FFS :guns:
Well that was the worst performance of the lot. Started brightly and cleared well at the breakdown but that was awful stuff. So many basic errors, no spark in the backline and a tired looking pack. A lot of the players don’t look near fit. Noticeable how many of our players looked badly out of breath and out on their feet at every stoppage. I think we may have made a balls of our fitness prep. PO’C and Trimble looked two fittest out there and they are coming back from injuries. Suppose fitness isn’t half the problem bit it is contributing. Fitz showed more in 15 to guarantee himself a place on plane. Trimble looked hungry for work and had a good game. Earls looked hungry for work but had a mare. Threw a few stupid passes and didn’t pass when he should have. Beyond that his basic skills were awful. TO’L again had poor game but at least showed some urgency. Praising him for that shows his limitations though. Real thing we have learned from defeats like this in last eighteen months is that we don’t learn from it.
A third successive defeat for Ireland and a scoreline that probably flattered the home side’s efforts in the end. This was a game with few signs of encouragement but a few more decisions on the composition of the World Cup squad will have been made.
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Jones - 4
Will be disappointed that the team performed so poorly because it gave him a restricted platform to parade his skills from. Regardless of the overall effort this was a far from convincing performance from the young fullback before a severe looking injury ended his afternoon early.
He kicked badly out on the full in the first half under no pressure, spilled the only testing up and under that came his way (in the course of picking up his injury) and found it hard to get involved in general play. The action that did come his way generally ended with him passing too early, a sign of nerves and an indication he’s not ready for the step up to this level yet.
Trimble - 7
Unquestionably the best of the Irish threequarters. His work-rate was as impressive as it has been consistently in his international performances in recent years and he was a force in attack and defence.
One of the few Irish players to make ground nearly every time he got the ball, he only lost it in contact once from memory and, thanks to Bowe’s injury, is now the form Irish winger going into the World Cup. A slight concern over his blindside defence from scrums where he was caught flat-footed but that seems to be a problem with the defensive system that needs to be remedied by the flanker and scrum half, not the winger.
O’Driscoll - 5
Not a memorable day for the Irish captain. He didn’t hide from work but for all his inventivity ( © Jamie Redknapp) he created little and never really threatened to escape the shackles of the French defence.
Was found wanting for the first try when Rougerie stepped inside him all too easily but otherwise it was a typically robust, if unspectacular, defensive performance from O’Driscoll.
D’Arcy - 4
An old habit of throwing in an anonymous performance when the chips are down re-emerged today. He brought the ball to the gainline timidly and was content to labour with predictable dummy-switches every time he got the ball instead of attacking purposefully or creating space for others. May also have been culpable for the first try when he was slow to close the gap on Rougerie but the primary blame lies elsewhere.
Earls - 4
A miserable evening’s work from the winger. He was prominent throughout in fairness but lacked the raw pace and confidence to do any damage with the wealth of possession that came his way.
His performance was punctuated by handling errors of all shapes and sizes. Some were unfortunate but he’s yet to add any appreciation of passing to his array of skills since earning his place on the Munster side.
Sexton - 6
Not a bad performance from the out half who still remains in pole position for the pivotal role for the World Cup. Started the game very brightly - firing passes wide outside the narrow French defence and Ireland made yards at leisure in that spell. Once France gained a foothold in possession and territory he struggled to reassert the Irish gameplan and should have reverted to a more conservative style of play.
Interesting switch to inside centre for the final 10 minutes which may have been a chance for O’Gara to stretch his legs or may have hinted at a Plan B for Ireland. Showed good energy and strength to capitalise on Fitzgerald’s run and score a late try.
O’Leary - 5
Another player who started brightly but faded as the team struggled before his poor skill level caught up with him. Involved prominently in the first Irish try, firing the ball wide from a succession of rucks on either side of the pitch. A couple of stray passes might have caused the move to breakdown but at least the decision-making was less ponderous than it tends to be with O’Leary.
As the game wore on his involvement diminished and he was a very mediocre conduit of possession between the forwards and backs. The disimprovement culminated in a reckless (and terribly executed) pass to Sexton near his own line that gifted France a decisive try and ended Irish hopes early in the second half.
Healy - 7
The injury sustained just after the interval will be a big concern for Irish management. Healy showed his expected power in driving over for the first try and was effervescent in the loose as is the norm. Was solid in the scrums and a dynamic ball-carrier until his withdrawal.
Best - 6
A better lineout performance (though there were fewer to get wrong) and a bit more presence around the pitch but Best looks more like a relatively dependable replacement than a brutish starter these days.
Ross - 6
Another decent showing in the scrums and has made the number three jersey his own by now. Popped up a few times in the loose but a few flicks that came his direction seemed to bounce straight out of his hands. He’ll never be a dynamic player around the park, and his lack of mobility would be exposed if Healy was absent, but he’s certainly a first choice front row pick.
