Match Thread: France v Ireland. 6 Nations 2026, 05th Feb. ITV and Virgin Media KO 8:10pm.

ionadnapóca · 05-02-2026 05:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208497#Comment_124208497

A unique and thought provoking post!

In regards to Deegan and the Magne comparison. The French are and were a little unique in their backrows. They just play straight up Left and Right Flankers e.g. The Right Flanker No.7 like Magne would pack down on the RHS of the scrum (behind tight-head). The 7 usually, but not always, is the larger flanker.

They aren't concerned with the number on the back or hindered by the mindset that one flanker must always be an 'openside' or 'fetcher' type. The Hooker and LHP are usually tasked with trying to turnover the ball.

Interestingly, Cros (6) and Jelonch (8) are the very definition of your "intensity orientated robots" . Jegou (7) is more like Magne.

Deegan? I like him and I always thought him as better suited to 'top of ground' rugby. Not as suited for the trenches of war like Prendergast is. That might be a bit unfair on Deegan because he really has improved in and around the ruck, maul and tackling as he has matured. But he really is more of a No.8!

What always set the French flankers apart is their innate understanding of the game. They have an ability to 'seek and destroy' in one instance and switch to attack in the next. They all can pass and throw an offload.

vdF and your 'cheeky' friend Doris are two of the best backrows in the world. Im confident Prendergast will also make his mark on Jegou and co. tonight.

ionadnapóca · 05-02-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208376#Comment_124208376

Im 'all in' on the latter.

They dont like Galthie. Or at least they are fed up with him.

Score first and the wheels might come off. French score first and they could run all over Ireland.

Lost Ormond · 05-02-2026 06:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208614#Comment_124208614

Winter Olympics opening ceremony is in san siro tomorrow night. game is on tonight to avoid clashing with that

almostover · 05-02-2026 06:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208814#Comment_124208814

Really hoping for a big game for Cian Prendergast. If we can make a mess of their ruck ball it gives us a chance. Him and VdF are probably the most critical players out there tonight.

First lineout and scrum are both critical too, I feel if we can get the first few set pieces away with little fuss it'll settle the team and give us a chance. I wonder if we use Sam's excellent kicking out of hand tonight to turn the French back 3 and make them play from their own half? Going aerial with the kicking tonight would be madness given the perceived weakness of our scrum.

Madeoface · 05-02-2026 06:29PM

Outside of an unlikely Ireland win. I'd take a lbp, no injuries and not to be talking about Karl Dickson at 10.30pm.

OldRio · 05-02-2026 06:31PM

Discipline discipline discipline.

ersatz · 05-02-2026 06:59PM

Parity in the scrum, 90%+ in the line out, <10 penalties conceded, no loose kicking to give France easy attacking turnover and slowing down their ruck ball. Accomplishing that sets up a very good foundation for the season. I expect this is what the coaches will be after too.

typhoony · 05-02-2026 07:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208875#Comment_124208875

Delighted for Cian well deserved call-up but I hope he can stop giving away dumb penalties as he does regularily for Connacht.

Bogwoppit · 05-02-2026 07:15PM

I think they’ll be kicking a lot of contestables whether the scrum gets parity or not. probably a risk worth taking with the back three we have who are all good in the air.

mr_edge_to_you · 05-02-2026 08:08PM

Serious stubble on the Virgin Media panel.

ElisaAtWar · 05-02-2026 08:14PM

It's funny but the general assessment is that Ireland will lose. And Paddy Power has this at 2/13 for France. And yet Andy Farrell is likely to come out of this unscathed because Ireland has many first options missing.

And in truth that's just laughing at the problem and saying that if Ireland was full strength the problem wouldnt be the same.

So Andy has a get of jail excuse this time. But I wonder how many more times.

We need a new coaching ticket badly. We need to focus on development. And we really need to get rid of Irish contracts. These contracts are the bane of Irish rugby

darkened_scrum · 05-02-2026 08:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209187#Comment_124209187

We need to focus on development

9 of the starting XV won their first cap under Farrell and about half the full squad/panel have less than 20 caps. People like you are never happy. This is just boring, meaningless guff.

longjohn200 · 05-02-2026 08:22PM

Wet night in France suits ireland. Keep it tight. Contestables need to be on the money. Prendergast and Stu need to have a game. Hoping stockdale plays well - I just fear who the opposing winger is. Ireland by 4 !

bingobango12 · 05-02-2026 08:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209187#Comment_124209187

And what if Ireland win? What won’t you be happy about then?

I agree that Farrell and Co should move on after the World Cup. Not because of performance, because I think 8 years is too long in one job. Farrell has the best win % of any Irish coach. How you think Ireland need a new coaching ticket “badly” is beyond me.

And who is it the should make up this coaching ticket if the current team are to move on? Who’s available to take over?

Jelly Welly · 05-02-2026 08:30PM

France by 30+ Sam Prendergast will be badly exposed

Hurrache · 05-02-2026 08:38PM

**** sake, rushing Trimble claiming they're pushed for time to go to poxy ads for what felt like 10 minutes.

CrowdedHouse · 05-02-2026 08:44PM

VHS quality picture via antenna.

Melodeon · 05-02-2026 08:46PM

It's In high definition on ITV, if that's an option for anyone.

ElisaAtWar · 05-02-2026 08:47PM

It's funny but I am going to put a bet on Ireland. We haven't lost much in terms of personnel so Ireland has as much a chance as they might have

Ardillaun · 05-02-2026 08:48PM

I’m hoping rain is good for us.

Hurrache · 05-02-2026 08:49PM

I know they have modern picture quality on the Sky platforms, do they have HD on Eir TV or is it poxy there too?

**** knows why their advertisers think people are going to hang around for massive ad breaks on a **** SD station.

Melodeon · 05-02-2026 08:53PM

And ITV have just informed us that there'll be 'short' in-half commercial breaks, but they promise that we won't miss any action!

FFS!!!

I guess I'll be switching back to VM Chunk-O-Vision for those bits.

siblers · 05-02-2026 08:54PM

….

Paddy_Mag · 05-02-2026 08:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209263#Comment_124209263

Ads on a break in play is not a big issue imo

Thrashssacre · 05-02-2026 08:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209267#Comment_124209267

Same here doing my head in already.

Former Former Former · 05-02-2026 08:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209255#Comment_124209255

It’s in HD on sky, virgin, Eir and Vodafone, plus anyone with an internet connection can watch it in HD on the Virgin player.

No one needs to be watching this on Saorview, if SD is a big deal.

Itssoeasy · 05-02-2026 08:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209267#Comment_124209267

That was just for that ad break.

Cookiemunster · 05-02-2026 08:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209245#Comment_124209245

I'm watching it there to avoid the VM panel and Dave McIntire.

Cookiemunster · 05-02-2026 09:01PM

Half and half screens during breaks in play. I'll see how it goes before I consider watching/listening to VM.

bilston · 05-02-2026 09:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209263#Comment_124209263

I don't love the idea, but if it is one of the reasons why the 6Ns and Nations Championship will be on FTA TV this year and in 2028 then its a price worth paying.

Match Thread: France v Ireland. 6 Nations 2026, 05th Feb. ITV and Virgin Media KO 8:10pm.

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