France v Italy - Friday Oct 6 21h00 Lyon

[francoisfou]

Although an official team announcement is yet to be made, Fabien Galthié has chosen a 23 as near to full strength as possible for Friday evening's match in Lyon against Italy:

15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Bielle-Biarrey ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Jelonch ; 5. Flament, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Baille.

16. Bourgarit, 17. Wardi, 18. Falatea, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cros, 21. Couilloud, 22. Moefana, 23. Jaminet.

Antoine Dupont is back in training, although from what I understand not with the whole group, and there's no up date for the moment of a him wearing a mask, and the coaching staff are hoping - rather optimistically in my opinion, that he could play in a potential bruising quarter final against the Boks. Lucu and Couilloud are more than competent replacements but a fit and raring to go Dupont would be an undeniable boost to their chances of progressing.

[Puja]

It's going to be a hell of a thing for Crowley to pick his team up after hyping them up to compete with the All Blacks, starting well and leading, before conceding two quick tries and folding faster than a piece of paper in an origami competition. They effectively checked out after the third try and let NZ do whatever they wanted, and I don't know how he picks them up from that.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Here's the team of Italian lambs with an appointment at the Lyon slaughterhouse at 9h00 French time on Friday evening:

15. Capuozzo ; 14. Bruno, 13. Brex, 12. Garbisi, 11. Ioane ; 10. Allan, 9. Varney ; 7. Lamaro (cap.), 8. L. Cannone, 6. Negri ; 5. Ruzza, 4. Cannone ; 3. Ceccarelli, 2. Faiva, 1. Ferrari.

16. Manfredi, 17. Zani, 18. Riccioni, 19. Sisi, 20. Zuliani, 21. Fusco, 22. Morisi, 23. Pani.

I'd have thought Quins' Dino Lamb would have been selected, but hey ho.........

[Son of Mathonwy]

The only question is whether France will murder Italy more or less thoroughly than NZ did.

My guess is that some measure of Italian pride will make this week slightly less apocalyptic for them. But still, not pretty.

[Puja]

The only question is whether France will murder Italy more or less thoroughly than NZ did.

My guess is that some measure of Italian pride will make this week slightly less apocalyptic for them. But still, not pretty.

I don't think it'll be anywhere near the same degree. The hope and ambition of the New Zealand game made them easy pickings once they were broken - ironically, them expecting to get clumped by France probably reduces the chances that they will, at least to the same extent. Still probably a 40 point win for France though.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Karl Dickson, who isn't exactly my favourite refereee, is in charge this evening.

I believe he's already reffed a few games at this World Cup but I didn't watch them so can't comment on whether or not he's been at his usual standard. Maybe I'm being unkind but I do wonder if he's out of his depth at this level as he certainly seemed to be at Premiership level.

[Which Tyler]

Allez Les Bleus!

[switchskier]

Penaud is the best wing in rugby, right?

[morepork]

Penaud is the best wing in rugby, right?

I hate his weak hair, cherub face, and flappy arms. But yes, he scores a lot of tries.

[morepork]

It's not a fucking miracle pass. He was right there for it. Fuck.

[Which Tyler]

Another match where the race is between the score board and the clock.

I expected France to be comfortable, but I also expected some sort of backlash from Italy

[UKHamlet]

Penaud is the best wing in rugby, right?

I hate his weak hair, cherub face, and flappy arms. But yes, he scores a lot of tries.

[UKHamlet]

The Italian 5 has the most "I don't want to be here" face I've ever seen.

[morepork]

That's bullshit.

[Which Tyler]

I see Penaud has overtaken Vincent Clerc in the French try scoring table, putting him 2nd, 3 behind Serge Blanco

He's got a decent chance of making the next RWC as well

[morepork]

I see Penaud has overtaken Vincent Clerc in the French try scoring table, putting him 2nd, 3 behind Serge Blanco

He's got a decent chance of making the next RWC as well

Yeah but Serge smoked a fag on the bench in the 1987 final.

[francoisfou]

I see Penaud has overtaken Vincent Clerc in the French try scoring table, putting him 2nd, 3 behind Serge Blanco

He's got a decent chance of making the next RWC as well

Yeah but Serge smoked a fag on the bench in the 1987 final.

Just before sinking a large Ricard!

[Lizard]

Italy = pants

[francoisfou]

Outclassed, but not chucking in the towel and were rewarded with a try.

[UKHamlet]

Couldn't get to 70 pffft

[morepork]

I see Penaud has overtaken Vincent Clerc in the French try scoring table, putting him 2nd, 3 behind Serge Blanco

He's got a decent chance of making the next RWC as well

Yeah but Serge smoked a fag on the bench in the 1987 final.

Just before sinking a large Ricard!

Fucking legend.

[morepork]

That was very interesting from a NZ perspective. Italy, sorry but you are the laboratory mouse. NZ have more rapier than France's broadsword but I can't see how we can penetrate that relentless dominating ruck defense to have space to wield it. They also kick to keep you down the wrong end of town and pounce on mistakes in that neighborhood. They are like us but just gruntier at it. We need a rabbit out of the hat to compete with it. I'm not sure we have such Lagomorpha in our coaching box of tricks.

[Which Tyler]

That was very interesting from a NZ perspective. Italy, sorry but you are the laboratory mouse. NZ have more rapier than France's broadsword but I can't see how we can penetrate that relentless dominating ruck defense to have space to wield it. They also kick to keep you down the wrong end of town and pounce on mistakes in that neighborhood. They are like us but just gruntier at it. We need a rabbit out of the hat to compete with it. I'm not sure we have such Lagomorpha in our coaching box of tricks.

Anything can happen on the day, but I'd say this France beats this New Zealand 7 times out of 10

[francoisfou]

Shaun Edwards would’ve been happy with France’s defence yesterday evening but will demand an even better effort against South Africa, their likely Quarter final opponents next Sunday. The question that most fans will be asking is “will Antoine Dupont be fit to play?”. I’ve read nothing about him wearing a protective mask so could his comeback be postponed until the semifinal, if they get there? Lucu was excellent again, albeit against significantly inferior opposition, and would do another good job against the Boks. We await an announcement on Dupont’s fitness with eager anticipation.

[Cameo]

Lucu was very good.

Jalibert has also been excellent all tournament. Got a great eye for a mismatch, whether it is to skip through or to create space out wide. I wonder if Ntamack will get back in once he is fit.