Ireland v France, Saturday, February 25

v


2017 Saturday, February 25

Aviva Stadium, 4.50pm (live RTÉ Two/UTV/ITV/DMAX/FR2/RTÉ Radio 1)

IRELAND: Team to be confirmed

FRANCE: (from 15 to 1): Spedding - Huget, Lamerat, Fickou, Nakaitaci -  Lopez,  Serin - Picamoles, Gourdon, Le Roux - Maestri, Vahaamahina - Slimani, Guirado (cap), Baille

subs: Tolofua, Atonio, Ben Arous, Le Devedec, Ollivon, Machenaud, Chavancy, Camara.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes, Luke Pearce (both England)
Television Match Official: George Ayoub (Australia)

Head-To-Head:

Played - 95
Ireland Won - 32
France Won - 56
Drawn - 7

Ireland v France - Results Since 2000:

2000: Ireland won 27-25, Paris
2001: Ireland won 22-15, Dublin
2002: France won 44-5, Paris
2003: Ireland won 15-12, Dublin; France won 43-21, Melbourne
2004: France won 35-17, Paris
2005: France won 26-19, Dublin
2006: France won 43-31, Paris
2007: France won 20-17, Dublin; France won 25-3, Paris
2008: France won 26-21, Paris
2009: Ireland won 30-21, Dublin
2010: France won 33-10, Paris
2011: France won 25-22, Dublin; France won 19-12, Bordeaux; France won 26-22, Dublin
2012: 17-17 draw, Paris
2013: 13-13 draw, Dublin
2014: Ireland won 22-20, Paris
2015: Ireland won 18-11, Dublin; Ireland won 24-9, Cardiff
2016: France won 10-9, Paris

Apart from the 2015 World Cup game the post-2010 games between these sides have been really close with one score at most separating them. Two draws too!

French team

FRANCE (from 15 to 1): Spedding - Huget, Lamerat, Fickou, Nakaitaci -  Lopez,  Serin - Picamoles, Gourdon, Le Roux - Maestri, Vahaamahina - Slimani, Guirado (cap), Baille

subs: Tolofua, Atonio, Ben Arous, Le Devedec, Ollivon, Machenaud, Chavancy, Camara.

key changes :
- Slimani starts ahead of the big kiwi prop who was a bit disappointing - ben arous back from injury so on the bench.
- Le Roux starts as flanker following Goujon and Chouly injuries. Ollivon on the bench (just played one game after a long injury)
- Vakatawa injured and Huget starts which his probably a good thing given Vakatawa erratic positioning in defense.
- No fly half on the bench which probably means the end of Doussain in a blue shirt and that Serin would move to 10 if Lopez was injured.
- 1st deserved selection for Chavancy
- not sure what Camara does here - never rated him - maybe Lacroix is also injured - Noves could have called his son in law (Vincent Clerc) just for the sake of good old memories in Dublin

Most of the recent games have indeed been close but we've made life a lot harder for ourselves than we should have at times, not taking opportunities and generally not playing as well as we have against other opposition. We ought to have won every Dublin game since 2007, really, based on chances, territory and possession; we should certainly have won in Paris in 2012, when we let a biggish lead slip, and we almost managed the same trick in 2014. 2016 was a deeply frustrating experience all round as well.

Although we've at least started to beat the French from time to time, it does sometimes seem as if the psychological scars haven't completely healed when it comes to playing them. Good pack though they have, ours is not much inferior, if at all, and I'd like to think that we could draw away from them in the second half. Against this opposition, though, I'll believe it when I see it - I'll be happy enough with a win of any size and to move on to Wales.

Weather looks terrible so could be very attritional. That French side is huge.

With Spedding and Huget there we'll need to keep the ball in hand, it will be interesting to see who Schmidt picks at 15.

I have a feeling Ireland are going to be sweet. I don't say that often but then I don't publish my instincts so close to games (the Scotland one being a bloody example of me having serious doubts)

At this point I just think we're going to click.

