Ireland v France, Saturday, February 25

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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

Well good you realised in the end that you post was clumsily worded initially.

Scotland are definitely in with a shout. They were my pick to win the tournament at the start. I think they should have won v France.

If it was in Murrayfield I would be more confident of a win however its still very possible. England have become quite complacent. Owen Farrell seems to have completely bought into the hype around him and was dreadful on Saturday so you never know.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

rodders wrote:Decent win but disappointing not to take more points in Frances half - 5 points was there for the taking but we were very sloppy at the breakdown.

A bonus point win would have as good as rapped up the title but will just have to rack one up against England now.

Murray and Sexton a class apart. Big games from Best and Henshaw too.

I don't think we will need a BP win v England. We will just need to win by 8 points or more which is doable at home. We won 19-9 last time we played England at home.

England are unlikely to reel in our points difference. Supposing we beat Wales by 1 point England will have to beat Scotland by 30 points to equal Ireland's points difference.

They will then have to beat Scotland by 47 points plus for Ireland to need to win by more than 8 points in the final game. That is quite unlikely as they have never defeated Scotland by more than 40 points and this is a good Scotland team.

Basically if Ireland beat Wales without a BP and England win with a BP as expected Ireland will need a 8 point win. If England win without a BP then any win will do for Ireland assuming they beat Wales.

Totaly agree with this. Ireland should just have to win at home ...assuming neither team slips up in the other week. That said nboth fixtures are looking distincly iffy, I cant see Wales rolling over for Ireland and England struggled with the basics even if you take the rucks thing out of the Italy game....Scotland have shown theya re one of teh stronger teams in this years tournament.
Its highly unlikley England will beat Scotland by a wide margin, and frankly arent in any position to go chasing one from the off.

It really should come down to a straight game between England and Ireland to decide the title, and as things stand Id have Ireland as favourites in their own back yard.

Oh for the day when winning was just winning. It feels like I'm back - at the back - of Maths class

SecretFly wrote:Oh for the day when winning was just winning.  It feels like I'm back - at the back - of Maths class

Welcome to 2013

Loving the Irish confidence. It's about time they stopped acting like the whipped dog of the rugby world.

Their fans are often too nice. Good to see a bit of bite from the likes of rodders and guns. Keep it up boys!

Yeah, those two have really come out of their box this year. Usually such timid lads.

SecretFly wrote:Yeah, those two have really come out of their box this year.  Usually such timid lads.

Well, they went pretty quiet in late February last year. Internet outage again?

I think Wales could just beat this over-confident Irish side (remember how the Irish were going to thrash Scotland to set up a slam (to add to 3 in their entire history?).

Round 4
Mar 10 - Wales v Ireland - Wayne Barnes
Mar 11 - Italy v France - Ben O'Keeffe
Mar 11 - England v Scotland - Mathieu Raynal
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30448.php#deS0RBbimD067lBC.99

mikey_dragon wrote:Round 4
Mar 10 - Wales v Ireland - Wayne Barnes
Mar 11 - Italy v France - Ben O'Keeffe
Mar 11 - England v Scotland - Mathieu Raynal
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30448.php#deS0RBbimD067lBC.99

At least Ireland have a ready-made excuse for when it goes pear-shaped

Glad you're keeping an eye on them Cyril. Two feisty lads like that need chaperoning.

SecretFly wrote:Glad you're keeping an eye on them Cyril.  Two feisty lads like that need chaperoning.  

I'm doing my best, Fly. It is a bit like herding cats though

Cyril wrote:I think Wales could just beat this over-confident Irish side (remember how the Irish were going to thrash Scotland to set up a slam (to add to 3 in their entire history?).

Ouch.... a chin shot and then a kick in the nuts. You're on fire today, Cyril! I'm glad Eddie has put a spark back into your step. Aussie confidence, you can't beat it. It's addictive and it's why I love most of them.

