France 19 - 12 Ireland : Post Match Discussion

First topic message reminder :

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)

Good kick Rog u and POC the only Munster boys i trust on this team

I hope to god we dont have walsh at the RWC. He is almost abdicating all authority at the breakdown. France dont need him though they have looked very sharp.

Trimble has looked lively as has Paddy but the lineout has been disastrous. Need to see POC and Flannery i think. Fitz hasnt furthered his cause but the most frustrating thing is out attack looking poor save for a SOB break and a couple of nice touches from Paddy. I fear we have retained Gaffney 1 year too long. The tackling is fierce but Walsh is letting prone players crawl forward and protect the tackled player. Poor poor reffing

Fell free to Pm me for a stream to this game if you cant watch it.

Half-time thoughts for Ireland

The Good; Sean O'Brien, Paddy Wallace, Eoin Reddan, Andrew Trimble all good individual performances- not really gelling as a team at all at this stage.

The Bad; Luke Fitzgerald, Rory Best, Leo Cullen, the lineout, the intensity, protection of the ball at the breakdown. Inability to amtch the pace and accuracy France are outting on the game and making lots of errors.

The Ugly; getting any kind of ball from the lineout.

'Nobody cares about the result' - Who is this clown?

Also if this doesnt show why Ferris should be a shoo in at 6 im not sure what does. Our retention is so poor and compare it with France who 9/10 times have 3 or 4 guys ready to clearout

Draigoch wrote:'Nobody cares about the result' - Who is this clown?

He's goes by many names; Ireland's Shame, the cantankerous clown, the empty vessel, the moron of the media set...

But you can call him George Hook. And then thank god for the BBC. Because every Six Nations I watch RTE and switch to BBC at halftime.

I have to say we did well to only be 10 points down at the half

aha, Ireland's Steven Jones.

Also, I don't want to take the urine out of your national TV but I think it's hilarious how it's presented with the seriousness of a panorama episode.

Punditery on the Italy V Japan game is much better, 2 Italians sitting down. With gorgeous Italian hostess standing up in a gold mini skirt. Dominguez is just about managing to get words out, but his eyes keep glancing down at her boobs, which he's eye level with!
Long angle lens going floor level to so your looking up (her skirt).
no wonder Italian rugby is growing so fast, I always wondered what they saw in the sport!

I actually watch a fair bit of Irish telly and I like it. BUT I'd rather John Inverdale than this aul git. Sounds like a right 2at.

Draigoch wrote:aha, Ireland's Steven Jones.

Also, I don't want to take the urine out of your national TV but I think it's hilarious how it's presented with the seriousness of a panorama episode.

Especially when their main pundit is dead from the neck up.

AlynDavies wrote:Punditery on the Italy V Japan game is much better, 2 Italians sitting down. With gorgeous Italian host standing up in a gold mini skirt. Dominguez is just about managing to get words out, but his eyes keep glancing down at her boobs, which he's eye level with!
Long angle lens going floor level to so your looking up (her skirt).
no wonder Italian rugby is growing so fast, I always wondered what they saw in the sport!

You wait until David Wallace retires, he'll replace these old gits, and wear next to nothing just to get the viewers in, no one will give a sheet what he's on about. They'll just stare....

Its going to be tough to get back in the game but hopefully Ireland do. Need to score first though

Um, Alyn - fancy PMing me a link for the Italy match mate?

For the rugby...obviously..

Cari, I don't know if you've noticed but most rugby fans are male

Cari wrote:You wait until David Wallace retires, he'll replace these old gits, and wear next to nothing just to get the viewers in, no one will give a sheet what he's on about. They'll just stare....

Nice fantasy but most forwards end up as coaches
He will be a fat, balding old man with a beer belly, dressed up in lots of clothes to keep him warm

Draigoch wrote:Um, Alyn - fancy PMing me a link for the Italy match mate?

For the rugby...obviously..

Check your inbox mate, though the game has restarted though, but I'm sure you can see more of her after.

Trimble is a beast i want him in the centre come world cup

Notch wrote:Cari, I don't know if you've noticed but most rugby fans are male

Wally can turn anyone Notch!

Oh cack...this isn't a good start...

A bit brighter from Ireland but still not matching France's aggression

OH OH OH OH! Irish try coming...

Alyn

Better from Ireland!

Cari wrote:OH OH OH OH! Irish try coming...

40 Minutes of Irish players should be your limit!

AlynDavies wrote:

Cari wrote:You wait until David Wallace retires, he'll replace these old gits, and wear next to nothing just to get the viewers in, no one will give a sheet what he's on about. They'll just stare....

Nice fantasy but most forwards end up as coaches
He will be a fat, balding old man with a beer belly, dressed up in lots of clothes to keep him warm

Well you never know Alyn. Have you not heard of Paul 'my brother is David' Wallace?

Some sloppy passes, but much better from Ireland.

A bit premature there, Cari. But we've already had a thread like that

One score game now though. Better play but we're still not getting those offloads to hand.

Yes gwaaan Ronan

Trimble setting down a marker. SOB looking dangerous again. Good start to the 2nd half

Alyn - ha I got a bit excited, I thought Chilli was going to go all the way...

ROG looks like a tomato. He's boiling!

Wow we are avoiding that ball like it is an STD

Trimble setting down a marker. SOB looking dangerous again. Good start to the 2nd half

Yup I think France have burned themselves out.
Ireland on the come back now.

Being serious now Trimble has to replace Darcy in the centre

POC on - look out!

Blondie's having a good game, but he's not allowed to replace Tommy for much longer...

The small things are starting to go Irelands way

Kearney having a solid game

Good man Ronan.

YO!!! Not far behind now....

Cari wrote:POC on - look out!

Blondie's having a good game, but he's not allowed to replace Tommy for much longer...

What about Blondie on the left and Tommy on the right? Not too bad..?

Ireland are chipping away, the crowd is quiet and French heads are starting to drop. France are there for the taking now.

You can see O'Gara nicking this with a drop goal.

Notch wrote:
What about Blondie on the left and Tommy on the right? Not too bad..?

I'm happy with that Notch...I meant, he can't stay in the no.14 shirt

What happened to Irelands lineout? It was once a thing of beauty

Flip me well played ROG nerves of steel

Without POC our lineout is so Poopie

eirebilly wrote:What happened to Irelands lineout? It was once a thing of beauty

Do you think they'll bring Flannery on?

oh dear...poor scrum there.

Another chance here

Cari wrote:

eirebilly wrote:What happened to Irelands lineout? It was once a thing of beauty

Do you think they'll bring Flannery on?

oh dear...poor scrum there.

I hope so

In terms of reffing it is most definately a game of 2 halves

eirebilly wrote:What happened to Irelands lineout? It was once a thing of beauty

Chopping and changing players doesn't help and O'Connor does the calls and takes charge most of the time.