Saturday, February 13, 2010
France outclass Ireland at the Stade de France
Cian Healey was sinbinned for a tackle without the ball, which proved to be somewhat of a turning point as France took control of the match, with tries by William Servat and Yannick Jauzion.
Ireland were lucky to not be down to 13 men as hooker Jerry Flannery unleashed a wild kick to the legs of Alexis Palisson. He was apologetic and was supposedly going for the ball, but he kicked a few seconds after Palisson had it in his hands, so will no doubt be cited for the reckless offence.
France led 17-3 at half time after Ireland failed to convert on chances, before battering ram Mathieu Bastareaud, who was impressive on defence all day too, set up a try for fullback Clement Poitrenaud.
Morgan Parra extended the lead with a drop goal, before Ireland clawed back with a try from David Wallace. Parra landed a long range penalty and then replacement Frederick Michalak came on and slotted a drop goal of his own, taking France out of sight and sealing a great victory over the hapless opposition.
Time: 05:59
Posted at 7:35 pm | 113 comments
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Viewing 113 comments
Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:02 pm

Murf February 13, 2010 7:05 pm

Nice tries, special award to Trinh-Duc.
But here is the question, will the French do as last year, beating the reigning champs and then being defenseless at the next game ?
And that's a French guy asking it, oui monsieur!
Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:10 pm

No.7 February 13, 2010 7:11 pm

citing coming along i think!
Calon Lan February 13, 2010 7:13 pm

I'm a Welsh supporter but I'm also a rugby fan but good rugby is good rugby irrelevant of the shirt the team are wearing.
Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:19 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:26 pm

Im sorry to have the first negative comment, but you are full of bullshit! Flannery yes, will probably be cited and no doubt deserve it, but the comment 'dont see why should french be always targeted' THEY AREN'T TARGETED YOU PRICK! ITS A CASE OF CHEAT AND YOU GET CAUGHT, IM SORRY BUT IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO EYE GOUGES THEN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?!?!?!?
so you feel that foul play should not be targeted?! because from where i stand and what i see FOUL PLAY was targeted!!! the fact that recent heavy bans have been french players has sod all to do with it!!!!
Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:37 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 7:39 pm

Dalma February 13, 2010 7:39 pm

I wonder if Earls got more funny words to say after the game. His shaky hands gave France their 3rd try.
Louise February 13, 2010 8:03 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 8:08 pm

and how many gouges have their been since?!?
Danny grewcock 7 weeks for a stamp?!
Tell me more about the french being 'targeted' if you look at the standard of discipline in french club rugby it is very poor, so can you expect them to not be at the end of big bans!!!
Dalma February 13, 2010 8:23 pm

Oh right. Got something to say about Quinlan ? Ooops, he's Irish so no pb. That's why I would be surprised to see Flannery punished as he deserves to be.
Anonymous February 13, 2010 8:24 pm

Nick-name February 13, 2010 8:44 pm

Well actually i never saw Quinlans gouge, i never saw any replays and i dont know when it was. So actually show me a link to a video, picture, or date as to when it happened and i will give you my opinion!
Im actually being serious, show me because i missed it!
(i added a nickname to avoid confusion!)
Anonymous February 13, 2010 8:56 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 8:58 pm

Flanery will probably get 2 or 3 weeks ban, i dont think any more would be justified.
themull February 13, 2010 9:05 pm

I think it was like around 18 unforced erorrs for Ire to 6 or 7 for France...You can't expect to win a game with those kinds of stats..
Well played France you deserved the win....Hopefully Ire will sort out their hands because if they do they can still be a serious force...
Nick-name February 13, 2010 9:06 pm

Ok, whilst gouging is an awful act in my opinion.....i think dalma should have read my previous comment!
Ill highlight on the point again for his/her benefit:
'and how many gouges have their been since?!?'
You cannot compare previous acts to bans that players such as attoub received!
All you can do is wait and see what ban the next player gets.....
I think french fans and players alike will have the right to be upset if a gouge equally as aggressive as attoubs happens this year and does not recieve a similar length ban!
.......otherwise shut the hell up and stop whining!!! i dont hear many french coaches moaning about decisions!
Anonymous February 13, 2010 9:10 pm

It was actually a shocking match to watch, ireland played badly, but france played well.....BOD the talisman was closed down all game and pretty much had no room to do nothing!
Anonymous February 13, 2010 9:21 pm

