France v Ireland Saturday 12th Feb 2022 Match Thread

[Unclear]

France: Jaminet, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere, Ntamack, Du Pont: Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt

Bench: Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, Flaminet, Taofeffanua, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos (covering 10 and 15)


Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong;         Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Bench: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Jack Carty, Robbie Henshaw.

Referee : Angus Gardner

Date/time : Saturday 12th February, kick off 16:45 (UK time)

Only enforced changes to both teams, could be the decider on a Grand Slam, could be an exhibition of skills and intensity, could be just another game of rugby.

Definitely is my first go at a new topic.

[Welshmushroom]

All depends what France turn up. If they show up they will beat the Irish with something to spare regardless of how good are Ireland are. If they go physical I don't think Ireland will be able to match it as they have also gone for a 6/2 bench split meaning they will be subbing a bulk of the pack after 50 mins.

If they don't show up I think Ireland can pinch this. But this will be more down to France than anything Ireland end up doing. Don't get me wrong Ireland the last 12 months have probably been the best consistent team in the world. But I don't think I would be going along with the "Best Team in the world tag" - I just don't see Ireland winning the next World Cup even if they maintain their current form. Going to be hard for them to get past a quarter final I reckon.

Think France will turn up so reckon they might put 20 points on Ireland. Will be a few tries though so expecting a fairly high scoring game.

[Gooseberry]

Match of the tournament really. Scotland could still stick their noses in and are tidy outfit but this will really be the test for whether Ireland are as good as Wales let them look last week.

Agree with the brief OP write up, really hard to second guess how this will go, only thing that seems unlikely is a blow out to Ireland. I guess France marginal favourites with home advantage.

Looking forward to it more than the other games for sure.

[doctor_grey]

Hammer and tongs. This should be a slam bang match. Should be good fun to watch.

[Duty281]

France are big favourites with Sexton missing.

[Pete330v2]

I just don't understand the determination to ensure Carberry is heir apparent to Wee Janny's number 10 throne. I don't rate him at all at the best of times but he's had little game time AND he's made of balsa wood. I hope I am proved wrong but he's yet to convince me when he's occasionally fit for either Club or Country.

[Brendan]

For Munster Carbery has not worked well with the team and generally when he is at 10 Munster focus on forwards. With Healy the backs do much better. Think he should haven been left with Munster for the season to get some game time.

While Sexton does play a big part not having him is a blessing in disguise. Also with the system ireland is using there are alot less through 10 than previously.

Ireland need to win at least two games away against France, England and NZ. One in England and one in NZ will do and leaves room to grow. Winning in France might not be the best long term though i'd take it if it's on.

[Unclear]

I just don't understand the determination to ensure Carberry is heir apparent to Wee Janny's number 10 throne. I don't rate him at all at the best of times but he's had little game time AND he's made of balsa wood. I hope  I am proved wrong but he's yet to convince me when he's occasionally fit for either Club or Country.

Burn the heretic  

I don't know if Carberry is the answer either, but at least this is an opportunity to see how he goes.  There needs to be someone (or two) with experience (and ideally skill and confidence) to back up all positions in the squad, and 10 is one area where there are no obvious back-ups (15 is another for me, but at least Keenan is pretty robust).

As a glass half empty type I'm not confident about Saturday, I think Wales made the team look good.  Hopefully the players know the real level they performed at and realise this will be a step up.

[Pete330v2]

I just don't understand the determination to ensure Carberry is heir apparent to Wee Janny's number 10 throne. I don't rate him at all at the best of times but he's had little game time AND he's made of balsa wood. I hope  I am proved wrong but he's yet to convince me when he's occasionally fit for either Club or Country.

Burn the heretic  

I don't know if Carberry is the answer either, but at least this is an opportunity to see how he goes.  There needs to be someone (or two) with experience (and ideally skill and confidence) to back up all positions in the squad, and 10 is one area where there are no obvious back-ups (15 is another for me, but at least Keenan is pretty robust).

As a glass half empty type I'm not confident about Saturday, I think Wales made the team look good.  Hopefully the players know the real level they performed at and realise this will be a step up.

I do honestly hope Joey goes out there on Saturday and absolutely stuns the rugby world but the pessimist in me won't allow any confidence in a player who's played so little.
A few Jamesons and my optimist will hopefully emerge.

[majesticimperialman]

With Sexton being out of the France game i can seee Ireland suffering at the hands of France at home.

Regards a replacement for Sexton, What about Paddy Jackson? or is he banned from the Ireland squad all together?

[Pete330v2]

With Sexton being out of the France game i can seee Ireland suffering at the hands of France at home.

