Ad Utrumque Paratus, the motto of many academies and universities, comes to mind. It means 'prepared for either', where the book and the sword were bedfellows. Well, when French captain Thierry Dusautoir stated before a ball was kicked in this Six Nations that "it's part of our culture, you never know which French team you're going to have", tomorrow's Irish team must be prepared for book and sword.

French coach Philippe Saint-André has brought the number of players used in 32 matches to 80; including 14 different half-back partnerships. Outhalf Camille Lopez’s first cap against Scotland last week brought a victory but he is vulnerable. He is no gain-line carrier; he receives often but he stands miles back and provides no real threat.

When he offloads, finding a fatty (which in this French team could be either a back or a forward) he will, like Johnny Sexton, immediately follow the ball for a possible loop pass. Understandably, one game in, this is far from a fluid movement and unlikely to cause too much trouble defensively. But his defence off inside shoulder is well worth testing.

Winger Teddy Thomas, who is worth the ticket alone at 21, 6’1” and 14st 2lbs, is great off Lopez’ blindside, running lines that intend to fix Ireland’s midfield. Massive upper body strength affords Thomas great offloading ability, which, having sucked in multiple defenders, can create space for Wesley Fofana out wide.

Lacks French flair

French fullback Scott Spedding is a big unit and his right foot is utilised by France on left-hand touch kicking to complement Lopez’s left foot. Spedding also pops up off French scrums to clear with his right foot. He will counter-attack but this South African lacks French flair. Typically he’ll carry in one arm and will always find contact; where he rarely looks for offloads or players in better position. He’ll make for a tough physical tackle but easy on technique. Where is Serge Blanco hiding?

France tend to leave players back especially off long kick outs, leaving space in the channels to exploit. Hence Ireland’s best opportunities may be sourced well within their own half, which they didn’t need to exploit against Italy. But Italy didn’t have the French bench and that shall dictate Ireland’s tactics.

In Rome, Ireland knew what would happen post 60 minutes. The French bench affords them turbo boost and Conor Murray and Tommy O’Donnell’s tries against exhausted Martin Castrogiovanni and the Italian sin bin will be harder to find. A different tactic is required.

Ironically I believe France are at their most vulnerable between 20 and 40 minutes. The first wave of adrenalin and energy will have ebbed away before they regroup at half-time and empty the bench on 60 minutes. Key for tomorrow, then, is whether Paul O’Connell and Sexton, in tandem, spot opportunities in this space, where in addition the lineout maul is of huge importance and must be used as a tempo switch to emotionally and physically sap the French.

Also in that second quarter, Sexton needs to up his tempo and get wrap-arounds, allied to plenty of first receivers passing to hard-running carriers; avoid contact shifting to space. And target players such as monster secondrow Yoann Maestri who, as he tires from his violent clearouts, is prone to flat-footing in defence and is often rooted to the ground. If Ireland carry in both hands with options either side, they can confuse Maestri et al.

That said, the French will open up at a flurry, aggressive through lineouts and high defensive line speed. It’s therefore hugely important to keep them pinned back in their half by accurate kicking. Patience once more is huge as the French will make buckets of hits well behind the Irish gain line as Ireland struggle to penetrate and maintain possession. A low penalty count is equally important.

Shut the gate

Off Irish lineouts, France will rotate defenders, especially in midfield, putting Mathieu Bastareaud at 12 and Fofana at 13, with the latter flying up to shut the Irish gate. Bastareaud is liable to trundle up inside, leaving a massive hole to exploit. The key is to commit Bastareaud to the tackle while keeping Fofana hungry outside and get the ball flat between them in space.

The French scrum, with number four Pascal Papé on the tighthead, leaving the monster Maestri on loosehead is massive. At 5’10”, tighthead Rabah Slimani is the perfect shape to combat an Irish attacking clockwise swivel. Getting to his chest will take some doing. Once again, our tightheads are so crucial throughout; so forget their tackle count.

Both French secondrows are huge and do swan dive over the tackled player but definitely land beyond the ball and gain stability through their elbows illegally supporting their body weight. Bastareaud is far more effective within the laws and devastating over the ball, so he must be targeted by Irish clearouts.

So, the French bench. That’s the key to France keeping up with Ireland beyond 60 minutes. When 155kg prop Uini Atonio arrives, along with 121kg monster secondrow Romain Taofifénua amongst others, their bench will inject massive muscle but alas little cohesion. With the exception of consummate petite general Morgan Parra, allied to highly talented hooker Benjamin Kayser, Ireland’s unity of effort will overcome in those closing minutes.

Finally, as the Great AK would say; “no amount of analytical physics can open a door.” Ireland need the book knowledge but must also apply a treacherous sword.

liamtoland@yahoo.com