Solitary try: Vincent Clerc
Related links
Teams
Also see
France got their World Cup warm up schedule off to a winning start on Saturday, beating Ireland 19-12 at Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux.
France raced to a deserved 13-0 lead by the half-hour mark as they dominated every facet of play.
But the home side's indiscipline allowed the Irish to claw their way back into contention as four Ronan O'Gara penalties narrowed the gap to a single point at the start of the final quarter.
Wing Vincent Clerc scored the only try of the night for Les Bleus - his ninth in nine games against Ireland - while Dimitri Yachvili was flawless from the kicking tee, landing all five of his attempts at goal.
Anyone who stopped watching at half time would have been amazed by the final scoreline, such was the French dominance in the first period.
Fluid on attack and accurate up front, Marc Lièvremont's team looked like World Cup contenders for 35 minutes but were unable to maintain that momentum after the break.
Two Yachvili penalties in the final quarter steadied the ship but the French coach will be somewhat worried by yet another inconsistent display.
O'Gara's kicking both out of hand and from the tee was one of the few highlights of the Irish performance, though they did improve as the game progressed, gaining confidence as they chipped away at the French lead.
It was one-way traffic early on. Yachvili opened the scoring with his first three pointer after just three minutes. Les Bleus had the visiting defence scrambling frantically as they failed to prevent winger Alexis Palisson brilliantly slipping the ball out of a tackle to Clerc - who raced over.
Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy was charging around the park and Ireland looked set for a long night when Yachvili landed his second penalty to put France 13-0 ahead.
O'Gara slotted a penalty to end a torrid half for the visitors, turning the tide somewhat in the process.
The replacements benches came into play relatively early, resulting in France becoming increasingly ragged.
Two more O'Gara penalties followed and once more it was one-way traffic but this time Ireland were in the driving seat.
Yachvili gave France some breathing space with a pair of penalties as they sparked back into life after an unconvincing 30 minutes.
The hosts almost threw victory away though when Julien Bonnaire's suicide pass behind his own tryline was knocked on by David Skrela. But the big French pack came to the rescue, winning the penalty at the ensuing 5m scrum.
France will travel to Ireland next weekend for the rematch in Dublin.
The scorers:
For France:
Try: Clerc
Con: Yachvili
Pens: Yachvili 4
For Ireland:
Pens: O'Gara 4
France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Raphaël Lakafia, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romian Millo-Chluski, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Sylvain Marconnet
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Skrela, 22 Maxime Médard, 23 Fabien Barcella.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Donncha Ryan, 5 Leo Cullen (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Paul O'Connell, 19 Jamie Heaslip, 20 Conor Murray, 20 Fergus McFadden, 22 Felix Jones.
Venue: Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Comments
blametheref says...
Agree with you Crunchfit about the tackle, the French were well aware that the Irish 12 area was a target and there's no doubt that Clerc had been ready for something like this like they'd practiced it.
Posted 08:16 17th August 2011
crunchfit says...
The tackle wasn't good enough and he isn't going to get a much smaller player running against him in the RWC. It was his job to stop the offload and he didn't.
Posted 15:38 16th August 2011
GCP_JONES says...
@staph_glorious ...
Looks a great starting team, I would have Ferris back in at 6 with O'Brien on the bench, Ferris is a good line-out option and we have to see at this stage if he is going to be ready or not. Maybe G Murphy at full back, he is a better counter-attacker than R Kearney or F Jones.
One thing I would be hopeful of seeing is an end to this kicking the ball away by the backs, I lost count during the France game how many times it was done (into double figures I reckon), and it only suceeded maybe twice in us getting something from the tactic?.
They should be either taking the ball into contact or shock of shocks maybe off-loading (Well Done Andrew Trimble) to keep the ball alive.
Posted 11:17 15th August 2011
staph_glorious says...
I'm seconding cillmore's assessment. If an Irish midfielder need come under scrutiny after that performance, it would be Earls. In saying that, I'd switch him to the wing for next week, affording him the opportunity in his strongest position. The midfield partnership of McFadden and O'Driscoll would be welcome.
Debutant Murray merits a second cap before the deadline of August 22nd. I'd have no qualms either in starting Felix Jones at fullback, should Kearney's injury need some minor nursing.
The strength-in-depth of the Irish backrow is somewhat of a misnomer. The likes of Leamy and the 'utility' of Ryan (who will travel as a lock at least) represent a drop in class compared with the obvious four front-runners. The dynamism of Ireland's loose-forwards is key to the team's success against the toughest of opposition. If Ferris is in any way fit, he will travel.
