Osborne is a far better 12/15 than he is a wing. But he's an excellent line runner and I think/hope we'll have him make trailing runs off Henshaw's shoulder. He's a big athlete and could do a lot of damage breaking the line after receiving an offload. He also has the longest kicking distance of any player in the tournament to date. Prendergast, Lowe and he could be vitally important to counteracting the France kicking game.
Happy enough with that. Would rather Ryan start, and have had Boyle on the bench. If France defend the way they did versus Italy, I think we win it comfortably
Here's the official announced line up.
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(44) 14. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(6) 13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(80) 12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(63) 11. James Lowe (Leinster)(39) 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(6) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(41)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(73) 2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(30) 3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(49) 4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(17) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(59) 6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(112) 7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(71) 8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (captain)(49)
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(42) 17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(136) 18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(5) 19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(70) 20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(49) 21. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(26) 22. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(123) 23. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(22)
Mack Hansen (quad) and Rónan Kelleher (neck) were unavailable for selection due to injury, while Saturday’s match came too soon for Tadhg Furlong who continues to progress in his rehabilitation.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/03/06/easterby-names-ireland-team-to-face-france-at-aviva-stadium/
I'll do one but If anyone else wants to by all means….
Can someone start a match thread? Give us a decent write-up for this one.
Ireland dealt well with South Africa's 7)1 at the World Cup iirc. They were never overwhelmed by the extra physicality that bench brought.
La Rochelle went 7/1 against Leinster a few months ago and it didn't really work either. I don't like the risk you take with your squad. If there's one injury in the backline you have to reshuffle everything.
When Leinster played Toulouse in the 2023 Champions Cup semi final the French side went with a 6/2. They lost Barassi to injury early in the game so Ntamack had to move from 10 to centre and Dupont moved to flyhalf. They moved their entire playmaking hub because they had insufficient cover. They were hammered 41-22 and struggled in attack for large parts of that game. It's an even bigger risk with a 7/1. France might think they have cover with the players on the pitch but imo they'd be far worse if a switch like the above occurred again.
The French are ruffled.
Dropping Penaud-Bringing him back-Cheaty Henry in camp-Alldritt 'Groin' issue to mirror Doris knock-
The 7-1 Bench is the biggest indicator that they are desperate.
IF Ireland score 1st Try and are leading at H-T; The French wont come back into it.
7-1 has only convinced me further of that.
Its still a big IF but the last time France won at Lansdowne Road when behind at HT was 1999. edit & 2011!
I hope it backfires spectacularly. It is a fundamentally stupid idea.
Thornley was saying that they are going for this approach from a tactical perspective in that they want the forwards to absolutely empty themselves so that they can get the space to go wide. Something to that effect anyway.
It's a massive risk.
Barring injury enforced I think it's crazy to see 7-1 split of the bench
Dupont is effectively covering 10-15. One back injury and they have to start shuffling. It's a massive risk.
France have gone for the 7/1 split. Serious beef on the bench with Meafou and Jelonch. Alldritt makes it.
France have named their side. Alldritt starts and there's a 7-1 split on the bench.
Nash went off early on Friday so I assumed he has a knock, hence TOB being called up?
I don’t love Osborne on the wing, he’s a great fit for 23 but I’d play JOB ahead of him at 14.
If Ireland are going for a 6-2 split in the subs, it makes total sense. unfortunate for Nash.
IF Osborne is starting i would think its because Hansen and Nash are injured. Not ideal. Esp. without Ringrose.
Osborne would have to play FB and Keenan wing. Osborne v Billie-Barry does not bear thinking about.
6-2 Would actually be the best option now - Best available players in the 23 AND 7-1.
GARRYOWEN'S Galore will be rained down upon the French Wings and FB.
The starting team I'm happy enough with. Would prefer is Hansen was available but of the back 3 players we have he's the most replaceable imo, plus Osborne is an unbelievable player so we shouldn't be weakened too much with him coming in. Like others have said, I would prefer him at FB with Keenan on the right wing.
The bench I'm less enthused by. I'm happy with the 6/2 split, would have picked it myself, but the injuries to Furlong & in particular Kelleher will limit the impact of our bench. I hope Gus McCarthy & Tom O'Toole get the nod in the 16 & 18 shirt, will add plenty of umph off the bench with those 2.
If someone is good enough, they're good enough.
A grandslam & championship decider ain't the place to try out. Different story on summer tour.
Has TOB even got meaningful minutes v higher end CC opposition?
Everyone is unproven until they aren't. Osborne made his debut in SA. I think he's more than talented enough for international rugby and more importantly, he's more experienced as a winger than Osborne or Keenan. We're facing arguably 2 of the best wingers in the world, I'd rather someone who's comfortable in their position personally.
He's completely unproven at this level & a laugh if he started.
at Least Osbourne has played & done well at test level.
Either way Keenan goes to the wing I'd say.
I would assume 1400 given they are not travelling.
I'm not convinced on Osborne on the wing, assume it is mostly due to his boot but he has struggled a little of late and moving position isn't going to help that.
Would probably be Keenan on the wing and Osbourne 15
I'd rather they start TOB there if Hansen and Nash are out. Love Osborne, but I think struggled on the wing for Leinster. Just hasn't had the time playing there. Don't know if he's appreciatably slower than Lowe or Hansen, but his positioning is what would concern me.
Is it a 9AM announcement tomorrow or back to the 2PM?
Rumours are Nash is injured
I'd fear Bielle-Barrie and Penaud would have a field day against us if a guy who doesn't play wing is selected there. Has Calvin Nash been consigned to the scrapheap? Osborne seems like a better fit for the 23 jersey for this game.
Does Osborne have the pace for wing at this level?
I mean he would've more than likely started if Doris and Conan were both injured. Don't see them starting Timoney or Prendergast Sr at 8.
(Now, even if Doris pulled out late, I presume they'd back Conan to play 80 and put on the above on the bench)
Do appreciate the attempt though, Niall.
By not getting picked kinda confirms it though?
