Can Ireland beat France?

First topic message reminder :

With France having lost three games in a row (Italy, Wales, England), they are now on the road to face Ireland.

One side of the argument suggests that France are "due a win" while the other says that they are on the ropes and a new look Irish side can add to their misery.

Can Ireland beat this French team?

A World Cup and 3 Finals wrote:Personally, I think Kidney gets a raw deal. Ireland's problems aren't tactical but down to poor execution. The coach's tactics provided his team with 80% possession and territory against Scotland but the team couldn't score, there's only so much a coach can do.

Yeah, World Cup..I've passed your message onto those kids in Bolivia. They'll get back to you on that one.....

Maybe you need to spend a bit more time in Bolivia Fly, the sun might illuminate those dark corners of your brain

Nevermind me brain..you just keep an eye out for an exceptional International coach who will be on the job seekers list in perhaps a few weeks or months.

I'll tell him you lads are really interested in him and might take him on as a tactician for your assault on 2015. Oh I can see England clamouring for his services...what with the 80% this'n'that stats he always commands

Nick Mallet for Ireland!

red_stag wrote:Nick Mallet for Ireland!

Knowing your selection process your more likely to get Timmy Mallett

I'd take Timmy over Nick. Timmy took no prisoners in the Jungle...............

SecretFly wrote:I'd take Timmy over Nick. Timmy took no prisoners in the Jungle...............

Has Trinh-Duc been pumping PSA's daughter or something? I can't see what else he's done to get himself dropped in favour of Freddy. I reckon France could come good in this match, though. Neither team has anywhere near their best XV down.

A World Cup and 3 Finals wrote:Personally, I think Kidney gets a raw deal. Ireland's problems aren't tactical but down to poor execution. The coach's tactics provided his team with 80% possession and territory against Scotland but the team couldn't score, there's only so much a coach can do.

He could resign.

Ultimately the team have been decimated by injury and his head has been on the block for months...in my view it is virtually academic now. I don't think France will lose this weekend and then it is Italy for pride....he will be gone in 10 days.

Simple answer, yes.

SecretFly wrote:Tri, I read your peice...I won't reprint it here cause I'm off shortly.

He (O'Driscoll) gave an interview. You talk in one of those things I hear...unless you're Ferguson Anyway, he gave an interview about his thoughts on being a new Dad and the feelings it engenders in him...and given that the child turnd up just about the same time as the English game...he gave a few cents on the link between the two.
Read the full interview...it's a nicer, softer, cuddlier one than the outline you initially gave. But I accept the rethink on it by you.

To be totally honest I'd be more worried about the man as a human being if he wasn't affected in some way through a game slated to start within a handful of minutes of his first born drawing their initial breath.

Anyways, for some reason this has headed down the path of an Ireland/England match re-hash; back on topic.

Can Ireland beat France? Yeah, of course they can. Vice versa as well though

I'm not sure what the weather will be like in Dublin at the weekend, that will dictate a lot of how the game is played. It's going to wet & crap over here (HQ & Murrayfield by all reports), which is shame because I was really hoping for few open/running games.

Are there any Irish posters left out there?
Normally you'd expect billions of posts prior to a big game.

I wanted to know how the cucumber frame pitch is likely to play today with the Fergies and French tractors being revved and primed to plough it up.

In other words, is it wet?

Damp might be the word. Soft might be the racing metaphor. Drills for spuds might be the results once again.

Not sure it will be actually raining but quite a lot of rain has fallen in recent days.

Where've they all gone SF?
Is there a Blarney trappist conversion course on?

Probably O'Driscoll's last 6 Nations game in Dublin. Hope he has a good one.

Hey all, is this going to be the match fred?

Wind and rain in Dublin!!! Ugh we just seen what must be a contender for the worst match in history.

Lets hope the weather doesnt effect this too much.

Assume so, Cari, unless you want to start one.

I've seen worse matches L4L. I hope the weather doesn't spoil this one again though.

aitchw wrote:Assume so, Cari, unless you want to start one.

Na, we'll stay here...squatters rights!

Have you seen a worse international game though Cari?

'Jour tous
C'est-ci le fil du match?

Allez les Bleus!

I'm hoping for a performance par excellence from M. Michalak.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Have you seen a worse international game though Cari?

Hmmm, not that I can recall off the top of my head right now...

I just hope that this game is a better game than the one Wales v Scotland.;l

Gabby talking about this match being a wooden spoon decider...really? At least Ireland have won a match!

Shut up about ROG!

Blimey the weather looks cack over there.

I hope it's more entertaining too Maj.

I really hope wee Paddy has an awesome game.

Ferg's at 14!!

You know lads this will probably be the last time we see BOD at home. Sad times

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:You know lads this will probably be the last time we see BOD at home. Sad times

I hope Ireland have a top game then.

I don't care who wins (actually France as they're my second team) but I just hope we get a game of rugby!

The weather is absolutely dreadful. It won't be a vintage game that's for sure.

That's my concern Hook - it certainly dampened the English game. The ball will be like soap, and the pitch will cut up under foot.

I like that nickname Cari!

G'wan Ireland! And g'wan wee Paddy!

Well Notch there is/was only one Ulster Paddy for Ireland! so Wee Paddy he is.

I'm not being rude or anti-establishment, but is this absolutely necessary in this weather? Surely the president can skip it for once?

Bout yee's?

DOC looks like he's in pain already!

Allright Rodders!

Gees terrible today, had to prise myself away from shopping for prams to watch this..... it better be good.....

Come on Brian lets roll back the years old bean!

DOC looked a bit emotional there for Ireland's Call- maybe he'll be retiring too at he end of the season and knows he won't play at Lansdowne again.

Ryan looks like a man who enjoys the human voice.

Here we go, lets hope I can avoid the English / Welsh bashing in this thread!!!

Is it me, or does the weather look even worse than when England were in Dublin?

Good start by France...gulp!

5 0n 2 and Michalak kicks it dead... how is he playing int rugby???

Duty281 wrote:Is it me, or does the weather look even worse than when England were in Dublin?

Seems to be colder and possibly windier.

But not as wet, yet.

That pitch looks like a carpet...

Get your hands of our wooden spoon France!

ooh...interesting tactic by Ireland...the French are looking panicky.

Cari wrote:That pitch looks like a carpet...

Just wait - it will turn into a cabbage patch

ooh I see an Irish full moon appearing...don't know whose bum it is!