France 19 - 12 Ireland : Post Match Discussion

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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)

Ronan

The ref's kit looks stupid - like he's wearing two different bits.

YAY! Good man ROG. Mon Ireland!!!

13-12
Whats odds on an O'Gara drop goal now?

O'Connell is a real general isnt he.

YES!!!!

Alyn - that'll be in the 79th minute

I would take that Alyn

Flannery is being played into the team at the minute. POC looks in good nic

You could see this happening a mile off. Always when the French catch fire in the first half they blow up in the second.

Oh Reddan. Brain fart.

Blondie MOTM I reckon....

On he comes Cari

POC makes such a difference to this team

Arrrrrrrrrrrgh! So close.

Lovely from Jones!!!

eirebilly wrote:On he comes Cari

I hope he doesn't kick out like he did the last time he played in France though

Great vision that, France very lucky Yash was there to cover.

Ther French commentators have just said the Kicker is on lol

Go for the try boys!

Ireland going for the kill now, line out 5 metres.

We have Flip up to many chances really annoying

Have to say POC and Heaslip have made such a difference to the team. Flannery has a big chance here as well. The kicking of Wallace/ROG and Jones there has the french totally lost

Awh sheet! Should've gone for the corner. Difficult kick though.

Medard on. He's a danger man...

For Flip we have got the killer instict of a puppy

France starting to steady things up now. The next 10mins will decide the winner i feel

The scrum's become a bit of an issue for Ireland now...

Buckley getting destroyed in the scrum. Experiment is not working

Fecking hell!What a kick from Yachvili though.

Cari wrote:The scrum's become a bit of an issue for Ireland now...

More that a bit Cari. Its shocking.

Great kick by Yash, that will settle the French down a bit.

McFADDEN ON!!!!

Buckley is a joke

eirebilly wrote:France starting to steady things up now. The next 10mins will decide the winner i feel

Yes I'm suprised, France would normally buckle under these circumstances.

What?!!! Penalty to France?! WTF?

Anyone notice how angry the French were, then O'Connell walks towards them and they scuffle off and be quiet? lol

That would have been a card at the RWC. Early tackle

Awh sheeet.

You wouldn't believe this was just a warm up match would you?

Cari wrote:What?!!! Penalty to France?! WTF?

There was nothing in that except a bit of play acting

Yash kicks it well and France from the first half are back

I would rather have Kidney in the scrum than Buckley

McFadden's faster than Medard

Why was Blondie taken off???

OH FECK!!!! Knock on!!!

Well played Trimble should be in the starting team for the WC

France really do some odd things at times. Very lucky for them there

Bollix. Let down in the scrum again.

Absoluetely ridiculous

Cari wrote:Why was Blondie taken off???

I'm guessing they dont want to wear him out before the world cup.

Buckley has been a disaster in the 2nd half

Come on Ireland!!!!

Buckley you useless five knuckle shuffle

Ireland go for the corner.

Buckley cost us the game dont want to see him anywhere near the plane to NZ

Fock. A draw would've been better than nothing.