France V Ireland 6Ns Sat 11th Feb RTE2 20:00

phog

RBS 6 Nations Analysis: France v Ireland

by Kurt McQuilkin on RTE

Declan Kidney has given the frontliners a chance to redeem themselves against France by only making one change to the starting line-up with Keith Earls coming in. This will be a match that can't come quickly enough for those men after the heartbreak of last weekend.

France are going to attack Ireland with width at Stade De France on Saturday night - and Ireland urgently need to get back into their groove to repel that threat because it was a very un-Irish defensive display after what we have come to expect from this team under Less Kiss' tutelage.


If they let the French attack come onto them as they did against the Welsh it will spell disaster.

Last week, the Irish defense appeared to press off their line for two or three steps and then "paddle" in a holding position, letting the opposition attack come at them. This is a ploy usually used when your defensive screen is caught in a numbers down situation.

This time, Ireland must keep pressing after that intial two or three steps and enter the contact zone on their terms. That will give them much needed momentum to bring into the tackle situation.

You can always tell when a defensive screen is not at its best. Communication levels drop from the inside defenders and outside defenders either look inwards or "shoot" out of the defensive screen on no better than 50/50 reads, just to try and make an impact on the proceedings. The defensive victims of this behaviour are your linespeed and line integrity.

A classic example of this was George North's try. Tommy Bowe planted for a second and looked in as Rob Kearney came across on his inside on a covering line. If the communication lines had worked, Kearney would have push Bowe out to the next channel and give him a one on one shot at stopping that telling eventual try.

Another worrying trend last weekend from a phase defensive point of view were the soaks and missed tackles out in the "belly" of the Irish defensive line.

Ireland must make better decisions in defence



These forced the defender immediately outside the initial hit to step in to help with the tackle. The knock on effect of that is a narrowing of the defensive screen because you lack numbers at the next phase, which opens you to getting skirted around the outside by the attack.

The French are masters at this style of play.


What do Ireland need to do? Tackle selection will play a massive part in the outcome of this match. Big impact hit opportunites only come along two or three times for an individual player during a match. Looking to turn every tackle into a high impact one gets you and your defensive screen in big trouble. You must pick your battles and keep your line integrity with good regulation hits until the right opportunity arises.

From an attacking point of view, Ireland cannot afford to kick too much ball away because it will give the French back three of Julien Malzieu, Maxime Medard and Vincent Clerc the chance to gain easy yards on their counter attack.

There were signs of good depth in the Irish attack against Wales but it was stifled by poor pass execution and decision to take ball into contact when there were superior numbers out in the wider channels.

Against France, those opportunites need to be converted into points or at the very least good field position.

Murray key to wearing out French defenders



From phase attack I would also like to see Conor Murray take on the inside French defenders around the ruck area on a more regular basis, but he must have support players with him.

That will give him passing options and also helps to create the quick blow-out rucking game needed to commit the French defenders. If Ireland can get into this pattern of play on attack, they will be able to seriously fatigue the French tight forwards.

For the defence, linespeed comes from the first and second defender off the ruck. If thosthey feel fatigued and vulnerable because of the sniping threat, they tend to sit on their heels and wait rather than pressing off their line.

Keeping tight and clincal in both attack and defence will be the key but if Ireland can squeeze the French, especially in that first 20 minutes, the whistling can start and that boisterous home crowd can turn on the home team. Discipline may start to slip.

If that seed of doubt can be planted in French minds, this Irish team is very capable of winning.

leftleg

Hello Kurt goodbye Thomand!!!

The_Kew_Tour

France by 15Points.

Cant believe Ireland are 7/2, they should be 20/1

CatFromHue

I was sure we'd win last weekend but after losing in such a poor manner I've no idea what to expect tomorrow.

cgpg5

Not looking forward to this. One change, and there is no guarantee that Earls will even offer any improvement. We would need an absolutely remarkable turn around from Sunday and I don't see it happening. Can see France putting in a huge performance in their first real test under St Andre. France by 10+

MungBean

Ireland need to stop kicking and hold possession. Fair enough if its a pressure relieving kick or a kick to touch to pin them back. But at least make an effort to go out and win it.

