November Series (non-Ireland)

This is a great match.

Zzippy wrote: »

Score? I have money riding on this one...

8-7 SA at half time

That should be a penalty try

Eir sport 2

France are in serious trouble if they can't deliver something vastly better than this. The atmosphere is completely ambivalent as is the performance. They have no interest against a very mediocre SA side.

Is there one Frenchman you'd have in the Irish 15?

Basil3 wrote: »

Sure they both have a better chance of making the semis than the other candidate :pac:

Tongue firmly in cheek I hope?

Buer wrote: »

A few inexperienced lads at test level but still a huge amount of experience up front. Only two forwards had less than a dozen caps. They were completely toothless up front.

They'd kill for the likes of Betsen, Pelous, Mas or Marconnet....there's not a single French player in their squad that I look at and think "He's going to knock the p1ss out of us".

I think their issues are far more systemic than anything. The backbone of their national side is being diluted so much that it is not able to sustain its position in world rugby.

Think back to their RWC 2011 backrow of Bonnaire, Dusautoir and Harinordoquy. They could win games on their own.

I didn't see tonight's game but Dupont at 9 looks like a very good prospect. He only turned 21 this week so there's plenty of time for him to develop. Belleau at 10 is also 21.

Del.Monte wrote: »

High point of today's games was Beauden Barrett's try against Scotland.

This generation's Carlos Spencer. Fantastic to watch but you'd ditch him in a heartbeat for a someone with a brain and ice in the veins come RWC time.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Think back to their RWC 2011 backrow of Bonnaire, Dusautoir and Harinordoquy. They could win games on their own.

I didn't see tonight's game but Dupont at 9 looks like a very good prospect. He only turned 21 this week so there's plenty of time for him to develop. Belleau at 10 is also 21.

Dupont was notably quiet, even the commentator mentioned he was mediocre. A huge talent though. Serin came on and cost them the game. Belleau struggled to get anything going. FTD arrived in the last 5 minutes....there's not really any other option right now in French rugby.

Bonnaire, TD, and IH was some backrow but Magne, Betsen and IH was simply another level. They deserved a RWC but didn't have an outhalf. If they had played JBE there in the build up and not Michalak, I think they'd have beaten England in the semi final. I don't think there's another French side this century better equipped to win the RWC and I include 2011 where they absolutely fluked their way to the final.

Buer wrote: »

I was thinking the same but even he is touch and go. Hard to put him above Best at times but he probably shades it.

There is always a lot of raving about picamoles but i think he is very over rated. Bastereud too.

Growing up watching Ireland getting humped by france chucking it about from anywhere. Was such a joy to watch and such a shame to see the state of france now.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dimitri Yachvili. Now there was a brilliant rugby player in his day.

Agreed. 2nd May 2010....what a player.

Saw the last 15 minutes. France's style of play seemed to suit SA who just fanned out to defend the line.

France didn't seem to put up any kicks.

6 years til they host the world cup. If they keep going on this trend the French might not be too bothered about hosting a world cup.

Who was at outhalf tonight? They've struggled at 10 for years.