Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: France outclass Ireland at the Stade de France

Saturday, February 13, 2010

France outclass Ireland at the Stade de France

France powered past reigning champs Ireland as they romped to a comfortable 33-10 win at the Stade de France earlier today, ending an unbeaten run of 15 matches for the Irish.

Cian Healey was sinbinned for a tackle without the ball, which proved to be somewhat of a turning point as France took control of the match, with tries by William Servat and Yannick Jauzion.

Ireland were lucky to not be down to 13 men as hooker Jerry Flannery unleashed a wild kick to the legs of Alexis Palisson. He was apologetic and was supposedly going for the ball, but he kicked a few seconds after Palisson had it in his hands, so will no doubt be cited for the reckless offence.

France led 17-3 at half time after Ireland failed to convert on chances, before battering ram Mathieu Bastareaud, who was impressive on defence all day too, set up a try for fullback Clement Poitrenaud.

Morgan Parra extended the lead with a drop goal, before Ireland clawed back with a try from David Wallace. Parra landed a long range penalty and then replacement Frederick Michalak came on and slotted a drop goal of his own, taking France out of sight and sealing a great victory over the hapless opposition.

Time: 05:59

way to go France, definitely did not expect them to win by that much

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:02 pm
Great game for the French as the Irish looked so poor.

Nice tries, special award to Trinh-Duc.

But here is the question, will the French do as last year, beating the reigning champs and then being defenseless at the next game ?

And that's a French guy asking it, oui monsieur!

By Murf, at February 13, 2010 8:05 pm
Bastareaud didn't score the try even if he did a great match ! it was Poitrenaud.

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:10 pm
What was Jerry Flannery thinking?!?! it was painful to watch the replays.....it was awful, i mean, trips are one thing...but flannery kicked the french players legs out!

citing coming along i think!

By No.7, at February 13, 2010 8:11 pm
Fantastic match and an absolute pleasure to watch the French rugby being played!!

I'm a Welsh supporter but I'm also a rugby fan but good rugby is good rugby irrelevant of the shirt the team are wearing.

By Calon Lan, at February 13, 2010 8:13 pm
Yes, beautiful game from the French side (by the way Bastareaud didn't score today), and as it has been mentioned above, I guess it would just be justice to see Mr Flannery getting cited for his reckless tackle on Palisson. Don't see why should French be always targeted by commissions and not the rest of players... Could have been more serious on top of that. Eventually, I have a deep thinking adressed to Thom Evans who, I hope, will recover soon from his bad injury, let's keep our fingers crossed, he didn't deserve this...

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:19 pm
'I guess it would just be justice to see Mr Flannery getting cited for his reckless tackle on Palisson. Don't see why should French be always targeted by commissions and not the rest of players...'

Im sorry to have the first negative comment, but you are full of bullshit! Flannery yes, will probably be cited and no doubt deserve it, but the comment 'dont see why should french be always targeted' THEY AREN'T TARGETED YOU PRICK! ITS A CASE OF CHEAT AND YOU GET CAUGHT, IM SORRY BUT IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO EYE GOUGES THEN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?!?!?!?

so you feel that foul play should not be targeted?! because from where i stand and what i see FOUL PLAY was targeted!!! the fact that recent heavy bans have been french players has sod all to do with it!!!!

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:26 pm
excellent play, both team were damn struggling in the first 20, then the frogs outclassed the green ones. Flanery is a thug, period. Should get at least 12 weeks. Can't wait for the crunch

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:37 pm
sorry mate but how come players from other nations than France have seen their bans lasting just a couple of weeks when French players are always, always and always being the scapegoat out of all this and on the touchline for months and months. That's totally unacceptable and I'm sorry to mention that issue after an enjoyable game (from both sides actually) but everybody knows it's true. I've never said that foul play should not be punished. There are still double standards for some acts, and nobody can deny this (think about Burger's eye gouging). And by the way my friend, no need to get overexcited and be insulting, cheers

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 8:39 pm
Stay calm dear, as you said fool play is targeted. Intentional kick on a player = penalty and no card. Very impressive. I bet for, hem... 2 weeks ban ?

I wonder if Earls got more funny words to say after the game. His shaky hands gave France their 3rd try.

By Dalma, at February 13, 2010 8:39 pm
great perfomance for the french ,nice tries

By dezzy, at February 13, 2010 8:47 pm
Damn I enjoyed that

By Scot, at February 13, 2010 8:53 pm
STUFFED! Go on France! I agree on the difference of treatment. Flannery should now pay the price for a dangerous play. And tell me, why the ref didn't award a penalty try (or at least a yellow card) when the Irish scrum got demolished at least 3 times one meter from the line? The same happened last week in scotland. Forward pass on the irish try...shocking ref.

