Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
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<p>France v Ireland game Saturday. Teams announced:<br>
<br><strong>FRANCE:</strong> Maxime Medard; Teddy Thomas, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa; Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Uini Atonio; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly.<br><strong>Replacements: </strong>Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Eddy Ben Arous, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Hugo Bonneval.<br><br><strong>IRELAND:</strong> R Kearney; Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, D Kearney; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best (capt), White, McCarthy, Toner, Stander, O’Brien, Heaslip.<br>
Replacements: R Strauss, J Cronin, Furlong, Ryan, O’Donnell, Reddan, Madigan, McFadden.</p>
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<p>Billy T will be scratching off Schmidt for the AB coaching job as the Kearneys have been selected to replace injured Zebo and Earls.</p>
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<p>Good to see O'Brien back to fitness, and helps to beef up the carrying in the back row and give Heaslip a bit more of running role.</p>
<p>First and second choice props still not available for tighthead, and Healy still not recovered. </p>
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<p>It was battered bodies in a no-compromise match last weekend - France are up for more of the same with new look battering rams in the front row. Picamoles continuing absence doesn't help though.</p>
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<p>Looking forward to this one. France haven't won a Six Nations against Ireland since February 2011 - and they're looking for revenge for the recent RWC loss.</p> -
<p>Don't really think Schmidt had much choice. With all the injuries it was either stay conservative or take a big risk. Given France's form, don't see the need to take a risk. However, the whole apple cart could be upset if Ireland were to ship a heavy loss. With the notable exception of Stander, he's stuck in these first 2 games to the script, and it can be easily argued that if POM were available, Stander wouldn't have got a look in either.</p>
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<p>However, you are right, I'm not in any mad rush to see Schmidt take the reins of the NZ team, I'm rather underwhelmed by him as selector, even if as a coach he is more impressive. I'm also not sure his personality/style fits with NZ rugby, whereas he is perfect for the Irish setup. He is treated rather reverently by the Irish media, which just wouldn't happen in NZ.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="558093" data-time="1455221850"><p>
Don't really think Schmidt had much choice. With all the injuries it was either stay conservative or take a big risk. Given France's form, don't see the need to take a risk. However, the whole apple cart could be upset if Ireland were to ship a heavy loss. With the notable exception of Stander, he's stuck in these first 2 games to the script, and it can be easily argued that if POM were available, Stander wouldn't have got a look in either.<br><br>
However, you are right, I'm not in any mad rush to see Schmidt take the reins of the NZ team, I'm rather underwhelmed by him as selector, even if as a coach he is more impressive. I'm also not sure his personality/style fits with NZ rugby, whereas he is perfect for the Irish setup. He is treated rather reverently by the Irish media, which just wouldn't happen in NZ.</p></blockquote>
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I think the reverential approach is beginning to fade. You're not the only voice questioning selection policy and team line-ups, particularly since the RWC. <br><br>
I'm also beginning to question the medical injury team and/or the conditioning of the players. The amount of injuries being accumulated from match to match seems out of kilter. And the continuing season until the end of May is going to take a further toll on test squad players. <br><br>
The notion that they will then travel to South Africa for a three match series is just absurd. -
<p>I thought Ireland were pretty positive against Wales in a particularly exciting first half. Whatever about the superiority of the Southern hemisphere teams NH rubgy has greatly changed. Ire v Wal was not a kick-fest and I'm looking forward to Fra v Ire though I expect we'll see Ire play a more conservative approach but when it's on they'll go for it.</p>
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<p>My concerns for Ireland against France are White at tight-head and whether McCarthy & Toner can get the job done, Ryan on the bench has seen his best days. McGrath had a very strong game against Wales and will need another strong one against France.</p>
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<p>I don't know what to expect from the French so nothing new there.</p>
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<p>My only comment on Wales is they need a new backs coach, their attack is just so jaded and how George North continues to be selected baffles me.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Zader" data-cid="558308" data-time="1455248535">
<div><br><p>My only comment on Wales is they need a new backs coach, their attack is just so jaded and how George North continues to be selected baffles me.</p>
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<p>+1,000,000 to the first opinion.</p>
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<p>The second opinion will be taken care of as a consequence of the above :)</p> -
<p>Wales unchanged for the Scottish match, with Biggar making a 'miraculous' recovery.</p>
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<p>Time for us to do to Scotland what Eddie Jones wants England to do to Italy.</p>
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<p>Spank them.</p> -
Well it's colossus crunch time so far with the French flying in from all angles - late and high as well as fair. <br><br>
O'Brien and Kearney have had to leave already. And Sexton being softened up slowly. <br><br>
6-0 to Ireland though with 30 mins gone -
Diabolical game so far
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Sexton knocks another one over. <br><br>
9-3. 1 minute left to HT. <br><br>
Ireland concede a penalty from kick off. -
Plisson kicks and puts it wide. <br><br>
9-3 at halftime to Ireland. <br><br>
It's going to be a heavy battle in the second. France with the stronger bench. -
<p>Shit weather, shit tactics, shit skill levels, shit decision making, shit kicking, shit TMOing.</p>
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<p>SHIT HALF</p> -
The French want a turf war. <br><br>
They're getting one. <br><br>
Win by any means necessary, I think. -
<p>Add shit refereeing to the mix.</p>
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<p>Off his head, no knock on, play on.</p> -
Make sure you get the creases right
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="558553" data-time="1455377564"><p>
Add shit refereeing to the mix.<br><br>
Off his head, no knock on, play on.</p></blockquote>
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Indeed. The French TV director for once replayed it. -
The French crowd rise to clap McCarthy as he's stretchered off the field. <br><br>
They do like their gladiators here. -
Jeez - Ireland under the cosh in the scrum. Penalty try coming up.