O’Callaghan - 5
Yet another candidate for criticism for allowing his influence on the game to drop as it slipped away from Ireland. Made a few telling contributions in the first 20 minutes and was part of an Irish attack that wasn’t just too frenetic and enthusiastic for the French, but one that looked physically superior. He continued to hit as many rucks as anyone but made very few telling contributions at any of them.
O’Connell - 7
An encouraging display from the Munster captain who is showing no patience for playing his way back into form slowly. A few impressive carries punched holes in the French defence and he was one of the few to enjoy success in the physical contests all game.
O’Brien - 8
Barnstorming is almost a euphemism when describing O’Brien’s style of play. He continues to pile up ridiculous yards per carry in every game and despite attracting multiple defenders today he was more than a match for them and breached the defensive wall repeatedly.
A try at the end was a fair reward for this display. Not starting him is obviously not worth contemplating but with this performance from the blindside position he may just have closed the door on any thoughts of moving him to openside to accommodate Ferris.
Jennings - 6
A satisfactory performance on his return from injury which reinforced the idea that he’s not quite at the top level required for international rugby but he’s no great distance removed from it either.
Heaslip - 6
Not as impressive as he can be but a reasonable contribution nonetheless from the number eight. He was comfortable in an all-Leinster backrow and as usual relished the physical confrontation with the French. A more aggressive performance in the World Cup would be welcome but his arrival there in one piece in reasonable form is sufficient for now.
Replacements:
Court had the longest run of any of the replacements but put it to little use. Was less convincing in the scrums, conceding a penalty and appearing ill-at-ease and was largely anonymous in open play.
Reddan reinvigorated the backline with a quicker delivery, though he abdicated responsibility at one maul close to the French line despite being implored to play the ball by the referee. He was certainly more impressive than the player he replaced though and Flannery may feel the same way about his contribution though he was possibly less influential on proceedings.
Ferris was given little enough time for his cameo but he used it to great effect - putting in a couple of crunching tackles that drove the French back and wining one turnover on the ground. He might just get a run at openside next week if Wallace doesn’t make it.
Fitzgerald was on long enough to reassure everyone that he still can’t pass a ball but he showed good awareness and ambition to setup Sexton’s try with a clever run.
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Are we still sending a team to this?
i’ d rate o leary a 3 - also jennings was as anonymous as darcy, at best a 4 would be more fitting of his contribution.
Hopefully not.
its probably better if a team went & got hammered & then the bandwagoners might finally see the light
I think the penny might have finally dropped today mate. From what I’ve heard from back home - and i may be open to correction on this - the take up for world cup tickets has been dismal so far.
Also, today showed, once again, that Ireland are only barely fuctional at ruggerhoof. It’s the same thing every time.
Get the ball from a ruck/whatever its called these days…
throw it out wide until it cant go any further…
recycle the ball and move it out towards the other side until it can go any further…
recycle the ball until zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
oooo what was that?
a knock on?
quelle fucking suprise
CEASE AND DESIST FROM BORING MY TITS OFF
Felix Jones out for 6 weeks.
Is the squad supposed to be named today or what?
Squad will be named tomorrow…
with Felix Jones out will he opt to bring Geordan Murphy or use Earls and Fitzgerald as fullback cover and bring McFadden
Geordan had already been told he wasnt bring brought and was rumoured to have retired. Strange practice really.
Luke and TOL said to be missing out. Hard to believe that.
If Earls gets in ahead of Fitzgerald it would be very harsh on the gaeilgeoir
Ah come on, not bringing Earls would be just stupid. Fitzgerald was shite for a long long time last season, which has to act as some of the criteria.
I thought Fitzgerald did very well against Scotland and was one of few positives from Saturday.I thought earls gave a selfish performance and his basic skills were awful.not his first horror show in last couple of weeks either.Trimble streets ahead of both anyway
Rocko and Larry have a serious problem with Earls. The former in particular can never resist a pop at him.
Rocko and Larry have a serious problem with Earls. The former in particular can never resist a pop at him.
Fuck you Runt.
I had hopes for Earls and still think he will turn into a more than decent international player but his development so far has been staggeringly disappointing. He was woeful on Saturday and if the recent test matches dictate the squad then he’d be behind Fitzgerald on form. If you take last season into account then he’d be ahead. So hard to argue against either call to be honest but it’s a poor reflection on both that they’re struggling to get into the squad.
Well it’s not hard really Rocko.surely u pick the player who has done far netter in recent Irish matches.in fairness to Fitzgerald it’s not like he hasn’t been good before either…disappointed u fudged that issue