For August 20th:
15. Jones, 14. Bowe (/Trimble), 13. O'Driscoll, 12. McFadden, 11. Earls, 10. Sexton, 9. Reddan, 8. Heaslip, 7. Wallace, 6. O'Brien, 5. O'Connell, 4. O'Callaghan, 3. Ross, 2. Flannery, 1. Healy; 16. Best, 17. Court, 18. Ryan, 19. Ferris (/A.N. Other), 20. Murray, 21. O'Gara, 22. Trimble (/Kearney/Wallace).
I think Jennings' boat has, unfortunately, sailed. Fit, he was a shoe-in to be trialed in Murrayfield and Bordeaux on the back of one of his strongest seasons ever. With injury curtailing that prospect, his shout for a plane seat is probably not strong enough, having never performed to a credible level in his previous appearances in green. Similarly, Geordan Murphy may just suffer for no game-time.
Finally, to those still calling for Downey, can you cool the campaign until the next squad call-up? The joke is beginning to write itself.
Posted 01:14 15th August 2011
crunchfit says...
@cillmore
He did have a good game by his standards and he was still average. He failed to put in a decent tackle on Palisson (one of the smallest and lightest wingers in the game right now) and so let in a try. And I remember him putting in one good kick into the French 22 but I don't remember him doing anything else worth mentioning. Not much was asked of Paddy Wallace defensively this game. He certainly didn't do enough for a place on the first team, particularly considering how poor he was last week.
Also, what provincial babble?
@blametheref
I counted 5 blatant knock ons, all made by France as well as a few less obvious ones made by both teams. He made plenty of other mistakes and I don't like how he refereed certain areas of the game, but I just don't understand how he can miss 5 obvious knock ons. 2 or 3 of them were in the French 22 as well so Ireland weren't given the attacking platform they should have been given.
I really don't understand Kidney's ignoring of Downey either. Yesterday would have been the perfect chance to see what he can do as a starter or an impact sub. It's so irritating to see Kidney give the spot to Wallace. Not that he would have given it to Downey anyway if he wasn't giving it to Wallace.
Posted 21:03 14th August 2011
KiwiJoe says...
Although the French had a bit of an off day, this was still a vastly improved performance by Ireland in only their second warm up match.
Struggling manfully they were unlucky, as in the Scottish game, to run out of puff in the final moments, leaking points like a ruined kidney, if you pardon the expression¿.,
I,m sure Declan wasn,t too bothered by the score however, at least now he is getting a better idea on who to leave off the plane to NZ and can also look forward to the return game and beyond with confidence.
Posted 18:34 14th August 2011
blametheref says...
THE FRENCH TRY:
An unconvincing attack off slow poor ruck ball, Trin-Duc puts a deep pass to Palisson who rides Paddy Wallace's tackle and pops the ball to Clerc running like an express train to touch down...In my opinion Downey or D'Arcy would've buried Pallisson man and ball...
Posted 18:26 14th August 2011
blametheref says...
@Cillmore
All I can say about Wallace is that yes he did show some good touches yesterday and defended bravely...but you have to see these aspects for what the are and were, which was the play of an out half and not that of a proper international 12, now one of the most important positions on the field in the modern game.
Posted 17:52 14th August 2011
whatisthis says...
Buckley...waste of time
P Wallace...gettin alot of slack from the press, not his fault. Just not international class. Kidney will bring him though for a kicking option.
Leamy...not a starter and very unlikely to change a game if he comes on. will have no impact. at least jennings could change a game as a groundhog to battle with pocock.
O leary... pass is just too slow. backline has opposition defence in their face by the time they get the ball
Fitzgerald... In the last couple of years hes been more likely to leak a penalty or try than create one. cannot field a high ball which is key for a back 3 player.
Posted 15:52 14th August 2011
whatisthis says...
MY SQUAD FOR PLANE TO NZ
Props: Healy, Ross, Court and Hagen
Hookers: Flannery, Best and Cronin
Locks: O Connell, O Callaghan, Cullen, Ryan
Loose Forwards: Heaslip, O Brien, Wallace, Ferris and Jennings
Scrum Halves: Reddan, Boss and Murray
Out halves: O Gara, Sexton
Centres: D Arcy, O Driscoll, Mc Fadden, Earls
Wings: Bowe, Trimble
Full Backs: Kearney, Murphy, Jones
Posted 15:40 14th August 2011
Rosbif says...
