one fuzzy moment and they might very well be gone for the rest of the game.

That's something that can't be ignored by the subsconcious of competitive players. It can't.

I was just mulling over those realities. France can and will play to win, and Sexton is in their way. Good luck to them

Very true. And running big lads down his defensive channel is perfectly okay. Mismatches are what the game of rugby are based on after all. While the medics will have a careful eye on Sexton, the referee will also have a careful eye on him also. So any leading elbows, late hits, high hits, swinging arms will be more closely scrutinised. Indeed the french could lose a player for 10 (or more) minutes unless they remain disciplined.

Sextons last concussion was a head clash on Kearney when the both tackled a player and as their momentum carried their bodies around the players back their smacked heads. Kind of similar to North getting laid out by Hibbard. In that regard, it is the inoxuous bits of the game that could take him from the field, rather than some ph-at bas-trudle plodding down his running lane.

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