So as usual, it might very well be that France beats the schidt out of us

And it's sad that Sin won't be able to watch the game, as I hear he and most of the Munster fans have been hiding a dirty secret from us, but the SA press have let it out. I'm actually disappointed with Sin. I've had my differences with him but always thought he was a fair man and a placid man.

rodders wrote:Weather looks terrible so could be very attritional. That French side is huge.

With Spedding and Huget there we'll need to keep the ball in hand, it will be interesting to see who Schmidt picks at 15.

Forecast Ive seen looks reasonable if not great....certainly nothing like as windy as today.

rodders wrote: That French side is huge.

only 885kgs (110kgs in average) as far as the starting forwards are concerned so probably below most 6N teams ?

SecretFly wrote:And it's sad that Sin won't be able to watch the game, as I hear he and most of the Munster fans have been hiding a dirty secret from us, but the SA press have let it out.  I'm actually disappointed with Sin.  I've had my differences with him but always thought he was a fair man and a placid man.

...........

Will be interesting to see if Ireland pick up any injuries from this game.

France physically battered Scotland and have been bringing that physicality in both games. Lacking a bit of finesse though.

beshocked wrote:Will be interesting to see if Ireland pick up any injuries from this game.

France physically battered Scotland and have been bringing that physicality in both games. Lacking a bit of finesse though.

I think that's the worry most have about Sexton if he starts, it becomes about how long he will last as he will be a target

Discipline will be key, Ireland will go back to the low risk style of the last few years and draw penalties from France

whocares wrote:

rodders wrote: That French side is huge.

only 885kgs (110kgs in average) as far as the starting forwards are concerned so probably below most 6N teams ?

11-15 are all pretty big guys for backs though.

Dropping Atonio to the bench makes a big difference in terms of the starting forwards' weight!

Cyril wrote:

whocares wrote:

rodders wrote: That French side is huge.

only 885kgs (110kgs in average) as far as the starting forwards are concerned so probably below most 6N teams ?

11-15 are all pretty big guys for backs though.

Dropping Atonio to the bench makes a big difference in terms of the starting forwards' weight!

And that kind of bulk coming on at 50/60 mins against a tiring front row could win a few penalties it can also be harder to stop on tired legs when it comes barrelling at you

Cyril wrote:

whocares wrote:

rodders wrote: That French side is huge.

only 885kgs (110kgs in average) as far as the starting forwards are concerned so probably below most 6N teams ?

11-15 are all pretty big guys for backs though.

Dropping Atonio to the bench makes a big difference in terms of the starting forwards' weight!

yes you do have a point re Atonio but otherwise we tend to start small props

am not sure what is the average test back weight these days but we only have one player above 100kgs (Lamerat with 104kg), the rest are in the mid 90s so yes no Shane Williams but hardly Nadolo territory!

BamBam wrote:

SecretFly wrote:And it's sad that Sin won't be able to watch the game, as I hear he and most of the Munster fans have been hiding a dirty secret from us, but the SA press have let it out.  I'm actually disappointed with Sin.  I've had my differences with him but always thought he was a fair man and a placid man.

...........

??

whocares wrote:

rodders wrote: That French side is huge.

only 885kgs (110kgs in average) as far as the starting forwards are concerned so probably below most 6N teams ?

This was for the first weekend of the tournament :

http://www.myprotein.com/thezone/training/six-nations-rugby-2017-weights-size-forces/
1: Wales – Overall – 1,591kg, Pack Weight – 909kg, Backs Weight – 682kg.

2: France – Overall – 1,590kg, Pack Weight – 936kg, Backs Weight – 651kg.

3: Ireland – Overall – 1,580kg, Pack Weight – 915kg, Backs Weight – 665kg.

4: Scotland – Overall – 1,579kg, Pack Weight – 905kg, Backs Weight – 674kg.

5: England – Overall – 1,560kg, Pack Weight – 921kg, Backs Weight – 639kg.

