France vs Ireland Buildup Thread [MOD WARNING IN OP]

thomond2006

MOD WARNING: No discussion of the Paddy Jackson/Stuart Olding case in this thread, even if only somewhat related.

This thread is for discussion of the match/build up to the match only.

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

News from the French camp today is Guirado and Poirot aren't training due to gastroenteritis. No known camp casualties for Ireland.

heebusjeebus

The same fixture 2 years ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyexMI5DmOQ

We definitely have a better team this year and had some terrible luck with injuries and head on head knocks in 2016.

arsebiscuits1

Isabelle Ithurburu

thomond2006 wrote: »

News from the French camp today is Guirado and Poirot aren't training due to gastroenteritis. No known camp casualties for Ireland.

RWC '95 repeat?

Would Ireland stoop as low as food poisoning?

Would James Lowe being on the catering staff count as food poisoning?

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

Disclaimer: I think Ireland will win but I am obliged to vote Isabelle.

Clegg

If recent form is any indicator this should be a comfortable win for Ireland. France are are stuck in a rut and losing to teams we beat with relative ease. Although that was a few months ago when they had a different head coach and a different squad of players. There's an element of the unknown about them this time around that makes them harder to analyse, but I'd still say Ireland to win by 7 at least. We've a strong squad that knows the game plan inside out. Lots of young players there but they've been integrated successfully. Just compare that to France with their new head coach and half a squad of new or relatively inexperienced players to the test side.

stephen_n

I think we will win, not sure at what point it becomes comfortable though. I reckon a 7-10 point margin, a fired up performance from France, but too much control from us. I can’t see us losing the game but I don’t see us scoring a lot either.

PTH2009

Hoping for an irish win but Reckon the french will come out flying and Paris is a hard place to win

We need to keep our heads, last year we went over to Scotland and we though all we had to do was turn up but we left with our tails between our legs

mfceiling

Best opening post ever.

Clegg

A few French players have suffered a bout of gastroenteritis in training camp.Their captain Guilhelm Guirado and loosehead Jefferson Poirot (he'll get to the bottom of the outbreak) haven't trained due illness. Doumayrou didn't train due to a thigh problem.

irishbucsfan

Paul K*mmage

I forgot about Isabelle. France could win this.

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imM06fC9Wb8

When Isabelle is on the sideline, look what happens.

Thankfully she doesn't work for France Télevisions. The Irish team could never survive in that atmosphere!

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

I'm NOT obsessed.

NollagShona

Isabelle Ithurburu

Off to Paris Wednesday!!

prawnsambo

Paul K*mmage

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm NOT obsessed.

Never occurred to me that you were. Until this post of course. :P

prawnsambo

Paul K*mmage

NollagShona wrote: »

Off to Paris Wednesday!!

Thursday morning for me. Back Monday night

CJay1

Eh...is this not just totally sexist?? Or am I missing something? Don't consider myself to be too PC either..

sydthebeat

Paul K*mmage

CJay1 wrote: »

Eh...is this not just totally sexist?? Or am I missing something? Don't consider myself to be too PC either..

What are you talking about?
Paul Kimmage is a good looking bloke...

CJay1

Isabelle Ithurburu

CJay1 wrote: »

Eh...is this not just totally sexist?? Or am I missing something? Don't consider myself to be too PC either..

Excuse me, do you mind not interrupting our 'people holding inanimate object' picture competition.

ionadnapokot

Just watching last years game 25 mins in
France completely dominated Ireland
Scrum
Line-out
Tackle

Lamerat in beast mode. He had a try disallowed on 17min. Surprise surprise Ireland were exposed out wide from a cross field kick. Kearney swept across and completely missed Huget. Fickou then knocked on.

27 min Irish line-out maul.Sexton loop (David Knox tm). 5yrd scrum x2. Henshaw crash ball. Murray try.

Ireland then pummel France for the rest of the half.

Halftime: 7-6

I can see the 1st half on Saturday going something like the above. I hope!

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

CJay1 wrote: »

Eh...is this not just totally sexist?? Or am I missing something? Don't consider myself to be too PC either..

Quite the opposite in fact. I was growing tired of all the buildup posts containing pictures of men so....

Paul K*mmage

Been following these lads for a while. This preview is particularly good. Ireland are most likely than any other team to score from a turnover.

prawnsambo

Paul K*mmage

I do like this bit in the Indo's report on French injuries/illnesses:

"Out-half Matthieu Jalibert had a scare after colliding with Virimi Vakatawa."

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

Midi Olymique's probable XV:

Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Camara, Macalou, Gourdon;
Machenaud, Jalibert, Vakawata, Lamerat, Doumayrou, Thomas, Palis

I've never seen Jalibert play but this is quite the debut if true. He only turned 19 in November.