SecretFly wrote:

Cyril wrote:I think Wales could just beat this over-confident Irish side (remember how the Irish were going to thrash Scotland to set up a slam (to add to 3 in their entire history?).

Ouch.... a chin shot and then a kick in the nuts.  You're on fire today, Cyril!  I'm glad Eddie has put a spark back into your step.  Aussie confidence, you can't beat it.  It's addictive and it's why I love most of them.  

I'm coming out swinging

I think somebody (probably a mod) said the boards were too quiet recently. I'd tend to agree.

Cyril wrote:

I think somebody (probably a mod) said the boards were too quiet recently. I'd tend to agree.

Did they?

It's only about a week ago that I was warned I was making the threads too 'lively' by one of them

I wish these mods would make up their minds.

Cyril wrote:I think Wales could just beat this over-confident Irish side (remember how the Irish were going to thrash Scotland to set up a slam (to add to 3 in their entire history?).

I predicted a Scotland win, plenty of others did too.

For this fixture I would of course be worried about Wales, they are a good side but possibly not a great side. Ireland often struggle against Wales when they are still in the championship but now they are pretty much out so I think it will be a narrow Ireland win.

Wayne Barnes will ref so he could also determine the result if he is in the mood. There is no way he should be ref for this game given England are in first place and Ireland in second on the table and since he went to school in Wales.

SecretFly wrote:

Cyril wrote:

I think somebody (probably a mod) said the boards were too quiet recently. I'd tend to agree.

Did they?

It's only about a week ago that I was warned I was making the threads too 'lively' by one of them  

I wish these mods would make up their minds.  

Were you in the lower threads? I think the policing is a bit more aggressive there and the mods have been up-gunned (I believe they have an 'extreme prejudice' remit).

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Wayne Barnes will ref so he could also determine the result if he is in the mood. There is no way he should be ref for this game given England are in first place and Ireland in second on the table and since he went to school in Wales.

...it didn't take long.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Wayne Barnes will ref so he could also determine the result if he is in the mood. There is no way he should be ref for this game given England are in first place and Ireland in second on the table and since he went to school in Wales.

You really have so much in common with our old friend greyghost.

mikey_dragon wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Wayne Barnes will ref so he could also determine the result if he is in the mood. There is no way he should be ref for this game given England are in first place and Ireland in second on the table and since he went to school in Wales.

...it didn't take long.

He is English and Ireland and England are still in the hunt for the title. If Ireland lose they are more than likely out. You really think there should be an English/Welsh ref? Is it not a conflict of interest?

Wales fans were never happy when Rolland reffed Wales v France games despite Rolland living in Dublin his whole life.

Cyril wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Round 4
Mar 10 - Wales v Ireland - Wayne Barnes
Mar 11 - Italy v France - Ben O'Keeffe
Mar 11 - England v Scotland - Mathieu Raynal
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30448.php#deS0RBbimD067lBC.99

At least Ireland have a ready-made excuse for when it goes pear-shaped

Fook sake, there goes the bloody bonus point.

I think the English are going to be for us anyway because they want the last game to mean something I'm told so that the Slam is sweeter on the lips.

So Wayne will probably give North a red card at 33 minutes.

They should've got a neutral ref like the Frenchman ...Rolland

Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Whats Sean O'brian got to do with it?

Son Of a B?

Gooseberry wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Whats Sean O'brian got to do with it?

Hes the lovely fellow in green dropping the elbow on the prone French player

munkian wrote:

Gooseberry wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Whats Sean O'brian got to do with it?

Hes the lovely fellow in green dropping the elbow on the prone French player

Ireland are so dirty I didn't notice the elbow for the stamping.

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Oh here we go. Now we've got the Welsh out with their bloodhounds, trying to manufacture an Irish team stocked with academy players. Don't you want an entertaining game, lads?

SecretFly wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Oh here we go.  Now we've got the Welsh out with their bloodhounds, trying to manufacture an Irish team stocked with academy players.  Don't you want an entertaining game, lads?