Regards a replacement for Sexton, What about Paddy Jackson? or is he banned from the Ireland squad all together?

Paddy is arguably the form Irish outhalf but doesn't play in Ireland. He won't ever play in Ireland again.

[Brendan]

With Sexton being out of the France game i can seee Ireland suffering at the hands of France at home.

Going off previous years directly before the WC taking a tanking wouldn't be to bad to keep the players focused on improving.  Carbery will do the basics fine and we will see how it goes.

I'm not sure how much impact Sexton has on defense but it holds up well normally so not sure how much of a tanking either team will take.  France struggled against Argentina and Georgia in the AIs so Ireland scrapping over every ball might not be what France like compared to the NZ running style.

All the pressure is on France now that Sexton is out as they have fallen each year and finished second. If they lose to Ireland at home the doubt creeps in.  With Toulouse winning Europe and T14 I think their 9 & 10 know how to see out the bigger games like NZ but suddenly they are expected to beat Ireland so it's interesting

[profitius]

Carbery isn't as bad as people think. His basics are strong. His passing and kicking are very good usually and he has a bit of speed. He is also cool under pressure which he showed when closing out the game against NZ.


His problem is defending and a lack of time on the pitch.

[majesticimperialman]

It is a shame this game is not the final of the tournament. I just hope it lives up to the hype.

But with Ireland having no sexton i think France by 20points.

[BigGee]

Ouch, that was quite a start!

[majesticimperialman]

What a great try from Dupont.

[Collapse2005]

It is a shame this game is not the final of the tournament. I just hope it lives up to the hype.

But with Ireland having no sexton i think France by 20points.

Looks that way already

[Duty281]

Great try from the French.

I think the Irish have been a little overhyped by their win over the Welsh.

[Gooseberry]

Boy, that escalated quickly.

[Heaf]

Wow France caught napping there

[BigGee]

Well that's a way for Ireland to get back into the game!

[Collapse2005]

Great try from the French.

I think the Irish have been a little overhyped by their win over the Welsh.

Spoke too soon but I know what you mean

[majesticimperialman]

Great try by Ireland. game on.

[lostinwales]

hehe

[Brendan]

Let's see if the pace stays. Ireland need to pass better

[Collapse2005]

France pulled on Ryans arm in the lineout, should have been an Ireland pen.

[Brendan]

Ireland at sea at ruck time

[Collapse2005]

France grabbing every time in the lineout

[Collapse2005]

Compared to Sexton Carbery plays way too deep

[king_carlos]

The ability of the French backs to just turn it on at any sniff of an opportunity is so impressive.

Both sides lineouts malfunctioning has kept this close so far but it's felt like Frances half.

[Brendan]

While Ireland are struggling it's the challange they need. Our attack is to slow

[BigGee]

19-7 France at HT

You would have to say that scores flatters Ireland, it could be a long second half!

[majesticimperialman]

19 points to 7 to France at half time. Ireland really have to change tact after the break or it will be hard for them to close the gap.

[profitius]

Looks like it's game over. If ireland don't improve the only question will be by how much France win.

[Unclear]

France running the show, winning the physical battle. Irish passing is poor compared to last week and the scrum looks lost. Shame it took the ref so long to recognise Woki closing the gap and missed him being thrown across the Irish line, but it wouldn't have made any difference to the overall score.

[Brendan]

French are playing it well and Dupont is getting them going. Pushing boundaries as you expect.

Ireland are struggling to get going and it seems to be that all we have left is to kick it which says there is something wrong.

[Unclear]

I don't think Sexton playing would make a lot of difference, the French are playing too well.

[Duty281]

France are just massive. With the exception of Dupont, it's difficult to differentiate the forwards and the backs. They've won the game, they should push for a BP in the second half.

[Pot Hale]

Not looking good for Ireland.

[majesticimperialman]

Good try by Ireland, is this the Ireland fight back?

[Unclear]

Brave call to go for the corner and it has paid off. Need a lot more of that.

[Brendan]

Ireland are efficient

[Unclear]

Ireland are efficient

Sometimes

[Unclear]

Like now!

[Collapse2005]

Oh baby!!!!

[king_carlos]

That should have been a penalty against Ireland a phase before France were pinged. When the counter ruck was driving Ireland back but the player on the floor kept hold of the ball so just got drove back with it. Playing the ball on the floor.

Try Ireland though. Game on. This should be a cracker from here.

[Brendan]

Ireland are efficient

Sometimes

More times

[Collapse2005]

Could get a bonus point win

[majesticimperialman]

Great response from Ireland, now can they kee this up?

[Gooseberry]

If this isnt game of the tournament I cant wait to see the rest

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