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.

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

And you have seen this where exactly? Don't remember Cave fumbling so many balls, so close to a try line.

Reports D'arcy has being called up but he's refused because he'll have to remove his new earring.

Sure its a view. Personally would prefer Earls on the wing with Payne in the centre for this game. But Earls did ok in Italy game. Managed the try one of our two clean linebreaks and never looked under pressure. Cave is possibly not the best centre in Ulster and will remain a passenger for this WC.

Munchkin wrote:

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

And you have seen this where exactly? Don't remember Cave fumbling so many balls, so close to a try line.

Finally the Irish stir from their slumber....

Hope the team do likewise with Earls at 10.

ME-109 wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

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

And you have seen this where exactly? Don't remember Cave fumbling so many balls, so close to a try line.

This has made my Friday afternoon .

rodders wrote:Reports D'arcy has being called up but he's refused because he'll have to remove his new earring.

...and the Kiwi hatchet in his back...

Munchkin wrote:

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.

Don't think it really matters who's picked at 13, Earls or Cave. Neither are great.

ME-109 wrote:Sure its a view. Personally would prefer Earls on the wing with Payne in the centre for this game. But Earls did ok in Italy game. Managed the try one of our two clean linebreaks and never looked under pressure. Cave is possibly not the best centre in Ulster and will remain a passenger for this WC.

And yet plays in the big games?

ME-109 wrote:Sure its a view. Personally would prefer Earls on the wing with Payne in the centre for this game. But Earls did ok in Italy game. Managed the try one of our two clean linebreaks and never looked under pressure. Cave is possibly not the best centre in Ulster and will remain a passenger for this WC.

Earls did what a good wing does in that game. Nothing more.

It doesn't matter if Cave is first choice, or not at Ulster. Cave was first choice 13 and has played well at 12, beside Payne. What matters is who is best in what position in any game in this world cup. I would have Cave starting over Earls in this game. He has played well in his games, and I would trust him more.

rodders wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

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

And you have seen this where exactly? Don't remember Cave fumbling so many balls, so close to a try line.

This has made my Friday afternoon   .

I am fecking wetting myself here - Has to have been my best one for 2015 - Go on Fly gimme a 10/10 for that one

So................................ we want the ABs too obviously?

Master stroke by Joe just when Andre thought he pulled a fast one.

Whatever your having lads....it must have been Cave deputising for BOD those times in the past doing an impression of Earls and scoring a few tries in the process. Wonder how he got on with the Limerick accent.

SecretFly wrote:

Finally the Irish stir from their slumber....

Hope the team do likewise with Earls at 10.

Its time.
Emotions are cranking up and sanity shutting down

ME-109 wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

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

And you have seen this where exactly? Don't remember Cave fumbling so many balls, so close to a try line.

Sorry ME. Got me war head on, and got carried away

Its the tension Munch - it makes us all go a bit EnglandGloryish - You gotta love it though - I can feel the passion and tension on here - its great - What happened to Gibson boys, he was such a class act (I mean the poster not Mike)?

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




I am fecking wetting myself here - Has to have been my best one for 2015 - Go on Fly gimme a 10/10 for that one

10/10 Rugby.  The red mist kinda disguised it for a while for Munch.

Skynews now suggesting no change.....cripes my head will explode....

Now murray just tweeted Earls in....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhh

It's bunk...what could Payne have done? Had a nightmare about the game and cried off?

His toe probably tingled just before the press conference and he was rushed off to emergency.....

Just an itch...he's fine.

Williams will be furious that Payne is causing Irish fans such consternation. "Ain't you all listening to me??!!!!"

Payne out...

I think Schmidt called Lancaster for some midfield advice last night

Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

Lancaster in turn asked if Joe had a job going in his outfit. "after the weekend, you might have a shot at mine", says Joe.

RubyGuby wrote:Its the tension Munch - it makes us all go a bit EnglandGloryish - You gotta love it though - I can feel the passion and tension on here - its great - What happened to Gibson boys, he was such a class act (I mean the poster not Mike)?

Dunno what happened to him. He was great comedy, although we are getting some value here today, even if unintended    

ME-109 wrote:Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

so he thinks he has a better shot at the ABs than France?

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

so he thinks he has a better shot at the ABs than France?  

Sounds fairly resigned...negative almost.

Another change that seems odd is Strauss instead of Cronin on the bench.

They must have been knocking the sparks out of each other this week.
What (if any) reasons given for such changes?

Just went blank....oh oh

ME-109 wrote:Another change that seems odd is Strauss instead of Cronin on the bench.

Another lineout focused call I think. He's also much better than Cronin on the ground.

Iain Henderson is a shock absentee from the Ireland starting XV for Sunday's World Cup game against France while Jared Payne is not risked after injury.

Henderson, outstanding in recent games, is replaced by Devin Toner at lock while Keith Earls stays at centre as Payne recovers from a bruised foot.

Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo with Cian Healy preferred to Jack McGrath at prop.

France make two changes with Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci recalled.

Number eight Picamoles replaces Bernard le Roux in the back row for the Pool D decider in one of two changes from the 41-18 win over Canada.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre's other change sees Fijian-born win Nakaitaci taking over from Remy Grosso.
Both France and Ireland have won their opening three games in Pool D and the losers of Sunday's match are likely to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Henderson's demotion to the replacements looks to be a big call with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt clearly believing that six foot 11 inch Toner is needed to disrupt the effectiveness of the France line-out.

However, Henderson's barnstorming work around the field has probably been the most impressive feature of Ireland's World Cup so far.

The Ulsterman was man of the match in last weekend's narrow win over Italy and his absence from the starting line-up will be the main talking point in the selection.

