Sat 15 Mar 2014 | 07:13

Ireland win 2014 Six Nations after late France forward pass

56 Comments

• reality

  11:33 AM 18/03/2014

  Is it as bad as that though regarding foreign coaches? The reason I ask is that at Toulon there's barely anyone on the team who speaks French, the captain talks to the team and to the press in French, Trevor Brennan was captain at Toulouse and didn't exactly hide his Dublin accent very well, then there are Bernard Jackman at Grenbole, O'Gara at Racing, probably loads of others elsewhere. Are they so averse to having foreigners in important positions?
  
  Or is it different at club and national levels? Although, even the national team has a South African, doesn't it? Classens, or something like that.
• 11:24 PM 17/03/2014

  I agree, why hasn't Tolofua been named in the french squad?! England, picked 35 players for the six nations, and had around 3-4 20 year olds uncapped who came through the -20s and who have being brilliantly for their clubs (Watson, Ford, Nowell), France only picked Fickou.
  
  I think in France, after the young players finish the under 20s they're forgotten about (a part from the odd Fickou once every 3-4 years). Where as I think those young players need to keep their confidence (once they've come out of the under 20s) and keep it going, it's a big step for them to go from Crabos or Espoir (under 18 or B team) to starting in an A team and they need to keep their confidence, I think they are forgotten about, if that makes sense.
  
  
• frenchie

  7:06 PM 17/03/2014

  I scorched names...sorry. Farrell, Burrell, Nowel...
• 6:23 PM 17/03/2014

  I don't think the french people would like having a foreign coach... Maybe only if it's someone who is really respected for his coaching skills, like an All black coach or something like that. I would like to see Fabien Galthier or maybe Elisalde (who is either kicking coach or backs coach at Toulouse) have a chance, they know french rugby aswell as anyone and are respected by the french public.
  Which I think is really important in France as the french are quick to give their opinion. Which isn't a bad thing, they also like a good moan. So I think the french need someone who is already respected for what he has done. I thought Lievremont would have been good, but I think he was getting more and more like Martin Johnson's coaching.
  
  I agree with the amount of players smoking, its shocking.
  I'm from the south west of France, and I know players at clubs like Auch,Pau,Albi and Mont de Marsan. And a lot smoke. But I know a couple of youngsters at Toulouse and Toulouse is very professionnal. The money side probably helps, and they are a bigger club but their academy is brilliant.
  I don't know what the academies are like in England, but I think the RFU are doing a good job and investing a lot into youngsters rugby. Also the RFU coaching school or whatever you call it is great. The equipement provided...etc is the muts nuts.
  
  As you said about the Grenoble not doing much viedo time, that's interesting, I said at the begging of the six nations that I think what is brilliant for IRE,ENG, WAL and SCO is that on the BBC people like Gusgott, Wood, Davies (I cant stand Nicol) but give their views and talk about what lines people ran well...etc. At half time they often have Austin healey or Clive woodward shoing and explaining clips of the first half where players went wrong and right. Where as in France at half time you mainly get adverts!
  Which is a shame. Maybe it won't affect the internationnal game but I'm sure you've got loads of youngsters out there listening to that info
• 5:39 PM 17/03/2014

  Good point about props, the Lions 1997 had a small front row with worked really well against the spring boks, they managed to get under the likes of O duRant, however England in 2010 had the likes of Shezza, Thompson and Cole (who are all tall) which worked brilliantly.
  So I had always thought that as long as the front frow are the same size, they will work well together.
  
  But if the new rules aren't working well for the smaller props that could change the future of props big time.
  What ever happened to Fabien Barcella?! The french prop from Auch, who went to...Biarritz I think? I thought he was immense.
• 5:28 PM 17/03/2014

  I agree with Stroudos, well he's definetly down there with Botha in terms in being a dirty wanker. It's a shame because I actually think he plays a big big key part in Irelands team.
• mise

  4:16 PM 17/03/2014

  re non-french coaches coaching France (I'm already confused! Ahem, let's plough on...)
  
  I take the language barrier point, but something has to give. Ronan O Gara is kicking coaching over in France at the mo, and he said recently that he couldn't believe how little video analysis is done over there. I also heard another former Irish player - Bernard Jackman, currently forwards coach with Grenoble, make reference to the number of players who smoke, and how long players have to spend with fans, friends and family after the match chatting. In short, it sounds like the 1990s.
  
