Ireland

Rosbif says...

@jose_jones. 100% agree. Same Fra team and performance next weekend, and Fra will lose. But I think PSA has figured that out too!!

There will be different names on the team sheet tmw for Fra. Poitrenaud for Medard is certain, of course. But lots of the chatter is that Beauxis will play 10. T-Duc has no kicking game and hasn't really brought his outside backs into the game. Yes, he ran over Laidlaw to set up Fofana's try, but that's about it.

If Beauxis starts, maybe Dupuy starts too? Could be quite a different proposition. Then the talk is that Mas might be rested, and put on the bench. So you might see Attoub given a start. Who knows? Just saying - it won't be same team as against the Scots for sure.

Will they play better? Here's hoping...... (I hardly think they could play worse hehehe...)

Posted 20:28 28th February 2012

adamk says...

Whilst I would like to agree with you blametheref, I think we can't go down that route at all. For two main reasons; Less Kiss and Tainton are not attacks coaches. We've shown that we are capable of attack in the previous games, but only as a memory reflex imo and in quite a predictable fashion. Secondly, one thing I noticed is how bad our defensive structure has become since Kiss has spread his duties. It was sinful to see Italy waste overlaps and were often gifted with huge amounts of space out wide that they did not capitalize on. Wales did not, and punished us easily for it.

Whilst I have no doubt if we start Reddan and Sexton on sunday we'll look dangerous and if we're allowed to play at the tempo we want we might even score a few tries. My issue is the problem when we start to play flat against the line, we become incredibly loose defensively, and that's where France will punish us. We saw how once Scotland lost their shape France picked them apart. And that was away. France at home will be a different animal.

I still think Reddan and Sexton should start. But they need to play tight rugby, keep the ball in hand, and smash them upfront for the first half before they can even dream of forcing the ball.

Posted 14:25 28th February 2012

hougiebear says...

Still will lose

Posted 12:06 28th February 2012