Ireland v France

France took the risk of naming 7 forwards on the bench, especially when the lost Dupont quite early on in the first half, but their power play has been sensational and Ireland have had no answers to it.

This could be the start of the end of Ireland’s dominance of northern hemisphere rugby, a lot of players (outstanding) now well into their thirties so a rebuild is going to be needed.  On the plus side though is their academy systems within the provinces and the fact that they are able to retain all of the young talent.

During HT last week in the Ulster match, Bowe and the NI commentator blamed the Nicholas try on the fact that Ioan was not taken out after he’d fed Macs. They made the point that Ioan should have been taken out to prevent him carrying on as a support runner. Shows their thinking!!!!

Needless to say my Irish friends disagreed - Cathan pretty strongly & Airdaa, as usual, in a very thoughtful, respectful way. Of course one game does not prove anything either way but the sight of Peter O'Mahoney, a wonderful servant to Irish rugby, chasing shadows in wide channels & being overpowered by back rowers not long out of the French 20's suggested that I may have a point. In addition Cathan suggested that the replacement for many of their aging players were already ready & many would be candidates for the Lions - namely Osborne & Baird.

Well both had their chances yesterday & delivered 4/5 from 10 performances. Much is being made of the 7/1 split on the French bench but look at the facts - Jegou had to play in the centre so France changed 6 forwards & oh Ireland also changed 6 forwards. The reason Ireland were absolutely hammered was not the numbers but the quality of the bench. Add in the fact that France possess irresistable attacking weapons even without Dupont & Irish poor discipline, which was refereed properly in Dublin itself a collectors item, & you have the picture. 

Ireland 20's are not exactly covering themselves in glory at the moment even losing to Wales so maybe, just maybe, it could be a good time for Easterby to consider his options going forward. Happy days!!!!!

Thanks for this the video and presenter explains it well Beirne didn't wrap his arms and it was shoulder to the knee and resulting everyone piles in creates damage.

Understand the French anger, 

Beirne is not a dirty player but not good tbh, Dupont takes some hits and gets up.

Oooh I enoyed this 1 too lofty Absolute privelige to witness 1 of the greatest 6 nations performances ever....To go to the back yard of the world number 2 team who seemed to be heading for another grand slam ....lose your best player and still absolutely hammer them...in style...is quite some achievement....the power the pace the off loads the angles of running the variety the support running...simply sublime 

WR have responded in part by making any interference on the SH a penalty. Perhaps it's time to penalise the swinging around the side of rucks.

Isnt there also some responsibility to stay on your feet? He didnt use arms , lost balance and fell on duponts lower leg....absolute mess....not saying it was deliberate but seriously careless and dangerous ....this area surely needs better policing