  However, perhaps there are people like these two, but with years more experience, already coaching in France - ie they can speak French and know the culture. Obviously Jackman is making progress quickly - from forwards coach to possible head coach in grenoble for 2014/2015 season - but he's years off being ready.
  
  However there could be someone currently coaching in France who could both modernise the approach and not destroy the flair culture (but maybe reduce the number of cigs smoked on matchday... :-) )
  
  French folk? Thoughts?
  
• drg

  12:09 PM 17/03/2014

  *I don't disagree with you...
• drg

  12:08 PM 17/03/2014

  I love the way he checked his run (slowed up slightly) so that he chose not to compete for the ball but to smash the guy taking it...
• drg

  12:04 PM 17/03/2014

  That's a bit strong there Stroudos.... worse than Bakkies Botha?
  
  Healy is no angel, but his record has to be less blotted with incidents that Mr Botha I'm sure...
• danknapp

  10:04 AM 17/03/2014

  Just interested as a result of the number of Frenchies posting here. I'm English but I'm keen to improve my (pretty basic) French. I would love to practice speaking about rugby if anyone is interested... If anyone wants to practice their English, perhaps we could swap...
• danknapp

  10:02 AM 17/03/2014

  I love that you've made more grammatical errors in your correction than in your corrected post.
• stroudos

  8:43 AM 17/03/2014

  *His timingis impeccable. unlike my typing.
• stroudos

  8:43 AM 17/03/2014

  That is a sight to behold. Love it. It's the reaction of the crowd that really makes this special though.
  
  Tell you what, that is a masterclass in how to smash a high ball receiver too. His tiing is impeccable.
  
  
• stroudos

  8:36 AM 17/03/2014

  Dirty bastard. Certainly hope there's a citing and some punishment here, especially considering the extent of Healey's "previous". He's a thug, worse than Bakkies Botha but with the same shit-eating grin.
  
  I think this was definitely worth a yellow on the day and it's intriguing (if completely futile) to wonder what the impact on the match - and indeed the score - might have been had Healey been sent for 10 minutes in the bin.
  
  
  
• drg

  12:51 AM 17/03/2014

  I do agree with you, I think the scoreline was perfect, France played in a way that meant they deserved to be right in the game, and Ireland played in a way that meant they deserved to win it. 22-20 was far better than 22-13..
  
  I think if France had actually won the game, people would be sad for Ireland and BOD not to finish on a high, but they wouldn't be able to deny that France worked damn hard for the victory..
• drg

  12:48 AM 17/03/2014

  The thing with Healy is I find he is invaluable to the Irish pack, a player of his calibre is definitely a handy thing to have, if he could only sort his noggin out sometimes (perhaps he was trying to bash some sense into himself) and mature a little bit more then he'd be fool proof...
  
  I find that is one thing that is frustrating about players like Jim Hamilton for Scotland, he has great ability and is such a huge powerhouse, but his penalty count has to be through the roof and they're rarely 'good' penalties (ie give the opposition 3 points instead of 5-7), they're always idiotic and relatively pointless and end up costing Scotland a great attacking field position.
• themull

  12:17 AM 17/03/2014

  Well i'm not really defending Healy..What he did was beyond stupid and what he did last year on ole was stupid too..If he continues to be a liability then maybe its time Schmidt started punishing him in terms of game time..
• fatprop

  11:35 PM 16/03/2014

  He tried to join the ruck but just used the Chris Benoit technique
• fatprop

  11:32 PM 16/03/2014

  Honestly if you got Jake White in tomorrow you would stand a half decent chance of winning the world cup.
• 10:49 PM 16/03/2014

  I think at internationnal level you should set an example. Respect is one of rugby's principals for me, and the higher you get, the more respect you should show and have, the same with being responsable. These players are peoples idols. They should know that.
  That's why I agreed with PSA decisiob to drop Picamoles after clapping at the ref.
  Also when Farrell put in a late hit against ireland, Cian Healy ran up to him and kind of stopped and thought (I know...I didnt know he was capable of thinking!) 'maybe I should punch Farrell'.
  The commentators said that Healy a couple of years ago would have picked a fight with Farrell after the late tackle, but now he has matured as a player...
  A wee bit.
• 10:42 PM 16/03/2014

  France deserved the try anyway.
• drg

  9:48 PM 16/03/2014

  It was mentioned by all/most the commentators, I believe both Brian Moore and Eddie Butler both said it was a knock on and mentioned how it is somewhat ironic how in this day and age where referee's go upstairs for nearly everything that Walsh DIDN'T for that situation and it was actually wrong...
  