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

Midi Olymique's probable XV:

Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Camara, Macalou, Gourdon;
Machenaud, Jalibert, Vakawata, Lamerat, Doumayrou, Thomas, Palis

Pretty decent side.

Sorry wait am I allowed say that or am I going to be shouted down by a wall of bluster now?

thomond2006 wrote: »

I've never seen Jalibert play but this is quite the debut if true. He only turned 19 in November.

He has to be a target for our backrow and centres if he plays.

stephen_n

Deleted User wrote: »

Been following these lads for a while. This preview is particularly good. Ireland are most likely than any other team to score from a turnover.

Some interesting stuff in that alright. Never would have thought of us as a counter attacking team. It’s interesting to see how little Sexton kicks too.

FreudianSlippers

Isabelle Ithurburu

thomond2006 wrote: »

Disclaimer: I think Ireland will win but I am obliged to vote Isabelle.

I know... I was so torn!

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

Mods, please ban:

Hippo, maddness, stephen_n, Trojan, zambrotta11

prawnsambo

Paul K*mmage

thomond2006 wrote: »

Mods, please ban:

Hippo, maddness, stephen_n, Trojan, zambrotta11

At least they voted. It looks like IBF has abstained which is a much more insidious revolt.

stephen_n

thomond2006 wrote: »

Mods, please ban:

Hippo, maddness, stephen_n, Trojan, zambrotta11

Had to save you from claims of sexism where’s your national pride, vote Irish

That video above is very interesting, will keep an eye on their stuff. One thing that really stood out to me is how much longer it takes Ireland when in possession to score than England or Wales. Ties in fairly well with the way we tend to play in the 6N which is basically try to run over the other team, e.g. when you look at how much possession we had against the likes of Wales last season with no tries scored.

Another interesting point is that everything about Italy's lineout (winning their own ball, attacking off their own ball, defending the other team's ball) is absolutely awful and it's hugely costly for them. Wonder if that's a coaching issue or what.

FACECUTTR

Paul K*mmage

This is a very long week.....

ionadnapokot

thomond2006 wrote: »

Midi Olymique's probable XV:

Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Camara, Macalou, Gourdon;
Machenaud, Jalibert, Vakawata, Lamerat, Doumayrou, Thomas, Palis

I've never seen Jalibert play but this is quite the debut if true. He only turned 19 in November.

Good pack. Well front row anyway
I’ve seen another prediction on a France Eurosport or something
Priso, Guirado, Slimani,
Gabrillagues, Itturia,
Macoulo, Gourdon, Tauleigne;

And GThornley gues
Ben Arous, Guirado, Slimani, Vahaamahina,Lambey,
Camara, Gourdon, Tauleigne;

Out of interest how did you get that midi Olympique article? Do you have to subscribe?

stl.ire

thomond2006 wrote: »

Midi Olymique's probable XV:

Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Camara, Macalou, Gourdon;
Machenaud, Jalibert, Vakawata, Lamerat, Doumayrou, Thomas, Palis

I've never seen Jalibert play but this is quite the debut if true. He only turned 19 in November.

Would be crazy if they really go with that back 3 against Ireland. Murray and Sexton would box kick and garryowen at every opportunity. It would be suicide. Did they watch the Nov South Africa game?

ionadnapokot

stl.ire wrote: »

Would be crazy if they really go with that back 3 against Ireland. Murray and Sexton would box kick and garryowen at every opportunity. It would be suicide. Did they watch the Nov South Africa game?

Ireland put up a pile of box kicks, cross kicks and garryowens against Vakatawa and Thomas in 2016. Médard was at FB.
They all coped more than adequately.
Don’t know anything about Palis

stl.ire

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Ireland put up a pile of box kicks, cross kicks and garryowens against Vakatawa and Thomas in 2016. Médard was at FB.
They all coped more than adequately.
Don’t know anything about Palis

Palis would be on debut. I have a different recollection of last year. Sexton’s boot controlled things and the 2 French wingers, though they didn’t fall apart were not particularly comfortable.

ionadnapokot

stl.ire wrote: »

Palis would be on debut. I have a different recollection of last year. Sexton’s boot controlled things and the 2 French wingers, though they didn’t fall apart were not particularly comfortable.

Not ideal for Palis alright.
The 2016 game we lost in Paris is the one

stl.ire

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Not ideal for Palis alright.
The 2016 game we lost in Paris is the one

Sorry I forgot we are now in 2018!

My memory of 2016 was that ireland still controlled the game for 60mins through Sexton and Murray but couldn’t make the pressure count as their scrum and line out were poor. Eventually France sneaked it through forward pressure.

