France v Ireland, 11 October

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FRANCE v IRELAND
11 October 2015
KO: 16:45
The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges:Wayne Barnes (England) & Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)

A. Head to Head

93 Played 93
55 Won 31
7 Drawn 7
31 Lost 55
1508 Points 1084

B. Recent Form

14 February 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
18 – 11 to Ireland

15 March 2014
Stade de France, Saint Denis
20 – 22 to Ireland

9 March 2013
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
13 – 13 Draw

4 March 2012
Stade de France, Saint Denis
17 – 17 Draw

20 August 2011
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
22 – 26 to France

13 August 2011
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
19 – 12 to France

C. Teams

FRANCE

15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Brice Dulin, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde; 1 Eddy Ben Arous, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Pascal Pape, 5 Yoann Maestri, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 7 Damien Chouly, 8 Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Bernard Le Roux, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Alexandre Dumoulin.

IRELAND

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Robbie Henshaw , 11 Dave Kearney,  10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 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.

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.

rodders wrote:

kunu wrote:

SecretFly wrote:  I'm not sure it was designed to make France think we'd try another suicide defensive game this weekend

Yeah I suppose if the punters on 606 are catching on, the secret's out! But D'arce makes a good point - we have given them nothing to analyse. We simply aren't going to defend that way against France. They will have to go back to 6ns footage to have a look at our defending patterns.

They also based a lot of their attacks in the warm-ups and earlier games around Zebo taking the ball at 1st receiver, so teams would have analyzed this - then we don't pick him at all! Genius!

Haha, well Zebo is the best at heads up rugby out of our backs!

SecretFly wrote:To hell with the last few seasons, rodders.  
England must surely have killed off the notion that the last few seasons means anything.

Not really, there was nothing wrong with Englands prep, they just bottled it.

France aren't a well conditioned side generally and because of the size of their tight 5 they have a very poor work rate, especially in defense. That is a cultural think and won't change at the weekend whatever conditioning work they did in the summer.

They will switch off during periods of the game - the way they did against Italy, Canada and Romania and if we execute our powerplays during these windows we should win.

By contrast we are one of the best drilled and fittest sides in the game. Schimdt's high tempo short training drills are well known. I have no doubt we are fitter and can defend for long periods if we need to -we will concede at some point but unless some major botch up has been made in the summer we will be much fitter than them, especially up front.

Not too worried about our backs. The scrum is a worry, as is the breakdown. Not all of the tight five have a poor workrate- Ben Arous "the Pocock of the North" could have a field day there.

rodders wrote:

SecretFly wrote:To hell with the last few seasons, rodders.  
England must surely have killed off the notion that the last few seasons means anything.

Not really, there was nothing wrong with Englands prep, they just bottled it.

France aren't a well conditioned side generally and because of the size of their tight 5 they have a very poor work rate, especially in defense. That is a cultural think and won't change at the weekend whatever conditioning work they did in the summer.

They will switch off during periods of the game - the way they did against Italy, Canada and Romania and if we execute our powerplays during these windows we should win.

By contrast we are one of the best drilled and fittest sides in the game. Schimdt's high tempo short training drills are well known. I have no doubt we are fitter and can defend for long periods if we need to  -we will concede at some point but unless some major botch up has been made in the summer we will be much fitter than them, especially up front.

Don't be fooled... fitter is as fitter does!

rapidsnowman wrote:

Few box kick smashes from the likes of Kearney and Henshaw will do us good.

But that didn't happen against Italy. No one smashed them back.

Italy raised their game and rattled us, we should be prepared for a French team, with more potential than Italy , to do the same.

For the record I do think we will win!

I don't think smashing them back was in the plan. The plan was ok, but the amount of errors wasn't. The plan didn't make it a tighter game. The errors did.

Over the last few weeks I have thought that Henderson should probably come off the bench for this game, even though he is a better player than Toner. Not so much for Toners apparent amazing line out ability, but more that Henderson can counter the threat that the French bench will pose in the last quarter.

Schmidt must have lost a bet to Fitz.

Bowe gets a start because he's better in the air than the rest. I'm sure Fly will agree with me

Can someone post the french teams?

Munchkin wrote:
Schmidt must have lost a bet to Fitz.

