From the breakdown to the exact degree France overpower sides, find out the keys to an Irish victory on Saturday. ✍️: nathanrjohns via IrishTimesSport
Despite being seen as a characteristically French issue in years gone by, their discipline has markedly improved. That ludicrous penalty count in Rome was their highest since 2014, while Ollivon’s card was the first yellow they have been brandished since November 2021.
Referee Matthew Carley’s breakdown interpretation was one potential source of the penalty issue. This weekend’s officiating team is being led by Wayne Barnes, another Englishman. If there is a Premiership-style interpretation that is causing issues, former referee Jerome Garces, now a member of France’s backroom staff, has had just six days to fix things.Keep up the good breakdown work Before the win over Wales, concerns abounded that Jac Morgan and Justin Tipuric could slow down Ireland’s ball and disrupt their attacking patterns. That proved emphatically not to be the case. Ireland won the battle of the breakdown steals while 63.5 per cent of their rucks lasted less than three seconds. The fact Wales competed on the floor more often makes those numbers look even better.Six Nations: New regulations lead to slight increase in ball in play time - is it enough?With Julien Marchand, Ollivon, Cyril Baille, Romain Taofifenua, Grégory Alldritt, François Cros et al, France have far more poachers to throw at Ireland. A cause for optimism? Italy limited the French to just three steals – albeit one crucial jackal did come with the game on the line. As much as they are an improved outfit, if Italy’s forwards can produce such good quality ruck ball , Ireland will be even more confident of doing so.Everyone knows France are powerful, but to what extent? Let’s look at last year’s clash in Paris. Per Opta, in the first half France had dominant carries 41 per cent of the time, breaking the gainline on 69 per cent of carries. The same figures for Ireland were remarkably lower: 21 per cent and 43 per cent. After half-time, those French numbers went down and Ireland’s went up; Andy Farrell’s side adjusted to the physicality. Perhaps fitness was a factor – James Lowe said this week he believes this Irish side is indeed fitter – but however Ireland clawed back the deficit, they must replicate that from the off on Saturday.
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