France, Ireland meet in early 6 Nations Crunch

 
Pot Hale Roar Guru

By pothale, 11 Feb 2010 Pot Hale is a Roar Guru

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Nearly a decade ago, the powers that be in the broadcasters covering the 6 Nations decided that the final match in the Championship should always be the France Vs England match.

‘Le Crunch’ as one headline famously dubbed the match between the two Northern heavyweights.

They’re the two biggest teams in the 6 Nations went the theory, and it was inevitable that the title would nearly always be decided between them.

Cue outcry from the other participants, and after some half-hearted arguments, the idea got shelved.

Just as well.

Last year’s final match was between Ireland and Wales. It had everything riding on it – the Triple Crown, the Championship, the Grand Slam, and even who would finish up in second, third and fourth place, depending on the result.

But despite their previous pompous call, maybe the TV schedulers have got it right again this year, because the last match is France versus England in what might well be the Grand Slam decider.

Ireland travel to Paris this weekend, where the 6 Nations joint favourites meet in one of the key matches of the championship. Whoever comes out of this one gets bragging rights to sustain them through the final three rounds.

If Ireland emerge as victors, they head to Twickenham two weeks later in buoyant mood to play England who will undoubtedly beat Italy this weekend, for the likely Grand Slam decider as the two remaining uneaten teams.

If the French win, then they move on to play Wales and Italy, before hosting England in the final match in the Stade de France.

Ireland started sluggishly in their victory over Italy last weekend in a dire match punctuated by two well-taken Irish tries and gifting an easy one to Italy.

The match was over as a contest before the first half whistle blew, with Italy’s game plan not to lose by more than 15 points etched in every ponderous scrum, field kick and mind-numbing breakdown where the Italian scrum-half set new records for not touching the ball at his feet.

Morgan Parra will be a lot more lively for the French in Paris. He’s likely to continue his partnership with Francois Trinh-Duc, looking to marshall the considerable forces of Jauzion and the latest ‘infant terrible’ to pull on a French jersey, Mathieu Basteauraud – a 17stone, fleet-footed centre who scored two tries against Scotland last weekend without breaking a sweat.

Basteauraud is only 21, the same age as when his opposite number, Brian O’Driscoll, walked out onto the French turf ten years ago, and scored a hat-trick of tries to debut his test career. Some believe (mainly French) that Basteauraud is set to take over BOD’s mantle in the coming years, and Saturday is as good a time as any to set down a marker.

France have had their setbacks on the injury front.

Aurelien Rougerie, their classy winger, hurled himself – kamikaze-style – into two tackles against the Scots and limped off after 5 minutes. He’s out for a few weeks. So also his opposite wing team-mate, Benjamin Fall, and the front row prop dynamo, Luc Ducalcon.

Of their replacements, Clermont’s Julien Malzieu, is probably the most deadly foe. Keith Earls of Ireland, who comes in for the injured Andrew Trimble, will need to be quick of eye and foot to match, never mind master, him.

Declan Kidney, and thousands of Irish fans, will be praying that Rob Kearney’s senior moment in last week’s match where he coughed up an easy try for Kaine Robertson, the Italian winger, is but a blip. His kicking was pretty wayward too, although he did make some of his trademarks line bursts during the match. The French may well want to test his resolve and mental strength early on in the game.

Lievremont is clearly worried about the number of penalties his team is conceeding. His remarks this week that the high penalty count against his team was possibly the fault of Nigel Owens, was put in context in a similar record against them in their match against Ireland, reffed by Monsieur Owens.

A report noting their concerns has been submitted to Paddy O’Brien for his consideration, according to the French coach. That could come back to bite them.

Lievremont has good reason to be fearful. Ronan O’Gara lines out again at 10, despite Jonny Sexton being available, but who only gets a place on the bench.

O’Gara’s place kicking last week was flawless, notching up 16 points of their victory total and becoming the first player to move through the 500 point barrier for a player in the 6 Nations.

Any doubts uttered about his kicking ability during his performance in the Autumn (including by yours truly) have evaporated since December – he’s back to 85% success and climbing.

His pinpoint kicking out of hand may be off a notch or two, but no doubt the high stakes of next week’s match will bring out the devil in him as he attempts to turn the French back on themselves.

It’s up front where Lievremont is likely to be most confident of getting on the front foot and dominating the Irish. The French forwards murdered the Scots in the scrums and put in some mighty shoves that gained them 10, 20 metres at a time.

The ageing Hayes, fiery Flannery, and young buck Healy are going to have their work cut out, and Ireland could quickly find themselves on the wrong side of the referee and concede penalties galore with collapsed scrums and front rows popping up, or else have Harinorduqouy rushing at them full speed, just like he tore up the Scottish back row last week in creating platforms for them to score their tries.

The weak link here is that Ireland may be without all of their first choice back three – Stephen Ferris is still sweating on an ankle injury from some weeks back. Kidney has held the slot open until the last minute in the hope that he recovers.

If not, Kevin McLaughlin gets thrown into the cauldron with just his second cap, or else Sean O’Brien with not many more.

At lineout time, Ireland may be able to make a stronger mark. Donncha O’Callaghan, O’Connell’s long-time second-row partner remains injured.

However, Leo Cullen, the Leinster captain stepped up to the plate last week and was probably one of the best players on the park, stifling and pilfering Italian ball with relish. Fast lineout ball, and the scampering O’Leary will be able to get it out to the waiting talents of Darcy, O’Driscoll, Bowe, Kearney and Earls to do their maximum damage.

Ireland very deliberately played an open game against France last year in Croke Park. It was their first match, and despite being notorious slow starters, ran in three tries against the French in one of the best matches of the championship.

It’s difficult to tell if they’ll be able to repeat the trick on French soil – they haven’t won here in 10 years – but if the reported sentiments of O’Driscoll are anything to go by – ‘we have to be out of the traps faster than them this weekend and not fall behind’ – then we should be in for a cracker, with ample talent on the bench to keep the match going to the last minute.

Currently, Ireland and France sit joint first at the top of the all-time 6 Nations Table having won 37 of their 51 matches played since 2000. Ireland have a chance to move ahead as they enter the second decade of professionalism.

Break out the kegs of Guinness and vats of Macon rouge, it’s time for some Craic n Crunch.

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