Ireland game plan against France

This week on Millennial Monitor we’re checking the headlines in Ireland. Here’s the lead story on the Sports site of rte.com.ie by sports journo Tadhg Peavoy.

Okay, we really don’t know what the Nation’s competition is, but we like the scrappy look on the Irish players. Tadhg has a great pace to his descriptions. Read the full story via link below.

by Tadhg Peavoy

Former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan expects Ireland to play a more creative and expansive game against France at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Against Italy in their RBS 6 Nations opener, Joe Schmidt’s team adopted a largely conservative and physical approach, but Quinlan fully expects Ireland to unleash more of their attacking capabilities this weekend against Les Bleus.

“I think there is no doubt that Joe Schmidt would have held stuff back for France. Ireland were probably a little bit more conservative in their approach [against Italy], which is a bit more understandable. They were probably a bit more direct and didn’t take too many risks,” said Quinlan.

“I think it’ll be a little bit different on Saturday. They’ll try and move France around a bit and play with pace.

“We can score tries. We have many ball carriers and line breakers and that will be the key on Saturday.”

Tommy O’Donnell and Jordi Murphy filled the openside and No 8 slots on Saturday in place of regular starters Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip and Quinlan praised the duo for how they handled the occasion at Stadio Olimpico.

“Both Tommy and Jordi were excellent on Saturday in a first start in a Six Nations match. And that brings its own pressure. I thought they stepped up really well. One or two little mistakes, but they were probably the two guys with the most energy in the pack,” said Quinlan.

Alan Quinlan: Ireland game plan against France