I'm intrigued by this selection. It's not a form pick as Zebo and Earls have been playing well.

What I think is some power plays, involving Fitzgerald have been held back in the tank - a la Bods score in 2012 in the HEC SF and the interplay between Fitz and Henshaw against Scotland.

Either that or he is concerned about midfield cover and had planned on Earls on the bench but wasn't happy with his defense against Italy,

Either way this keeps people guessing.

Munchkin wrote:

Bowe gets a start because he's better in the air than the rest. I'm sure Fly will agree with me

Bowe was picked because he's better in the air than the rest.

.... it's what he does up there that been concerning me somewhat But here's to a tour de force game from him

I think Earls has only mostly been prepped in this competition for obvious injuries but also for competitions to come (6N). Joe has gone back to the players now that HE most trusts as a unit - even though the rest of us (me included) know far more than him and think he's wrong to trust some of them so much

Listen to us Joe!!! We have years more experience than you at this guff!

rodders wrote:Can someone post the french teams?

Agen
Bordeaux Begles
Clermont
Grenoble FC
Montpellier Hérault RC
Stade Francais Paris
Castres Olympique
Union Sportive Oyonnax
Racing-Metro 92
Stade Toulousain
La Rochelle
CA Brive
RC Toulonnais
Section Paloise

It certainly has us all guessing, rodders. I think your second guess is more likely. He trusts Fitz more than Earls at centre. Schmidt must be planning on us being ahead in the last quarter, and closing the game, otherwise Earls would be the obvious choice. Let's hope we're not behind.

See?! I don't know how the International side can drag together a quality side from that lot. Very slim picking there. Heart goes out to St Andre.

SecretFly wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Bowe gets a start because he's better in the air than the rest. I'm sure Fly will agree with me

Bowe was picked because he's better in the air than the rest.

.... it's what he does up there that been concerning me somewhat      But here's to a tour de force game from him

Actually I'm not a fan of his tapping back either. Let's hope he makes sure to catch the ball, or if he has to tap back, that there's an Ireland player ready to catch.

Bowe will be fine, he won't have the mighty Jonny May running at him in this game

15. Scott Spedding
14. Noa Nakaitici
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Brice Dulin
10. Freddie Michalak
9. Tillous Borde
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Papé
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir  (capt)
7. Damien Chouly
8. Louis Picamoles

16. Kayser, 17. Debaty 18. Mas 19. Flanquart 20. Le Roux 21. Parra 22. Tales 23. Dumoulin

Golden wrote:15. Scott Spedding
14. Nakaitci
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Brice Dulin
10. Tillous Borde
9. Rory Kockott
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Papé
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir  (capt)
7. Damien Chouly
8. Picamoles

Perhaps I should start supporting the French when 20% of their starters are South African, eh?

Michalak? Injured?

?? This must be a St Andre ploy...the team keeps changing.

oh sh*t.

Sorry Lads copied a team from a while back by accident edited wrongly when I realised. Really made a balls of that . All corrected now.

Biltong wrote:

Golden wrote:15. Scott Spedding
14. Nakaitci
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Brice Dulin
10. Tillous Borde
9. Rory Kockott
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Papé
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir  (capt)
7. Damien Chouly
8. Picamoles

Perhaps I should start supporting the French when 20% of their starters are South African, eh?

Well they need a few 80 minuters.............

Well in that case with only two saffers starting maybe I shouldn't

RubyGuby wrote:

Golden wrote:15. Scott Spedding
14. Nakaitci
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Brice Dulin
10. Freddie Michalak
9. Tillous Borde
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Papé
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir  (capt)
7. Damien Chouly
8. Picamoles

16. Kayser, 17. Debaty 18. Mas 19. Flanquart 20. Le Roux 21. Parra 22. Tales 23. Dumoulin

Advantage the men in green IMO

Very average looking side.... told you they want the abs!

rodders wrote:I don't think this France side can play for 80min.

Certainly they will score at some point but think we have enough in the tank to keep pegging them back.

Historically Ireland have had 2 problems with the French - one is psychological, when you always lose to a team it's difficult to break that duck when they have the mental edge each time and France no longer have that.