By Louise, at February 13, 2010 9:03 pm
Well, i am shocked at burgers ban too, but the fact is attoub deserved every week he got and so did the scrum half!!!

and how many gouges have their been since?!?

Danny grewcock 7 weeks for a stamp?!

Tell me more about the french being 'targeted' if you look at the standard of discipline in french club rugby it is very poor, so can you expect them to not be at the end of big bans!!!

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 9:08 pm
"Well, i am shocked at burgers ban too, but the fact is attoub deserved every week he got and so did the scrum half!!! [...] Tell me more about the french being 'targeted' if you look at the standard of discipline in french club rugby it is very poor"

Oh right. Got something to say about Quinlan ? Ooops, he's Irish so no pb. That's why I would be surprised to see Flannery punished as he deserves to be.

By Dalma, at February 13, 2010 9:23 pm
I guess earls will remenber for ever his contact with bastareaud :)

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 9:24 pm
'Oh right. Got something to say about Quinlan ? Ooops, he's Irish so no pb. That's why I would be surprised to see Flannery punished as he deserves to be.'

Well actually i never saw Quinlans gouge, i never saw any replays and i dont know when it was. So actually show me a link to a video, picture, or date as to when it happened and i will give you my opinion!

Im actually being serious, show me because i missed it!

(i added a nickname to avoid confusion!)

By Nick-name, at February 13, 2010 9:44 pm
We were absolutely robbed by the froggies. We played ten times betterand had D'Arcy scored that try we would have won easy

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 9:56 pm
he gouged leo cullen during the hec semi final against leinster last may.

Flanery will probably get 2 or 3 weeks ban, i dont think any more would be justified.

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 9:58 pm
Man the Irish players must of covered their hands in grease before this game...I mean you expect 3 or 4 knockons from a team in one game but i actually lost count of the number of times Ireland gave away posession by not being able to keep a hold of the F**king ball.....I mean this game could have been so much closer if they hadnt of given the ball away so cheaply...
I think it was like around 18 unforced erorrs for Ire to 6 or 7 for France...You can't expect to win a game with those kinds of stats..

Well played France you deserved the win....Hopefully Ire will sort out their hands because if they do they can still be a serious force...

By themull, at February 13, 2010 10:05 pm
'he gouged leo cullen during the hec semi final against leinster last may.'

Ok, whilst gouging is an awful act in my opinion.....i think dalma should have read my previous comment!

Ill highlight on the point again for his/her benefit:

'and how many gouges have their been since?!?'

You cannot compare previous acts to bans that players such as attoub received!

All you can do is wait and see what ban the next player gets.....

I think french fans and players alike will have the right to be upset if a gouge equally as aggressive as attoubs happens this year and does not recieve a similar length ban!

.......otherwise shut the hell up and stop whining!!! i dont hear many french coaches moaning about decisions!

By Nick-name, at February 13, 2010 10:06 pm
The mull i think the last statistic was something like 20 errors to 10, i know im slightly off, but the point is, it was double the errors that france had.

It was actually a shocking match to watch, ireland played badly, but france played well.....BOD the talisman was closed down all game and pretty much had no room to do nothing!

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 10:10 pm
Men of the match : Trinh-Duc, Bastareaud, Jauzion. They were just amazing, specially Trinh-Duc

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 10:21 pm
Last Anon, spot on but I would add Domingo and Harinordoquy

By Oli, at February 13, 2010 10:25 pm
Thiery Henry should give lessons to Keith Earls on how to use his hands to control the ball, I just couldn't stop laughing when I saw him knock the ball on, on the stadium's screen. I just love when trash talkers look ridiculous in front of everybody :)

I couldn't see clearly the Flannery's tackle on Palisson from where I was sitting, there was no replay in the stadium :(

By Ben, at February 13, 2010 10:41 pm
well done france. Ireland were completely outplayed. I hope Flannery gets a very long ban as that was absolutely disgraceful. And I'm Irish.

How is Earls a trash talker Ben ?

By Third Centre, at February 13, 2010 10:53 pm
As an Irish supporter I find it very difficult to feel any sympathy for Ireland losing with that sort of performance. The only person in the Irish team who looked dangerous going forward (when he wasn't just running across the pitch) was D'arcy, but the french looked dangerous almost every time they got the ball.

Hats off to the french. A good win, and irish hopes dead and buried (sadly)

p.s. Yeah, Flannery - WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BOY?!?!?

