6N 2018: France v Ireland

France v Ireland
3 February 2018

Kick off: 16:45
Venue: Stade de France
Referee: Nigel Owens

France:
15. Geoffrey Palis (Castres)
14. Teddy Thomas (Racing 92)
13. Rémi Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne)
12. Henry Chavancy (Racing 92)
11. Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92)
10. Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles)
9. Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92)
1. Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bègles)
2. Guilhem Guirado (Toulon) (c)
3. Rabah Slimani (Clermont Auvergne)
4. Sébastien Vahaamahina (Clermont Auvergne)
5. Arthur Iturria (Clermont Auvergne)
6. Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92)
7. Yacouba Camara (Montpellier)
8. Kévin Gourdon (La Rochelle)

Replacements:
16. Adrien Pelissié (Bordeaux-Bègles)
17. Dany Priso (La Rochelle)
18. Cedate Gomes Sa (Racing 92)
19. Paul Gabrillagues (La Rochelle)
20. Marco Tauleigne (Bordeaux-Bègles)
21. Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
22. Anthony Belleau (Toulon)
23. Benjamin Fall (Montpellier)

Ireland:
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 78 caps
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 62 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 31 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 2 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 4 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 68 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 59 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 73 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 106 caps (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 19 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 34 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 42 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 18 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 56 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 42 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 11 caps
19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 53 caps
20. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 6 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 6 caps
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 32 caps

I thought it deserved its own thread.

Not the strongest team for France but a pretty brutal one. As I wrote on another thread, I do hope the French do not target Sexton in the same way they have in recent years (2014 Bastareaud).

Just have this feeling that Ireland will get dragged into a slug fest as that will suit the French more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs2RpLq9v_g

Slug Fest?         Is that like a music festival for garden pests?

I have every confidence in our pack. It looks very strong!

Well that's me done for this thread then.

?

Not sure I would describe this as a brutal French team. The back row is smaller than recent games with Gourdon replacing king Louis at 8. However its probably the most mobile pack France have had for a long time. All the forwards, with the exception of Slimani, are pretty quick around the park. The midfield isn't the biggest but Chavancy and Lamerat are both superb defenders, and good distributers. If young Jalibert goes well then I think their backs could be threatening. Vakatawa is finally beginning to look like a 15's player and Thomas is getting back to his best form that led to his first cap a couple of seasons ago. I think France will turn up and play. Could be a cracker.

France are a great rugby Nation with a rich heritage and some scintillating ideas on beautiful rugby when they get into their stride and when in an era of top form.............

But................... they're not in such an era.  They are currently 9th in the world rankings.

Now Ireland was once in the same position and down there in 9th; and a new coach brought a jump in fortunes quickly and we climbed up the rankings quickly again.  So of course we could meet a French team ready to party again at the highest levels with their new coach and some changed faces and a new sense of morale that must come whenever an underperforming side gets a new boss.

Ireland should though be ridding itself of old habits - we constantly give ourselves mental obstacles to cross, we remember tradition too much.  We have a squad now that is skilled enough as individuals and operates as a team to levels that has it at number 3 in the world rankings.  We should learn now to be a little more assertive in our thought processes and expect wins.  This is not to be arrogant or condescending but it is simply a mentality that is required to get to those higher levels and actually win contests  - like the Six Nations - like a World Cup?

Of course I could have egg on my face by Monday but this year, above all others in recent times, I feel a strong sense that we are finally getting there as a rugby Nation that can genuinely claim we're good enough to win big tournaments.  Often in the past, we've come up short too many times because of our limitations when main players get injured.  How many runner up spots have we had?  Too many.  We have a genuine squad now to be consistently potent without any excuses.  Will we be?  I don't have a clue.

But if we lose to France on Saturday then there will be no places to run for excuses because we have the ammunition to win and to win well. Genuine inner belief is the next hurdle.

Jalibert is some talent, I really like that France are going with him. I recall him carving up the Falcons defence, beating 5 players who got nowhere near him.