Secondly we've been tactically naive against a side which is at it's best in broken play and on the counter. Ireland have neither had the tight 5 to match France in an arm wrestle or the skill/pace to outscore them over 80min -getting lost between poor kicking game and running ourselves into trouble.

Under Schmidt we are much more aware of France's strengths and weaknesses which makes a big difference and France have become increasingly predictable with less players capable of individual brilliance.

Their pack is monstrous and they are certainly capable of winning here but I genuinely think Ireland are the more varied side and have Frances number if they can execute their game plan(s).

Totally agree.

Dulin under the high ball against Bowe should be interesting, hopefully some of the big guys like SOB can run at Michelak

...but don't miss him....

Team announced at 2:30 here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/rwc/news/35782.php#.VhezqPlVhBc

Marshes wrote:Team announced at 2:30 here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/rwc/news/35782.php#.VhezqPlVhBc

Apparently pushed back because of injury worries

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/injury-strikes-irelands-world-cup-squad-as-team-announcement-delayed/43428

Apparently Payne is out and Earls is in.

Great for the confidence....not in the 23 and now parachuted in....is Joe DK and EOS's love child.

If it's true that Earls will be at centre and Payne will not, its a massive blow to our chances.

Well, if that's true we will get to see how Earls copes with some serious pressure.

The original selection screamed of conservatism even beyond DK. The parachuting of Earls in despite Luuuke on the bench sounds like panic. Excuses at the ready Joe...

These injuries are going to cause a lot of disruption - Fair play to Gatland, he's so meticulous in his RWC preparations he even managed to get the injuries in early

Hells bells 79-0 to France!

Jared come back we need yooooooouuuuuuu!!!

Hmm......

First we get a 'why was Earls left out?'...now we get a 'oh Dear, Earls is probably in'.

Such fickle emotions

Jaysus I hope Payne's ok.

What extra damage could Payne have done overnight?

Basterau could have stood on his foot.

It does seem strange that Fitz was on the bench with Earls out. Now Earls, apparently, in with Fitz still on the bench.
If Payne is out, then why not Cave?

his face...he hasnt had the cosmetic surgery to make it fit yet.

Personally don't think Cave is good enough. Fitz was there to cover a number of positions on the bench. Earls has more experience at 13 than Fitz so no surprise to me that he'd start.

ME-109 wrote:his face...he hasnt had the cosmetic surgery to make it fit yet.

ME-109 wrote:his face...he hasnt had the cosmetic surgery to make it fit yet.

For me, Cave is the better option. He has played well in his games, and He and Earls worked well together against Wales, even if a weaker Wales than expected.

It's a disaster shambles.

What has Joe being doing for 2 seasons - he hasn't tried any options in the centre now we are fooked on the eave of our greatest triumph.

#Joeout

kunu wrote:Personally don't think Cave is good enough. Fitz was there to cover a number of positions on the bench. Earls has more experience at 13 than Fitz so no surprise to me that he'd start.

Cave is better than Earls at centre. Full stop. I can understand why Earls would be selected ahead of Cave as Earls is the versatile player, but not if Payne has been ruled out.

Munchkin wrote:

kunu wrote:Personally don't think Cave is good enough. Fitz was there to cover a number of positions on the bench. Earls has more experience at 13 than Fitz so no surprise to me that he'd start.

Cave is better than Earls at centre. Full stop. I can understand why Earls would be selected ahead of Cave as Earls is the versatile player, but not if Payne has been ruled out.

Cave has a habit of going in on himself when the pressure comes

ME-109 wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

kunu wrote:Personally don't think Cave is good enough. Fitz was there to cover a number of positions on the bench. Earls has more experience at 13 than Fitz so no surprise to me that he'd start.

Cave is better than Earls at centre. Full stop. I can understand why Earls would be selected ahead of Cave as Earls is the versatile player, but not if Payne has been ruled out.

Laugh away. The only time Earls looked any good at centre was when he played with Cave. They seemed to work well together. Earls was poor against Italy. He isn't a centre. It isn't just me saying this. Plenty of pundits share the same view. He's a wing, a very good wing. Nothing more.

RubyGuby wrote:Cave has a habit of going in on himself when the pressure comes