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.

Look, the guy we're really missing is Mad McFad.

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)?

Gibbo is still around just not on here, will send him your greetings Guru

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

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.

That would be a sight for sore eyes. It's been far too long since either have put themselves about like we know they can.

Payne is the player for this type of game. For all of Earls attacking flair, I do question his ability to defend at 13, and against France he will be under incredible pressure. If we had an experienced 12, I wouldn't have the concern I do, but genuinely hoping Earls makes a mockery of my doubts.

If we lose I won't be turning on Earls. Not his fault.

Not too fond of the idea of Earls defending Bastareaud. Prefer our best finisher on the wing for when the French lose concentration.  Hoping he has a great game, praying he doesn't take any knocks to the head.

Except unbelievably our best finisher wasnt even in the starting 23...

We are very light at true world class centres. Bastareud against Earls is very scary.

Plus "hope" is not a strategy. "Hoping" we see the old SOB though.

How about Bastareud defending Earls. How do you think he will do or do you all think that the French backrow will be able to assure that France have the ball 100% of the time?

Personally, I can't wait to see how Bastareud defends Earls!

Reckon France will throw this game so that they meet the All Blacks in the Qtrs.. Think they'd rather that Qtr to facing Argentina.

No9 wrote:Reckon France will throw this game so that they meet the All Blacks in the Qtrs.. Think they'd rather that Qtr to facing Argentina.

I don't know which is more of a bogey team for Ireland either.. Argentina have been one of the few teams to look consistently strong. I'd rather play 1st half vs Tonga All Blacks than Argentina in their current pomp

Sin é wrote:How about Bastareud defending Earls. How do you think he will do or do you all think that the French backrow will be able to assure that France have the ball 100% of the time?

Personally, I can't wait to see how Bastareud defends Earls!

This. I think Bastareud will have great difficulty defending against Earls, especially after 50-60 mins and then it may be time to bring Fitz on as well.

I think we once we get ahead France and especially Freddy will try and force it and start to unravel. We will pull away at around be 50 mins mark

Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

Absolute disaster- Jared Payne ruled out of the entire tournament. Literally irreplaceable... I'm now very concerned our centres will be badly exposed in the quarter-final.

Notch wrote:Absolute disaster- Jared Payne ruled out of the entire tournament. Literally irreplaceable... I'm now very concerned our centres will be badly exposed in the quarter-final.

When what how ? Flip.

Joe be brave call up McCloskey

Turns out his bruised foot was a fractured foot.

Disaster? That's taking things a little to the extreme. Loosing any player is bad but should not be seen as a disaster. Ireland have decent strength in depth with both Earls and Henshaw able to cover 13 while Fitz and Cave can cover 12.

It comes across that you thought that Payne was the key to Irelands success with that over reaction Notch...

You would be accurate in inferring that is what I think. Payne is not as indispensable as O'Connell or Sexton, but is as big a loss as Best, O'Mahony, Ross or Murray would be. The point being there is a major step down when we have to go to their understudies. Certainly I think he is the most important player in our outside backs and by far the hardest to adequately replace. Now you'll get to see what you wanted- hope you are not laughing on the other side of your face by the end of it all.

I will get what I wanted to see? I wanted a centre pairing of Cave 12 and Henshaw 13. Not getting to see that? Or are you inferring that I am happy Payne is injured?

carpet baboon wrote:

Notch wrote:Absolute disaster- Jared Payne ruled out of the entire tournament. Literally irreplaceable... I'm now very concerned our centres will be badly exposed in the quarter-final.

When what how ? Flip.

Joe be brave call up McCloskey

+1.
Indeed be brave.

I suspect it will be Trimble though

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

No I am not inferring that, I am saying you will get to see a midfield without Payne for some of our most important games. I think you will be forced to admit his loss when it seriously impacts our performance over the next few weeks. I hope you are proven right and that he isn't as important because right now it looks like our chances of doing something in this World Cup have taken a massive hit.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

As I said its been along and busy night shift

I make it no secret that I believe that Payne is a better 15 than a 13 Notch. I have not discarded him as a 13 and in fact if you read back a few pages I stated that I would start him at 13 for this match to counter Bastareud defensively.

