I don't think it's a definite that O'Leary will start in New Zealand. He's had a look at Reddan, now it's O'Leary's turn. I reckon Boss will get a look in Saturday as well. Personally i'd like to see Murray start in NZ.

Charlie

We saw TOL in scotland... we saw him do everthing well except pass the ball and thats the only thing we want him to do properly. The boy cant pass the ball.

Why Murray? Lamb to the slaughter comes to mind when i think of dropping a young lad in the brown stuff when really he has not done anything to deserve it? He has not been a shining light of world rugby? not a stunning new individual talent?

A chap with potential yes and a good pass but no experience and International level and if you were to pick him as first choice SH when he has not earned it... what kind of message would that send to the others.

It's a case of looking at the other 3 DingBat. I still prefer Murray

He's one for the future for sure and is going well with munster. His development will depend on the competitiveness of munster tho.

On a side note. Good to see Felix jones in the starting 15. He's a true attacking fullback and thats what i like to see. Ala Geordan Murphy. Also good to see Geordan Murphy starting in the midweek game. Hope he goes well and gets a place but its not looking likely. That left boot of Rob Kearney is keeping him in contention as its a true weapon when hes on form... but is he on form is the question... We will see because he will most likely start against england and thats the last test where we can get a true idea of his form.

I think we have a good chance this weekend. The midfield of Earls anf Wallace being replaced by BOD and D'Arcy is a massive improvement. We struggled to score tries last week and this week with the changes their is a real cutting edge.

Also our defence will be miles better for those changes. Fact is if this team had faced france last weekend we would be going in to this weekend with an away win to our names.,..... That just highlights the fact that DK has been far too conservative with his selection thus far.

Big Balls Ding bat - Ire by 7 only koking mate - I actually think Ire by 10 - That French team could go either way.....many ways in fact....but Ireland have a winning agenda

Who would you have as scrum half then?

Reddan is the only choice. Plays along side Sexton week in week out for Leinster. Passes well and without drama or doing a ballet dance before Has the experience we need, HC cup winner etc etc. defensively he's not a liability like strings was but to be fair to TOL defensively he is brilliant.

The thing is you got to weigh up the pros and cons. Sexton is a good defender and his attacking style is taking the ball extremely flat and attacking the line. so a good passer at 9 is what he needs to give him the time and space. Conversely if the opposition target reddan as a defensive weakness Sexton is there to shore it up. Good partnership all round.

TOL and Sexton have had alot of games together for Ireland and still they fail to inspire. Not sextons fault tho. not at all. DK just wants TOL because he is rather good in all other aspects of the game in particular defence. Dont care tho. First job is to pass and he is awful at that.

I'm not confident of an Irish win. On paper I'd say the Irish are weaker on the whole, apart from their backrow. However in practise we know that we can't judge the quality of any French team until the 80th minute.

Where you may come unstuck is in the scrum and if France can hold their own at lineout and ruck time their backs may pose too much of a challenge. Solid defence, commitment to the breakdown and ruthless taking of any opportunities are three key targets in my eyes, if you're taking this as a must-win test. I'd not worry about trying anything too adventurous if you're after the win.

Good luck fellas!

The scrum was fine 'till Buckley came on. The lineout can improve. We should bring the Bull on for every lineout.

Charlie

haha ye the bull and POC have had a great partnership in the line-out down the years. I remember POC getting the better of matfeild a few years ago and it was as much to do with the BULL lifting as it was with POC on fire.

gecko

We gained parity when ross and healy were on against france last week. Ross and Healy schooled the best in france and italy during the Heineken Cup. And with rory best in at hooker we also have a good scrummaging hooker so basically the old chestnut about our scrum being weak is long over and long over due. Tho as charlie quite rightly says... as soon as Buckley comes in the scrum turns to 5h!t rapidly!