6: Italy – Overall – 1,518kg, Pack Weight – 878kg, Backs Weight – 640kg.

Now player weight stats are a bit dodgy but the pack that faced England truel was huge.

If this one is now slimmed down with replacements to just 885 kilos that does indeed make it one of the lightest, and represnets a significantly different French set up to what we have come to expect from the first two rounds. Whether thats accompanied by a change in playing style or not waits to be seen, it certainly seems theyve recognised that picking a 60 stone sack of custard has more downsides than upsides unless youre trying to make a giant trifle.

Do you think the province's experiences in Europe, (knowing when to take the 3 pts and when to go for the corner), can help us get a try bonus point in any of the last 3 games? (IF we are in that position within the games). Bests decision making could be crucial in the long term.

Also would be much happier to see Sexton/POM start as their win rate when starting (6 Nations, '14/'15 as opposed to '16) together is quite impressive.

Can anyone see a rugby miracle in Italy containing Eng down to the 3 tries?
Hopefully Scotland can keep themselves alive for the Eng game and scupper the Welsh.

Here's hoping in any case.

Team Up:

:

As expected really. Some great impact on the bench

thanks for the stats Goosebery. Atonio is indeed 40kgs heavier than Slimani so that does make a difference. Slimani is a better scrummager than Atonio (although his technique is a bit borderline) but was off form at the start of the 6N and we do not have that many choices at TH.

In the end I think Ireland will get at least parity on the scrums anyway and dominate the rucks as we do not have any specialist. Add to that the French indiscipline (penalised 13+ times per game) and mistakes coupled with Nigel Owens legendary empathy towards French teams , Ireland should really get close to 25-30 points without sweating too much...

Really strange that France's winger Virimi Vakatawa only plays international rugby and has no club. Only France would do this.

Eddie O'Sullivan reckons Ireland will target him with bombs all day long.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Really strange that France's winger Virimi Vakatawa only plays international rugby and has no club. Only France would do this.

Eddie O'Sullivan reckons Ireland will target him with bombs all day long.

He didn't make the 23, prob for this reason.

Ah I didnt see that. Drat.

Didnt he play against Scotland and England?

Vakatawas is listed as injured but was being tipped to be dropped anyway

Golden wrote:Team Up:

:

Don't like the balance of that backrow, feels like 3 8's playing. We've loads of 6 and 8 options and he chooses the lot. we need a 7 on the field (vdf injured i know but Leavy or tommy or someone). POM and Henderson on the bench makes it almost 5 players who could be argued to be for 2 jerseys (6 and 8).

I like the locks, they should do a job. Front row starts stronger, prefer 50 minutes out of McGrath and limited minutes of Healy. Lineout better perform a bit better.

Would prefer Zebo at FB and Trimble on the wing.... or even let Zebo on the wing and bring TOH in at FB (is he fit, his form should have him in there in front of a Rob who needs surgery if rumours are to be believed).

Think this will be a close one.

Ireland are always very strong, even more so at home. However France seem to have a pack of forwards that are stacked full of horrible monstrosities. The Irish pack need to dominate and also get the French pack moving around a bit.

If they do that Ireland will win. I do feel that there is a bit more expectation on Ireland and that might have an impact on the game.

I know he's only just coming back into fitness but I probably would have started POM for this one. If the risk is deemed acceptable for Sexton to start I would have taken the same gamble to get POM on the pitch too.

whocares wrote:

BamBam wrote:

SecretFly wrote:And it's sad that Sin won't be able to watch the game, as I hear he and most of the Munster fans have been hiding a dirty secret from us, but the SA press have let it out.  I'm actually disappointed with Sin.  I've had my differences with him but always thought he was a fair man and a placid man.

...........

??