I know you are frustrated at the loss of Payne (I feel he is a loss to the squad as well) but try and focus your frustrations elsewhere than trying to get a rise out of me.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

Jaysus, you mix me up with Fly

I would like to see cave 12 Henshaw 13 think.it would work well

eirebilly wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

Jaysus, you mix me up with Fly

Not a mixup as such, more a lack of fact checking

I think that was/is the plan after this RWC carpet. Right now though Ireland have to start Earls at 13 due to his experience in big matches.

carpet baboon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

Jaysus, you mix me up with Fly

Not a mixup as such, more a lack of fact checking

How anyone can think Fly made a post that was only one sentence long is beyond me!

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Once Ireland get ahead? You're full of confidence carpet, long night shift?

carpet baboon wrote:Yes fly long and busy.The fear will hit tomorrow morning I'm sure. For now I'm sticking with Ireland by a minimum of 15

I always get those 2 mixed up as well.

Jaysus, you mix me up with Fly

Not a mixup as such, more a lack of fact checking

How anyone can think Fly made a post that was only one sentence long is beyond me!

Good point. I will blame the coffee and sudafed

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

How anyone can think Fly made a post that was only one sentence long is beyond me!

Or conversely, that I could construct a post that contains more than one sentence.

Payne would have been better continuing as an option than (it seems now) going home.

But like Schmidt, his fellow coaches and the rest of the squad, we just have to get on without him.  And if we feel life was hopeless without him then we don't deserve to be at this WC at all.  It certainly wouldn't be Gatland's view or his player's view.

Injuries will happen and Sexton might only last 15 minutes or 30 minutes of the game against France.  Who is to say?  But the machine has to drive on.  And I mean Drive On... not go in on itself and eat itself up on doubt.  Let's learn from Welsh attitude for once.  If they can grit their teeth and fight on, then so can we.  It's a mind game.

Shut up yis bastareauds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was that one sentence enough for yis?

Aahh, good work Fly man

eirebilly wrote:I know you are frustrated at the loss of Payne (I feel he is a loss to the squad as well) but try and focus your frustrations elsewhere than trying to get a rise out of me.

I'm not trying to get a rise out of you. I came on here and shared an opinion and then you replied to me.

Payne's injury is close to disaster for the defensive organisation of the side. Having been at two matches, rather than pontificating based on watching on TV, it is clear that Payne organised the backline's defensive efforts. Earls has massive shoes to fill in that regard. It also puts a lot of pressure on Henshaw to step up and show defensive leadership. Sexton will also have to provide leadership to those outside him. Payne is a massive loss.

From an attacking point of view Earls has the pace and eye for a gap that Payne doesn't. His distribution though is not as good as Payne though it is still perfectly reasonable. I always think Earls gets a hard time needlessly about his distribution skills. Where Earls is weak is his decision making, when to make that offload or try the miss-pass. Fingers crossed he can put in the sort of performance at 13 against big opposition which has largely eluded him in his career in green. I am worried about his ability to defend the French centres, particularly if Fofana attempts outside breaks. Earls' defence is weak on his left shoulder but actually very good on his right. I'm not worried about him taking on Bastareaud. Show courage and go low- Earls has courage in spades.

Gael,

Earls defence is very good but his style of defending worries me. He often gets his head in the wrong place and gets knocks.

French tactics - soften up and tenderise numbers 9 to 13 - then enjoy with a nice bottle of Chianti

Notch wrote:Absolute disaster- Jared Payne ruled out of the entire tournament. Literally irreplaceable... I'm now very concerned our centres will be badly exposed in the quarter-final.

First key player gone. Now we have to establish a good centre partnership in a World Cup. Possible? Eh...

Very bad news for Ireland, but one door closes, another opens. Which player gets the call? I would think either Trimble or McCloskey. At a guess I would say Trimble.

