Philippe Saint Andre faces his first real test as France
coach when Ireland come to Paris on Saturday night, although it’s one he’s
expected to pass by a best price of just 2/7 for his side to go and make it 14
wins in 15 meetings with the Irish.
Les Bleus did little to dispel the tag of tournament
favourites against Italy in week 1, giving up 60% of the ball and 66% of
territory but still making the most of the chances they had, running in four
tries from their best four breaks and winning by a comfortable 18 points.
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| Wesley Fofana puts in a big hit |
Given that they lacked training time before the Italy match,
Saint Andre should be perfect happy with the performance as a springboard,
although both he and Captain Theirry Dusatoir have said that they expect more
this week – as will probably be needed – to beat Ireland.
The ominous fact may well be that they could still improve
more on it if you take into account an extra week with the coach (as reffered
to above), and more chance of the ball against an Ireland side who gave up 60%
of possession against Wales – something Declan Kidney was very quick to use as
a scapegoat afterwards – along with the all-important home advantage.
Declan Kidney’s side were well backed for success in this
tournament and to beat what was seen my many – including yours truly – as a weakened Wales on Sunday but a costly late
error from Stephen Ferris, whose tip tackle prevented Leigh Halfpenny with the
winning penalty, threw away victory for them at the last moment.
While the manner of defeat was very hard on Ireland, it has
to be remembered that victory wasn’t undeserved for the Welsh, who travelled to
Dublin missing Gethin Jenkins (knee), Luke Charteris (wrist), Alun Wyn Jones
(toe), Matthew Rees (calf strain) and Lloyd Burns (neck), and flanker Dan
Lydiate.
This is going to be at least as tough a test in Paris, where
France haven’t tasted defeat for 9 whole games, although the Irish have bounced
back from nine of their last 10 defeats in the 6 Nations with a win and also
have 6 of their last eight wins on the road.
It could be said that Ireland are closing the gap between
the two sides on recent performances – Les Bleus have won by three and four
points on their last two visits to Dublin and Declan Kidney’s side won by only
7 in their World Cup warm ups, where it was to be assumed that Kidney’s side
performed a long way below their best.
Other factors to consider would be the return of Keith Earls
– Ireland’s top Tryscorer at the World Cup with 5 scores – to the thirteen,
while Dimitri Yachvilli’s absence thanks to a back problem isn’t going to be
helpful, for all that Morgan Parra scored 47 points during last year’s tournament
and his partnership with Trinh Duc led to France’s Grand Slam in 2010.
With temperatures expected to be 6 below freezing, the pitch
may also have a big point to play – indeed Vincent Clerc has already spoken of
his fears – so this might be harder game than expected for both sides. France should have the edge in Paris but a tight
clash could be in the offing so look to either Ireland receiving 10 points or France
to edge is by 1-12.
Advice
3 pts France to win by 1-12 points (7/4 Stan James)
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