Tough task for Ireland in Paris
PARIS – Six Nations Grand Slam holders Ireland head for what is arguably their toughest test in their bid to become only the sixth team to record back to back Slams when they play France in Paris next Saturday.
To add extra spice to what is seen as a potential title decider – though England might beg to differ – the match will be the first meeting between the two countries since French football captain Thierry Henry’s infamous handball in the World Cup play-off last November which arguably cost the Irish their place in South Africa this June.
Elsewhere, England – who beat Wales 30-17 at Twickenham – should keep up the pressure on whoever wins in Paris with victory over Italy in Rome, the Italians fortunate to escape with just a 29-11 defeat in Dublin against the Irish.
Wales – who conceded 17 points when they were reduced to 14 players after Alun-Wyn Jones was sin-binned for a schoolboy trip - will look to bounce back at home to Scotland, who were far from disgraced in their 18-9 defeat by the French.
Most eyes, though, will be focused on the Stade de France as the French attempt to stay on course for their first ever Six Nations title and indeed Grand Slam under coach Marc Lievremont.
They will also be hoping to stop Ireland from becoming the first team to win back to back Grand Slams since they achieved it in 1997/98 when it was the old Five Nations prior to Italy joining Europe’s top rugby tournament in 2000.
The French put in one of their more fluent and impressive performances since Lievremont took over after the 2007 World Cup against the Scots and the Irish defence will have to be at its best to stop the as always exciting backline - especially the fearsome musclebound centre Mathieu Bastareaud.
However, Lievremont – whose main injury worry is wing Aurelien Rougerie – admits there is still work to be done if they are to step up a level against an Irish side that are unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
“If the odd pass had gone to hand we could have scored one or two more tries,” admitted the 41-year-old former backrow forward, who has used over 70 different players since he replaced Bernard Laporte.
– Sapa-AFP.