If we give away possession and sit back again I'm gonna be very very angry.

thomond2006

leftleg wrote: »

Hello Kurt goodbye Thomand!!!

I'll get my coat! I'll be back for the next one.

Incidentally, for someone who registered today, you seem to know a lot about the forum...

Rattlehead_ie

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'll get my coat! I'll be back for the next one.

Incidentally, for someone who registered today, you seem to know a lot about the forum...

Nnnnooooooooooooo I want you...........r thread. Change is bad. HOLY **** I sound like Kidney

Podge_irl

Watching this in the same pub in London that I watched our hockeying two years ago

I unfortunately don't envisage this being much better.

leftleg

thomond2006 wrote: »

Incidentally, for someone who registered today, you seem to know a lot about the forum...

Miaaww!!! dont take it as such an insult; your previews are pretty damn good; but you know as well as i do that Kurts are beyond damn good; relax

Oh and without being a boards memeber ive enjoyed watching everyone tear themselves to pieces on this forum for some time; its great

fitz

France by 10+ at a Kidneyesque conservative estimate.
I can see this game being painful to watch.

darragh_haven

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

France by 15Points.

Cant believe Ireland are 7/2, they should be 20/1

I dont think i seen a a broke bookie:D

MrDerp

fitz wrote: »

France by 10+ at a Kidneyesque conservative estimate.
I can see this game being painful to watch.

Au contraire, I think it's actually going to be quite thrilling.

I think the players will throw off the shackles of Kidney's conservatism, play for themselves, and run in 3/4 tries.

Unfortunately this won't be enough to claw back the 37 point mauling we receive in the first 30 minutes.

ironingbored

MrDerp wrote: »

Au contraire, I think it's actually going to be quite thrilling.

I think the players will throw off the shackles of Kidney's conservatism, play for themselves, and run in 3/4 tries.

Unfortunately this won't be enough to claw back the 37 point mauling we receive in the first 30 minutes.

Agree that France will score a couple of early tries while Ireland come back stoically in the second half.

Can see a repeat of the 43-31 game in 2006.

I hope I'm wrong.

Does anyone think the players in the huddle will collectively agree to play a ball-in-hand game a la Leinster going against Kidney's conservative gameplan?

thomond2006

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Nnnnooooooooooooo I want you...........r thread. Change is bad. HOLY **** I sound like Kidney

You can hear my articulate (!) tones on the podcast this week!

leftleg wrote: »

Miaaww!!! dont take it as such an insult; your previews are pretty damn good; but you know as well as i do that Kurts are beyond damn good; relax

Oh and without being a boards memeber ive enjoyed watching everyone tear themselves to pieces on this forum for some time; its great

Sorry, that was a bitchy comment. I assumed you were a re-reg. As you say Kurt's articles are very good.

leftleg

thomond2006 wrote: »

Sorry, that was a bitchy comment. I assumed you were a re-reg. As you say Kurt's articles are very good.

Id thank your post but i cant for some reason;

anyways back on track;

Its hard to guage how well do; Wales last week might just have been that good and better than anything else in europe at the mo and we just met the tornado head on and in fairness just lost out; if thats the case; we should be very competetive this weekend;

On the other hand; if wales are only mediocre than we are about to be served out own heads on a platter on saturday night just like 2 years ago.

ouch!!

Ardillaun

Sexton has to raise his kicking game and keep it tight and close to the forwards. We can disrupt them like we did to Oz and the crowd over there will turn against them if things aren't going their way. I'd like to see Ferris tucking Parra under his arm at some point. In a forward battle, the mobility of our front five is a definite asset and I hope our loose forwards can recapture their form. Of their back three, the only minor weakness I see is Medard who has definitely lost some pace. Clerc should have too but I haven't seen any evidence of it. Under no circumstances kick the ball to Malzieu. They are all stars in the back line but Rougerie is the key man who eventually dominates other teams (even Smith and Nonu began to wilt against him); if we can stop him early he may start misbehaving. If...

leftleg

Ardillaun wrote: »

I'd like to see Ferris tucking Yachvili under his arm at some point.