By Mike, at February 13, 2010 10:57 pm
Keep laughing ben when france do the usual and implode, thats their one big performance done and dusted. As for trash talking look abit closer to home and parra. Look forward to the irish provinces playing ye in the hc.

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 10:59 pm
As an Irish supporter I just love watching Hardinordoquy. The best No.8 by a mile in the world. Yes, including Spies and Parisse. Even after Dusatoir nearly took his head off with that right hook in the opening minute he was still clearly the best player out there.

Agree Flannery will get a couple of weeks. I mean, what the fuck? An Ireland penalty advantage for deliberate knock on and he goes and kicks the guy, pathetic. It would've been 3-3 as it was in Rog's range, and wound the clock down. Also, someone mentioned possible French Pen Try. It wasn't 3 times as you suggested, which seems to be the unwritten rule. It was twice. France were at fault for 1, and the ref reset it.

To whoever said Ireland were the better team, get your head out of your arse. This was men v boys today. Great win France. Now do it against Wales and England.

So much for Ireland's expansive game plan, no tries v SA, 2 v shockingly poor Italy and 1 v France. You can't play in 2nd gear against Italy, try no moves and then think you'll win in Paris. Worry about rest of season. Think I'll start a petition for Ian Humphrey's inclusion. He might not defend, but he offers more in attack than anyone. That surely has to offset it. He doesn't need front foot ball, to create chances.

France for Slam.

By Huh!! the 3rd, at February 13, 2010 11:08 pm
Bastareaud is a good player, no more, but the hype over him is just ridiculous, reminds me of a certain chabal a few years back. The so called beast gets the same applause in south africa and is totally over rated. Well played France and they are probably one of the most physical teams i've seen. When they destroyed the saffers was the first time I noticed just how powerful this team is.

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 11:10 pm
Humphreys ahead of sexton, you must be mad.

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 11:12 pm
I loved how Bastareaud ran through Keith Earls... Brilliant!

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 11:13 pm
I thought Hari should get man of the match. I was also surprised they took him off at 60 minutes.

I might be the only guy who thinks Flannery didn't intentionally kick Palisson.

By Crosser, at February 13, 2010 11:23 pm
"Keep laughing ben when france do the usual and implode, thats their one big performance done and dusted. As for trash talking look abit closer to home and parra. Look forward to the irish provinces playing ye in the hc."

Wow boy you sound soooooo frustrated!Please show some dignity in loss like the majority of your fellow countrymen do.I was in an irish pub in Paris and the atmospheare out there was fukin great and very friendly. Cheers to the (generaly) very cool irishmen!

The french were outstanding, and the physicality of the match was really unbelievable, the guys were hitting as if they didn't feel any pain!

By Anonymous, at February 13, 2010 11:40 pm
A preview of Ireland in the next World Cup. Love it !!

By Jay, at February 14, 2010 12:08 am
Incredible match with a consistent team. At last. Everybody says 'no scrum, no win'. We apparently have the scrum and know how to use the backs. Again, what a match by the forwards!
I've never been fond of Bastaraud or Trinh Duc, well I can't but acknowledge they play better every match.
Harinordoquy on the best 8s podium.
Hope Palisson and Clerc will be able to play soon: 2 matches, 3 wingers out.

So happy to see the team finally showing some identity AND efficiency.

By Maximus, at February 14, 2010 12:14 am
Only the english can stop the french now i guess...

By Eric, at February 14, 2010 12:25 am
i was at stade de france, the atmosphear was incredible :)
France achieved a great performance. Irish were just completly outclassed.

Bastareaud, Trinh-duc, Parra and Nallet were just enormous. Few tries could have been scored with more clinical finish and without Barnes indulgence with irish scrum.
Bastareaud really have done progress in defence

I was very surprised by the irish team. A very good touchline, but what a stereotypical game... I don't know what will be their future without o'driscoll.

concerning flannery cynical agression, i supposed he'll just take 3 or 4 weeks ban as written in the rules) these same rules written for some ones and created for others should we say...

A great WE of rugby,
ENG vs Italy tomorrow

By Flooz, at February 14, 2010 12:48 am
everyone is complaining about Ireland, but sometimes you just have to give credit to France they took their chances in attack and their defense was brutal and iron clad. The scoreline did not flatter France. The French looked very good...as they showed against SA in the Autumn and are hard to beat at home.

Flannery can count himself lucky he didn't get a yellow or red for his Gazza like foul trip! All is not lost for Ireland. They are still a good side....they just had one of those days. I have nver seen a side drop so many pases and knock the ball on. Some of the can be attributed to the French defense and some to the fact that they had to chance their arm when they fell behind.

