NPR

Hoping for a finish like this again, this Saturday !

France likely to improve more on last weekend than us.

Ireland 3 penalties against Wales.

France 14 penalties against Italy.

As long as we don’t see too many of these, we’ll be ok.

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 12:49 pm Ireland 3 penalties against Wales.

France 14 penalties against Italy.

See what I mean about scope for improvement.

With Danty out and Vakatawa deemed too fat (hilarious when they are selecting Atonio), but if the forecast is good, I'd like to see Penaud moved into centre and a chance taken on Thomas. I realise this is a risk given the likelihood of 150 tackles against the Irish game plan.

These are going back home

Paul BOUDEHENT
• Ibrahim DIALLO
• Thomas LAVAULT
• Bernard LE ROUX.* that’ means WOKI in 4
• Sekou MACALOU
• Dany PRISO :
• Yoan TANGA
• Léo BERDEU
• Jules FAVRE
• Antoine HASTOY
• Matthieu JALIBERT
• Matthis LEBEL
• Donovan TAOFIFENUA
• Tani VILI

We’ll probably see this team starting

Jaminet – Penaud, Moefana, Fickou, Villière – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap) – Cros, Alldritt, Jelonch – Willemse, Woki – Atonio, Marchand, Baille

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:14 pm These are going back home

Paul BOUDEHENT
• Ibrahim DIALLO
• Thomas LAVAULT
• Bernard LE ROUX.* that’ means WOKI in 4
• Sekou MACALOU
• Dany PRISO :
• Yoan TANGA
• Léo BERDEU
• Jules FAVRE
• Antoine HASTOY
• Matthieu JALIBERT
• Matthis LEBEL
• Donovan TAOFIFENUA
• Tani VILI

We’ll probably see this team starting

Jaminet – Penaud, Moefana, Fickou, Villière – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap) – Cros, Alldritt, Jelonch – Willemse, Woki – Atonio, Marchand, Baille

Seems right unless Vakatawa starts.

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:14 pm These are going back home

Paul BOUDEHENT
• Ibrahim DIALLO
• Thomas LAVAULT
• Bernard LE ROUX.* that’ means WOKI in 4
• Sekou MACALOU
• Dany PRISO :
• Yoan TANGA
• Léo BERDEU
• Jules FAVRE
• Antoine HASTOY
• Matthieu JALIBERT
• Matthis LEBEL
• Donovan TAOFIFENUA
• Tani VILI

We’ll probably see this team starting

Jaminet – Penaud, Moefana, Fickou, Villière – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap) – Cros, Alldritt, Jelonch – Willemse, Woki – Atonio, Marchand, Baille

Looks weak....

Not that I'd expect many changes from Ireland, have any of the southern journos posted any possible teams different from last week?

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 10:01 am Not that I'd expect many changes from Ireland, have any of the southern journos posted any possible teams different from last week?

I don't think anyone is suggesting the starting team will change; by Henshaw is fit again, so might be on the bench.

Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

Going to be difficult now. I'll put France by 12

I can see the Paddy Jackson debate reigniting on PR if our 10's don't deliver this weekend

Voilà

iarmhí wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:13 am I can see the Paddy Jackson debate reigniting on PR if our 10's don't deliver this weekend

Having thought about it for a few minutes after the initial disappointment of Sexton's withdrawal, I guess it's time for another 10 to step up to the plate. A year out from a WC, we can't be relying on Johnny anymore.
This could be a career maker for Joey or Jack.

Oh bollocks

iarmhí wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:13 am I can see the Paddy Jackson debate reigniting on PR if our 10's don't deliver this weekend

Presumably involving people who haven't seen just how often Paddy Jackson shits the bed for Irish?!

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 12:15 pm

iarmhí wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:13 am I can see the Paddy Jackson debate reigniting on PR if our 10's don't deliver this weekend

Presumably involving people who haven't seen just how often Paddy Jackson shits the bed for Irish?!

Fact-based debate is rarely a strong point of Paddy Jackson supporters.

Well Joey, now is the time to pull on your big boy pants.

I just hope our pack are able to get ontop of the French and we don't need to overly rely on individual moments of brilliance from the backs. But for that to happen the brainfarts at 9 and 10 need to be kept to a minimum. Dare I say it but I think Murray might be better suited to start than JGP given Carberry might need his hand held.

He'll be fine.

I just hope not fine enough.

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

This is why I’m not happy about him being out. If France wins it’ll be “ yea, but if etc..”

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:40 pm

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

This is why I’m not happy about him being out. If France wins it’ll be “ yea, but if etc..”

No....I don't think so.We know that we are too susceptible at outside half and have been for too long, that is not the fault of the French.
It's time for Sextons replacement and his back up to show that they have the capabilities to run an international back line.
I don't think there is much between the two sides but home advantage for France is probably worth 10 points but France will need to bring their 'A' game because this Irish team can score.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:11 am Hoping for a finish like this again, this Saturday !