Unfortunately Yachvilli ain't playing so that one wont come to pass im afraid.

.ak

leftleg wrote: »

Unfortunately Yachvilli ain't playing so that one wont come to pass im afraid.

Parra is bag-sized too...

leftleg

.ak wrote: »

Parra is bag-sized too...

touche!!

corny

The French forwards went through the motions last week. The changes will ensure that won't happen again.

They'll get at least one score from hard midfield running ala George North last week or Rougerie last year.

We'll be stubborn but ineffective as usual. France by 11.

Fishooks12

Hard to predict what will happen given our inconsistent nature but here's a few scenarios

Same tactics as last week, similar player performance: Beaten by 15 points despite some good turns from 3 or 4 players but ultimately let down by wasted possession and poor defensive line speed

Same tactics, heroic performances all round: Beaten by somewhere between 1 and 5 points. Irish players heroics int their performances negates some of our tactical disadvantages but can't ultimately get over the line, Kidney papers over the cracks and we struggle through the Scots and the Italians with the same flawed tactical ethos

New tactics, good performances we throw the ball around and try to play the game like we're capable of. Less predictable, more decoys, bigger runners hitting lines out wide, no more needless kicking. This is what I'm hoping for, could mean losing by ten but if we play to our strengths it could lead to another glorious evening in Paris

leggit

France 31-16 Ireland

Benny Cake

Fishooks12 wrote: »

This is what I'm hoping for, could mean losing by ten but if we play to our strengths it could lead to another glorious evening in Paris

Ya, because our history is littered with glorious days in Paris! We've won their once since 1972... Historicaly & statistically speaking, we haven't a prayer this weekend. Hope I'm wrong, but this Irish team has been "cruising for a bruising" for a while, I've a feeling it might come this weekend.

Peterx

Historically and possibly statistically speaking we over-perform when cast in favourite position of underdogs. We can do it, but we are underdogs

UP IRELAND!

JRant

Ardillaun wrote: »

Sexton has to raise his kicking game and keep it tight and close to the forwards. We can disrupt them like we did to Oz and the crowd over there will turn against them if things aren't going their way. I'd like to see Ferris tucking Parra under his arm at some point. In a forward battle, the mobility of our front five is a definite asset and I hope our loose forwards can recapture their form. Of their back three, the only minor weakness I see is Medard who has definitely lost some pace. Clerc should have too but I haven't seen any evidence of it. Under no circumstances kick the ball to Malzieu. They are all stars in the back line but Rougerie is the key man who eventually dominates other teams (even Smith and Nonu began to wilt against him); if we can stop him early he may start misbehaving. If...

Think we should go after Mas as much as possible. Be it around the fringes or elsewhere. He's about the only weak link in that pack. If we start running at Dusautoir or Picamoles then it's curtains.
Ryan really should be starting as he brings a huge amount of intensity and pace to our second row. He's also decent in the lineout and you can be sure France will come after us in that department.
Pretty much the best way to stop Rougerie and that back line is to hold on to the ball.

ThornInTheSide

This is a game that Ireland are quite capable of winning.

The disapointment of last Sunday, allied to the inevitable whiff of cordite associated with their recent losses on French soil may just be sufficient to get a performance from a team that have tended to come out fighting when their backs are to the wall.

davegrohl48

Reports of this game getting temperatures of -7. So it will be important whichever team prepares best for that. It's not going to be a case of "warmup and you'll be fine". Pretty hard to catch/pass a ball when yer fingers are numb with cold, players should wear gloves.

We have a chance if we abandon the kicking game. They will win handy if we hand them back posession. Like to see some earliers subs on to freshen things up. It's going to be a draining evening in those conditions.