Oli February 13, 2010 9:25 pm

Ben February 13, 2010 9:41 pm

I couldn't see clearly the Flannery's tackle on Palisson from where I was sitting, there was no replay in the stadium :(
Third Centre February 13, 2010 9:53 pm

How is Earls a trash talker Ben ?
Mike February 13, 2010 9:57 pm

Hats off to the french. A good win, and irish hopes dead and buried (sadly)
p.s. Yeah, Flannery - WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BOY?!?!?
Anonymous February 13, 2010 9:59 pm

Huh!! the 3rd February 13, 2010 10:08 pm

Agree Flannery will get a couple of weeks. I mean, what the fuck? An Ireland penalty advantage for deliberate knock on and he goes and kicks the guy, pathetic. It would've been 3-3 as it was in Rog's range, and wound the clock down. Also, someone mentioned possible French Pen Try. It wasn't 3 times as you suggested, which seems to be the unwritten rule. It was twice. France were at fault for 1, and the ref reset it.
To whoever said Ireland were the better team, get your head out of your arse. This was men v boys today. Great win France. Now do it against Wales and England.
So much for Ireland's expansive game plan, no tries v SA, 2 v shockingly poor Italy and 1 v France. You can't play in 2nd gear against Italy, try no moves and then think you'll win in Paris. Worry about rest of season. Think I'll start a petition for Ian Humphrey's inclusion. He might not defend, but he offers more in attack than anyone. That surely has to offset it. He doesn't need front foot ball, to create chances.
France for Slam.
Anonymous February 13, 2010 10:10 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 10:12 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 10:13 pm

Crosser February 13, 2010 10:23 pm

I might be the only guy who thinks Flannery didn't intentionally kick Palisson.
Anonymous February 13, 2010 10:40 pm

Wow boy you sound soooooo frustrated!Please show some dignity in loss like the majority of your fellow countrymen do.I was in an irish pub in Paris and the atmospheare out there was fukin great and very friendly. Cheers to the (generaly) very cool irishmen!
The french were outstanding, and the physicality of the match was really unbelievable, the guys were hitting as if they didn't feel any pain!
Jason February 13, 2010 11:08 pm

Maximus February 13, 2010 11:14 pm

I've never been fond of Bastaraud or Trinh Duc, well I can't but acknowledge they play better every match.
Harinordoquy on the best 8s podium.
Hope Palisson and Clerc will be able to play soon: 2 matches, 3 wingers out.
So happy to see the team finally showing some identity AND efficiency.
Eric February 13, 2010 11:25 pm

Flooz February 13, 2010 11:48 pm

France achieved a great performance. Irish were just completly outclassed.
Bastareaud, Trinh-duc, Parra and Nallet were just enormous. Few tries could have been scored with more clinical finish and without Barnes indulgence with irish scrum.
Bastareaud really have done progress in defence
I was very surprised by the irish team. A very good touchline, but what a stereotypical game... I don't know what will be their future without o'driscoll.
concerning flannery cynical agression, i supposed he'll just take 3 or 4 weeks ban as written in the rules) these same rules written for some ones and created for others should we say...
A great WE of rugby,
ENG vs Italy tomorrow
JPM February 13, 2010 11:54 pm

Flannery can count himself lucky he didn't get a yellow or red for his Gazza like foul trip! All is not lost for Ireland. They are still a good side....they just had one of those days. I have nver seen a side drop so many pases and knock the ball on. Some of the can be attributed to the French defense and some to the fact that they had to chance their arm when they fell behind.
Good old fashioned brutal test.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 1:05 am

As a SH supporter I see France as the most talented NH team, ahead of Ireland (who's talismanic players are getting quite old).
Consistency has always been their problem though, great one week, shit the next.
Let's see if they can carry on this good form or if they implode again.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 1:35 am

I actually sort of agree, i mean trips in games occur, whether people admit it was intentional or not, its clear as day and its cheeky.....
...but this.....this was something much much more, i mean, it was open play all eyes on ball carrier and flannery literally boots his legs from under him.....
i know its very typical for a player who knows they're in the wrong to apologise, but this is what flannery did, he apologised....
i just think it was far far FAAARRR to blatant to be intentional foul play.....apparently he was going for the ball....i can sort of believe it.....
dont get me wrong it was still reckless but im not sure about intentional....
Anonymous February 14, 2010 2:27 am

huge play from france, td or parra were winner winner !! im so drunk drujnk sorry
Kearney for tests February 14, 2010 2:37 am