Exiled Gael wrote:Payne's injury is close to disaster for the defensive organisation of the side. Having been at two matches, rather than pontificating based on watching on TV, it is clear that Payne organised the backline's defensive efforts. Earls has massive shoes to fill in that regard. It also puts a lot of pressure on Henshaw to step up and show defensive leadership. Sexton will also have to provide leadership to those outside him. Payne is a massive loss.

From an attacking point of view Earls has the pace and eye for a gap that Payne doesn't. His distribution though is not as good as Payne though it is still perfectly reasonable. I always think Earls gets a hard time needlessly about his distribution skills. Where Earls is weak is his decision making, when to make that offload or try the miss-pass. Fingers crossed he can put in the sort of performance at 13 against big opposition which has largely eluded him in his career in green. I am worried about his ability to defend the French centres, particularly if Fofana attempts outside breaks. Earls' defence is weak on his left shoulder but actually very good on his right. I'm not worried about him taking on Bastareaud. Show courage and go low- Earls has courage in spades.

What a load of cowpat. Earls a poor defender, Earls doesn't distribute, Earls can't tackle.

Earls was well able to deal with Fofana & Rogerie in Paris in the draw against France in 2012. He also had no problem dealing with Tualagi v. England the same season. Earls has the pace to defend any outside break (which is something BOD had lost).

Apart from anything else, he is probably the best rucker in the backs.

Munchkin wrote:Very bad news for Ireland, but one door closes, another opens. Which player gets the call? I would think either Trimble or McCloskey. At a guess I would say Trimble.

McCloskey hasn't been involved with Ireland enough. Probably McFadden, Noel Reid or Trimble (depending on how Ireland fare injury wise on tomorrow).

Well, we will see how Earls gets on tomorrow, Sin é. Hopefully he's amazing. Better than BOD....

The worst thing Earls could do at this point is listen to the many critics and in turn try to be all things to all men (opponents ).

Didn't they say before the tournament that Reid was next in line? Obviously it would be a waste of a spot when someone of McCloskey's quality is sitting at home, but it's Schmidt we're talking about, he'll go with the Leinster player he's familiar with.

Sin é wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Very bad news for Ireland, but one door closes, another opens. Which player gets the call? I would think either Trimble or McCloskey. At a guess I would say Trimble.

McCloskey hasn't been involved with Ireland enough. Probably McFadden, Noel Reid or Trimble (depending on how Ireland fare injury wise on tomorrow).

Was thinking that, Sin é, although we're stuffed if another centre picks up a knock. If it isn't McCloskey, then it's Trimble.

Sin é wrote:

Exiled Gael wrote:Payne's injury is close to disaster for the defensive organisation of the side. Having been at two matches, rather than pontificating based on watching on TV, it is clear that Payne organised the backline's defensive efforts. Earls has massive shoes to fill in that regard. It also puts a lot of pressure on Henshaw to step up and show defensive leadership. Sexton will also have to provide leadership to those outside him. Payne is a massive loss.

From an attacking point of view Earls has the pace and eye for a gap that Payne doesn't. His distribution though is not as good as Payne though it is still perfectly reasonable. I always think Earls gets a hard time needlessly about his distribution skills. Where Earls is weak is his decision making, when to make that offload or try the miss-pass. Fingers crossed he can put in the sort of performance at 13 against big opposition which has largely eluded him in his career in green. I am worried about his ability to defend the French centres, particularly if Fofana attempts outside breaks. Earls' defence is weak on his left shoulder but actually very good on his right. I'm not worried about him taking on Bastareaud. Show courage and go low- Earls has courage in spades.

What a load of cowpat. Earls a poor defender, Earls doesn't distribute, Earls can't tackle.

Earls was well able to deal with Fofana & Rogerie in Paris in the draw against France in 2012. He also had no problem dealing with Tualagi v. England the same season. Earls has the pace to defend any outside break (which is something BOD had lost).

Apart from anything else, he is probably the best rucker in the backs.

Same old bull being rolled out about Earls based on the usual misconceptions. If BOD reckons he is the best OC we have then that's all you need to know

McFadden has the fire and this team now need a fire player to light a squib under their lethargic selves.