Irish expecting ‘war of attrition’
SIX NATIONS: ARM WRESTLE WITH FRANCE ON CARDS
Astrong-looking Ireland bidding for unprecedented backto-back Grand Slams expect a “war of attrition” when they kick this season’s Six Nations Championship off against France in Marseille today.
Europe’s showpiece competition has tended to throw up some real arm wrestles in recent years and the showdown at the Stade Velodrome between two teams who were disappointed to have been knocked out at the quarterfinals of last year’s Rugby World Cup, promises just that.
Both sides will contend that wounds have been sufficiently licked after their respective eliminations by South Africa (France, 29-28) and New Zealand (Ireland, 29-24) in the last-eight phase, and neither shows too many changes in personnel from the World Cup.
There are two stand-out absentees, however.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has retired, while his France counterpart Antoine Dupont is missing the Six Nations as he prepares for a potentially starring role in rugby sevens at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
Jack Crowley and Maxime Lucu are the players who take their positions in two loaded teams.
Loaded enough that coaches Andy Farrell and France’s Fabien Galthie both opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the replacements’ bench.
“We all know it’s going to be a war of attrition,” said Farrell.
“The set-piece is premium in any game that you play against France, they’re big men, the size of their pack, and they’re very accurate as far as the set-piece is concerned.”
Farrell added he thought it would also be a fast game.
“If you look at our bench, the power and pace that we’ve got within that pack to come on and finish the game strong is something that we think will work in our favour this time around.”
Veteran flanker Peter O’Mahony skippers the side, with Farrell itching for today to roll around.
“The exciting thing for me is are we brave enough, have we got enough courage to go and do what we said we’re going to do?” said Farrell.
“If you want to be successful, if you want to try to be the best, then you’ve got to beat the best and the occasion doesn’t get much bigger. It will be a great game to watch, there’s no doubt about that,” added Farrell. –