The teams have been announced for Ireland Women’s WRWC2017 do or die pool match against France at the UCD Bowl on Thursday Evening, kick off 19:45.
Tom Tierney has made another high risk selection, choosing to rely on Sevens Squad members in the back line. It’s a tactic that has not proved successful in the previous two outings and it’s likely to be an area of attack for the talented French side.
It may not matter, as Ireland will have to win this game up front if they are to stand any chance, and in that regard, they have “almost” selected their strongest starting pack. The return of Marie Louise Reilly will solidify the line out, for sure, giving Ireland the opportunity to engage their maul but they cant afford to carry any passengers and unfortunately I think they do.
So is there any chance for Ireland? Well yes. France could be over confident and get caught cold by an Irish pack playing to the standards they set in 2013-14. And, despite extremely disappointing performances against Australia, and Japan, Ireland’s experienced forwards did show formidable grit and determination to grind out wins. They are still unbeaten.
However, it is likely they will need to find another level if they are to cause France problems. One thing is sure, they will have to look their opponents in the eyes and show no fear as getting under the skin of the French is their best bet.
Ireland did win that Six Nations game in February, but, it was an Ireland whipped up by the injustice of selection against a fairly disinterested France. Unfortunately this is a different Ireland and a very interested France.
The FRU Predicts: Head says France by a margin, heart says Ireland to grind it out. Unfortunately, Ireland have dipped in that well too often so we’re going with a France win.Ā š
| FRANCE | IRELAND | |
|---|---|---|
| Montserrat Amedee | 15 | Hannah Tyrrell |
| Chloe Pelle | 14 | Eimear Considine |
| Caroline Ladagnous | 13 | Jenny Murphy |
| Elodie Poublan | 12 | Sene Naoupu |
| Shannon Izar | 11 | Alison Miller |
| Caroline Drouin | 10 | Nora Stapleton |
| Yanna Rivoalen | 9 | Nicole Cronin |
| Annaelle Deshayes | 1 | Lindsay Peat |
| Gaelle Mignot (c) | 2 | Leah Lyons |
| Julie Duval | 3 | Ailis Egan |
| Lenaig Corson | 4 | Sophie Spence |
| Audrey Forlani | 5 | Marie Louise Reilly |
| Marjorie Mayans | 6 | Ciara Griffin |
| Romane Menager | 7 | Claire Molloy (c) |
| Safi N’Diaye | 8 | Paula Fitzpatrick |
| Caroline Thomas | 16 | Cliodhna Moloney |
| Lise Arricastre | 17 | Ruth O’Reilly |
| Patricia Carricaburu | 18 | Ciara O’Connor |
| Celine Ferer | 19 | Ashleigh Baxter |
| Julie Annery | 20 | Heather O’Brien |
| Jade Le Pesq | 21 | Larissa Muldoon |
| Carla Neisen | 22 | Katie Fitzhenry |
| Camille Grassineau | 23 | Louise Galvin |
2 replies on “WRWC2017: Teams up for France v Ireland”
So who would you have put in the back line ??
Hi Sinead, not going to name names during the competition. However there are half a dozen 15’s regulars who could have been developed over the last three years.