FRANCE TO BEAT IRELAND (-8 AH)

Ireland make the daunting trip to Paris for their 2nd match in this years six nations which really could be called the 2 nations this season as only France or Wales stand a realistic chance of winning it!

Ireland once again managed to grab a defeat from the jaws of victory last weekend at home to Wales when they threw away a 6 point advantage in the dying minutes to loose 21-23 to a Welsh team with 14 men during those closing stages and playing with a host of key players missing

I'm just not convinced at all with Ireland under Declan Kidney who despite the provincial teams performing admirably in the Heineken Cup is unable to harness this talent when they come together to play for their country and serious questions are now being tabled as to his capabilities to take Ireland further

Ireland will ofccourse raise their game big time when they travel to play England at Twickenham later in their campaign and I wouldn't rule out a victory for the men in green on that day as nothing brings the best out in an Irish jersey more so than the sight of an English team. They'll also win both home games with Scotland & Italy but I'd be shocked if they manage to get anything resembling a result here in Paris on Saturday night and will in all reality will accept a good performance and a 'glorious defeat' which is the trademark of Irish sport on the biggest stage

France always looked comfortable in their 18 point victory at home to Italy last week and in reality their main focus would've been on ensuring their ready for the visit of Ireland who will provide a more difficult assignment. However, despite Yachvilli's absence the French squad can cope and Parra will slot in just fine

Stephen Ferris has been cleared to play for Ireland and Kieth Earls will return but I just don't see this Irish team being capable of causing the French too many problems as Kidney is obsessed with kepping the ball at all costs as opposed to trying to hurt the opposition and score tries

The French are never intimidated upfront and I expect them to at least break even in this department and win the game in their backs who will play with much more conviction and belief than their Irish counterparts, who badly miss the injured Brian O Driscoll for not only his talent but also his leadership qualities and defensive capabilities

Despite loosing in the dying stages last week Ireland really didn't deserve to be in front anyway and France won't be as wasteful at set plays like Wales were last week to keep Ireland in a game the away team dominated for long spells

I'm certain Ireland will approach this game with a big point to prove and the only times in history Ireland have actually won big games is when they've been written off so I must be wary of this. The game will also kick off at night with expected sub zero degrees tempeature which could unsettle some of the French players and if Ireland start fast and get in front it could be difficult game

Paris is a graveyard for Ireland though, even their grand slam winning team of 2009 lost heavly by 23 points the following season here and their last away win was in the year 2000. Prior to that Ireland have amazingly only won 2 other games in the previous 50 years in Paris and their awful record in France also includes some really big defeats and only occassionaly do they even come close

Overall I expect Ireland to man up early on and compete phsically with their hosts but they just don't have the fire power to win this game as 3 point penalties won't be enough with France certain to cross the Irish line at least twice in my opinion

France to win and to do so by covering this handicap of -8... Good Luck

3

Supporters

1. luckygirl34
2. Maradona1
3. Manchild

Posted on: 09.02.2012, 15.01 CET (Viewed: 299 times)
Match starts on: February 11, 2012

8/10 on France -8 at 1.91 with Sportingbet (Asian Handicap)

Register at Sportingbet, get a £100 bonus and bet on France

Sportingbet review

Tipped at

1.91