RUGBY:STYLISH COATS and scarves are compulsory as the locals strut their stuff, but not even Parisians are much inclined to take their coffees al fresco. Even under clear blue skies, this vibrant city is bracingly cold, and come kick-off (presuming the pitch passes an inspection at 7.15pm) the forecast is around minus nine degrees.
At least les bleus won’t be playing with the sun on their backs in springtime.
Otherwise, this one doesn’t look too promising. Not only do France have a hex on Ireland like no one else, nowhere does this apply more than the French capital. Ireland have won just once in their last 20 visits, and les bleus have also won 11 of the last 12 meetings.
Furthermore, France are coming off an opening home win under a new coaching regime and are seeking a 10th successive win here, whereas Ireland have a day’s less respite from a defeat which stymied much of the Heineken Cup momentum. They are now staring at opening back-to-back defeats for the first time since 1998, the last of the wooden spoon years.
Just to put the tin hat on it, Jonathan Sexton tweaked a quadricep in training yesterday (Paddy Wallace was called up as cover with Ronan O’Gara set to be promoted) and this after Ireland appear to have incurred the wrath of the IRB again.
The game’s governing body, in tandem with the Six Nations, issued a typically indignant response to the revelation by Irish manager Mick Kearney that the disciplinary panel which cleared Stephen Ferris deemed the incident not even worthy of a penalty, by vehemently backing referee Wayne Barnes. In turn, an IRFU spokesperson said they were “very comfortable” with their own actions. Nobody mentioned Dave Pearson, who erroneously recommended Bradley Davies merely be yellow-carded, and is, unnervingly, tonight’s referee.
Many of the familiar old French thorns in Irish sides are lining up in wait again, from Vincent Clerc (eight tries in nine clashes) to Imanol Harinorodoquy, whose recall along with three other forwards, looks sure to strengthen their set-piece and appears a statement of intent to attack the Irish lineout. Indeed, it’s worth noting the French XV have 582 caps while Ireland have 595, and France’s average age is 28, to Ireland’s 27.
The decision to retain Louis Picamoles also highlights France’s desire to bludgeon Ireland. French coach Philippe Saint-Andre may have sparked the so-called “try from the end of the earth” to win in New Zealand in 1994, but he is a heavily Anglicised coach after his time with Sale and Gloucester.
Hence, Declan Kidney highlighted their “patience” last week against Italy, with defence the foundation stone, but noted with a knowing smile while they weren’t pressurised into running from everywhere, that didn’t mean they can’t do it this week.
Yet this too is an experienced Irish side who are still feeling the raw hurt and criticism of last week’s defeat, are in backs-against-the-wall mode, are largely written off and have a hard-edged coaching staff and playing spine. And however much we may tire of the cliché, this is often when Ireland are at their most dangerous.
Les Kiss highlighted two key areas where Ireland need to improve, namely defence and “managing the game in terms of territory.” This seems particularly pertinent with tonight in mind given, as he put it, the French “thrive on space”. They will assuredly seek to launch Aurelien Rougerie at Keith Earls in the outside centre channel and if Ireland again defend passively it will be a very long as well as cold night.
But if the green line advances, knock France off their stride and force Francois Trinh-Duc to kick more than he would like, it could put doubts in their mind. And if Ireland are in the game entering the last quarter, they’ve every chance.
Waiting in the wings to eclipse Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s record cap holder is Ronan O’Gara, also on 117 caps, but as Kiss implied, if Sexton starts he needs a commanding game to give the team direction. “We’re going out to right the wrongs personally and as a team,” said Kiss. “Nothing’s impossible in the big scheme of things. We disappointed ourselves no end last week. It’s important to go out there and breath some fire, make some statements about where we are.”
The players owe loyal coaches a big performance, and more importantly themselves, and may well be just of a mind to get within a score or two, whatever about winning.
Overall head-to-head: Played 89, France 55 wins, Ireland 29 wins, 5 draws.
Biggest wins: France 45-10 (Paris, 1996). Ireland 24-0 (Mardyke, Cork, 1913).
Highest scores: France 45-10 (Paris, 1996). Ireland 31-43 (Paris, 2006).
Betting: 1/4 France, 22/1 Draw, 10/3 Ireland. Handicap (Ireland + 9 pts).
Forecast: France to win.