Gecko
was thinking about this statement by you
"On paper I'd say the Irish are weaker on the whole, apart from their backrow."
so a break down.
15 france
14 ireland... tommy bowe best wing in europe
13 ireland BOD best OC to ever step on a rugby pitch
12 France
11 50/50 France by a nose... Medard is sheer class!
10 Ireland by a nose
9 France, para is a wonderful SH
8 Ireland back row is a no brainer.
7 Ireland
6 Ireland
5 Ireland POC had a great second half last week.
4 Ireland DOC and POC complement each other.
SCRUM: We should gain parity but on paper they are individually better JUST...
3 France - Mas is along with Jones in wales as one of the best in the world BUT Ross knows Mas and has fronted up every time thay have met without difficulty in the past
2 France if Szarzewski is back to form???
1 France. Healy is good but not at the level of ross or even his opposite number.

SO gecko i have it on paper.....
Ireland 8 and France 7 with a couple of 50/50's

My bad Bowe is out Trimble is in on the right wing. (14)

Ding, I'm not going to argue with your man for man assessments, but I was looking at combinations and units and how those individuals would work together (crucially I see the French backline as much more potent, and although Ireland are strong 4-8, I think they'll have an uphill battle).

I think the French front row is stronger; second rows Ireland should have the nudge - though dont expect the French pairing to be completely dominated(!); backrow Ireland look to be close to world class - maybe less so now Wallace is out; and then half backs and the outside backs, for me, France are much more threatening.

I think your backrow would need a huge game (complimented by DOC and POC) to starve the French of any decent possession.

I reckon it should be a great game to watch. I'll have to see if I can convince the missus to stay in the pub for the second game. If not I'll sneak it onto the telly at home

Gecko

all good points mate. cant argue... but i have faith. certainly i dont believe BOD is gona allow the french through the middle and where we had ROG last week we have Sexton this week, a much bigger and more defence capable player.

I'll drink you your misses and hope she lets ya watch it haha ....... you deserve to see some good rugby..... Oh yes i just said that

Have a good weekend boys I wish you the best Ding - cos next week I wont be

For what its worth after last weeks debacle heres my forcasts

Ireland by 10 (28 -18)
Argentina by 2 its a long shot (16-18)
NZ by 9 (22 - 31) NZ have a few out
Scotland by 3 (18-15) Tossed a coin
Japan by 11 (28-17)

Good luck and have a good weekend

Haha, cheers Ding.

If I have to plump for scores:

France by 5, 17-22
I hope Wales can win, and will keep the Argentinians at a distance on the scoreboard. Maybe ending 8-10 points ahead. It's a strong Argentinian side but the fringe players for Wales desperately need to impress and theres enough experience across the park. Or they could flail miserably like against the Fijans...
Springboks to edge it - they desperately need the win and its very much a second string for the ABs. Less than a try in it.
Scotland I think can throw off the shackles - 27-14

Lydneyian you're terrible at making predictions

Nice to see Ireland lose again, what happened to everyone saying they'll beat Australia and make it to the final?

I know - I did ok in the first few weeks of the tri nations and WC warm ups - but the last 2 weeks Ive just fallen apart - I felt sure Ireland would finally beat those crazy cheese eating surrender monkeys - and after backing SA last week thought it was inevitable that NZ wouls beat them - as for the Wales game - just wishful thinking I guess

Ye Lydneyian u were off the mark a bit this week. Anywho.. how bad were we mate? So bad i dont know where to start. i will leave it alone for the weekend and have a good moan about it 2moro. 2007 all over again...

Saw wales won well enough. noting special but that was the best Argentina side they can produce and wales were never really under any pressure. Looking like they are building momentum nicely.

Jerichoholic
Go and find any article or comment here that says we would make the final, beating OZ in the process. Go and find it please and provide some proof behind your WUM... And considering you have only joined this forum today im thinking your gona have a lot of reading before you realise your talking out of ur backside.

Dingbat

2 Things

Firstly I blame you for giving me false hope on the Ireland prediction

Secondly - NO WAY am I going to comment on the Ireland performance in the week before we are playing them - even my bravado will not allow me to walk that path

Argentina disappointed though - Im hoping they are similar against us in the groups - Im more confident now

Wales are in danger of becoming legends in their own lunchtimes going into this world cup imo - they need to beware