France and Ireland are poor users of possession

From this year's six nations the one thing that stands out to me with France and to a lesser extent ireland how they have failed to get scores when on the opponents half.

France both against Wales and England would walk up the pitch in control but at the important times would knock on, hold on or just lose a scrum.

Ireland in the first match did well scoring nearly every time they went into the welsh half but since then they have given away possession when they sould have been keeping the scoreboard ticking

Is Scotland's return to some form caused by their ability to score points when they venture into the opponent's 22. Last year they would let you down and give away possession but this year seem to be able to get scores.

Wales and England have great place kickers who will score when they are given a kick in the opponents's half.

As we all know Italy have long struggled to win games as they don't turn pressure in to scores.

So will the Ireland France game be lots of frustration or will both teams finally find some bit of scoring ability and not give the ball back when in scoring positions

I think the two teams have failed to keep the score ticking, France in the first half, Ireland in the second.

At least Scotland and Wales were getting penalties when they went forward

Michelak looked short on ideas and took to kicking far to often. With no game plan in the backs France were always going to struggle to build cohesive attacks. Couldn't believe they left a competent 10 on the bench.

Ireland just don't look like a team at the minute. Not sure what they can do to change that.

At the moment Ireland have so many injuries to their top players. That is why they are a bit out of sorts. I guess it will depend on how well their replacements come on as to when they will start too fire again.

What is the deal with all the Ireland injuries?

They're dropping like flies and plenty looked half-concussed by the end of the game. Similarily after the England and Scots games too.

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:What is the deal with all the Ireland injuries?

They're dropping like flies and plenty looked half-concussed by the end of the game. Similarily after the England and Scots games too.

Well, there were at least two today. BOD, and Marshall. Both must have taken blows to the noggin as neither looked to know if they were at the match or sitting at home eating a bowl of cornflakes.
Some players will throw their bodies on the line to make something happen, or to prevent, in the effort to win a game. That is to say, some more than others.

I dont know if I have ever seen a French team so clueless in the backs before though. They seem even more resistant to passing to the wings than we do.

And Michalak- his passing was just awful - just seemed so telegraphed. Maybe his team were not providing enough options but it just seemed that he'd run forward two yards then find some idiot to pass to so that they could get tackled.