And I agree with Crosser. I don't think Flannery intentionally kicked him. He's not that sort of guy. I think that since the ball was bouncing all over the place a second beforehand he went to kick it and just got his timing terribly wrong, and it looked like he was genuinely sorry afterwards. It was still incredibly stupid though and he really should be banned for it.
Et merci tous les Francais ici qui prennent cette victoire avec mangnanimit. C'est trs agrable de voir un peu de respect entre les deux cots. Bonne chance pour le Grand Chelem.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 2:44 am

On a positive note what about leo cullens performances for ireland! Iv always thought O'Callaghan was lucky to get as many caps as he has, always rated cullen more.Shows how short sighted O'Sullivan was.And Bob Casey should be brought into the ireland squad at least same with shaggy.
Super 14 is # 1 comp February 14, 2010 2:58 am

R'O.C.K. for Ireland February 14, 2010 3:18 am

Kinda have to agree aswell....just on the fact he is a complete glue bag to be fair, sorta thing a dopey forward does..(coming from me being an Irish man who plays in the forwards)
fair play to france, outplayed out, could have been closer if ireland had taken their chances.
Can anyone tell me why caoches wait so long to mix up their side with subs when thingss clearly are not working? Sexton (though i favour humph more) should have been on sooner, and wallace utilised more, with earls ff for trims to bring a new dimension to the backs as things clearly were not working (even though the guys on the pitch were trying their best)
great line outs by Ireland but why are we continuing to ignore addressing our terrible scrum which kills our game massivley?
answers, not arguments apreciated!!
Still a good team February 14, 2010 4:34 am

As an Irish fan I'm glad we will learn something from this. We have one of the best coaching teams in the world with Smal, Kiss and Kidney, those three will knock their heads together and prevent this from happening again.
Nice to see the pointless vultures on here sticking the knife in aswell, obvious jealousy at Irelands success last year!!!
Anonymous February 14, 2010 5:05 am

Anonymous February 14, 2010 5:21 am

i just think his performance has been no more than a good 13's performance.......i mean he did very well against BOD, but i still dont get this fear factor thing that everyone goes on about.....
Anonymous February 14, 2010 7:30 am

MoTM Harinordoquy, magic player at the moment he is the best number 8 in the world i think.
Nallet was really good too.
D'Arcy i love this player.
Petes February 14, 2010 7:34 am

Well, the Irish were simply out-played by the French. Some unlucky bounces killed a couple of try-scoring chances, but France never looked like they were going to lose; not from the opening kick-off. Now, I'm just wondering if they'll take the grand slam.
On a side note, I just watched the opening matches of the S14, and boy am I glad the 6N referees didn't get the same mandate on cracking down at the ruck. H-o-l-y shit there were a lot of whistles in those matches. I like it when the ref gives the situation more than 1/2 a second to develop...
Nico February 14, 2010 8:25 am

In a way, we got lucky that one player was dumb enough to get sin binned coz for me it's were everything changed.
Concerning Flannery, I also think he didn't do it on purpose... I mean it was so shocking (especially on the replay) and so obvious that it can't be intentional ... Well I least that's what I thought during the game (and so did the french TV for the record ;)).
Let's hope that they don't sink against wales or worst, England (like they usually do when they are on the run ... !)
Dalma February 14, 2010 8:32 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeO7Bg4lqBw
If this isn't, I guess that M. Flannery still needs a long ban... then he'll learn to be more careful with his legs.
Cameron Maxted February 14, 2010 8:33 am

~CamaX
Cams Mum February 14, 2010 8:42 am

How's Coops doing these days? breaking and entering much? Retarded aussi.
Harrap February 14, 2010 9:11 am

You're saying that he's just the kind of guy who stamp on player's face ?
Frenchy February 14, 2010 10:41 am

Anonymous February 14, 2010 10:45 am

sylvain February 14, 2010 10:52 am

Anonymous February 14, 2010 11:16 am

With if ,you can change the world,don't be angry,the wheel is turning,this year there are 4 french team qualified for hcup quarter final,maybe this year is our's,2008 was the welsh year,last was your's (hcup and 6N),wheel is turning.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 11:18 am

Who won two grand slams in 2002 and 2004 moron? France. How many 6nations did france win the last ten years? FOUR (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007). How many grandslams did Ireland win since 1940's? One. How many 6nations did Ireland win the last 80 years? ONE (2009). Shut up and show some grace muppet. I'm fed up with people talking about the French who are supposed to "implode" or choke every year, cause it's not the case! Just watch the palmares of the last ten years in the 6 Nations.
Dalma February 14, 2010 11:19 am

