Six Nations 2022 - France v Ireland, 12/02/22, KO 4.45pm - Virgin Media 1, ITV

Former Former Former

France: 15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Gabin Villière, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. François Cros, 8. Grégory Alldritt

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Thibaud Flament, 21. Dylan Cretin, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Thomas Ramos.

Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Mack Hansen, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Jamison Gibson Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan (c), 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Carty, 23. Robbie Henshaw.

Potential Grand Slam decider? Maybe...

Possibly the toughest test that Andy Farrell has faced in his tenure and he has to do it without Sexton.

France have a massive pack and have gone for a 6-2 split on the bench, so this will be a big test for the Ireland forwards who have shown they can play rugby but can they go toe-to-toe with France? And while France have a stellar backline, they haven't quite clicked as they would have hoped.

Bookies have France as 5-point favourites, even after the loss of Sexton.

arsebiscuits1

While the 10 situation has been done to death and I have my personal doubt... I hope Joey has an absolute corker!!

Playing France in Paris is always a great fixture. Buzzing for this

Former Former Former

Meant to add to the OP, I think we'll win, if we don't concede early.

Dubinusa

We can win! Forwards must get on top!

Happyhouse22

So pumped for today!

12th February 2022 - Joey Carbery’s coming of age day! Think we can do it

Shehal

I am intrigued most of all to see how Carbery-JGP gets on today as like I said previous the two look like they compliment each other very well, and not just because of the accent, I question in the last 2 games Carbery played for Ireland was he actually the problem or was it Murray slowing the ball down completely, guess we'll found out today bar an injury occurring before then.

Poorside

If France stand off the rucks like they did last week, Beirne Kelleher and Conan will have a field pay, plenty of quick ball is the key to having Joey play well.

Faugheen

I just want Joey to have a cracking game. All the focus and pressure is on him and there’s nothing worse than when it deflates.

Madeoface

Not overly concerned about the result here. I think we need to see how our gameplan works againt sheer size as it will have to against monster saffers in 18 months or so. I fancy our chances but if we perform and learn a bit more about the plan when the pack is under the cosh then it's a good day......if we're not mashed up front that is.

Dubinusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118619569#Comment_118619569

I think that's a good point re: Murray / Carberry, JGP will provide fast ball, so JC may play better!

pickarooney

How much experience do you want JGP to have, exactly?

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621048#Comment_118621048

Murray’s experience didn’t help Carberry much last week.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621069#Comment_118621069

More experience. Hang those who talk of less

A-Train

I would love to see an Ireland win but can’t see it but hopefully I’m wrong.

Massive test for Joey, hopefully he shows up well but his form before injury hadn’t been good. Hopefully he pushes on and has good control at 10 today even though the current Ireland game-plan everything doesn’t go through the 10.

Hoping for a Carbury Starbar instead of a Carbury Flake

Shehal

My gut feeling is France by 5, I so desperately hope I'm wrong though and Ireland sneak it!

Skyfloater

It is ridiculous that Virgin are still not transmitting in HD on saorview.

fitz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621467#Comment_118621467

Was thinking the same thing. Can't see how they're even allowed to bid for rights without being required to broadcast in HD. It's not the 1990s, like. Over to ITV it is...

Clegg

France by 10 I think. Home advantage is a big thing and I think their 6/2 split will ensure greater impact off the bench.

Clegg

That offload looked well forward

fitz

Not an ideal start.

Ouch.

A-Train

Crap start from Ireland, all uphill from here

ClanofLams

Awful clearance by Gibson Park led to that

Must love hardship

Jgp. Is a poor box kicker.

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621539#Comment_118621539

Thats what I thought, obviously not then. Ireland need to slow that french ball

iwasliedto

Forward pass

He's always there for the pass

starkid

just like the old days.

obviously another false dawn.

Shehal

France were always going to score tries, we just need to settle down now especially for the first 20 as France will start like a house on fire.

yourdeadwright

Iv watched the try back 5 times and that was a forward pass no question

How can that stand?

Must love hardship

Jgp. Can't pass left to right.

France MILES offside there.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621539#Comment_118621539

I thought that.

tackling was piss poor Hansen gave a player a tap on the shoulder as opposed to tackling him.

looked like a certain try if Doris takes that, 3 against 2… fućked it up and concede

orecir

Prepare to be humbled

Clegg

JGP and Cerbery have started poorly. Carbery beat his man, but he's constantly crabbing across and taking too much from our attack.

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621567#Comment_118621567

What and bring Murray on ?????

c.p.w.g.w

Italy started better than we have

Dire start, could be a long day.

A-Train

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118621563#Comment_118621563

I have a feeling that won’t be the last time that is posted today.

Clegg

YAAAAASSSSSS MACK

Xander10

Well what about that!!!!!

ClanofLams

Mack Fuckin Hansen 🔥

ednwireland

Woo hoo

ctrl-alt-delete

Well that was beautiful.

Back in it

Burkie1203

This game is going to be bonkers

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

A-Train

Go on Mack out of nothing

touts

What a kick from Carberry and a world class catch and finish by Hansen.

Shehal

Really not the start we needed, not the just scoreline but momentum, we need to settle quick before the game starts slipping from our grasp.

Shehal

MACK **** HANSEN!