Teak forces the French to ask Ireland tough questions

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Ireland enters the final round of the Guinness Six Nations for the third time in three seasons with a chance of winning the title.

Two years ago, riding a wave and competing for only a third Grand Slam, Ireland, with Joe Schmidt, scored a famous victory at Twickenham; last year they could have outscored Wales in the final round, but they didn’t even take a swing at the eventual champions in Cardiff.

This time again, there is a different dynamic, caused not only by the nature of the defeat to England last February, but also by the absolutely bizarre and unpredictable circumstances that Covid-19 has added to the mix.

There will be no fans at the Stade de France and indeed, on some level, it is fortunate that your game has received the green light in a city where people cannot travel more than 1km from their homes, you need papers to do so if it is necessary and you can only exercise. 1 km from your residence, we think we have it difficult.

“We are not oblivious to what happens around us, with people, friends, loved ones, artisans, farmers, caregivers, who are about to suffer, further shows the mission of the 15 of France,” said the head of Les Bleus, Fabien. Galthie,

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But there is still a game to play and a championship at stake.

It breaks down like this: a four-shot win for Ireland and there will be champagne corks in the green dressing room regardless of results elsewhere.

The fact that Ireland have only won there twice since 2000, both times by just two points, suggests that such an eventuality is not likely.

Ireland’s best hope is for Italy to pull off a performance against England in Rome and keep the score low.

If Eddie Jones’s men can stay within 23 points or less, then the form of the game in Paris changes dramatically.

It will go from a scenario where four tries is the goal to one where a 10-9 win will work well, thank you very much.

FRANCE V IRELAND: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

“We’ve talked about that,” forward coach Simon Easterby said yesterday when asked about the message players will receive before kick-off based on the result in Italy.

“If you are distracted by external things, which are beyond our control, then it may be a way to derail what we want to do. At some point during the game, we may need to argue and maybe adjust, but we have to win the game first. . ”

France have to improve England’s net result plus two or more points to clinch the trophy, but they know at this stage that an extra point is required.

Ireland, which is off to a notoriously slow start, is well aware that France, who beat England at home at the start of the championship, will be eager to rush out of the blocks.

Not allowing them to accumulate steam is one of the Irish goals.

“It’s something we’ve looked at during the lockdown as coaches, how we can start the games with more impact and not allow the opposition to get into their rhythm,” Easterby said.

“The French, once they gain momentum, are a very difficult team to deal with. It is certainly an area that we have focused on.”

Naturally, much of the focus here has been on the Irish team and what they can offer, but this French nouveau team presents a formidable foe and, from what we’ve seen over the last year, they are justifiable favorites by four points. they hit on the belt.

At the center of that is Toulouse scrum half Antoine Dupont, a ball of energy with a keen level of consciousness on the field.

“He’s mature for his age,” Donal Lenihan told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

“You spot opportunities, make key decisions. It’s your anticipation … you’re always in the right place.

“He is the key player and Ireland will somehow have to find a way to suppress his impact on the game.”

Ireland will not have the injured Keith Earls, Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson, who is suspended. It is experience and strength that are useful to France.

Andy Farrell makes just one change to the team that represented 50-17 for Italy last week with Robbie Henshaw coming in next door in place of Garry Ringrose (broken jaw).

France warmed up last week with a 38-21 friendly win over Wales with Dupont scoring two of his team’s five attempts.

Teddy Thomas, who scored a try against Ireland the last time they were here, misses with a hamstring strain. Gael Fickou advances to victory and Arthur Vincent takes center stage.

Two years ago in this match, Ireland came as a favorite with the French in a particularly French state of flux.

However, they somehow cemented on the day and Ireland needed a last minute goal from Johnny Sexton to steal a 15-13 win.

Sexton, 35, says captaining a team that wins the championship today would be “the pinnacle” of his career.

Ireland have not won consecutively in Paris since three consecutive victories between 1925 and 1928.

But hey, this is a crazy championship, in a crazy year. It would be foolish to think that 2020 could not take another turn. Could it happen here? Who knows.

Verdict: France

France: Anthony Bouthier, Vincent Rattez, Virimi Vakatawa, Arthur Vincent, Gael Fickou; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon (captain), Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Serin, Arthur Retiere, Thomas Ramos.

Ireland: Jacob Stockdale, Andrew Conway, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Hugo Keenan, Johnny Sexton (captain), Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Caelan Doris, Will Connors, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Peter O’Mahony, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Chris Farrell.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Follow France v Ireland (20.05 on Saturday) with our live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News application or listen to the comments live on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1



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