Good old fashioned brutal test.

By JPM, at February 14, 2010 12:54 am
Allez Les Bleus!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:52 am
Great stuff from the French.
As a SH supporter I see France as the most talented NH team, ahead of Ireland (who's talismanic players are getting quite old).
Consistency has always been their problem though, great one week, shit the next.
Let's see if they can carry on this good form or if they implode again.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 2:05 am
'I might be the only guy who thinks Flannery didn't intentionally kick Palisson.'

I actually sort of agree, i mean trips in games occur, whether people admit it was intentional or not, its clear as day and its cheeky.....

...but this.....this was something much much more, i mean, it was open play all eyes on ball carrier and flannery literally boots his legs from under him.....

i know its very typical for a player who knows they're in the wrong to apologise, but this is what flannery did, he apologised....

i just think it was far far FAAARRR to blatant to be intentional foul play.....apparently he was going for the ball....i can sort of believe it.....

dont get me wrong it was still reckless but im not sure about intentional....

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 2:35 am
I'Msorry flannery beheaves like a kid, i"m realyè embaressed...
huge play from france, td or parra were winner winner !! im so drunk drujnk sorry

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 3:27 am
I can't believe the embarrassment of this whole thing. France were just deadly and Ireland couldn't do anything right. They just wouldn't stop knocking the ball on; I got so annoyed with them. Cian Healy needs to be given a kick up the arse for his yellow-card. He does that sort of thing all the time for Leinster as well.

And I agree with Crosser. I don't think Flannery intentionally kicked him. He's not that sort of guy. I think that since the ball was bouncing all over the place a second beforehand he went to kick it and just got his timing terribly wrong, and it looked like he was genuinely sorry afterwards. It was still incredibly stupid though and he really should be banned for it.

Et merci à tous les Francais ici qui prennent cette victoire avec mangnanimité. C'est très agréable de voir un peu de respect entre les deux cotés. Bonne chance pour le Grand Chelem.

By Kearney for tests, at February 14, 2010 3:37 am
Well done france brillant performance.Two great games this week already nice to see after last week.

On a positive note what about leo cullens performances for ireland! Iv always thought O'Callaghan was lucky to get as many caps as he has, always rated cullen more.Shows how short sighted O'Sullivan was.And Bob Casey should be brought into the ireland squad at least same with shaggy.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 3:44 am
Who cares about the six nations, in other more important news the Super 14 is now underway and there have been some great games!!!

By Super 14 is # 1 comp in the world, at February 14, 2010 3:58 am
'I might be the only guy who thinks Flannery didn't intentionally kick Palisson"

Kinda have to agree aswell....just on the fact he is a complete glue bag to be fair, sorta thing a dopey forward does..(coming from me being an Irish man who plays in the forwards)
fair play to france, outplayed out, could have been closer if ireland had taken their chances.

Can anyone tell me why caoches wait so long to mix up their side with subs when thingss clearly are not working? Sexton (though i favour humph more) should have been on sooner, and wallace utilised more, with earls ff for trims to bring a new dimension to the backs as things clearly were not working (even though the guys on the pitch were trying their best)

great line outs by Ireland but why are we continuing to ignore addressing our terrible scrum which kills our game massivley?

answers, not arguments apreciated!!

By R'O.C.K. for Ireland 10, at February 14, 2010 4:18 am
Well done France.
As an Irish fan I'm glad we will learn something from this. We have one of the best coaching teams in the world with Smal, Kiss and Kidney, those three will knock their heads together and prevent this from happening again.
Nice to see the pointless vultures on here sticking the knife in aswell, obvious jealousy at Irelands success last year!!!

By Still a good team, at February 14, 2010 5:34 am
Deeply disappointed in the Irish effort. looked like school boys in a mens game aside from D'arcy's break in the first half. terrible bounce. great game by the french, alway on the front foot.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 6:05 am
bastareaud is a great player no doubt, but he is so over rated...by that i mean there is so much 'bastareaud this, bastareaud that' i think he deserves his dues but he has to stand in line behind a lot of french players.

i just think his performance has been no more than a good 13's performance.......i mean he did very well against BOD, but i still dont get this fear factor thing that everyone goes on about.....

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 6:21 am
I was happy to see the arrogant Earls getting destroyed some times by Bastareaud.

MoTM Harinordoquy, magic player at the moment he is the best number 8 in the world i think.