Sin is too busy with prison life to respond.  Don't worry, it was just an article in 'SA Rugby' that suggested Rassie Erasmus got a "hostile and suspicious" reception from Munster supporters when he turned up to become Director.  That left the Munster boys bemused and scratching their heads.

https://twitter.com/Overthehillprop/status/833721994571087872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Is this Schmidt trying to protect Paddy for the rest of the 6N by sending Sexton into the game to take the wrath of the French power houses who almost certainly attack the 10 channel?

Really looking forward to this one because as much as Ireland played Italy off the park that first round defeat to Scotland is still where Ireland is at currently.

If Ireland decide to play both halves they should at least be close enough to win in the end. If they're not even close then back to the drawing board for the whole fecking lot of them including Joe being downgraded again in my Coachometer.

If that team that we're putting out (plus subs) isn't good enough to get a home result against a very strong but often times still very loopy French side then we should give our place to the Georgians.

You are a very extreme personality aren't you Fly

I'm learning to be, billy. And the dangerous thing is I like it

Watch out world, I think I'm becoming a megalomaniac. First Nation I'm going to take over is Wales and force it to rename itself as Meath!

Anyway, apart from my secretive plans to take over the world - how about the overview, billy, that there are few excuses left now with this Ireland team (the one Joe picked and subs). It has to be a result, and I'd say it has to be a pretty smooth result, to prove that the Scotland game was a blip in the kind of form Ireland have been building through last year?

We didn't put the foot on the gas in the first half against Scotland and paid the price for thinking we could manage the tempo. Last year, we realised that in order to compete at the highest level we just have to keep the tempo up and ruthless for most of the 80.

http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-ireland-have-to-target-certain-french-players-to-negate-their-gameplan-35475330.html

Well the game is already won lads . No need to turn on the TV

learnt so many things reading that article. Neil Francis has so much knowledge. Even discovered we have a player called Carlos Lopez

whocares wrote:http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-ireland-have-to-target-certain-french-players-to-negate-their-gameplan-35475330.html

Well the game is already won lads . No need to turn on the TV

learnt so many things reading that article. Neil Francis has so much knowledge. Even discovered we have a player called Carlos Lopez

Ignore Neil Francis. He is an embarrassing ass of the highest order, a hateful man.

whocares wrote:http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-ireland-have-to-target-certain-french-players-to-negate-their-gameplan-35475330.html

Well the game is already won lads . No need to turn on the TV

learnt so many things reading that article. Neil Francis has so much knowledge. Even discovered we have a player called Carlos Lopez

Franno gets all his rugby insight from Donald Trump - hence the freudian Mexican slip.

whocares wrote:http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-ireland-have-to-target-certain-french-players-to-negate-their-gameplan-35475330.html

Well the game is already won lads . No need to turn on the TV

learnt so many things reading that article. Neil Francis has so much knowledge. Even discovered we have a player called Carlos Lopez

Congratulations whocares. You guys are still in the fight for the title. We tried against you today but it wasn't enough - and our injury list now means we'll probably come in 2nd last this year.

Lol the Irish threads have been so quiet this year. Is that because of the conservative selections and blunt attack? Same old?

A combination of more Munster players in the team along with Ulster and Connacht not playing very well means less moaning controversy perhaps?

Scotland show that a bit of pace and guile can beat even the most tenacious defence. Who can provide it for Ireland?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Scotland show that a bit of pace and guile can beat even the most tenacious defence. Who can provide it for Ireland?

Is that a trick question, Rory?

It does come down to two things - high tempo plus accuracy.  We're capable but we again have to re-prove that we can do it consistently.  With this new points system, it's kind of forcing us to play that way more ( a bonus) but France know how they're going to play it and we seriously are in a big game today to meet it.

Dragging on isn't it

Moronic from Earls there.

So sloppy.

Thanks Simon

Surely that's a knock on

France finding a bit of rhthym, Huget carrying the ball well, lucky for Ireland that this is a knock on!!

Back 3 playing as they did against the Scots. Kearney is missing tackles by such a margin you'd be more worried if he was aiming for the player beside you

At least we have some pace on the bench. Oh...