Ireland lose by 23 points, escaped an evident red card, France missed 3 easy trieds and you're talking about luck ? Get eyes, seriously.
Ireland not only lose this game : they lose their wins serie, their confidence and their discipline.
Sickened Irishman February 14, 2010 11:34 am

oUR GRAND SLAM WAS WON BY MORE THAN A PENALTY U FUCKWIT, HATE THAT ATTITUDE. i SUPPOSE ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP WASNT VALID EITHER BECAUSE THEY WON IT WITH A DROP GOAL? ABSOLUTE FUCKING IDIOT.
To the french fans with brain cells:
Well done France yesterday, ye outplayed us and thoroughly deserved the win.
I thought Ireland would have stuck to the terrirory game and attacked the french lineout, but they fucking didnt.
Anyways well done france.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 12:27 pm

La Skunk February 14, 2010 12:37 pm

Anonymous February 14, 2010 12:40 pm

completely embarassed the irish rugby team, especially after a bloody terrific 2009.
gotta hand it to the french team though, they played unreal at times. heres to hoping ireland win the triple crown and come 2nd and france win overall!
Anonymous February 14, 2010 12:42 pm

Anonymous February 14, 2010 12:46 pm

Oh look, there goes your winning streak. The most overrated team on the planet is finally put in its place. :)
^^^^^^^^^^^What an idiot
Anonymous February 14, 2010 1:10 pm

Anonymous February 14, 2010 2:45 pm

scrum- France just pushed us around
maul- again we couldnt deal with their physicality
handling- get the glue out pronto!
But Irelandwill be back. the biggest problem were enforced mistakes like healy`s rush of blood, knock ons etc.
Ah well. bring on England!
Anonymous February 14, 2010 3:02 pm

Btw Healy's immaturity was the turning point of the game, he needs to grow up in my opinion.
Grayditch February 14, 2010 4:44 pm

If you watch his interview after the game he says Ireland were bad ,but never once does he say how good the French were."oh too many mistakes and we let ourselves down".
If the Springboks or the all blacks lose a game they will always praise the winning team and say what a good game it was.But thats the diffirence between good captains(bod) and great captains(Richie Mccaw and John Smit)
Anonymous February 14, 2010 4:57 pm

Anonymous February 14, 2010 5:03 pm

Nick February 14, 2010 5:10 pm

Total crap!
The mtach itself was amazing!
Nick February 14, 2010 5:10 pm

Total crap!
The mtach itself was amazing!
Nick February 14, 2010 5:12 pm

Anonymous February 14, 2010 5:24 pm

Hahahahahahahaha. Yep and O'Gara's defence was as exceptional as usual, the backs were awesome and the Irish avoided playing the usual boring kicking game. Oh, and John Hayes can scrummage....
Ben February 14, 2010 5:29 pm

Bastareaud seems to become a real good prospect fro France. few months ago, i was laughing of his belly but i forgot he had legs...
Ireland played a good match but fail against a better team. o'gara play too classic.
finally, a personal word: i've watch the match on bbc. And all the commentators were completly irish-biased. Even after the defeat!
i don't even talk about o'driscoll complaining more about irish mistakes than the opposition.
Watching the way england beat italy today, France are favorites for grand slam. Wales will be a godd test to check their "famous" consistence. I think lievremont did not forget the 2 precedents accidents vs england (34-10) and vs AB's this autumn.
Dalma February 14, 2010 5:50 pm

You mean every minute was a bloody turning point for Ireland yesterday, don't you ?
Anonymous February 14, 2010 6:05 pm

If we had all 8 forwards on the pitch we would never have been destroyed in the scrum as we were with Healy and Ferris off.
Anonymous February 14, 2010 6:53 pm

themull February 14, 2010 7:50 pm

Nothing but whing and moaning from more or les everyone here...From the winner, the losers and even from people from the SH talking up their own countries again....
For the love of god people grow up
mise February 15, 2010 12:07 am

Ireland seem to be thinking too much about building for the World cup, and too little about the here and now. Fine for the Italy match to blood a few, but stringer and Saggy would have helped on Saturday.
A stringer sexton pairing might have helped too, and I think We'll have Rory Best in instead of flannery for a few weeks! (No harm for the scrum anyway, darts fine too)
With Best, Sexton and Shaggy, I think Ireland might improve - all are likely options for next time I reckon (Stringer won't get his game, even if he deserves it, sadly, notwithstanding a poor A's showing).
Thoughts on Boss or Reddin?
All told thou, The French were immense - I think they would have beaten anyone in the world that day - great passing, speed, strength - they were up for it. Harinordoquy was incroyable!
Those butter fingers knock ons weren't just unforced errors - they were forced by the ferocity of the French.
JPM February 15, 2010 1:09 am