Nallet was really good too.
D'Arcy i love this player.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 8:30 am
I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but O'Gara had a pretty good defensive game today...I mean, he's still a flyhalf and he's not Dan Carter or Wilkinsons, so you can't expect too much, but he put in some nice tackles - I remember one on Harinordoquy in particular. Not really what you'd expect from ROG...I wonder if the pressure from Sexton is making him play tougher - in any case, I think he did well.

Well, the Irish were simply out-played by the French. Some unlucky bounces killed a couple of try-scoring chances, but France never looked like they were going to lose; not from the opening kick-off. Now, I'm just wondering if they'll take the grand slam.

On a side note, I just watched the opening matches of the S14, and boy am I glad the 6N referees didn't get the same mandate on cracking down at the ruck. H-o-l-y shit there were a lot of whistles in those matches. I like it when the ref gives the situation more than 1/2 a second to develop...

By Petes, at February 14, 2010 8:34 am
First of all, let me say that as a French I was very scared at the begining that they would - as everyone say here - implode.

In a way, we got lucky that one player was dumb enough to get sin binned coz for me it's were everything changed.

Concerning Flannery, I also think he didn't do it on purpose... I mean it was so shocking (especially on the replay) and so obvious that it can't be intentional ... Well I least that's what I thought during the game (and so did the french TV for the record ;)).

Let's hope that they don't sink against wales or worst, England (like they usually do when they are on the run ... !)

By Unknown, at February 14, 2010 9:25 am
For the few who think that Flannery fool wasn't intentional :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeO7Bg4lqBw

If this isn't, I guess that M. Flannery still needs a long ban... then he'll learn to be more careful with his legs.

By Dalma, at February 14, 2010 9:32 am
ireland were humiliated. maybe they should learn to get passed the 1/4 finals in a world cup before thinkin theyre top shit... or if we're goin by 2007, the group stages lolz

~CamaX

By Cameron Maxted, at February 14, 2010 9:33 am
^^^ Typical dumb australian :D
How's Coops doing these days? breaking and entering much? Retarded aussi.

By Cams Mum, at February 14, 2010 9:42 am
"And I agree with Crosser. I don't think Flannery intentionally kicked him. He's not that sort of guy. "

You're saying that he's just the kind of guy who stamp on player's face ?

By Harrap, at February 14, 2010 10:11 am
HAHAHAHA IRELAND

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 10:45 am
How could Flannery's kick not be intentional??Seriously? Palisson has the ball in hand and runs at least a couple of steps before the incident. And why Flannery kicks him instead of tackling him? Shocking. And shocking referring. Should have been a straight red card, period!

By Frenchy, at February 14, 2010 11:41 am
Ireland should have won this game had D'Arcy scored that first try. Lucky f**king frogs I hope you choke against Wales or England as you usually do

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 11:45 am
it's not the luck, it's about rugby..All our tries are build... You won the last Grand slam with a penalty, i would not proud of this...

By sylvain, at February 14, 2010 11:52 am
For the 11h45 guy,with "if" you can change the world,if cian healy didn't grab the arm of Parra,if TD didn't forget his team mate on 5m line after a 50m rush,if Alexis palisson didn't be victim of muay thaï skill from flannery,if d'arcy had the good rebound,if my mother didn't met my father ...
With if ,you can change the world,don't be angry,the wheel is turning,this year there are 4 french team qualified for hcup quarter final,maybe this year is our's,2008 was the welsh year,last was your's (hcup and 6N),wheel is turning.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 12:16 pm
"Ireland should have won this game had D'Arcy scored that first try. Lucky f**king frogs I hope you choke against Wales or England as you usually do"

Who won two grand slams in 2002 and 2004 moron? France. How many 6nations did france win the last ten years? FOUR (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007). How many grandslams did Ireland win since 1940's? One. How many 6nations did Ireland win the last 80 years? ONE (2009). Shut up and show some grace muppet. I'm fed up with people talking about the French who are supposed to "implode" or choke every year, cause it's not the case! Just watch the palmares of the last ten years in the 6 Nations.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 12:18 pm
"Ireland should have won this game had D'Arcy scored that first try. Lucky f**king frogs I hope you choke against Wales or England as you usually do"

Ireland lose by 23 points, escaped an evident red card, France missed 3 easy trieds and you're talking about luck ? Get eyes, seriously.
Ireland not only lose this game : they lose their wins serie, their confidence and their discipline.

By Dalma, at February 14, 2010 12:19 pm
^^^^^WHAT THE FUCK?

oUR GRAND SLAM WAS WON BY MORE THAN A PENALTY U FUCKWIT, HATE THAT ATTITUDE. i SUPPOSE ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP WASNT VALID EITHER BECAUSE THEY WON IT WITH A DROP GOAL? ABSOLUTE FUCKING IDIOT.