A 6ft 10 lock landing on a prone player hardly takes Sherlock to spot ya bollix

I see him flexing his knee to avoid downward pressure. But keep it up. Our academy guys need a good run out.

SecretFly wrote:I see him flexing his knee to avoid downward pressure.  But keep it up.  Our academy guys need a good run out.

He'll need to go to Marks and Spencer to get some quality biscuits.

He moved to his right after contact...

munkian wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

Oh here we go.  Now we've got the Welsh out with their bloodhounds, trying to manufacture an Irish team stocked with academy players.  Don't you want an entertaining game, lads?

A 6ft 10 lock landing on a prone player hardly takes Sherlock to spot ya bollix

Had to hurdle a raised leg at the last minute from a player laying in an offside position, doesn't look good but contact is as much do with the French player rolling into Toners foot and getting his arm clipped as much as anything

Without that thought Toney may have landed on his head

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

You think elbowing a players leg away is really dirty? Hardly worth a citing.

Toner's action looked clumsy, but it's something they might want to look at.

Love the reaction of the French posters. The French aren't really known for fair play.

Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

You think elbowing a players leg away is really dirty? Hardly worth a citing.

Toner's action looked clumsy, but it's something they might want to look at.

Love the reaction of the French posters. The French aren't really known for fair play.

Neither are you lot.

And his leg ? Is Biology a sin over there ?

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

Munkian undoubtedly will find you one. A little patience and it'll be up here.

munkian wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

You think elbowing a players leg away is really dirty? Hardly worth a citing.

Toner's action looked clumsy, but it's something they might want to look at.

Love the reaction of the French posters. The French aren't really known for fair play.

Neither are you lot.

And his leg ? Is Biology a sin over there ?

Scotland had to win sometime, Munk. It was only a matter of time. Fair dues to them.

Gents you should get your submissions over to the citing commissioners before the deadline today. Im sure they will be delighted to get your opinions on all of Ireland's dirty play.

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

Scottrf wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

So if two players clash heads they both have to be sent off?

munkian wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

You think elbowing a players leg away is really dirty? Hardly worth a citing.

Toner's action looked clumsy, but it's something they might want to look at.

Love the reaction of the French posters. The French aren't really known for fair play.

Neither are you lot.

And his leg ? Is Biology a sin over there ?

Depends on whether we are married or not.

I don't think Ireland have a reputation as a dirty team. More sinned against than sinning, I believe.

That's the sermon for the day. If you need any more theological advice you will have to wait

Scottrf wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

We all know that but contact doesn't mean its dangerous

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

So if two players clash heads they both have to be sent off?

Not sure if you're being stupid or facetious but it would have to be reckless.

Scottrf wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

Is that a new law?

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:Dirty dirty SOB

https://twitter.com/greub1/status/835536093151956997

Toner could be in trouble too.

You think elbowing a players leg away is really dirty? Hardly worth a citing.

Toner's action looked clumsy, but it's something they might want to look at.

Love the reaction of the French posters. The French aren't really known for fair play.

Neither are you lot.

And his leg ? Is Biology a sin over there ?

Depends on whether we are married or not.

I don't think Ireland have a reputation as a dirty team. More sinned against than sinning, I believe.

That's the sermon for the day. If you need any more theological advice you will have to wait

That would be an ecunemical matter

Munchkin wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Yeah nothing will come of either of those I'd guess. Although would want to see a longer clip to see if it was avoidable for Toner.

He has a right to try and jump over a player obstructing entrance to the ruck, hes not exactly agile so made a mess of it

Too many tacklers lay behind the ruck these days Im surprised more don't get clattered and injured

You have a responsibility for player safety no matter what you're allowed to do. You're allowed to kick the ball, but if a player's head is there it's a red.

Is that a new law?

Need an example? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/11/21/england-blow-joe-launchbury-hit-two-week-ban-kicking-will-miss/