France 19 - 12 Ireland : Post Match Discussion

Download the match here.
http://rugby.opticon.hu/meccsek/110813VBElokesz-Franciao-Irorsz.avi

France withstood an Irish fightback to secure a deserved World Cup warm-up victory in Bordeaux on Saturday night.

The French dominated the first half and Vincent Clerc's try and two Dimitri Yachvili penalties helped the hosts to a 13-3 lead at the break.

Ireland hit back early in the second half and three penalties from Ronan O'Gara took them to within a point.

O'Gara missed with another penalty attempt before Yachvili fired over two penalties to ensure a French victory.

France were superior from the start in every aspect of the game as the Irish wilted in the heat and high humidity.

Yachvili fired over a fourth minute penalty as the hosts made their early pressure count although Damien Traille sliced a drop-goal attempt wide from close range.

The French went over for the only try on 17 minutes, Clerc collecting an excellent lay-off from Alexis Pailsson before darting over.

Yachvilli added the extras and the scrum-half went to convert an impressive second penalty from wide.

Ronan O'Gara kicks over a second-half penalty against France
A lethargic Ireland failed to muster any attacking threat and continually gifting possession to the French.

At least the Irish finished the first half on a high thanks to an O'Gara penalty after what was a rare venture into the opposition half.

Ireland were a transformed team at the restart, with a new-found urgency in their play and stronger in the tackle.

For the first time Ireland were pushing the French back and the introduction of Munster lock Paul O'Connell provided added impetus.

The pressure resulted in a succession of Irish penalties, with O'Gara impressively coverting three before missing out with a fourth.

Ireland were now just a point adrift but the French regained control thanks to two Yachvili penalties.

The Irish pressed in the final minutes but squandered a five-metre scrum and a line-out close to the French line.

The sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next weekend in another World Cup warm-up game.

France: Traille, Clerc, Marty, Mermoz, Palisson, Trinh-Duc, Yachvili, Marconnet, Szarzewski, Ducalcon, Pierre, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Lakafia.

Replacements: Medard for Traille (64), Skrela for Mermoz (26), Parra for Yachvili (77), Poux for Marconnet (54), Guirado for Szarzewski (54), Nallet for Millo-Chluski (58), Bonnaire for Harinordoquy (64).

Ireland: Kearney, Trimble, Earls, P. Wallace, Fitzgerald, O'Gara, Reddan, Healy, Best, Ross, O'Callaghan, Cullen, Ryan, O'Brien, Leamy.

Replacements: Jones for Kearney (46), McFadden for Trimble (67), Murray for Reddan (60), Flannery for Best (60). Not used: Buckley, Heaslip.

Referee: Dave Pearson (RFU)

Steve Walsh as the referee is very worrying.
Ireland name a solid team, France look decent too.
I think France by 10 myself.

No Irish lads here tonight? Or are they already too drunk to post?

Jesus it's hard to watch it on RTE, best try a Fox sports stream
Those Irish panelists are so irritating.

3-0 to France

I really hate Steve Walsh

MON IRELAND!!!

Ireland do not look good at all

Some of the Irish players looking sexy in white by the way

Cari wrote:Some of the Irish players looking sexy in white by the way

Oi leave those Irish lads alone, I thought your heart was only for Bowe?

Cari wrote:Some of the Irish players looking sexy in white by the way

Girls will be girls eh Cari lol

Yeah, where IS Tommy? Ireland would be 10 up by now if he was playing

If anyone is interested and watching a stream remember you can watch 2 at once, by collapsing the broswer around the screen so they will both fit on your screen.
I got Italy V Japan going to, looks a cracking game.

Ah phew...missed drop goal...

Alyn - that's multi tasking!! I can't do that!

This has a very scary feeling about it

Great tackle by Blondie (Trimble) though...

Its coming

eirebilly wrote:This has a very scary feeling about it

how do you think us Welsh felt earlier for 60 minutes

There it is

France looking very very strong, very physical.

Argh noooo Clerc through. Balls.

Come on Ireland ta feck!!!

AlynDavies wrote:

eirebilly wrote:This has a very scary feeling about it

how do you think us Welsh felt earlier for 60 minutes

Yeah but France CAN score tries

eirebilly wrote:Its coming

Well I'm glad Cari didn't say that, that would of been the most replied to post since V2 began :P

Awh shoite, that was a good kick from Yachvili as well.

Alyn - ha! You're OK, Wally's not on

Lol Alyn

Chilli!!! How I've missed you...

Cari wrote:Alyn - ha! You're OK, Wally's not on

Sorry you know I was only kidding

France looking very handy indeed...

ah it's cool Alyn....I think most of the old skool posters know what I'm like in here why, I have my own smiley (the drooling one)...

The French crowd are very vocal

eirebilly wrote:The French crowd are very vocal

Oh yeah, they're never quiet - even when kicks are being taken.

Hairy donkey is so good at those little slip passes.

Oh jebus....this could be painful...come on Ireland...believe FFS!!

What did i tell you in the match thread we will lose by 10 - 12 points also what a tackle by Trimble

We are jinxed in france

Mermoz gets no luck at all does he?

I do love the way France play. (Sorry guys!)

This could get very bad. France look a cut above Ireland

Ireland need a Leinster-style come back...but NOW!

Also i never want to see Leamy in an Ireland top again

Draigoch wrote:Mermoz gets no luck at all does he?

I do love the way France play. (Sorry guys!)

Dont be sorry, when they are on form they are great to watch

So are Ireland Eirebilly....I just wish they could find their form now...they really need something on the scoreboard.

Cari wrote:Ireland need a Leinster-style come back...but NOW!

When France play like this they have a nasty habbit of falling asleep in the second half when they think theyve won. They will relax and Ireland will come back.

Ireland sure are Cari. They desperately need points soon.
I am wondering just how many more knock ons that Walsh will ignore from France

Geez, seems to be one of those matches when nothing works for Eire.

People sticking their arms in the air when the camera's on the coaches is really pathetic and annoying. If I was a coach, I'd slap the arms out of the way

It doesnt seem like its going to work today Draigoch

Pathetic chuck all these soft Munster boys out of our team and Play Just Leinster and a few Ulster boys

The Munster boys are soft as Flip

There'll be major changes second half for Ireland.

Actually they could do with putting POC on.

Cari wrote:People sticking their arms in the air when the camera's on the coaches is really pathetic and annoying. If I was a coach, I'd slap the arms out of the way

Ah Cari - you've reminded me of a gem of video with the great Jim Telfer - check this out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwYUZXzjKr0

YAY! Good kick ROG. The comeback starts....

Penalty got O'Gara.

My gut instinct tells me France will ease off in the Second half and Ireland will come storming back.

Well at least we got points