To the french fans with brain cells:
Well done France yesterday, ye outplayed us and thoroughly deserved the win.
I thought Ireland would have stuck to the terrirory game and attacked the french lineout, but they fucking didnt.
Anyways well done france.

By Sickened Irishman, at February 14, 2010 12:34 pm
Can you French guys give us a break, 99% of the Irish fans here are saying well done and that France deserved the win, yet you're kicking and screaming about the one dumb comment suggesting Ireland should have won and about flannery who we'll all admit looked very stupid swinging his leg like that (intentional or not)

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:27 pm
Oh look, there goes your winning streak. The most overrated team on the planet is finally put in its place. :)

By La Skunk, at February 14, 2010 1:37 pm
70TH!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:40 pm
ahhhhhh well pissed off with ireland! was expecting a slight french win or even a draw but this was terrible!

completely embarassed the irish rugby team, especially after a bloody terrific 2009.

gotta hand it to the french team though, they played unreal at times. heres to hoping ireland win the triple crown and come 2nd and france win overall!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:40 pm
I think Ireland wasn't playing at their best level, on the other side France did a very good match and took almost every opportunity to score, they absolutely diserved victory but Ireland remains an exellent and respectable team. I'm french and I am shocked by the behaviour of some french guies who totally insult Irish team. It is not a "rugby" attitude, don't forget the respect we just won a match and didn't won the grand slam yet. Good luck to you Ireland and please beat the English before we play them!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:42 pm
La Skunk said...

Oh look, there goes your winning streak. The most overrated team on the planet is finally put in its place. :)

^^^^^^^^^^^What an idiot

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 1:46 pm
i love the irish try!!! trois bien joeu !

By FLANKER 7, at February 14, 2010 2:03 pm
nice play frenchmen, they are definatelly my favourites for the slam. it's such a powerful and skillfull team. i think BOD didn't like very much his meeting with Bastareaud. of course ireland is still a very good team !

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 2:10 pm
As an Irish supporter i think france were awesome. we just werent at the races. we need to improve:

scrum- France just pushed us around

maul- again we couldnt deal with their physicality

handling- get the glue out pronto!

But Irelandwill be back. the biggest problem were enforced mistakes like healy`s rush of blood, knock ons etc.

Ah well. bring on England!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 3:45 pm
Ireland were shocking yesterday and made France look better than they are, for example a poor England put 34 points on them last year, New Zealand put 39 on them just last November.

Btw Healy's immaturity was the turning point of the game, he needs to grow up in my opinion.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 4:02 pm
Does Ireland ever beat NZ ?

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 5:36 pm
Everyone says Ireland were bad,they were just not up to the same standard as France.bod is such an arrogant prick that he can't give France credit for a good game.

If you watch his interview after the game he says Ireland were bad ,but never once does he say how good the French were."oh too many mistakes and we let ourselves down".

If the Springboks or the all blacks lose a game they will always praise the winning team and say what a good game it was.But thats the diffirence between good captains(bod) and great captains(Richie Mccaw and John Smit)

By Grayditch, at February 14, 2010 5:44 pm
Im a big Ireland fan but even i have to admit that they were well beaten everywhere on the pitch. Ireland need to improve for the RWC if they are to challenge the top four but if anyone can do it its Declan Kidney!

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 5:57 pm
Hopefully Wales send the French crashing back to earth in the next round.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 6:03 pm
Honestly, this was the most annyoing & biased irish-fan commentators I have ever heard!

Total crap!

The mtach itself was amazing!

By Nick, at February 14, 2010 6:10 pm
Honestly, this was the most annyoing & biased irish-fan commentators I have ever heard!

Total crap!

The mtach itself was amazing!

By Nick, at February 14, 2010 6:10 pm
In the english BBC broadcasting of course I meant.

By Nick, at February 14, 2010 6:12 pm
"We were absolutely robbed by the froggies. We played ten times betterand had D'Arcy scored that try we would have won easy"

Hahahahahahahaha. Yep and O'Gara's defence was as exceptional as usual, the backs were awesome and the Irish avoided playing the usual boring kicking game. Oh, and John Hayes can scrummage....

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 6:24 pm
Ireland stuffed! I think they didn't expect to find a strong french team. All the credits to the french who put a constant pressure in defence, scrums, and launch their backs.
Bastareaud seems to become a real good prospect fro France. few months ago, i was laughing of his belly but i forgot he had legs...