There is nothing arrogant in suggesting that Ireland should win with some margin. They have the best players, the most settled and experience team so there is not much to debate. If France somehow win that game (and honestly I don’t see how) it would be due to some Act of God, one or two early red cards or some really Poopie weather.

How times have changed, whocares hoping for some poopie weather to give France a chance.

It used to be the French flair that killed us (that and a huge monkey on our backs), they could score from anywhere.

I remember so clearly young BOD scoring that hattrick, our first win in Paris for a gazillion years!

They are still the team I have nightmares about.

Ireland seem stronger in every department this time around, but it doesn't always work out to plan.

sensisball wrote:Not sure I would describe this as a brutal French team. The back row is smaller than recent games with Gourdon replacing king Louis at 8. However its probably the most mobile pack France have had for a long time. All the forwards, with the exception of Slimani, are pretty quick around the park.

Yup it looks like they're going for a more mobile pack this time rather than a juggernaut pack. I think Guirado is one of the top hookers in the world and a good choice as captain.


I think Ireland will try to play a quicker game too and there were signs in november that they're looking to counter attack more and go wide when theres an opportunity. The inclusion of James Ryan also hints of this.

Greetings to our allies on either side of the sea to us.

I've come here for a bit quiet time from bashing the Welsh boys (the poor souls honestly believe they're going to win tomorrow, bless em)

So, whats the gossip for this match then? Who can tell us about this 19 year old stand off that France are deploying? Not going to lie, I don't recall seeing half of fellas named in the french team playing before. Are they mostly new lads?

Ireland on the other hand look like a team full of old heads. Is there a chance though that Ireland are getting too old?

Not again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe promised us he's check out the Birth Certs this time! Even Earls fooled him again this time round. Joe thinks he's still a 'young' rookie and him 30.

tigertattie wrote:

So, whats the gossip for this match then? Who can tell us about this 19 year old stand off that France are deploying? Not going to lie, I don't recall seeing half of fellas named in the french team playing before. Are they mostly new lads

Matthieu Jalibert has been involved in maybe 15 pro games (top 14 and Challenge cup). He might be an exciting prospect but he never has been against that kind of opposition before so the chances he cannot manage the pressure are quite high and to be honest I won’t blame him. Can’t blame the management as well as the alternatives were either similar (Belleau), already tested and failed (plisson) or well just too old (Beauxis). That’s why Parra would have been useful in a kind of mentor role.

Do you think he is a defensive liability Whocares or he'll just not be effective in running the backline?

tigertattie wrote:Greetings to our allies on either side of the sea to us.

I've come here for a bit quiet time from bashing the Welsh boys (the poor souls honestly believe they're going to win tomorrow, bless em)

So, whats the gossip for this match then? Who can tell us about this 19 year old stand off that France are deploying? Not going to lie, I don't recall seeing half of fellas named in the french team playing before. Are they mostly new lads?

Ireland on the other hand look like a team full of old heads. Is there a chance though that Ireland are getting too old?

Best (35), Sexton (32), Kearney (31) and Earls (30) are the only ones in their 30s. The rest are early to mid 20s, so no, apart from Best, the team is quite young.

He is ok but don’t think he can run a back line like Sexton or defend like Wilkinson. He is more a type of young inexperienced Russel... explains why they have 2 big centres to protect the gaps.

https://www.606v2.com/t67097-606v2-espn-fantasy-league

Final reminder!

I'm really interested in seeing how that backrow gets on for Ireland. Normally Schmidt picks a big lump at 7, bud JVDF seems to be a proper openside pick. That backrow balance looks spot on and very very good.

Where is Baptist Serin?!!!!

I think it will go well. O'Brien and Stander smashing into French forwards might have made ground but may not have gone anywhere. VDF is nippy, is a menace in the ruck and gives good support in attack and defence. He made 34 tackles in the game against Connacht over Christmas.

Its wet in Paris so expect lots of kicking and possibly a dull game.

