Ireland

trelawney says...

I think that both the FFr and the stadium owners should shoulder all responsibility for the postponment of the game. The protective covers only appeared to reach the touchline, therefore the ground around the touchline would have been frozen. Why don't the FFr get their act together instead of whining.

Posted 21:03 13th February 2012

coolhandsmike says...

@melkdave

"i bet Irish fans are feeling happier"....... this is a ignorant statement of epic proportions. No one goes to a game expecting a loss. I was in the stadium and not a single person I spoke to was happy to have been deprived of the chance to see Ireland play - whatever the outcome. It was bitterly disappointing, although in the grand scheme of things it is just a sporting event and that context needs to be remembered. That being said I met someone who had travelled from Australia and plenty of people, myself included had spent nearly £1000 on tickets, accommodation, travel etc and Paris is not a cheap place.

What is truly bizarre is the fact that the people in the stadium were the last people to know about this. The first announcement to be made to the crowd was roughly 9:15 local time. The entire handling of this was a farce and to make matters worse rather than standing up and taking responsibility the FFR chose to be spineless and let Dave Pearson make the decision and deal with the fall out. Absolutely guttless behaviour by the French officials.They, the FFR, should have stood behind Pearson as he was acting in the best interests of their players. The reaction of French national and club coaches - such as Noves and Galthie, and players backed the decision but categorically questioned the nature of the way it was handled. FFR president Camou was an embarassment and out to be reprimanded for the nature of his grand-standing at everyone elses expense. The real shame about this is that a sensible early decision could have been made, but the longer this went on the harder it became to do that. The FFR should have acted decisively earlier in the week but Camou behaved like a schoolboy. The FFR should hang their heads in shame.

Posted 14:12 13th February 2012

jontheref says...

I had sympathy with their coach, Kidney, as he wondered how he was going to get the players down from the high of being prepared for the game.

At least no stories of paris being wrecked.

Oh, wrong team!

Posted 19:02 12th February 2012