ThornInTheSide

JRant wrote: »

Think we should go after Mas as much as possible. Be it around the fringes or elsewhere. He's about the only weak link in that pack. If we start running at Dusautoir or Picamoles then it's curtains.
Ryan really should be starting as he brings a huge amount of intensity and pace to our second row. He's also decent in the lineout and you can be sure France will come after us in that department.
Pretty much the best way to stop Rougerie and that back line is to hold on to the ball.

I'd agree with your point regarding Donncha Ryan and I would suggest that he adds a certain physical prowess which would be beneficial against the French second-row pairing. One of the criticisms I'd have of the Irish second row is that its lacked the necessary ballast in recent years, particularly in games against the French. This was perhaps evident two years ago when the perception existed that Leo Cullen was exposed in a series of first-half scrums close to the Irish line, albeit I seem to recall the Irish pack were short of Jerry Flannery who was binned in that game.

conf101

Anyone familiar with bars in Prague and know where would be a good place to watch the match? I'm assuming the Irish bars will be showing it.

ThornInTheSide

conf101 wrote: »

Anyone familiar with bars in Prague and know where would be a good place to watch the match? I'm assuming the Irish bars will be showing it.

O'Che's Bar is an option - its a cross between an Irish and Che Guevara-themed bar. I've watched rugby there previously and would expect them to be showing tomorrow night's game.

http://www.oches.com/

Brendan97

leftleg wrote: »

Hello Kurt goodbye Thomand!!!

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'll get my coat! I'll be back for the next one.

Incidentally, for someone who registered today, you seem to know a lot about the forum...

Personally i think there should be a rule that without prior clearance from a mod noone should be allowed to set up ireland match threads except for Thomond because all of his are absolutely unreal

JRant

ThornInTheSide wrote: »

JRant wrote: »

Think we should go after Mas as much as possible. Be it around the fringes or elsewhere. He's about the only weak link in that pack. If we start running at Dusautoir or Picamoles then it's curtains.
Ryan really should be starting as he brings a huge amount of intensity and pace to our second row. He's also decent in the lineout and you can be sure France will come after us in that department.
Pretty much the best way to stop Rougerie and that back line is to hold on to the ball.

I'd agree with your point regarding Donncha Ryan and I would suggest that he adds a certain physical prowess which would be beneficial against the French second-row pairing. One of the criticisms I'd have of the Irish second row is that its lacked the necessary ballast in recent years, particularly in games against the French. This was perhaps evident two years ago when the perception existed that Leo Cullen was exposed in a series of first-half scrums close to the Irish line, albeit I seem to recall the Irish pack were short of Jerry Flannery who was binned in that game.

The would be my main gripe about starting DOC against this pack. They love the real physical stuff and there's not a pack around they fear. Ryan would have brought a real intensity not only defending but with ball in hand.
We have to get quick, go forward ball or the french midfield will cream us. If it's slow ball expect Dusuartoir to be lining up green jerseys all night long.

Kayless

blind optimism but I'm going for an Ireland win here... maybe we get lucky, maybe we use our subs more effectively, maybe the Franch don't like the cold ect... I know, its a long shot but I can see this being one of those big games like Aus (world cup) and Eng (6 nations) we play better as the underdogs and better yet with our backs against the wall, maybe after last weekend Kidneys seen sense, one way to look at this is the Franch have less to play for... I know they have home advantage but if we lose this we are out of the 6 nations

conf101

ThornInTheSide wrote: »

O'Che's Bar is an option - its a cross between an Irish and Che Guevara-themed bar. I've watched rugby there previously and would expect them to be showing tomorrow night's game.

http://www.oches.com/

Great schtuff. Cheers

Ardillaun

leftleg wrote: »

Unfortunately Yachvilli ain't playing so that one wont come to pass im afraid.

You know I even tried to check that before I said it. Shouldn't have bothered. I thought Parra had been replaced becaus of illness? Anyway Parra/Yachvilli - both pint-sized morsels I would like to see carried backwards. That's the attitude that beat Oz.

ironingbored

From Twitter

Temperatures plummet in Paris ahead of #6nations rugby game between Ireland and France.