Ireland played a good match but fail against a better team. o'gara play too classic.

finally, a personal word: i've watch the match on bbc. And all the commentators were completly irish-biased. Even after the defeat!
i don't even talk about o'driscoll complaining more about irish mistakes than the opposition.

Watching the way england beat italy today, France are favorites for grand slam. Wales will be a godd test to check their "famous" consistence. I think lievremont did not forget the 2 precedents accidents vs england (34-10) and vs AB's this autumn.

By Ben, at February 14, 2010 6:29 pm
"Btw Healy's immaturity was the turning point of the game, he needs to grow up in my opinion."

You mean every minute was a bloody turning point for Ireland yesterday, don't you ?

By Dalma, at February 14, 2010 6:50 pm
Sigh.....Dalma scores change games, 10 points were scored when Healy was in the bin and left us with a mountain to climb.

If we had all 8 forwards on the pitch we would never have been destroyed in the scrum as we were with Healy and Ferris off.

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 7:05 pm
lets not get carried away....last year ireland outclassed france in crke park...this year it was frances turn...i believe that both teams are of similar qualities and both are of similar ranking in my mind

By Anonymous, at February 14, 2010 7:53 pm
lol rugby fans must always be on their period...

Nothing but whing and moaning from more or les everyone here...From the winner, the losers and even from people from the SH talking up their own countries again....

For the love of god people grow up

By themull, at February 14, 2010 8:50 pm
Ireland had one good thing: constant lineout superiority. However, they didn't use it at all: again, stringer's fast passing would have helped there. Or, the effin Maul?!? Remember the maul? Hardly even attempted.

Ireland seem to be thinking too much about building for the World cup, and too little about the here and now. Fine for the Italy match to blood a few, but stringer and Saggy would have helped on Saturday.

A stringer sexton pairing might have helped too, and I think We'll have Rory Best in instead of flannery for a few weeks! (No harm for the scrum anyway, darts fine too)

With Best, Sexton and Shaggy, I think Ireland might improve - all are likely options for next time I reckon (Stringer won't get his game, even if he deserves it, sadly, notwithstanding a poor A's showing).

Thoughts on Boss or Reddin?

All told thou, The French were immense - I think they would have beaten anyone in the world that day - great passing, speed, strength - they were up for it. Harinordoquy was incroyable!

Those butter fingers knock ons weren't just unforced errors - they were forced by the ferocity of the French.

By mise, at February 15, 2010 1:07 am
Ireland's rush defense got caught out a few times in this game.

By JPM, at February 15, 2010 2:09 am
Here's a joke for you. What was the difference between Ireland and France on Saturday...Ireland were shit and France were deadly.

Maybe that wasn't funny now that I look back on it, but it demonstrates how I feel about it.

By Kearney for tests, at February 15, 2010 2:32 am
Guys, there are plenty non irish and non french fans commenting here trying to stir up trouble, either pretending to be french or pretending to be irish, it worked me up a bit until i realised that there were too many of those comments.

keep calm.

3 points:
1.well done france,
2.come on ireland pick it up,
3.and cameron maxted, australia is full of convicts cooper is clear evidence that with all the time past nothing as changed, they lost to scotland, and quite frankly you have no backing on this site,

By Calm people, at February 15, 2010 2:36 am
"Who cares about the six nations, in other more important news the Super 14 is now underway and there have been some great games!!!"

Well, my dear SH friend, here....in the NH....we do not give a dime to your Super 14 when the Six nations is on.

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 2:46 am
"hahaha ireland, thats wot you get for speaking like fags"

http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/11/03/irish-accent-voted-worlds-sexiest/

Shove that up your pipe and smoke it!

By R'O.C.K for Ire 10, at February 15, 2010 3:12 am
Funny that you can win a game even if you lose most of the lineouts.
Congrats to the fairplay irish fans, shame to the few who cannot just accept a loss.
more shame at the one praising ROG defense performance
seriously, how can Flannery's agression not be intentionnal ?

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 3:14 am
"Honestly, this was the most annyoing & biased irish-fan commentators I have ever heard!

Total crap!"