  I suppose it hasn't really been mentioned because there haven't been any comments on here along the lines of 'ooolala Monsier Walsh has robbed us frenchies' or something like that... I'd imagine if one of those comments came out then all hell would break loose about Szarzewskis' try but as it stands Ireland won so the Irish are thrilled and I think the French are just happy they produced a good performance..
• drg

  9:43 PM 16/03/2014

  Yeh, I meant to include that part in my comment... I was an idiot at amateur level, you'd imagine as the levels progress you'd become less idiotic? Or at least the trend would follow as such..
• 9:03 PM 16/03/2014

  This is internationnal rugby, the players (I think) should set an example.
• 8:57 PM 16/03/2014

  My mistake, but I didnt know about them and the ladies. Just didn't want to hear anything sexist.
• ronan

  8:44 PM 16/03/2014

  Lads i only got to see the game in the pub yesterday, coukdnt hear the commentary very well, but i was full sure the french try that touched the base of the post was a knock on, i know walsh awarded the try without tmo help.
  but it was a knock on wasnt it?
  no one seems to have mentioned it?
  thats a game changer,
  if the french were disallowed that try their heads could have dropped!
• drg

  8:08 PM 16/03/2014

  I think Walsh actually did get battered at one point, because Moore made the comment about the pictures being chosen by the French media so we won't see the Walsh 'incident' or something like that..
• drg

  8:05 PM 16/03/2014

  We might not all be on the same wavelength when it comes to committing foul play, but if we are then take it from someone who in their first year playing senior rugby has flown into an opposition players' face at a ruck, head first.. I KNEW what I was doing, there was no revenge for something prior, no need for it, and I don't know WHY I did it, but I KNEW I was doing it and it was NOT an accident..
  
  There was nothing 'reckless' about it...well..unless you count the fact that the guy was a monster and about 10 stone heavier than me and the fact he took a severe disliking to what I did.. that could be deemed reckless by myself... But the action itself was not reckless...
  
  What Healy did was stupid and completely unnecessary. Red card/yellow card, 5m penalty to France, they could scrum scrum scrum all day with Healy off, perhaps get a penalty try and then the game would be over...
  
  Healy would have been smarter rucking the French player, not headbutting him.
• mastersa

  7:36 PM 16/03/2014

  Phil it possibly comes as a surprise to you, but both Kearney brothers are much lauded by the ladies and few have a bad word to say about them unlike Canadien content. Maybe you misunderstood or misread the comments before labeling me a sexist. Like the use of French. Makes you sound sophisticated.
• fingers99

  7:17 PM 16/03/2014

  Fez = A beast of a man, both Ferris and SOB came through the club route and not rugby school, country hardness as well as strength and conditioning!!
  Ferris to smash 'em, SOB to Grab, poach n smash him up..... Heaslip / O Mahoney to clear the rucks...with Paulie & Donnacha Ryan / Toner in the engine room, Healy Best n Ross turning the screw....A pack to challenge any in world rugby!!
  
  On yesterday's win, Plumtree Feek and Schmidt deserve all the plaudits they get. Instilled a real belief...the last 10 mins or so the players must have been exhausted physcially and mentally, to keep concentrations level is a credit to them all...
• 4:51 PM 16/03/2014

  Steve Walsh only looks at the big screen to see himself, I loved Brian Moores comment on BBC something like "Hopefully' he is actually injured because he is making a lot of noise!".
  He made up a hand signal for a penalty on one of the scrums, he done like a wave with his hand....WTF?!
  I was waiting for him to give a penalty for an LBW at one point he was that lost.
  
• 4:45 PM 16/03/2014

  He wears ankle guards now seen as he has tried snapping every other props ankles out there.
• 4:42 PM 16/03/2014

  Merci pour le sexism...
• mise

  4:24 PM 16/03/2014

  Sense of relief here in Ireland with that win: so often Ireland looses to teams like France in the last few mins. While SW didn't have a bad game as ref, he's a risky erratic choice for the top games. Here, he didn't go upstairs for the French try which turned out to be a knock on, and he spent an eon over the so obvious forward pass at the end for the non-try for France. And the Healy thing was obvious too.
  
  Ireland and england best and most consistent in the 6N, French need a SH coach asap.
  
