England are not going to lose until they get to Dublin so Ireland need to keep winning.
Saturday’s 53-point battering of a gormless Italian side in Rome has gotten Ireland back on track and set them up for a real cut at France.
Guy Noves’ men got over the line against Scotland and will back themselves to beat Ireland for the second Six Nations running, on February 25.
That being said, former Ireland international Kevin McLaughlin told The Hard Yards how France’s excessive on-pitch celebrations after the the final whistle do not bode well. He commented:
“Whenever we saw a team celebrating like that [after a quarter- or semi-final win], we’d be licking our lips and saying ‘That’s their final. We’re going to beat them’.
“I thought it was very weak by France.”
Just what Ireland will be hoping for but not expecting. They will get a couple of days off to recover before Joe Schmidt gets them back in – and up against eager academy players – in Carton House this Wednesday. There is also a trip to Monaghan RFC for an open training session.
Schmidt confirmed that Johnny Sexton, Rory Best, Peter O’Mahony and Andrew Trimble will all be back for the France game. With Iain Henderson, Tommy Bowe and Joey Carbery [try on his Leinster return] all back in consideration too, there will be fierce competition for jerseys.
We are making four changes to the Ireland XV that defeated Italy and six changes to the squad as a whole. Johnny Sexton comes straight back in but a run-out for Leinster against Edinburgh on Friday – even off the bench – would help settle our nerves.
With Andrew Trimble back, and a Schmidt favourite, he comes in on the left wing, accommodating Simon Zebo by switching him to fullback. All of a sudden, that back three is a fearsome attacking and kick-chase unit. Trimble also adds more grunt in defence.
The only changes to the pack see Jack McGrath and Rory Best return to the front row. On the bench, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony could be a couple of match-winning subs.
OUR IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE
15. Zebo
14. Earls
13. Ringrose
12. Henshaw
11. Trimble
10. Sexton
9 Murray
1. McGrath
2. Best (c)
3. Furlong
4. Ryan
5. Toner
6. Stander
7. O’Brien
8. Heaslip
Replacements: N Scannell, Healy, J Ryan, Henderson, O’Mahony, Marmion, Jackson, Gilroy.
