Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

31-01-2024 05:21PM

I think the bookies have this as a 4 point spread in France's favour, and I'd struggle to argue with that. There obviously isn't a whole lot between the teams, and I think home advantage (and Karl Dickson who we've previously struggled under on a few occasions, particularly at scrum time) tips it in their favour.

I think they look a little more settled than us, and think their best players are showing a bit more form domestically at this stage.

Obviously they've never looked good sans Dupont, but Maxime Lucu has been sublime for Bordeaux this year so far, and I think he'll announce himself in a massive way in this tournament.

I'd absolutely love obviously to win here and go on and defend our GS, but would really urge a bit of perspective and composure from people if we lose on Friday night.

We have to give guys like Jack Crowley and Joe McCarthy a bit of time to adapt to test match rugby. They're both absolutely liable to make mistakes given their youth and inexperience, but they're both absolutely there on merit because they've earned the shirt too.

All_in_Flynn · 31-01-2024 05:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701369#Comment_121701369

I'm in two minds on this game. Talk is that France are going to go back to a running style and stop kicking for territory so much. If they start running from their own 22 against us I think we will eat them up.

Be interesting to see how the backline goes post Sexton which is my main worry. I hope Crowley demands the ball from JGP and plays on the gainline.

techdiver · 31-01-2024 05:37PM

To be honest I worry for this game (and the rest of this year at least).

The post world cup hangover is most definitely there as seen by the performances of the provinces. I can't see how the motivate themselves after another cycle of failure considering all the effort put in. Grand slam aside form last yar you have the bulk of this team being Leinster who put a huge effort into attempting to win a European Cup and a World Cup and after the 3/4 year cycle came up with nothing in either pursuit.

I really hope I'm wrong but I think this could be a tough year for us.

accensi0n · 31-01-2024 05:43PM

Don't see us losing by more than 5 and think we can win. Come on!

Neil3030 · 31-01-2024 05:48PM

On the cover of Saturday's L'Equipe, I want an image of Joe McCarthy carrying with three French defenders hanging off him, and the headline to read "Joe Le Taxi".

Otherwise I give up.

Dubinusa · 31-01-2024 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701311#Comment_121701311

I really don't like either of them at 13.

Ben Bailey · 31-01-2024 07:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701494#Comment_121701494

Brought to mind Bill McLaren's commentary on 'Ginger' McLoughlin's score where he reached the try line despite England' best efforts

"Festooned wi Sassenachs"

awec · 31-01-2024 07:05PM

I hope I'm wrong but I think the World Cup hangover is going to be worse than expected and this game may end up being not so enjoyable for us.

techdiver · 31-01-2024 07:08PM

All Blacks twitter account announced fixture against Ireland on November 9th.

clsmooth · 31-01-2024 07:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701816#Comment_121701816

I’d expect France to win with home advantage but wouldn’t be too down on our chances. Plenty of quality out there for Ireland and a strong bench to spring. Key (as always) is the start. Can’t give them an early score like we did 2 years ago.

Be interesting to see what the French hangover is like. Missing Dupont and (to a lesser degree) N’Tamack and Jelonch. Happy to see Moefana on the wing too. France by a score for me due to home advantage (I’d probably back us to get over the line if it was in Lansdowne).

I expect a good performance from us. There was talk of a potential World Cup hangover when Leinster travelled over to LAR but they managed to put in a big performance so expect the same from a team coached by AF.

Ben Bailey · 31-01-2024 07:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701831#Comment_121701831

Ire v Arg a week later.

Shehal · 31-01-2024 07:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701816#Comment_121701816

Exact same could be said for France...

clsmooth · 31-01-2024 07:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701875#Comment_121701875

If anything under more pressure to get a result than us.

phog · 31-01-2024 07:36PM

So this is the 5th time ever that the match day squad didn't have an Ulster player

https://twitter.com/Stu_Farmer/status/1752769170033234133?t=gpLLyLrs507OL9Z4nKrkBQ&s=19

DGRulz · 31-01-2024 09:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701871#Comment_121701871

It's almost like the IRFU are hosting an Ireland World Cup quarterfinal opponent ghost of Christmas pass reunion tour.

theVersatile · 31-01-2024 09:08PM

Well nobody can say the selection isn't interesting! Let's bring it on.

France by more than a score for me, but would love to be proven wrong.

Tommysocks11 · 31-01-2024 09:37PM

I know the French are at home but our last meeting in Dublin last year we totally dominated them and got the bonus point for 4 tries, we arguably have a better team bar sexton and ringer and they have new look second row partnership and the GOAT missing at scrum half so all told I'm quietly confident about our chances

TRC10 · 31-01-2024 10:13PM

Not that anyone cares but I honestly have little to no excitement for this game or this year's 6N. The latest World Cup quarter final exit essentially dissolved what emotional investment I had in the Irish team, and I probably will struggle to get it back until they actually win a quarter final. Obviously I'll still watch the games out of interest and as a fan of rugby, but I couldn't really care at this stage whether they win or lose. I'd wager I'm not the only one who feels this way. So I probably won't be too active on this thread throughout the 6N, you'll all be delighted to hear 😂.

sydthebeat · 31-01-2024 10:15PM

TRC in downbeat dejected mood shocker !!!

Podge_irl · 31-01-2024 10:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121703042#Comment_121703042

I actually feel sorry for you that you are so incapable of enjoying anything. I hope you somehow feel better about it in 4 or 8 years.

50HX · 31-01-2024 10:18PM

https://youtu.be/HDEY1UeIsr4?feature=shared

..

pickarooney · 31-01-2024 10:33PM

I've a 100% losing record of watching my team in the Velodrome. Hope to break that streak on Friday!

aloooof · 31-01-2024 10:42PM

Pretty happy with that squad and some interesting selections in there.

Biggest changes are Ryan dropping to the bench, and the 6-2 split. Not just Frawley, but Crowley's versatility also facilitating that. (And JGP has shown he's solid wing cover in the past)

McCarthy, Crowley and Nash all with their first 6 Nations starts, I think. Away in France doesn't get much more difficult, but excited to see how they all go.

Tommybojangles · 31-01-2024 11:05PM

Ah lads it's the most wonderful time of the year. Fukc that ould world cup. 😆

Can't wait

sprucemoose · 31-01-2024 11:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121703177#Comment_121703177

i dont think crowley being versatile matters here though, frawley covers the same positions (arguably to a better standard) so it doesnt help that much. if it were say, ross byrne, on the bench it would be an asset though

Happyhouse22 · 31-01-2024 11:41PM

Everyone mentioning Ryan dropping the bench, is it not Henderson that drops out or am I misremembering?

ersatz · 01-02-2024 03:42AM

Hendo/Ringrose out and Ryan benched is major news. Nash and Joe starting with Crowley at ten and it’s quite a refreshed team for the opener and biggest match of the comp as far as Ireland are concerned. I’d say France are hurt more than Ireland by exiting the WC at the 1/4 given that they were hosting. That’s both a failure and a confidence knocker. For Ireland the loss to NZ wasn’t a terrible performance so confidence should not be a problem. A lot rests on Crowley’s shoulders but he seems to be playing with a lot of balls and boldness. If we get a good start I can see us dominating them and France wobbling badly. Our bench is savage. A good start for them and maybe they handle us.