Home side’s success may well turn on attacking waves off lightning quick ball, but visitors capable and more than able
In their evolution under Galthié, Les Bleus arguably needed a first title, and a first Grand Chelem since 2010, more last year. In Ireland’s development under Andy Farrell, having beaten the southern hemisphere big four along with the home unions and Italy, beating France is the one box that needs ticking after three defeats.
Last Sunday in Rome, not untypically, France established what seemed like a commanding lead through their defence and a couple of sweetly executed cross-kicks by Romain Ntamack before falling behind prompted their best strike move off a strong maul and Matthieu Jailbert’s neat finish from Romain Taofifuena’s offload.
Ireland have their X-factor too, not least in James Lowe’s carrying and offloading, but rely on more sustained, and often relentless, attacking waves off lightning quick ball. This Irish team passed the most, and led the way in most attacking metrics, in last season’s championship and, by contrast, rediscovered their attacking fluency and their penchant for fast starts last week.
Ireland will also be mindful of Angus Gardner’s 10-7 penalty count against them in Paris last year, when scoring three tries to two was undone by Melvyn Jaminet kicking six penalties out of six.
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