And that's just the Ireland dressing room!

mfceiling

ThornInTheSide wrote: »

This is a game that Ireland are quite capable of winning.

The disapointment of last Sunday, allied to the inevitable whiff of cordite associated with their recent losses on French soil may just be sufficient to get a performance from a team that have tended to come out fighting when their backs are to the wall.

Come on deccie would you!!

keith16

Brendan97 wrote: »

Personally i think there should be a rule that without prior clearance from a mod noone should be allowed to set up ireland match threads except for Thomond because all of his are absolutely unreal

Don't be silly now.

Fishooks12

Benny Cake wrote: »

Ya, because our history is littered with glorious days in Paris! We've won their once since 1972... Historicaly & statistically speaking, we haven't a prayer this weekend. Hope I'm wrong, but this Irish team has been "cruising for a bruising" for a while, I've a feeling it might come this weekend.

Ha ya that sounds like we've had numerous wins alright, my bad! Drico in 02 ripping them apart being the other only glorious night

I'd agree though. Going by whats coming out of the camp i doubt much will change tactically and this could be a real hiding if France turn up

Hope I'm wrong though

Ardillaun

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Reports of this game getting temperatures of -7. So it will be important whichever team prepares best for that. It's not going to be a case of "warmup and you'll be fine". Pretty hard to catch/pass a ball when yer fingers are numb with cold, players should wear gloves.

We have a chance if we abandon the kicking game. They will win handy if we hand them back posession. Like to see some earliers subs on to freshen things up. It's going to be a draining evening in those conditions.

Anything that increases the unpredictability of the outcome is in our favour. Players slipping and dropping the ball will be good for us.

PerrinV2

Lads is yachvili playing or not?
Yesterday sky said he was out,now there listing him as starting?

thomond2006

PerrinV2 wrote: »

Lads is yachvili playing or not?
Yesterday sky said he was out,now there listing him as starting?

He's out. Parra is starting.

Otacon

Ardillaun wrote: »

Anything that increases the unpredictability of the outcome is in our favour. Players slipping and dropping the ball will be good for us.

??? France have always been better at turning loose ball into scores.

PerrinV2

thomond2006 wrote: »

He's out. Parra is starting.

Balls!

phog

Brendan97 wrote: »

Personally i think there should be a rule that without prior clearance from a mod noone should be allowed to set up ireland match threads except for Thomond because all of his are absolutely unreal

While he does an excellent preview the game is on tomorrow, how long should one wait for the thread?

I've no difficulty if he wants to submit something and a mod puts it as the OP.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

While he does an excellent preview the game is on tomorrow, how long should one wait for the thread?

I've no difficulty if he wants to submit something and a mod puts it as the OP.

I agree with the above, I meant to do it last night but got sidetracked. Normally I write them the day the teams are both announced.

It turns out I don't have the time to do it tonight anyway. Thanks for starting the thread.

ScissorPaperRock

I think a fight to the death between Phog and Thomond is the only reasonable way to settle this dispute.

keith16

thomond2006 wrote: »

I agree with the above, I meant to do it last night but got sidetracked. Normally I write them the day the teams are both announced.

It turns out I don't have the time to do it tonight anyway. Thanks for starting the thread.

thomond, let's stop all this nonsense about the OP. Perfectly understandable that you didn't get round to it. So any thoughts you'd like to share with us on the game?

Personally think it won't be the hiding we are all expecting, Ireland generally play well when they are massive underdogs. Everything points to a French win, which is why I'm predicting Ireland will win

thomond2006

keith16 wrote: »

thomond, let's stop all this nonsense about the OP. Perfectly understandable that you didn't get round to it. So any thoughts you'd like to share with us on the game?

We're screwed without John Hayes.

Fishooks12

actually looking forward to the game now which is a surprise considering how pissed off I was after last week