Re France, what did we learn/achieve?
Pack went well, but lineouts/restarts were v poor. Lakafia is a find. Szarz went well for a first game in 6 months. All will improve with more game time. But Heaslip and POC coming on shouldn't have swung the balance so much. Hard to tell re scrums since Walsh was all over the place. Fra are being feted for "winning" the decisive 5m scrum on 79 minutes. But Ire's front row were hardly A team, and suffered as such with the ref.
Fra backs were a true shambles. Bringing on Skrela when Mermoz went off and moving T-Duc to 12 was a worthwhile experiment (which failed). Next time, bring on Medard at 15 and move Traille to 12 (assuming he's even on the field). With Mermoz looking fragile to any contact, Marty still not performing despite weak 10 12 13 from Ire in front of him, and Traille seemingly a 15 only, I find myself praying that the league-convert Estebanez and wing-convert Rougerie get some game time together and stay injury-free. What a sad state that France can no longer field a proper centre combo. There's even talk that Medard's been running at 13 in training. What we wouldn't give for a "problem" like Darcy and BOD...or even Tuilagi and Flutey...
Injuries permitting, and reading ML's mind, I guess next week from France we see:
15 Medard, 14 Heymans, 13 Rougerie, 12 Estebanez, 11 Clerc, 10 Skrela, 9 Parra, 8 Picamoles, 7 Ouedraogo, 6 Bonnaire, 5 Nallet, 4 Pape, 3 Mas, 2 Servat, 1 Barcella
Looks a good team on paper, but Ireland's returning big guns (assuming they play) will be too good by 10 pts or more methinks.
Yesterday's game played in great spirit. A hard edge, but professional, clean and respectful. Let's hope we get the same next out, and everyone stays injury-free.
Posted 14:25 14th August 2011
blametheref says...
I counted 5 French knock ons that Steve Walsh seemingly chose to ignore. Can anyone tell me what the penalty was for against Ireland on their put in at the death, semed to me Walsh blew up far too wantonly and fast? Ireland had 4 very good chances to draw or win this match at the death. One, a brilliant bit of footballing by Earls who it has to be said was cruelly denied by the worst bounce ever seen. Two, that scrum. Three, a penalty line out that Ireland were nieve about going riskily long. Rule one, secure the ball. Four, an earlier penalty we should have backed ourselves and gone for the corner, French crowd were silent and their forwards looked creaky at the moment...Trimble impressed, not doubt he's improved his positional play. Fitzgerald was terrible, which now we've come to expect as the norm, he offers nothing but mediocrity. Paddy Wallace showed some deft touches but unfortunately at 12.5 stone he's firmly proved he's not a 12 and the skills he does have are really those of a square peg in a round hole when it comes to this team. I know I harp on about this but Ireland needed Downey's 16.5 stone "hello" crunch tackling yesterday as the French made huge yardage down the 10,12 channel (which tied up O' Brien), Downey's ability in the 2nd half to take the ball into contact and punch holes could've turned this match with the sharp Earls and O' Brien on his shoulder. The French midfield was there for the taking in the 2nd half but Ireland had nothing to take them with specifically at 12. O' Connell was immense, Cullen looked knackered, even unhealthy!! Heaslip made an impact, Conor Murray looks good and should start with Sexton in Dublin, where I hope to see O' Brien at 6. If this was a "warm up" match Ireland should've learnt loads, question is will Kidney act decisively and ruthlessly? Our entire WC hinges on the outcome of the next 2 games we CANNOT lose!
Posted 14:11 14th August 2011
Bones7 says...
I can't believe people think John Hayes is a great alternative to Tony Buckley! Hayes has NEVER been a dominant scrummager, but when he was a lot younger he got round the park well and was guaranteed to put in an honest days graft. That he is even being mentioned at his age just shows the frightening lack of propping talent in Ireland. Buckley is not a world class prop by any means but he's definitely a better alternative to old man Hayes.
Posted 13:07 14th August 2011
spike19 says...
Ok Deccie, I know you have a cheeky read of this blog every now and then for a little inspiration, here is my version of what should happen now.
1) After two games it is crystal clear that Paddy Wallace is not up to scratch. Fergus Mcfadden needs to start the next game at 12.
2) There are two test matches left before the wc, we have seen the B team now we need to see the A team. POC, BOD, D Wallace, Flannery, Bowe all need to start next weekend along with the our top guys who played last night.