Henderson will be certain to come on during the Millennium Stadium contest but the fear will be that the game could already be out of reach by that stage.

Payne was said to have trained fully on Wednesday after missing the Italy game but his fitness was not deemed enough to earn a recall.

France likely to target Sexton channel
With Earls remaining at centre, Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney retain the wing spots as fit-again Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo.

Healy is named at loose-head prop after his Leinster team-mate McGrath started in the front row role against Italy.

Lions player Healy did start in Ireland's second World Cup match against Romania after making his return to action following neck surgery as a replacement in the opening win over Canada.

In the France selection, Picamoles' return sees Damien Chouly switching to flanker with experienced skipper Thierry Dusautoir completing a very strong back row.

France's talk this week has revolved around targeting Ireland pivot Johnny Sexton, and skipper Dusautoir and number eight Picamoles will be central to that aim.

Toulon's powerful Mathieu Bastareaud is also likely to be part of the France tactics to disrupt fly-half Sexton's game plan.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heasip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.

France: Scott Spedding; Noa Nakaitaci, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri; Thierry Dusautior (capt), Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Alexandre Flanquart, Bernard Le Roux, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Alexandre

Oh well...time to enjoy the other games until Sunday.

Well, it's in the lap now of the worst ref in the Pro12........

...and the 'best' one in the AP on the sideline.........................

Guns will be feeling comfortable.

No Cronin, strange one that.

A horses for courses selection. Interestingly Schmidt said they've picked it with one eye on next week.

ME-109 wrote:Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

Why? I think Earls at 13 is a good call but only if they get the ball to him. He is not defensively weak as some would think and I feel he will stretch Bateraud with his quick feet. Still surprised about Henderson.

Just hope Ireland do not defend the same way they did against Italy because they will get beaten if they do.

eirebilly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

Why? I think Earls at 13 is a good call but only if they get the ball to him. He is not defensively weak as some would think and I feel he will stretch Bateraud with his quick feet. Still surprised about Henderson.

Just hope Ireland do not defend the same way they did against Italy because they will get beaten if they do.

Heres hoping Earls can keep his knock ons in the single digits then

The guy made a couple of mistakes against Italy but you could also argue that he was the only one showing any attacking ability in that game. He has also played very well and made some great passes (ie, Rob Kearney's try).

Still would have preferred to see Dave Kearney at 14 and Zebo at 11 with this line up.

Not sure if its the two hours sleep I got last night or the massive amount of coffee I have drank, but I'm feeling very optimistic about the game.
I think we will build a lead in the first 50 then with France chasing the game we will put them to the sword.
Henderson off the bench to score aswell.
29 - 9 to Ireland

Right I'm off for a night shift

eirebilly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Listening to Joe it sounds like he has raised the white flag tbh. Keeping Payne for next week!!! Subtext - against the ABs....

Why? I think Earls at 13 is a good call but only if they get the ball to him. He is not defensively weak as some would think and I feel he will stretch Bateraud with his quick feet. Still surprised about Henderson.

Just hope Ireland do not defend the same way they did against Italy because they will get beaten if they do.

You're getting me wrong here William...Joe came across slightly less than assured in the announcement. The rumours which appear to be true was that Earls was out of the 23 all together. Now he is parachuted in because Payne isnt ready. Joe made it sound like well we cant risk Payne because of next week so Earls will just have to do....

Not sure thats a great confidence booster for anyone. Same with the dropping of Henderson....hey you have played great but we dont trust you for the full 80 against France.

Aah, I get you there ME-109, really got you wrong there, sorry.

Understand where he is coming from with Toner but believe this is only a good option if there is a line-out every 5mins. Henderson has been pretty much Irelands best player so far and I feel he has been hard done by.

With the type of game we are going to play I would prefer Payne there I think any thought of attacking through the backs is going to be sidelined or by accident...I think Earls will be dropped from the 23 for the next game no matter what he does and if we dont win Joe has a scapegoat all ready...

Surely Schmidt came to the WC knowing full well that Payne might have been out completely after even game one.

Didn't he also allude to the point that he really wants to win the French game to avoid New Zealand? So maybe his take is that better to trust a fully fit Earls from the start than choose Payne, who might break down mid game and no Earls there at all to step in.

He seems to have doubted that Payne might last, given the physical nature of what is expected to come.

Joes body language and comments were all very non Joe Schmidt...seemed a bit under pressure as if things werent going well. To my mind Payne was clearly the choice for this game but at the last minute cried off. I dont get the trusting Earls bit why not have Luke Fitz in there as he was in the 23 as cover and then Earls to the bench. Why parachute Earls in? Just all seems a little odd...

ME-109 wrote:With the type of game we are going to play I would prefer Payne there I think any thought of attacking through the backs is going to be sidelined or by accident...I think Earls will be dropped from the 23 for the next game no matter what he does and if we dont win Joe has a scapegoat all ready...

Sadly, I would have to agree that Payne was the man for what seems to be the game plan Joe will deploy. That said, I still think that Earls could have a good match if (and I do mean if) Sexton and Murray have a better game than they did against Italy.

eirebilly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:With the type of game we are going to play I would prefer Payne there I think any thought of attacking through the backs is going to be sidelined or by accident...I think Earls will be dropped from the 23 for the next game no matter what he does and if we dont win Joe has a scapegoat all ready...

Sadly, I would have to agree that Payne was the man for what seems to be the game plan Joe will deploy. That said, I still think that Earls could have a good match if (and I do mean if) Sexton and Murray have a better game than they did against Italy.

Sexton and Murray need our pack to improve before they can do much more.It all starts up front so I expect to see us fired up and hopefully Healy and O'Brien go into full beast mode.