Good to see a former Truro college boy making his 6N debut for Ireland.

profitius wrote:Its wet in Paris so expect lots of kicking and possibly a dull game.

Suits France if that’s the case.

Owens quite strict today on the rucks.

Just heard the hia decision for a leg injury for France. They need to be hammered for that sort of stuff. Anyone doing it does.

France look very inspired out there. Ireland do not look good at all, solid in defence is about the only compliment I can pay them.

Another dubious French call for an HIA for a clear knee injury. When will they be punished for these incidents.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Just heard the hia decision for a leg injury for France.  They need to be hammered for that sort of stuff. Anyone doing it does.

It was an independent doctor who asked Jalibert to go out. Not the French one. So assume he saw something else.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Just heard the hia decision for a leg injury for France.  They need to be hammered for that sort of stuff. Anyone doing it does.

You are wrong. On the ref's mike Owens clearly told the French he had to go off for an HIA because he suspected a head knock. The fact that he hurt his knee is irrelevant.

Jalibert not coming back anyway. Done it’s ACL.

Stand corrected then lads, thought it was the French playing silly beggers. My apologies whocares

VdF off with what looked like a popped knee.

Solid so far from Ireland, if unspectacular.

Looks like France has turned up this year, they look dangerous.

That was dumb. Could have been YC easily.

France look fairly organised so far.

Don’t think France are dangerous in attack to be honest but at least have occasionally been good in defense and the backrow seem to work. Ireland playing the safe way so far, structure is there but perhaps they lack a bit in aggression.
Am starting to think we will call the U20 fly half for the next game!

Eddie Buttler is starting to annoy me as well. He cannot pronounce players names and thinks that Aki and Henshaw are one and the same. If you were only listening to his commentary you would not think that Henshaw was on the field

Thanks for that exiled. Just going by he commentary so there you go.

I fear France will explode in the 2H : already 100 tackles made vs 70% possession for Ireland.

This game is hard work. Ireland muscular and great kicking as usual, but not able to break down France.

France - fighting hard but not able to break down Irish defense, and not enough discipline

Ireland are much better and should win, but there won't be a lot of points. Weather doesn't help

Sexton misses a penalty : probably the highlight of this 2H so far.

Fair play to France, they have been solid in defence (discipline very poor) but Ireland have been incredibly un-imaginative in attack. So very conservative again...

Jesus Vahaamahina should have been subbed. Dumb mistakes after dumb mistake.

Ireland getting the rub of the green here as well with Owens, pretty sure Sexton should have been penalised there in a very kickable position for France.

Hmm I used to think Nigel Owens was a good ref...

There's one team that wants to play attacking rugby but isn't clinical enough to do it and one who is happy to play pragmatic rugby and finish with attacking score divisible by 3.

Sorry for Ireland but, thank feck..

formerly known as Sam wrote:

There's one team that wants to play attacking rugby but isn't clinical enough to do it and one who is happy to play pragmatic rugby and finish with attacking score divisible by 3.

This X100.

Welcome to Ireland under Schmidt, Mr conservative. People will say a win is a win and it is but this is anti rugby.

France score on the attack, well scored try

Both France and Ireland deserve that try. That's where playing it safe gets you.

eirebilly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

There's one team that wants to play attacking rugby but isn't clinical enough to do it and one who is happy to play pragmatic rugby and finish with attacking score divisible by 3.

This X100.

Welcome to Ireland under Schmidt, Mr conservative. People will say a win is a win and it is but this is anti rugby.

France score on the attack, well scored try

Cold wet night, not a bad idea to be pragmatic. If you do that you've got to generate a lead of at least 9 points otherwise you're always open to a moment of class like that.

There is pragmatic Sam and there is this. Ireland have again shown absolutely no attacking imagination at all. All to often we see Ireland build up a small lead, try to defend and lose.

Schmidt is simply far to negative and conservative.

Machenaud shouldn’t be allowed to get back in ?