  Ireland have SOB and this guy comin back - check out Ferris' first action after 16 months out a couple of days ago for ulster. What_a_backrow with Ferris and SOB still to join it. Ferris, SOB and O Mahony, but with lad's playin out of position, would be the best 3 to have on the pitch, but the backrow will be insane with these 2 coming back.
  
  http://youtu.be/ry8PZINojgo
  
• 4:16 PM 16/03/2014

  @Vladimir Great post, I think you've touched on every glaring issue facing the French national team. It would be great to see a French side playing to their absolute full potential consistently. I think they are one of the few sides in the world who stack up against the All Blacks in terms of individual talent player by player.
  
  As you suggest, perhaps the only solution would be to bring in a foreign (southern hemisphere or not) coach to have a clear break from parochial politics that dominate French sports administration. The very idea though of allowing a foreigner to coach the French national team would break the very cornerstone of French national identity - that they are superior to everyone in everything - and so is likely to rest a non-runner for the foreseeable future.
  
  So while that idiot PSA is left in charge (and until the appoint the next idiot friend of the FFR's president) we might as well enjoy watching this crazy mess of a team capable of the best and worst rugby from one moment to the next which serves as a perfect metaphor for the beautiful mess of a country they represent! Vive la France!
• mastersa

  3:42 PM 16/03/2014

  I'm sensing you are not a leinster fan or a ladie..
• themull

  3:01 PM 16/03/2014

  Once last year against england
• colombes

  12:18 PM 16/03/2014

  Congrats to Ireland.
  The most regular team during the whole tournament. completly deserved and a nice farewell for Brian.
  Schmidt is building an interesting total rugby which is quite inspired by the Clermont of Cotter. I like their way to adapt during the game. For example, when the irishs were physically down, they used foot and their "vice" to slow the game. Signs of experience. But i wonder how Schmidt will deal with BOD absence and Darcy clear lack of fitness... It was a hard night for them vs Basta and Fickou
  
  On France, it was a nice but messy answer to the critics. But like every 4 years, i can see les bleus performing well during the RWC despite the sceptics. Deception: An irregular scrum and the touch... Good perfs: Huget and Dulin... Prospect: The return of Dusautoir, Nyanga, Parra, FTD, Fofana who can bring more serenity if PSA want to open his damned eyes.
  
  Healy headbutt? Will may be cited, but be assured he will received a light ban
  
  
• themull

  11:58 AM 16/03/2014

  "For what"? he was trying to disrupt the player who was about to pick the ball up..Ireland were just about to concede a try so it was desperate times..he lost the head and will probably be cited.(and should have been yellow carded on the day).But its not like it was just a random headbutt..he just flew in very recklessly in desperation at trying to stop France going over the line.
  
  As I said should have been a yellow, but since he didnt he will probably get two or three weeks..
• 11:31 AM 16/03/2014

  Agreed he's done well and Ireland are playing with great structure and self belief. But some of his decisions still worry me. Why'd he bring off Murray for reddan so early? Sure Murray was kicking a bit too far but he was the MOM in my opinion, he's like a bit smaller but way better distributing mile Phillips. Had to stay on. Then u end the game with two club backups in your backfield? All this to say I think he still needs some fine tuning
• 11:18 AM 16/03/2014

  If only the fellah in Toulouse would take over. Most successful euro coach last 10 years and understands the French persona.
• 11:15 AM 16/03/2014

  The only thing bowe needs to worry about is how big of pals are David Kearney and schimdt from their Leinster days. He and ferguson are adequate internationals at best. Bowe looked awesome recently, never seen Kearney play like that. Hell zebo should worry bowe more. The only thing Kearney worries me is that if selected, can he outpace a lock forward or will he get tap tackle like he did against England when Ireland needed someone with pace to burn
• drg

  10:39 AM 16/03/2014

  Agree with that sentiment, Brian Moore said 'theres no arms so he can't even argue he was trying to join the ruck' and I'd add, or dive for the player potentially picking the ball up to tackle. I can see what he was doing OTHER than trying to headbutt the guy - and for what? Odd..
  
  Then again I suppose France 'got lucky' with the try/knock on thing..
• hellraiser_rob

  8:47 AM 16/03/2014

  Yeah, well this isn't exactly Healy's first act of foul play, i'm sure the citing offers will look at it.
• 8:23 AM 16/03/2014

  There's putting your body on the line for your country (Halfpenny) and then there's smashing a player just using your head... What a thug.
  
