Team v France

[Epaminondas Pules]

At the press conference EJ said:



Does the choice of Care help us deal with that? (it is well beyond my ability and knowledge to work that out but hopefully those on here who understand tactics can advise!)

Care will be more of an attacking decision from EJ.

Is that an "attack being the best form of defence" strategy?

I expect he'll want to go at them from the start and realy get their forwards moving. Care, for me, is a bigger threat there. The more we get their forwards moving the quicker they tire the more gaps open, and of course the less impact they have on us.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him hoping to build a lead and then pin them back territorially, which we've not seen much from England under EJ yet.

[Mr Mwenda]

Have the french announced the team yet?

e- Just announced:

Scott Spedding; Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

[Digby]

Have the french announced the team yet?

e- Just announced:

Scott Spedding; Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

And wore patent leather boots?

[Mr Mwenda]

Have the french announced the team yet?

e- Just announced:

Scott Spedding; Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

And wore patent leather boots?

I imagine he is working hard to solve the mystery of why scrums always collapse.

[Mikey Brown]

And Belgian?

[francoisfou]

.

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

But why oh why did his mum call him Jefferson?
Hercule would have been cool!!

[Mellsblue]

.

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

But why oh why did his mum call him Jefferson?
Hercule would have been cool!!

He's working undercover.

[Pie Man]

Jefferson Poirot is possibly the best name of any sportsman ever. France by 25 with "Jeff" Poirot scoring a hat-trick.

[Digby]

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

And wore patent leather boots?

I imagine he is working hard to solve the mystery of why scrums always collapse.

Didn't he say they need to get lower in the scrum after the Scotland match? Which may rather perpetuate the mystery

[twitchy]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... spiration/

It really goes to show how football was really in the dark ages not long ago. I remember reading that steven gerrard was told he was too small as a teenager and almost stopped.

Also some stats:

Most lineouts won on own throw

George Kruis (England) 21
Devin Toner (Ireland) 19
Richie Gray (Scotland) 15

Most lineout steals
George Kruis (England) 3
Maro Itoje (England) 3
Devin Toner (Ireland) 2
Richie Gray (Scotland) 2
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 2
Yoann Maestri (France) 2

Most turnovers won

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 7
Jack Nowell (England) 7
Michele Campagnaro (Italy) 6
John Hardie (Scotland) 6
George Kruis (England) 5

Most tackles made

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

[Banquo]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... spiration/

It really goes to show how football was really in the dark ages not long ago. I remember reading that steven gerrard was told he was too small as a teenager and almost stopped.

Also some stats:

Most lineouts won on own throw

George Kruis (England) 21
Devin Toner (Ireland) 19
Richie Gray (Scotland) 15

Most lineout steals
George Kruis (England) 3
Maro Itoje (England) 3
Devin Toner (Ireland) 2
Richie Gray (Scotland) 2
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 2
Yoann Maestri (France) 2

Most turnovers won

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 7
Jack Nowell (England) 7
Michele Campagnaro (Italy) 6
John Hardie (Scotland) 6
George Kruis (England) 5

Most tackles made

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Impressed on that from Nowell...fair play.

[Puja]

Have the french announced the team yet?

e- Just announced:

Scott Spedding; Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

It pleases me also. He should form a partnership with Adam Hastings and maybe organise a crossover 7s side with people like Greg Holmes, Anthony Watson and Ross Moriarty.

Puja

[Pie Man]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... spiration/

It really goes to show how football was really in the dark ages not long ago. I remember reading that steven gerrard was told he was too small as a teenager and almost stopped.

Also some stats:

Most lineouts won on own throw

George Kruis (England) 21
Devin Toner (Ireland) 19
Richie Gray (Scotland) 15

Most lineout steals
George Kruis (England) 3
Maro Itoje (England) 3
Devin Toner (Ireland) 2
Richie Gray (Scotland) 2
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 2
Yoann Maestri (France) 2

Most turnovers won

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 7
Jack Nowell (England) 7
Michele Campagnaro (Italy) 6
John Hardie (Scotland) 6
George Kruis (England) 5

Most tackles made

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Impressed on that from Nowell...fair play.

Maybe Austin was right in suggesting he'd make a decent 7.

[twitchy]

Kruis also features a lot in those lists.

[francoisfou]

Jefferson Poirot is possibly the best name of any sportsman ever. France by 25 with "Jeff" Poirot scoring a hat-trick.

Get Pie man a stiff drink - he's in need of it !!

[Mr Mwenda]

It pleases me also. He should form a partnership with Adam Hastings and maybe organise a crossover 7s side with people like Greg Holmes, Anthony Watson and Ross Moriarty.

Puja

James Haskell.jpg

[Banquo]

Have the french announced the team yet?

e- Just announced:

Scott Spedding; Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard

It's silly I know but it pleases me greatly that someone called Poirot plays rugby. I wish he'd grow a little moustache, though.

It pleases me also. He should form a partnership with Adam Hastings and maybe organise a crossover 7s side with people like Greg Holmes, Anthony Watson and Ross Moriarty.

Puja

I nominate Quade Cooper. He hasn't a Clouseau should be in.

[twitchy]

Ryan's take:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2 ... -dean-ryan

[kk67]

Impressed on that from Nowell...fair play.

If you go looking for work, stuff happens.

Interesting set of stat's. Anyone going to claim stat's aren't an accurate reflection..?.

[kk67]

Ryan's take:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2 ... -dean-ryan

'when a player would normally have sought the sanctuary of structured play'. Ouch !.

Heads up rugby is such a simple concept. Sometimes it seem that professionalism and heads up are an either/or decision.

[WaspInWales]

Really don't like all this rubbishing of France. They have been poor but they're at home and haven't been beaten there this 6Ns. Admittedly, they did only sneak a win against Italy.

They have enough quality to cause problems if they click and they will want to spoil our GS hopes just as much as any other team enjoys it.

All the pressure is on us. Media hype, expectation, GS pressure, favourites tag, Gypsy-gate, etc, etc.

Its all left me feeling a little uneasy tbh.

[p/d]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... spiration/

It really goes to show how football was really in the dark ages not long ago. I remember reading that steven gerrard was told he was too small as a teenager and almost stopped.

Also some stats:

Most lineouts won on own throw

George Kruis (England) 21
Devin Toner (Ireland) 19
Richie Gray (Scotland) 15

Most lineout steals
George Kruis (England) 3
Maro Itoje (England) 3
Devin Toner (Ireland) 2
Richie Gray (Scotland) 2
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 2
Yoann Maestri (France) 2

Most turnovers won

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) 7
Jack Nowell (England) 7
Michele Campagnaro (Italy) 6
John Hardie (Scotland) 6
George Kruis (England) 5

Most tackles made

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

good to see the French side so well represented......

[Mikey Brown]

Please can we not do the 'gate' thing? Even ironically? It hurts me in my soul.

[Puja]

Please can we not do the 'gate' thing? Even ironically? It hurts me in my soul.

As above. It's awful.

Puja

[kk67]

Please can we not do the 'gate' thing? Even ironically? It hurts me in my soul.

I spent 10 mins before I realized you meant Prawngate. The loss of the proper gate is much more worrying.