RWC: IRE v FRA (POOL D) Mon 12th@2:45am

[waiopehu oldboy]

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald

 

[mxyzptlk]

Toner over Henderson is bonkers.

I keep hearing this. Why? Because Toner provides so much more impact off the bench than Henderson?

There are two things Toner in the starting lineup tells you: 1.) The lineout will be important, something they hinted at with Italy, and Toner's the easiest target to use. And 2.) They've considered how strong France's replacements are, and want to have some impact that matches what France's bench can bring. They don't come with much more impact than Henderson.

Toner's there to do a job, which he can usually do. If France can stunt that job, you've got Henderson waiting in the wings for something extra.

 

[mxyzptlk]

France: Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Bernard Le Roux, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Alexandre Dumoulin.

Ireland: Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald

The more I think about it, the more I think this game could very well come down to who has the more effective bench. France probably has the better props, although McGrath has become a workhorse. Parra can organize them well, but that will depend on how much gas the French have left, and Reddan will move the pack more quickly. Both Henderson and Henry will be looking to do damage any way they can.

Seems like half of the Irish press are expecting France to pull it out, and the other half is only saying Ireland with their hearts, not their heads. Then you hear journalists and players from outside the country who expect Ireland to take it in a close game. Rocky Elsom's playing in France now, and this morning heard him sound pretty confident that Ireland should win this.

I need to stop thinking about it.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Ireland will be too good for them

 

[Cardiffblue]

I keep hearing this. Why? Because Toner provides so much more impact off the bench than Henderson?

There are two things Toner in the starting lineup tells you: 1.) The lineout will be important, something they hinted at with Italy, and Toner's the easiest target to use. And 2.) They've considered how strong France's replacements are, and want to have some impact that matches what France's bench can bring. They don't come with much more impact than Henderson.

Toner's there to do a job, which he can usually do. If France can stunt that job, you've got Henderson waiting in the wings for something extra.

I think it's the right choice. He's not the greatest player around the park but since Ireland are gonna starve France of possession everywhere else they will look to Irish target lineouts.

 

[the plastic paddy]

The more I think about it, the more I think this game could very well come down to who has the more effective bench. France probably has the better props, although McGrath has become a workhorse. Parra can organize them well, but that will depend on how much gas the French have left, and Reddan will move the pack more quickly. Both Henderson and Henry will be looking to do damage any way they can.

Seems like half of the Irish press are expecting France to pull it out, and the other half is only saying Ireland with their hearts, not their heads. Then you hear journalists and players from outside the country who expect Ireland to take it in a close game. Rocky Elsom's playing in France now, and this morning heard him sound pretty confident that Ireland should win this.

I need to stop thinking about it.

Reddan gives the appearance of getting things moving but, in reality, I don't think Joe will risk his wild, Hail Mary Flailing of the ball, miles behind the gain line, unless Ireland are well up or, God Forbid, Murray gets injured. Still don't think it is sensible for Toner to be in the squad, I would have started Hendo and had Ryan on the bench. Zebo should be starting instead of Daverage Kearney because he is better than him in every single department of the game. I thought Schmidt was going to unleash Ireland tomorrow but it looks like more of the same kick, kick and kick again. Anyway, the side is picked so time to row in behind them, Gwan Ireland!!!!!

 

[Bardon]

Payne is out of the World Cup with a fractured foot.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Lots of things are a bit odd about Payne's injury, firstly that he has been in a moon boot for two weeks and yet, only now, do they find out it is bust. Secondly, he was all set to start tomorrow until the last minute. Something doesn't add up anyway. McCloskey should be the player called up but it will be McFadden or Reid, God help us.

 

[Bardon]

I hope Trimble gets called up. For me he's the player who's improved most under Schmidt.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Lots of things are a bit odd about Payne's injury, firstly that he has been in a moon boot for two weeks and yet, only now, do they find out it is bust. Secondly, he was all set to start tomorrow until the last minute. Something doesn't add up anyway. McCloskey should be the player called up but it will be McFadden or Reid, God help us.

Another conspiracy.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Another conspiracy.

The tinterweb is full of them.

 

[mxyzptlk]

I hope Trimble gets called up. For me he's the player who's improved most under Schmidt.

Trimble would probably be there if it weren't for the earlier injuries limiting his training. But he's been playing well, he knows the structures, and he has some size and explosiveness that could be useful. Plus I just get the sense he'd bite onto that chance and not let go -- not that other players wouldn't, but Trimble's been closer to the promise land in the past and would seize the opportunity with more knowing intent.

 

[mxyzptlk]

The tinterweb is full of them.

For what it's worth, it's being reported that things were healing nicely until he went through a full training session Wednesday, and after training his foot badly smelled swelled. So either it wasn't as fully healed as they thought and he completed the damage in that training session, or he just got the fracture in training. But it's not like they were just playing funny buggers for two weeks. And I'm sure they were in touch with the prospective replacements as soon as it happened.

I'm not terribly comfortable with Keet at 13, but only defensively, and that's something they can square away. He's played 13 in the past, he was touted as another BOD when he was young, and he'll only get better there with experience. I'm sure if he's in the centers with Henshaw again, there will be words in his ear about where to be on defense.

They also have Fitzgerald and Madigan as back-up center coverage, so it's doubtful they'd bring in someone as a direct replacement at this point -- they'd want someone with a little experience with Henshaw or Earls. The possible replacements being mentioned include Trimble, McFadden, Felix Jones and Noel Reid, all people who can provide extra coverage in the back three with a couple who could shift inside. Zebo's the back-up fullback coverage, and Ftiz and Madigan already have the centers covered, so narrows it down to Trimble and McFadden. I bet Trimble gets the nod there -- especially if he can pull off more plays like this with Keet.

 

[the plastic paddy]

McCloskey should be the call but it will be a super blu. I think Earls was always going to be starting and St Joe was playing silly buggers all along. I don't think it would ever have made any difference to PSA. Earls is my favourite player, hard as nails with dancing feet, real pace and great hands. Very good defender as well. Still not happy about Zebo not being involved, Dave Kearney is not in the same league as the man, maybe he has some incriminating photos!?!?

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

It's just a shame that the centre partnership invested in for the last 12 months has gone tits up for the game eyed up for over three years.

Earls is the most in form back Ireland has right now. Let's hope it fires with Henshaw inside him.

 

[Cardiffblue]

It's just a shame that the centre partnership invested in for the last 12 months has gone tits up for the game eyed up for over three years.

Earls is the most in form back Ireland has right now. Let's hope it fires with Henshaw inside him.

Sounds familiar refrain to us

 

[Quick Hands]

Meanwhile, France are flying under the radar, with no apparent injury worries.

 

[Bardon]

If they'd like to continue to fly under the radar in order to ambush NZ in the QFs I think the whole of Ireland would be OK with that!

 

[Cardiffblue]

Meanwhile, France are flying under the radar, with no apparent injury worries.

Think French plane radar is faulty and is about to hit a nz alp. But I'd be v happy to be wrong

 

[ACR]

Think French plane radar is faulty and is about to hit a nz alp. But I'd be v happy to be wrong

We've got France on primary radar, secondary radar, ADSB, ADSC and have visual. Alpha Bravo Sierra's on vectors for intercept.

Gonna be a good game tonight. Hopefully it is a slog.