3) Buckley was terrible, he cant scrummage, despite his mass, he should not travel, court is third choice. I would hand Jamie Hagen a chance off the bench, but Kidney will go with Hayes.
4) Fitzgerald was dissapointing, its difficult to overlook a guy who's been on a Lions tour and won a grand slam. We dont have the depth to leave him out really I hope he hits his straps soon.
5) Jones and Murray look exciting and worthy of a start, and if they impress as im sure they will they should go.
6) I they can D'arcy and Ferris should the las game or two.
7) We need to score tries, the penalty ROG missed it was the wrong decision. Should have backed ourselves.
8) Best needs to sharpen up the throwing or varley should get a shot.
9) There are players who are certainties to travel however there a few guys who think there places are cealed whether they play badly or not. These guys need a wake up call, Kidney needs to look at NZ and AUS if you dont perform your out regardless of reputation in your province.
10) If Paddy Wallace, Mick O'Driscoll or Tony Buckley travel that 3 undeserved call ups, (unless there are severe injuries). As Robbie Deans has shown its better to go with the youth if you already have a core group.
Posted 10:42 14th August 2011
ericmarseille says...
you could tell BOD wasn't there : nobody was asking himself why Marty was still in the squad after the match.
Posted 10:21 14th August 2011
hougiebear says...
I think Fitzgerald has to be left at home - no enterprise, no fight, no concentration and no vision. Not sure if he was bigged up too much in Irish Rugby circles but he has not been good since 2009 when he was a decent Lion squad member - His performances in the last 2 years have been bad. Tonight he gave a penalty that basically handed momentum back to the French when we looked to dominate, a rather poor performance and I think if he goes to New Zealand at the expense of Jones or perhaps Murphy I think it will be a great injustice
Also, Cullen has not done anything to suggest that he is a starter for Ireland in the RWC, he was average at best against Scotland and was poor tonight. I feel he should at least give one solid performance before being picked for the plane to NZ.
Andrew Trimble played well, I criticized him for not being explosive at test level. He proved tonight he is able for this level and cemented his place on the plane. O'Gara looked far more composed than Sexton has done and if form is to be the dealbreaker for starting spots in the big games in NZ then O'Gara is pushing Sexton very close - its neck and neck now.
Buckley is a waste of time. I'd rather see John Hayes play than him. Healy played well and Ross was solid enough. Jones played himself into contention for a spot tonight and Murray looks like he could get more time over the next two weeks to prove his spot.
One last thing - Rory Best was not good at all tonight, his darts and his loose play was poor. Flannery made a massive impact when he came on in the loose and in mauls. Flannery if he can maintain fitness and stay injury free is a better choice than the pedestrian Best.
Posted 02:28 14th August 2011
whitelinefever says...
what I learned this evening:
Ryan and buckley aren't up to standard and Fitzgerald is still low on confidence. Best still throws wayward and should be second string to flannery. Ireland first choice scrum is not a weakness ( or a strength). D Wallace or Jennings need to play 7.
Posted 22:45 13th August 2011
RubbyRubRub says...
positives Healy , POC , SOB , ROG , ross , Redden , Earls ,Trimble , Kearney played well.Showed we could play some rugby in the second half put a few moves together started playing well ,made opportunity¿s if we can improve next week then we are progressing well for the RWC
Negative¿s Buckley all round game Hayes would of been better, Best throwing, first half of the game France dominated 6/7/8 SOB @ 7 didn¿t work for him mainly
Average performances Wallace, Fitzgerald, Leamy , Cullen , Ryan , DOC , Heaslip
McFadden bad pass from Buckley didn¿t get to show much
Jones nice kick nearly worked out
Murry looked confident nice to see that, one for the future for sure
Deccie all went according to his plans ^_^
All in all was expecting worse grateful it didn¿t happen roll on next week
Posted 22:13 13th August 2011
davej says...
France were better for 50 minutes of an 80 minute game. Well won.
Posted 22:10 13th August 2011
munster1981 says...
I feel so sorry for Sale Sharks. What did they see in Tony Buckley? I bet their forwards coach was crying into his pint watching that useless tub of lard "scrummage". I wouldn't mind if he was as dynamic in the loose as he used be but he's gone backwards as quick as the Irish scrum with him in tight head!!! And the worse part is Kidney will bring him to New Zealand!
Cue rubbish interview from Kidney: "Sure wasn't it great to be in a position to win at all today". The most frustrating manager in Irish rugby history.
Posted 21:44 13th August 2011