  All the fullbacks this year have been immense I think, quality players, a part from Hogg, who we didn't see much of, a part from when he was on the TMO for the illegal charge down.
  
  I think France would be a lot more consistent and better with Dusautoir, Nyanga and Fofana back, imagine Fofana and Fickou in the centres!
• jeri

  2:06 AM 16/03/2014

  Congrats Ireland! Well deserved victory. Where did they go right? Last year they dominated the All Blacks for 70 minutes, and this year they're champions of Europe!
• drg

  1:19 AM 16/03/2014

  Going to miss BOD, his cheeky grin and his great playing! A champion for all rugby and definitely one for the hall of fame. Thought the score was spot on in terms of reflecting the game, very exciting stuff.
  
  I actually thought Steve Walsh was fine...
• drg

  1:16 AM 16/03/2014

  It's common knowledge that the French team are by far the most consistent team at being completely inconsistent..
  
  One week you'll have a team that would give the AB's a run for their money, the next you have a team which looks like they'd rather be eating crepes and drinking wine than getting beaten by potentially any U12 team that steps up to take them on.
• mac-an-bhaird

  11:48 PM 15/03/2014

  France really hadn't shown up all tournament. They were lacking direction most of the time but they turned up in spades tonight. Machenaud, Fickou, Dulin were the outstanding French players for me. But fair play to the boys in green. The last time they beat France at home was in 2000. Brian O' Driscoll's debut year, and he scored a hat-trick. What a great send off to BOD. A six nations championship, the top try scorer of all time in the competition, the most capped rugby player (International Rugby Union). We will miss him..
• hanji

  9:36 PM 15/03/2014

  Happy out a great match and a great win. Credit to France for playing the way we know they can, do it every match guys! Galway, Belfast, Limerick and Dublin will be unreal tonite. 5 years has been too long COME ON IRELAND!
• mastersa

  8:48 PM 15/03/2014

  Trust France to come out and play their best game of the tournament. Made for an exiting tense battle. Whats more pleasing as an Irish man was the performances of some of the newcomers and the bench. Devon Toner has made the 4 jersey his. Dave Kearney has Tommy Bowe worried, Chris Henry however different to Sean O'Brien was so effective. In fact there is healthy pressure in all positions. To the coaching who made the physically smallest team one of the best defensesive outfits of the competition with a solid set peace. Hats off Smidht, Feak and Plumtree. Finally Brian O'' Driscoll, Thank you for your awesomeness.
• mastersa

  8:48 PM 15/03/2014

  Trust France to come out and play their best game of the tournament. Made for an exiting tense battle. Whats more pleasing as an Irish man was the performances of some of the newcomers and the bench. Devon Toner has made the 4 jersey his. Dave Kearney has Tommy Bowe worried, Chris Henry however different to Sean O'Brien was so effective. In fact there is healthy pressure in all positions. To the coaching who made the physically smallest team one of the best defensesive outfits of the competition with a solid set peace. Hats off Smidht, Feak and Plumtree. Finally Brian O'' Driscoll, Thank you for your awesomeness.
• hellraiser_rob

  8:25 PM 15/03/2014

  Well said kanpai. Just a question, why do you think France can't play like this every week? They seem so up and down!
• kanpai

  8:09 PM 15/03/2014

  As a frenchman, i'm angry, and glad that i'm angry, it means that i actually believe in this team, and that wasn't granted before the start.
  I'm glad that they played with spirit during all the match, something which was lost for too long now. I'm glad I've seen a good match, and glad that i can say :" yeah, we lost, but we played well !"
  I'm glad for Dulin, who really was at his best tonight :what a man under the high ball ! not tall but he caught them all ^^
  I'm angry on some points : the two miss pass (Bastareaud in 1st half and Pape in second half) which should have been tries, but mainly with the last action. How can a player make such a mistake ? we all know Irish like to create maul to regain the possession, but Vahaamina still went for it... i really was upset, even if we can't say whether there would be some scoring after or not, that was a rookie mistake.
  
  But i have to congratulate the Irish, during the tournament they were the most regular team, and managed to give O'driscoll the best end of international career. Kudos to him and the Irish team !
  
• hellraiser_rob

  8:05 PM 15/03/2014

  Congratulations to the Irish, they have been fantastic all tournament. What to say about Steve Walsh, I personally think he's a bit of an embarrassment to the IRB