Ireland v France (pre/during/post thread)

juvenal

Ireland v France
Saturday 7 February 2009 5.00pm
Croke Park, Dublin
Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ.ie, RTÉ Radio 1; BBC1, BBC Radio 5 Live

Ireland|No.|France
Robert Kearney|15|Clement Poitrenaud
Tommy Bowe|14|Julien Malzieu
Brian O’Driscoll|13|Florian Fritz
Paddy Wallace|12|Yannick Jauzion
Luke Fitzgerald|11|Maxime Medard
Ronan O’Gara|10|Lionel Beauxis
Tomas O’Leary|9|Sebastien Tillous-Borde
Marcus Horan|1|Lionel Faure
Jerry Flannery|2|Dimitri Szarzewski
John Hayes|3|Benoit Lecouls
Donnacha O’Callaghan|4|Sebastien Chabal
Paul O’Connell|5|Lionel Nallet
Stephen Ferris|6|Thierry Dusautoir
David Wallace|7|Fulgence Ouedraogo
Jamie Heaslip|8|Imanol Harinordoquy

Ireland Replacements: Rory Best, Tom Court, Malcolm O'Kelly, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Gordon D'Arcy, Geordan Murphy.

France Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Nicolas Mas, Romain Millo-Chluski, Louis Picamoles, Morgan Parra, Benoit Baby, Cedric Heymans

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), David Changleng (Scotland)

Since I'm working later and will be rolling out of the bed to Croker tomorrow, I said I'd start this and give my 2c.

Tough match, but actually happy that it's the first game. Delighted with the team selection, and as other posters pointed out here, perhaps the hooker and no. 8 a toss up. Without overdoing the hype, I think Robert Kearney has the potential to be player of the tournament, and I know everyone hopes he lives up to the hype. It's huge that he's been passed fit this evening.

A big, big performance is needed from the pack, and hopefully a repeat of last years match in Paris in that respect. To win, Ireland need good performances from their key personnel, ROG, POC, and Wallace and BOD in the centre. If these four positions, and the front row in scrums, can fire, we really should take them at home.

Set-piece is also key, and there's no reason why Ireland cannot target the scrum and lineout. We need a bit more flair and variation from the back line, and it has a nice balance to it. Considering the impotence of late in the Leinster backline, it'll be very interesting to see what tomorrow brings. Wallace and Bowe are in great form and bring something different to the party.

The 9-10 axis isn't a worry, with the option of Stringer off the bench to inject some pace into the game should it need a shot with 25 or so to go. Reddan is probably a little unlucky insofar that he's more similar to O'Leary than Stringer, and in that respect I think Kidney has gone with the correct call on the bench with Strings. He's a different prospect, and his quick pass and big-game experience is ideal should Ireland need to increase the tempo of the game.

The crowd are also vital, and hopefully with a new management team and optimism, we'll have a great atmosphere tomorrow evening. The later kick off can make a huge difference under lights as the crowd have a bit more time to get into the occasion and perhaps have a couple of settlers beforehand!

Calling it, I'll go for Ireland by 10pts. Perhaps somewhere around 31-21.

Rattlehead_ie

This is going to be a pretty pointless post but

Ref : 'Nigel Owens' /facepalm
I'll go for Ireland by 5/6 points but I wouldnt put money on it

Stick_man

The closer we get to the game the more apprehensive im becoming. Our record against France is awful. They hold the advantage in the scrum and with a very mobile back-row probably the line-out aswell. I would have gone with Leamy, Heaslip is perhaps a more skillful footballer but has nowhere near the same levels of aggression and physicality that Leamy offers. Other then that Im pleased with the team and hope that Kearney, Bowe, Fitz really go for it tommorrow. One prediction about the game....BOD to have a stormer.

daithiolabhrai

To be honest, we're putting out a very strong side but, at the same time, so too are France, and so I expect France to win by 3 points lets hope I'm wrong!

The Ritz

@juvenal,

Cracking first post.


Loking forward to the match, the lads have some ghosts to put to rest and I agree with the general approval of the team selection. This may not be a pretty match but if the backline can get moving well they have the skill to do the necessary.

Ritz.

Colm_OReilly

I'll go for the first projection, based off extensive form analysis both in the last few years 6 Nations, the AIs, and currently HEC form.

21-17 Ireland

Or, I just picked that number because it felt right to me.

chris85

Im looking forward to seeing Wallace and BOD playing together as will be good to get some game time there. Also the prospect of Darcy there will be good to see later in the game if needed. Good call for Kidney to keep on the bench at the start.

I hope the pack is tight and plays the lineout well (hope we get the lineout back to its good time we used to have) and that the scrum will be firm.

I am liking Flannery in there as well as I think he is our most mobile hooker which will be helpful against a very mobile French team. hope he can scrum well today.

on the previous thoughts of Kearney maybe being player of the tournament I think this good well be the case. He is so good and is consistent although in Oz at the moment so havent seen much lately in terms of the Magners or H'Cup so hoping its still the same

Jemmy

:DCome on Ireland!:D



That all I have to say!

Orizio

France by 5.

Spore

The lads back in the studio - big ugly glare on the cheapo looking steel table, the Hookster banging out the billical metaphors "makes gethsemane look like Butlins!", guys sqabbling about predictions, crash-zome on George's tie - It doesn't get much more parochial and Irish than this...

Yes it's the Six Nations! Wohoo! Crack open a cold one, sit back and watch the banter!