Thomas and Vakatawa are not reknowned for their aerial work and Palis would be a debut 15 playing behind a debut 10. Against Ireland of all teams that’s surely asking for trouble.

ionadnapokot

stl.ire wrote: »

Sorry I forgot we are now in 2018!

My memory of 2016 was that ireland still controlled the game for 60mins through Sexton and Murray but couldn’t make the pressure count as their scrum and line out were poor. Eventually France sneaked it through forward pressure.

Thomas and Vakatawa are not reknowned for their aerial work and Palis would be a debut 15 playing behind a debut 10. Against Ireland of all teams that’s surely asking for trouble.

Ireland ran out of road and rarely got over the gain line.kept having to kick possession away on a rainy night and France coped well with the aerial bombardment.
I’m hoping for a dry night in Paris and that Aki will give an alternative distribution option to Sexton.

Paul K*mmage

Rumour mill saying Ryan is starting

arsebiscuits1

Isabelle Ithurburu

Deleted User wrote: »

Rumour mill saying Ryan is starting

James not John I presume?

I wonder who he gets the nod ahead of. My head says Henderson. But I think that would be harsh.

Would also be harsh dropping Toner. He's been fantastic this season. Especially against Montpellier

kuang1

Isabelle Ithurburu

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

James not John I presume?

I wonder who he gets the nod ahead of. My head says Henderson. But I think that would be harsh.

Would also be harsh dropping Toner. He's been fantastic this season. Especially against Montpellier

Toner more likely to start if it was to be with Ryan I think.
The battle hardened and well seasoned Devon would be a better escort for Ryan with the added advantage of being clubmates too.

Edit: I love Henderson but I'd be ok with him benching. He's played very well in a green jersey regardless of whether or not he starts a game.

Podge_irl

You'd have to think they would be mad to drop Henderson rather than Toner though - he's just a better player. Henderson/Ryan would seem somewhat callow

Buer

Henderson is a Lion with 30+ caps for Ireland and has captained his province. I reckon it's time for him to step into a leadership role.

Toner's spot in the 23 must be under threat as he's not someone that offers much off the bench in terms of short term impact.

arsebiscuits1

Isabelle Ithurburu

Buer wrote: »

Henderson is a Lion with 30+ caps for Ireland and has captained his province. I reckon it's time for him to step into a leadership role.

Toner's spot in the 23 must be under threat as he's not someone that offers much off the bench in terms of short term impact.

I agree, Toner probably starts or doesn't play at all.

But I think his importance as a player is sometimes understated. Especially this year I have noticed he has upped his aggression a lot and he's also carried a huge amount.

Buer

Buer wrote: »

Henderson is a Lion with 30+ caps for Ireland and has captained his province. I reckon it's time for him to step into a leadership role.

Toner's spot in the 23 must be under threat as he's not someone that offers much off the bench in terms of short term impact.

Threat from who, Dillane? Can't see that at all. He's been playing really well this season and I'd be very surprised if he didn't start.

thomond2006

Paul K*mmage

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Out of interest how did you get that midi Olympique article? Do you have to subscribe?

I stole that from a tweet.

Isabelle Ithurburu

I can't see beyond Toner / Henderson. I wouldn't put much between either player as Toner is playing better rugby but Henderson probably has a higher ceiling but is stuck with a dire pack.

If Ryan gets ahead of either I'd be really surprised. It would be an indicator though that he is performing to an incredibly level in training and is as good as everyone hopes he is.

It's one thing Aki coming straight in when we only had Henshaw available as an experienced first choice, but James Ryan leapfrogging either Toner or Henderson would probably be unprecedented for Joe Schmidt.

It would certainly make all those who have accused him of being conservative over the years look mighty foolish.

One of Toner or Henderson might also have a knock, we won't know until Paul Kimmage writes an article after the fact about how it was all a cheap ruse.

Podge_irl

Buer wrote: »

Henderson is a Lion with 30+ caps for Ireland and has captained his province. I reckon it's time for him to step into a leadership role.

Toner's spot in the 23 must be under threat as he's not someone that offers much off the bench in terms of short term impact.

I think I forget how experienced he is cause he looks about 15.

I've been enormously unimpressed with Henderson for Ulster this season. He's had a couple of big performances at home but this is a player who is touted as 'world class' (whatever that means) and seeing him play so poorly against Leinster, or against Wasps, or against Connacht, world class players don't fail to turn up like that. Hopefully he can raise his game for Ireland.

irishbucsfan

Paul K*mmage

L'Equipe's team.

https://twitter.com/pauleddison/status/958338189181276160

Noone has a clue what they're going to do.