France - Ireland one win in 40 years....

First topic message reminder :

Regardless as to whether we had beaten Wales off the park last week it is a fact that our record against France is as bad as our record against SH nations. Our win ratio is terrible and we have beaten them only 9 times in the last 40 years. We have only won twice in Paris back in 72 and lately in 2000 when BOD scored the hattrick (against what was arguably one of the weakest French teams put out).

So if Ireland win next weekend in Paris it will be a major victory for us. The French when they play Ireland enjoy the occassion completely as they never expect to lose (regardless of how their clubs are doing in the HC).

So who expects us to do well or are we on a hiding to nothing? What if we go there and win, does that vindicate Kidney as coach or as has been said with games like Australia it was the players wot won it not the coach....

With all the wailing and gnashing of teeth and the usual suspects (specifically Leinster supporters) blinded by there own infallibility (in other words our players who are doing so well in the HC - against mediocre opponents - cant play that badly due to their own inadequacies so therefore it is down to the coach) moaning about Kidney....what is the expectation next weekend.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That Ireland is bitter, and we are all sore losers? Yet you moaned when rodders said you don't understand what a tackle is, and said he has resorted to personal abuse?

What goes on in your head..

You need to man up Rory. Come on it's a man's game. Stand up for the Ulster men etc. Come on Rory.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That Ireland is bitter, and we are all sore losers? Yet you moaned when rodders said you don't understand what a tackle is, and said he has resorted to personal abuse?

What goes on in your head..

You need to man up Rory. Come on it's a man's game. Stand up for the Ulster men etc. Come on Rory.

Don't feed the trolls rory

I need to man up?

Yeah rodders, think its time to leave him be! It has been fun though

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That Ireland is bitter, and we are all sore losers? Yet you moaned when rodders said you don't understand what a tackle is, and said he has resorted to personal abuse?

What goes on in your head..

You need to man up Rory. Come on it's a man's game. Stand up for the Ulster men etc. Come on Rory.

That's quite witty.

With D'Arcy at 12, i think that there is a lot of pressure on Earles to create something.

I know people hate this idea but what is so wrong with ROG 10, Sexton 12 and Earels 13 for France?

WUM!

Who me Glas?

To be honest Billy any change is surely worth a punt. What's going on at the minute isn't working. That much should be clear to everyone.

I am really not trying to WUM. If D'Arcy has a shocking first half, why not drag him off and give Sexton th 12 and ROG 10. Sexton is creative, fast, good defensivly and will work well with Earles...

Not a permanent change but one if things are not going well.

eirebilly wrote:I am really not trying to WUM. If D'Arcy has a shocking first half, why not drag him off and give Sexton th 12 and ROG 10. Sexton is creative, fast, good defensivly and will work well with Earles...

Not a permanent change but one if things are not going well.

Could work (and O'Gara said something about that happenings a few weeks back). I personally think the major problem is that the players are saving themselves for their club HCup qfs.

When it was tried in a RWC warmup, i really liked the look of it.

Saving themselves for the HC 1/4's really should'nt have a bearing and i hope that this isnt the case.

Has anyone else got a better suggestion as to what to do if D'Arcy underperforms again?

eirebilly wrote:When it was tried in a RWC warmup, i really liked the look of it.

Saving themselves for the HC 1/4's really should'nt have a bearing and i hope that this isnt the case.

Has anyone else got a better suggestion as to what to do if D'Arcy underperforms again?

If????

Yeah, i should fix that Willy..... I was giving him the benefit of the doubt

Put McFadden at 12? I hope that happens.

Will McFaddens defence be as good as Sextons Gibbo? I feel that Irelands 10/12/13 channels will get a good work out tomorrow evening.

mc fadden is not a defensive rock but neither is darcy. worth the risk for me. darcy has experience but his legs dont have it in them any more. still not a poor player but not international class.

could we make a 12 out of fitzgerald?? great defense decent step and skilful. we have wingers to beat the band with the emergence of gilroy,zebo,kearney jnr

sin e if that is true they should all be shot. i dont really think it is. they look frustrated but i dont think its due to lack of effort

eirebilly wrote:Will McFaddens defence be as good as Sextons Gibbo? I feel that Irelands 10/12/13 channels will get a good work out tomorrow evening.

Billy, I am not averse to that idea of Sexton and ROG on the field - if called for. Mickado and I saw it happening v France when Darcy came off, pre RWC, and it really worked. Im up for anything - if it works.

Good luck in Paris, guys.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I said this before but I will say it again - one positive to think about when Kidney leaves, is that we have plenty of young backs who thrive on running rugby, similar to the SH or French style of playing. There was a lot of talent in that Leinster team last night. Then you have players like Hanrahan, Marshall, Zebo, Gilroy, Spence etc also. The future looks good!

In fact,I like the look of that lot- but seems like more celtic young talent than that of the saes> hey ho INCOMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This on beebsport website ticker that JSex is doubtful with a tight groin......

or this is old news?

I honestly can't remember I game I have been more negative about before. I really fear for us tomorrow night, especially if Sexton drops out. France will hammer us right across the midfield

Sexton is doubtful "tight thigh muscle". So if ROG plays, it should fit in perfectly with Kidneys natural gameplan.

We'll bore them into submission.

as long as they submit gibbo i dont care how we play. lose and where out gibbo. they wont submit either way though

Gibson wrote:Sexton is doubtful "tight thigh muscle". So if ROG plays, it should fit in perfectly with Kidneys natural gameplan.

We'll bore them into submission.

I really hope Sexton plays tomorrow because if we lose and there is a big chance we will, if rog is playing it will give the whingers like you something to go on about over a spliff and a verboden vrucht. Instead of seeing as mr Quinlan did that the players are wimps, probably because they are mostly lady boys. Looks its the old problems coming back to haunt us...

So you want Sexton to play 10 incase we lose so that he gets the blame? Poor form DOD.

We won't lose no matter who plays 10...

Paddy Wallace will save the day

Wotcha Rodders, good win in Ravahill.

Missed it Glas! Great win man, we need all the points we can get!

Notch reckoned it was all Dragons, very strange. Best try of the season from Pienaar apparently.

Yeah saw the tries, Pienaars was amazing! A real team effort.

Maybe it was all Dragons but I'll take the points!

Why are people still arguing with chunky, the sooner he is on ignore the sooner he will feic off!

Standulstermen wrote:Why are people still arguing with chunky, the sooner he is on ignore the sooner he will feic off!

What thread? I have long since ignored him....

something to go on about over a spliff and a verboden vrucht.

hahaha.

spliff and de konicks certainly skew the mind watching rugby. was in the dam watching welsh game and afterwards i was absolutely convinced we had played great stuff and were desperately unlucky to lose.

the sober rewatching of the game changed this

i wonder how many are heading over? only ever done Paris for France and Argentina in the 2007 world cup

Amsterdam is a great place to watch the rugby. Full of sets of all fans having a cracking day. The beer goes down very well and the party atmosphere is great.

Didnt see the game but the U-20s have just beaten France 12-13 in grenoble.

I believe hanrahan kicked the winning penalty and the TMO denied the french a try at the death.

Here s hoping....