6 NATIONS TEST RUGBY: Ireland v France

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Preview
Ireland only has to win to clearly take the 6 Nations Championship. A win to France would then mean France and England (and Ireland) of course have mathematical opportunities to win the title. For Ireland to win history is against them.

Ireland have won only once on Paris in the last 40 odd years. That was in 2000. In their last two outings Ireland have drawn with France. So for Ireland things are, statistically, looking up.

From the starting line ups one would give the nod to Ireland. They have more experience and more performance consistency. France has been at sixes and sevens and have lacked consistency and try scoring ability.

It would a fitting farewell to Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll for a win in Paris and a 6 Nations title to end his long career.

But it would be foolish to right off the French, especially at home and especially with their backs to the wall.

Last Five Encounters
09.03.2013 Drawn 13-13 in Dublin (6 Nations)
04.03.2013 Drawn 17-17 in Paris (6 Nations)
20.08.2011 France 26-22 in Dublin (World Cup Warm Up)
13.08.2011 France 19-12 in Bordeaux (World Cup Warm Up)
13.02.2011 France 25-22 in Dublin (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Ireland 5th, France 7th
Europe Table: Ireland 2nd, France 4th

IRB Ranking Points
France 81.44, Ireland 80.76

Prediction: Ireland to hold composure under intense pressure and win by 1 point

Teams

Ireland

15		Robert Kearney	Leinster
14		Andrew Trimble	Ulster
13		Brian O'Driscoll	Leinster
12		Gordon D'Arcy	Leinster
11		David Kearney	Leinster
10		Jonathan Sexton	Racing-Metro 92, France
9		Conor Murray	Munster
8		James Heaslip	Leinster
7		Christopher Henry	Ulster
6		Peter O'Mahony	Munster
5		Paul O'Connell	Munster
4		Devin Toner	Leinster
3		Michael Ross	Leinster
2		Rory Best	Ulster
1		Cian Healy	Leinster
16		Sean Cronin	Leinster
17		Jack McGrath	Leinster
18		Martin Moore	Leinster
19		Iain Henderson	Ulster
20		Jordi Murphy	Leinster
21		Eoin Reddan	Leinster
22		Ian Madigan	Leinster
23		Fergus McFadden	Leinster
		HEAD COACH: Joseph Schmidt

France

15		Brice Dulin	Castres Olympique
14		Yoann Huget	Aviron Bayonnais
13		Mathieu Bastareaud	RC Toulonnais
12		Gael Fickou	Stade Toulousain
11		Maxime Médard	Stade Toulousain
10		Remi Tálès	Castres Olympique
9		Maxime Machenaud	Racing-Metro 92
8		Damien Chouly	ASM Clermont Auvergne
7		Alexandre Lapandry	ASM Clermont Auvergne
6		Louis Picamoles	Stade Toulousain
5		Yoann Maestri	Stade Toulousain
4		Pascal Pape (Capt.)	Stade Français
3		Nicolas Mas	US Arlequins Perpignan
2		Dimitri Szarzewski	Racing-Metro 92
1		Thomas Domingo	ASM Clermont Auvergne
16		Guilhem Guirado	US Arlequins Perpignan
17		Vincent Debaty	ASM Clermont Auvergne
18		Rabah Slimani	Stade Français
19		Alexandre Flanquart	Stade Français
20		Sébastien Vahaamahina	US Arlequins Perpignan
21		Wenceslas Lauret	Racing-Metro 92
22		Jean-Marc Doussain	Stade Toulousain
23		Maxime Mermoz	RC Toulonnais
		HEAD COACH: Philippe Saint-André