Kearney for tests February 15, 2010 1:32 am

Maybe that wasn't funny now that I look back on it, but it demonstrates how I feel about it.
Calm people February 15, 2010 1:36 am

keep calm.
3 points:
1.well done france,
2.come on ireland pick it up,
3.and cameron maxted, australia is full of convicts cooper is clear evidence that with all the time past nothing as changed, they lost to scotland, and quite frankly you have no backing on this site,
Anonymous February 15, 2010 1:46 am

Well, my dear SH friend, here....in the NH....we do not give a dime to your Super 14 when the Six nations is on.
R'O.C.K for Ire 10 February 15, 2010 2:12 am

http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/11/03/irish-accent-voted-worlds-sexiest/
Shove that up your pipe and smoke it!
Anonymous February 15, 2010 2:14 am

Congrats to the fairplay irish fans, shame to the few who cannot just accept a loss.
more shame at the one praising ROG defense performance
seriously, how can Flannery's agression not be intentionnal ?
R'O.C.K. for Ire 10 February 15, 2010 2:16 am

Total crap!"
Makes a good change from england i suppose on the bbc...saying that, i usually watch it all on RTE as i also cant stand the bbc commentary, 4 pundits on RTE (the irish channel) and 3 out of the 4 said before the match that they wanted ireland to win, but they still thought France would win, generally quite good commentary on RTE if you want a change from BBC because i couldnt agree more with you
Cameron Maxted February 15, 2010 3:27 am

we have won 2 world cups what has ireland done your failures thats what you havent achieved nothin in rugby so back down else ill drop you
~Camax
Anonymous February 15, 2010 5:22 am

we have won 2 world cups what has ireland done your failures thats what you havent achieved nothin in rugby so back down else ill drop you
~Camax'
Come on then cameron, ill give you a free shot, i owe you i suppose, all the freebies your mum gives.....
so come on then cameron, im waiting, when are you gonna drop me?!
your dad teach you how to fight? or is he still in prison for i doubt you even know him, seeing as he could be anyone in the world, due to the crack whore your mother is......
Anonymous February 15, 2010 5:24 am

ummm, actually i would have said:
'Well, my dear SH friend, here....in the NH....we do not give a dime to your Super 14.....'
Anonymous February 15, 2010 7:21 am

O'Ireland February 15, 2010 8:33 am

LOL
Toto! February 15, 2010 10:06 am

French will probably thank O'Gara for his soooo good defense!
That's what happen to arrogant people.
When french are arrogant they loose (usually after each big win against all blacks!), same for Irish saturday! I am glad it happened this way, especially for K. Earls and O'Driscoll :-)
Good game french. We are waiting for you in Cardiff now!
Anonymous February 15, 2010 10:21 am

When french are arrogant they loose (usually after each big win against all blacks!), same for Irish saturday!"
What are you talking about? The Irish were not arrogant. They knew they were the underdogs going to Paris. Did you not see any of the interviews leading up to the match?
Anonymous February 15, 2010 11:01 am

Great France on Saturday.
Pick on Ireland, you have to kick England's as* now!
Pitseleh February 15, 2010 11:23 am

Yes : Earl's. Funniest guy before and during the game.
Pitseleh February 15, 2010 1:39 pm

Anonymous February 15, 2010 8:58 pm

Anonymous February 15, 2010 9:29 pm

Manny February 15, 2010 10:44 pm

HM February 16, 2010 10:30 pm

If he'd gouged the fella in cold blood, and was caught on film doing it, then lied about the photo being doctored in an attempt to weasel out of it, then fair enough.
However, this was an instinctive act in the heat of the moment. It's terrible, and he deserves at lengthy ban, maybe 8-10 weeks, but it's not even in the same league as gouging.
Admittedly this could have broken the Frenchy's leg, but that would heal long term. Gouging can cause permanent blindness, affecting not just rugby but also 'real life'
HM February 16, 2010 10:34 pm

It's like the special olympics - you might win but...
Canadian Content February 17, 2010 3:13 am

luxi February 21, 2010 8:43 am

he only deserves half the praises he gets
btw, frenchman speaking














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