Rugby - Ball's Out!

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside


Worked for us.

Yes, but the difference is, unfortunately, that les grenouilles are proven chokers.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar
Fair enough. So the sum total of the article about how to beat England is: (1) attack around the rucks and mauls; (2) kick deep and chase like buggery; and (3) put pressure on ruggertubby's throws. Gee, the Midi Olympique's chockers with earth-shatteringly original thinkers, isn't it?

*flipside wonders how secret Irish documents have got into French hands?*
Personally, I think that while the obvious (1) and (3) will be used, France would be far better off looking at how the Welsh created space against the English.
To me the Welsh, while always going to lose because of the forwards, showed how to attack the English backs by drawing in fringe tacklers at the breakdown, exploiting Ollie and then fast miss passes to get around the backs that had been drawn inside.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar


Yes, but the difference is, unfortunately, that les grenouilles are proven chokers.

The problem is, like the Kiwi's they only do it at W.C's rather domestically.

* again, knowing that Tamerlin has another three and a half years of this, at least *

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside
To me the Welsh, while always going to lose because of the forwards, showed how to attack the English backs by drawing in fringe tacklers at the breakdown, exploiting Ollie and then fast miss passes to get around the backs that had been drawn inside.

Yes, but there's an obvious counter to that tactic - commiting limited but sufficient numbers at the breakdown, leaving sufficient defenders elsewhere. So obvious that England obviously overlooked it.

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside





The problem is, like the Kiwi's they only do it at W.C's rather domestically.

* again, knowing that Tamerlin has another three and a half years of this, at least *

Yeah, but it's no fun, unfortunately. Tamerlin's the first to admit that they choke. In fact, these days, he goes into matches assuming it.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar


Yes, but there's an obvious counter to that tactic - commiting limited but sufficient numbers at the breakdown, leaving sufficient defenders elsewhere. So obvious that England obviously overlooked it.

Oh, I agree.
It's very simple.
I think it's the way for France to go in this game though.
If they suck in the back row by phase play, then Olly does not set the line and is easily drawn out of position. What with Magne hanging around somewhere on the touchline there is bound to be an overlap.

I think that a pick and drive game for France on the back row and half backs of Engfland, would make the English defense narrow.
Ollie, despite him having a good game, was to blame for the Welsh tries in this way in the space of about 5 minutes.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar


Yeah, but it's no fun, unfortunately. Tamerlin's the first to admit that they choke. In fact, these days, he goes into matches assuming it.

It's strange though, isn't it.
To me, France win about one grand slam out of every two competitions recently( or thereabouts 3/7 if I remember) and the chokers are always England, but lose at a W.C and it means more.
Maybe he should be wildly optimistic, yet deluded, like me who is convinced that England will beat France by 8 and we'll beat Scotland by 55ish with a try in the corner in injury time and a conversion to win the championship.

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside

Oh, I agree.
It's very simple.
I think it's the way for France to go in this game though.
If they suck in the back row by phase play, then Olly does not set the line and is easily drawn out of position. What with Magne hanging around somewhere on the touchline there is bound to be an overlap.

I think that a pick and drive game for France on the back row and half backs of Engfland, would make the English defense narrow.
Ollie, despite him having a good game, was to blame for the Welsh tries in this way in the space of about 5 minutes.

Well, the French have the talent to do it. Whether they have the discipline is another matter.

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside
Maybe he should be wildly optimistic, yet deluded, like me who is convinced that England will beat France by 8 and we'll beat Scotland by 55ish with a try in the corner in injury time and a conversion to win the championship.

Tamerlin is, unfortunately, too much of a realist to be anything of the things you describe. Which I regret. Because it's near impossible to take the p*ss out of him in the way that it's so easy to take it out of Havak!

And as for your fantasy ...

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar


Well, the French have the talent to do it. Whether they have the discipline is another matter.

Other than the back foot law, and God help me, as an Irishman that is up there with Satan himself to us , the French discipline has been good in this competition.
They have been patchy in their performance though, many handling and set piece errors.
I imagine they have looked good in the highlights, though.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar
Because it's near impossible to take the p*ss out of him in the way that it's so easy to take it out of Havak!

I will repeat this when he is back.

[flipside]

Originally posted by finbar
And as for your fantasy ...

Yeah, that's true.
We will probably only get within 30 points of their P.D and if it wasn't for the wind in the Italy game we would be a lot closer.
I am 99.99% sure we won't win, but this is one of only 5 triple crowns we have ever won.
Still.You are right.
There is no way we are gonna win the bugger.
I've enjoyed us being in the mix though.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar

Tamerlin is, unfortunately, too much of a realist to be anything of the things you describe. Which I regret. Because it's near impossible to take the p*ss out of him in the way that it's so easy to take it out of Havak!

True, France has the means to win but they have not shown much skill, especially the backs. The French team can boast that they certainly have the best defense but they should remember that while it is a good thing to prevent the opponent from scoring the goal of the game is still to score more points than the other team. I know that France can beat the English in Paris but if England play the way it has played in last twenty minutes against Wales... France will lose as our backs are unable to score.

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside

Other than the back foot law, and God help me, as an Irishman that is up there with Satan himself to us , the French discipline has been good in this competition.

Their discipline in the World Cup was wonderful. As were their skills. Right up until when it counted.

[finbar]

Originally posted by flipside


I will repeat this when he is back.

Why? He already knows. His blind optimism - as cute as it is - leads him straight into my gun sights every time.