Makes a good change from england i suppose on the bbc...saying that, i usually watch it all on RTE as i also cant stand the bbc commentary, 4 pundits on RTE (the irish channel) and 3 out of the 4 said before the match that they wanted ireland to win, but they still thought France would win, generally quite good commentary on RTE if you want a change from BBC because i couldnt agree more with you

By R'O.C.K. for Ire 10, at February 15, 2010 3:16 am
Ugh huh!!!! Quade coops is from New Zealand he isnt Aussie so your point makes no sense you idiot!!!!!!

we have won 2 world cups what has ireland done your failures thats what you havent achieved nothin in rugby so back down else ill drop you

~Camax

By Cameron Maxted, at February 15, 2010 4:27 am
'Ugh huh!!!! Quade coops is from New Zealand he isnt Aussie so your point makes no sense you idiot!!!!!!

we have won 2 world cups what has ireland done your failures thats what you havent achieved nothin in rugby so back down else ill drop you

~Camax'

Come on then cameron, ill give you a free shot, i owe you i suppose, all the freebies your mum gives.....

so come on then cameron, im waiting, when are you gonna drop me?!

your dad teach you how to fight? or is he still in prison for i doubt you even know him, seeing as he could be anyone in the world, due to the crack whore your mother is......

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 6:22 am
'Well, my dear SH friend, here....in the NH....we do not give a dime to your Super 14 when the Six nations is on.'

ummm, actually i would have said:

'Well, my dear SH friend, here....in the NH....we do not give a dime to your Super 14.....'

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 6:24 am
Haha some stupid Australian is pissing off the Irish turds.

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 8:21 am
O'Dear Ireland, ya couldn't quite hang wit ta big boys when it counts, hey. don't worry lads, tere's always next year, eh. O'Ireland, togeta we stand tall.

LOL

By O'Ireland, at February 15, 2010 9:33 am
Great game by the French.
French will probably thank O'Gara for his soooo good defense!

That's what happen to arrogant people.
When french are arrogant they loose (usually after each big win against all blacks!), same for Irish saturday! I am glad it happened this way, especially for K. Earls and O'Driscoll :-)

Good game french. We are waiting for you in Cardiff now!

By Toto!, at February 15, 2010 11:06 am
"That's what happen to arrogant people.
When french are arrogant they loose (usually after each big win against all blacks!), same for Irish saturday!"

What are you talking about? The Irish were not arrogant. They knew they were the underdogs going to Paris. Did you not see any of the interviews leading up to the match?

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 11:21 am
Well actually it's quite good Flannery was not sent off during the game. It demonstrated how the french team was superior that day!

Great France on Saturday.
Pick on Ireland, you have to kick England's as* now!

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 12:01 pm
"Did you not see any of the interviews leading up to the match?"

Yes : Earl's. Funniest guy before and during the game.

By Pitseleh, at February 15, 2010 12:23 pm
And here it is : Flannery has just been cited.

By Pitseleh, at February 15, 2010 2:39 pm
Why would we want to go back to a cold, mud pit? Come join us in the sun, skippy.

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 9:58 pm
Earls and Paddy Wallace were thrown around like an American flag at a muslim rally. I also think some of the Irish player's might have a small bit of Parkinson's. But seriously, the Irish team just have to forget about this game, and hopefully they'll get there mojo back for the England game!

By Anonymous, at February 15, 2010 10:29 pm
Guys, you must keep in mind that Ireland is a very small country and are overachievers when it comes to rugby. They'll never be the best team in the world and often will struggle to beat teams like Georgia in the World Cup, but occasionally things will go their way and they'll win the 6N. Every 30 years or so, the Irish have a good year, the fans know and accept that, and I think that's the main thing. :)

By Manny, at February 15, 2010 11:44 pm
For all those that say this deserves a similar punishment to Attoub: BULLSHIT.

If he'd gouged the fella in cold blood, and was caught on film doing it, then lied about the photo being doctored in an attempt to weasel out of it, then fair enough.

However, this was an instinctive act in the heat of the moment. It's terrible, and he deserves at lengthy ban, maybe 8-10 weeks, but it's not even in the same league as gouging.

Admittedly this could have broken the Frenchy's leg, but that would heal long term. Gouging can cause permanent blindness, affecting not just rugby but also 'real life'

By HM, at February 16, 2010 11:30 pm
And by the way guys, you know what they say about arguing on the internet?

It's like the special olympics - you might win but...

By HM, at February 16, 2010 11:34 pm
Why does Earls continually get the opportunity to play and fuck up and a player who is playing quite consistently and is playing great lately, Horganm doesn't get a chance? Earls scores one questionably flukey try in CLUB RUGBY a few years back, becomes known as a great footballer, plays like shite for the Lions, opens his big dumb mouth, providing fodder for the French, yet still gets to play. Horgan plays consistenly, at times brilliantly, yet gets typecast as an also ran and misses out on selection. Sometimes coaches deserve to lose.

By Canadian Content, at February 17, 2010 4:13 am
bastareaud is SOOOO over-rated
he only deserves half the praises he gets
btw, frenchman speaking

By luxi, at February 21, 2010 9:43 am