France V Ireland

[Hippo]

Doing a round up of the papers ahead of the match. Can't get my head around ROG's interview and how he comes out with this stuff without being told to put a sock in it. I've no problem with a player wanting to be picked or confident in his own abilities but for such a drawn out, high profile affair as the ROG/Sexton debate it's dense that he comes out with some of his comments. Completely undermines Sexton's selection by saying:

“I’d love to say that if you’re 17 or 37, the best players get picked but there are other considerations. You have to build for the future; build players and build their confidence."

i.e. Jonny's only getting picked ahead of me because they need to build for the future. Elsewhere in the article he admits that their relationship wasn't great when they first started training together. Is it any wonder, ROG?

ROG fighting his battles in the papers again? My personal favourite was "you're not a rugby player until you've played in Stade de France".

Yes it's all got very tiresome now, as when RTE cut away to ROG every time Sexton puts a foot wrong. I know he's not to blame for that, but this kind of interview is just ridiculous and he's sounding increasingly like a complete arsehole

[Cianostays]

I'd honestly say that the interview is just RO'G believing he is still good enough to start for Ireland rather than a deliberate attempt to undermine Sexton.

Even if it's a deliberate attempt to undermine Johnny (I honestly don't think it is) he's got to put this sort of stuff to one side and produce a definitive performance that screams "that jersey is mine". Today would be an awesome time to do it

[fourthirtythree]

O'Gara's self confidence has veered into pure delusional fantasy. He must read the fawning match reports rather than watch the video nasties back.

[nelly the elephant]

Our back row well invloved early doors.........stating the obvious but we cant be leaving 3 pointers behind us here.

[nelly the elephant]

Maith thú Tommy.................

[tate]

we'll take that!!

looking well on D so far, good aggressive start

[tate]

Unlucky in a sense on that penalty, we had no-one to ruck against! Feeling less pessimistic right now.

[Cianostays]

Fantastic aggression in defence from everyone . We've got to keep it going. Huge steal from SO'B to start the that move for Bowe's 2nd try. We need to keep up the press/rush defence for the 2nd half.

Murray and Sexton are playing well together.

We've got a chance here people

COME ON IRELAND

[FLIP]

Kidney pulls it out just in time to save his bacon...

[mikey]

Comedy dave strikes again - misses the forward pass

[fourthirtythree]

Hate to see that, Murray had a particularly strong defensive game. Don't know why we waited so long for Ryan to come on.

[fourthirtythree]

I don't understand why best is still on.

[SCG]

No thanks to Blind Dave and that pompous, risen without trace, clown Barnes.

[FLIP]

Why the change of defensive tactics at half time? Went from the rush defence to the passive defence. Nonsensical call from Kidney. We didn't deserve the draw.

[Cianostays]

Frustrating not to hold out in the end but a huge defensive effort. Proud of the boys. Super Rob MOM for me. He was outstanding

[fourthirtythree]

Left that behind, a functional lineout and we could have won that. Great intensity. I would have put court on earlier, replaced Jamie who looked tiref rather than Sean.

[tate]

with Paulie on that one, disappointing result given the halftime score.

[mikey]

Frustrating not to hold out in the end but a huge defensive effort. Proud of the boys. Super Rob MOM for me. He was outstanding

Ditto - he's showing some great form

[tate]

Why were we attacking so far wide with that many french jerseys in front of us? Surely not a pre-match coaching decision. And if not, then why are the players not smart enough/coached enough to stop trying a failing tactic?

[Cianostays]

Frustrating not to hold out in the end but a huge defensive effort. Proud of the boys. Super Rob MOM for me. He was outstanding

Ditto - he's showing some great form

Schmidt's influenece in his counter attacking baring fruit for Ireland.