Happy now? This ones on you!

Its a shame this match comes so early in the championship. Would have been ideal if it was the 4th or 5th fixture.

paddyor wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 5:03 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:11 am Hoping for a finish like this again, this Saturday !

Happy now? This ones on you!

Have to agree with the sentiment of others, that this is make or break it time for Joey. He's got the experience, & he's stepping into a side that dominated Wales last week, & duffed up NZ in the Autumn; so there's no excuses for not delivering.

It's time for someone to step up & claim the job.

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

Eh? Unless it pours down, you are better without him.

Worried about Joey throwing intercepts.

This Ireland team loves the draw and pass recently.

I think the out the back pass is too risky this weekend.

We're going to have to use that short ball in the pod a lot to keep them sat down, otherwise i see intercepts

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:35 pm

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

Eh? Unless it pours down, you are better without him.

You haven't a breeze about this sport at all, do you?

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:58 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:35 pm

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

Eh? Unless it pours down, you are better without him.

You haven't a breeze about this sport at all, do you?

Joey is better and has functioning brains

Carberry's first start in the 6N.

I probably shouldn't be so surprised at that given his injury history.

He's got talent but he just doesn't play enough games to have any confidence in him for a game like France in Paris.

France by 10.

Ireland to get a hiding. by 50

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:58 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:35 pm

The sun god wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:02 am Sexton out ......Well done France...Congrats

Eh? Unless it pours down, you are better without him.

You haven't a breeze about this sport at all, do you?

Stick to boiling potatoes son.

iarmhí wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:07 pm Worried about Joey throwing intercepts.

This Ireland team loves the draw and pass recently.

I think the out the back pass is too risky this weekend.

We're going to have to use that short ball in the pod a lot to keep them sat down, otherwise i see intercepts

It was noticeable how we were struggling to make the gainline last weekend as soon as Joey came on. It's not all Joey. Forwards were tiring and we'd stopped playing but the change was very sudden. Could be ugly against an aggressive French defence.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:30 am

iarmhí wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:07 pm Worried about Joey throwing intercepts.

This Ireland team loves the draw and pass recently.

I think the out the back pass is too risky this weekend.

We're going to have to use that short ball in the pod a lot to keep them sat down, otherwise i see intercepts

It was noticeable how we were struggling to make the gainline last weekend as soon as Joey came on. It's not all Joey. Forwards were tiring and we'd stopped playing but the change was very sudden. Could be ugly against an aggressive French defence.

The game was won too. If it rained tomorrow, Sexton's kicking game would have killed France because Ntamack's is so poor. It would be Wilkinson v Michalak 2003 all over again. Ireland's peerless keep ball game allied to that is hard enough to overcome but in the wet, France would have been suffocated. However, Sexton offers nothing in attack beyond the predictable and I am more worried about Carbery if it's dry tomorrow.

Regardless, if Ireland are hoping Sexton is going to make it all the way through a RWC, I'd suggest you are delusional. Better to get some back up/replacement tested now.

As always, the battle of the rucks and the battle of the gain line is key against Ireland.

What's Sexton's replacement kicking game like? Long enough to push back the French or take advantage of a penalty? Smart enough to kick behind the rushing defense with accuracy? Does it take the penalties/conversions as well? Or will someone take over from him? What's his success rate?

TheFrog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:32 pm As always, the battle of the rucks and the battle of the gain line is key against Ireland.

What's Sexton's replacement kicking game like? Long enough to push back the French or take advantage of a penalty? Smart enough to kick behind the rushing defense with accuracy? Does it take the penalties/conversions as well? Or will someone take over from him? What's his success rate?

Sexton doesn't actually doesn't kick out of hand much anymore. Most of the tactical kicking is done by the 9 when Sexton is on the field with a good chunk done by back three as well. I suspect that concern for his hamstrings is the primary driver on that.
Carbery's kicking game is pretty decent so he'll probably kick a little more than Sexton does but not by much. He's a very good place kicker.

Ball-in-hand, he's inclined to crab and kill space for his centres. Sexton is much, much stronger there.

Defence, Joey will make his tackles but he will concede ground. Sexton is much more aggressive in defence.

TheFrog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:32 pm As always, the battle of the rucks and the battle of the gain line is key against Ireland.

What's Sexton's replacement kicking game like? Long enough to push back the French or take advantage of a penalty? Smart enough to kick behind the rushing defense with accuracy? Does it take the penalties/conversions as well? Or will someone take over from him? What's his success rate?

He is a very good place kicker generally. nailed a couple in the final quarter of out win against the Blackness last November.
no idea of the percentages because he has been so interrupted by injury but i would imagine high 80's

Too much talk about Sexton, it’s time for a new FH anyway, I’m more worried about the scrums, rucks and counter rucks, where the Irish excel.

So Aldritt to run straight at Cadbury and I will be eating chocolate.