Latchy

I'm gonna tape the match on BBC 1



and watch the liverpool v porthsmouth match on setanta


'' Come on Ireland ''

mcmid

Ah yes, this time of year has arrived again. The time of year when the D4 brigade, some muck savages from the south west and a few nordies all get excited about an obnoxious team who sing two anthems who inevitably win nothing :rolleyes:

Ponster

I'm off to the local Basque to see the match being the only Irish in a sea of French drinkers

Jemmy

mcmid wrote: »

Ah yes, this time of year has arrived again. The time of year when the D4 brigade, some muck savages from the south west and a few nordies all get excited about an obnoxious team who sing two anthems who inevitably win nothing :rolleyes:

Wow what a constructive first post! :rolleyes:

anonymous_joe

mcmid wrote: »

Ah yes, this time of year has arrived again. The time of year when the D4 brigade, some muck savages from the south west and a few nordies all get excited about an obnoxious team who sing two anthems who inevitably win nothing :rolleyes:

Back foul ruffian before we beat you with our wallets! :rolleyes:

Seriously, mate, wtf? Why post that utter drivel in a rugby forum? If you don't like the sport, don't post about it.

Beruthiel

Ponster wrote: »

I'm off to the local Basque to see the match being the only Irish in a sea of French drinkers

Bonne chance et allez les Irlandais!!

I presume you have enough french to hurl abuse a the TV?
If not, let me know, I've some good ones

Spore

mcmid wrote: »

Ah yes, this time of year has arrived again. The time of year when the D4 brigade, some muck savages from the south west and a few nordies all get excited about an obnoxious team who sing two anthems who inevitably win nothing :rolleyes:

Mods, ban this guy. Seriously, for his own safety

mcmid

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Back foul ruffian before we beat you with our wallets! :rolleyes:

Seriously, mate, wtf? Why post that utter drivel in a rugby forum? If you don't like the sport, don't post about it.

I love winding up the rugby fraternity

easily done tbh

mcmid

Spore wrote: »

Mods, ban this guy. Seriously, for his own safety

Ha ha, are you gonna tackle me to death?


Football > Rugby

Jemmy

mcmid wrote: »

I love winding up the rugby fraternity

easily done tbh

Doesnt say much about you if thats how you get your kicks! lol
Have you nothing better to do with your saturday?:rolleyes:

Orizio

Spore wrote: »

Mods, ban this guy. Seriously, for his own safety

Now now I don't think Joe is actually going to beat him to death with his wallet...;)

mcmid

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Seriously, mate, wtf? Why post that utter drivel in a rugby forum? If you don't like the sport, don't post about it.

I just know you said this in your best Conor O'Shea accent :rolleyes: plank!

Beruthiel

mcmid wrote: »

Ha ha, are you gonna tackle me to death?

No. Just site ban you.

Noopti

Beruthiel wrote: »

No. Just site ban you.

Nice.

Looking forward to the game. Nerves starting to kick in, but hopefully the 6 cans of Guinness chilling in the fridge will help ease those!

Ireland by 6 to 10.

juvenal

Very cold here, but dry and a cloudless, sunny sky. A breeze coming from over the Nally Terrace (from behind the tv camera view).

Prob a bit late to be posting this, but the reflink frequency is 96.0fm for anyone with a radio at the game.

Orizio

Have to say, the French and Italian anthems are things of beauty.

Stev_o

Orizio wrote: »

Have to say, the French and Italian anthems are things of beauty.

Italian one is made of pure brilliance.

Harpy

c'mon Ireland

Any live streams for outside ireland?

Stev_o

Number 7 France binding to Wallace and ref doesnt even notice .

LuckyLloyd

3 - 0, O'Gara penalty.

LuckyLloyd

Chabal gets his first carry, held up in the tackle by Ferris and driven backwards into the ground.

Stev_o

France playing right on the gainline and getting past it slightly worrying.

Wisesmurf

I feckin hate Ryle Nugent. He's pronouncing the French team names akin to the way Steve McLaren did when he did that interview fot Twente against Arsenal...

LuckyLloyd

Ireland very fortunate not to concede a try initially when the French knock on. Then incredibly fortunate to not concede a penalty for offside after they dilly dally with the put in and lose possession.

Lines cleared now, but French have clearly shown intent...

Agent Smith

Deleted User wrote: »

Any live streams for outside ireland?

Anyone?

LuckyLloyd

For Chabal's second carry, he runs Heaslip over and makes good yardage with a barreling run.

Quixote1064

Agent Smith wrote: »

Anyone?

http://www.ustream.tv/videoplayerpopup/channel/312843

Stev_o

To quote RF back his hayday

"ROG is like a turnstyle"

Ironic given the opposition

LuckyLloyd

Try Harinodoquy, 3 - 7

Completely pwn us with a demonstration of fluent offloading and running. Thoroughly deserved. Not looking good...

Orizio

7 - 6, O' Gara penalty.

LuckyLloyd

O'Gara successful after the French concede a soft penalty at the breakdown, 6 - 7.

Orizio

Why exactly do we keep kicking to Poitrenaud?

LuckyLloyd

Orizio wrote: »

Why exactly do we keep kicking to Poitrenaud?

This is an excellent question.

syngindub

game up to now been played in Ireland's half. France a different class

Stev_o

Some of the best rugby iv seen in some time from the French lovely stuff.

LuckyLloyd

If the game continues to be this type of high paced slugfest we're going to lose - and by more than a score.

LuckyLloyd

O, how I wish Ronan O'Gara would remove the 'clever' chip and chase from his reportaire.

LuckyLloyd

France concede a penalty on their own 5 meter line towards the center of the pitch for preventing the release in the ruck. O'Gara misses to the right.

andyman

HEASLIP!!! BRILLIANT!!!

Euro_Kraut

MAGIC!!!!