Darcy, re second best. What's that line about chicken counting? Or the one about falling and pride?
Aye Flashy…I'm only winding you up really…we're all second best behind that display today and given what France showed, on sober reflection, it was still a drubbing. It's hard to find any positives in the game for Ireland. I guess that even when it looked like France were going to win (that would have been towards the end of the first half), Ireland still played running rugby, still tried to put phases together and didn't kick every ball that came their way. But for the brilliant French defense, Ireland could have scored more tries and probably would have against a weaker side. And ah, but for the bounce of an oval ball….D'arcy may well have had that try early in the game and quietened the crowd down. Actually was it just me, or could he have waited another split second before kicking over the full back…would have given him that extra yard of decision making in the run for the line…ifs and buts don't score tries though.
Whatever about Healy's yellow card…Ireland looked like they were going to ride it out and maybe get away with three points. They were given a penalty for a deliberate knock-on and then Flannery had his moment of madness – the penalty was reversed, Ireland went from the front foot onto the back, and the whole shebang resulted in France's first try. It was around then that the Matthew said there was nothing between the sides, and up till then, there wasn't. As ever, tackles look worse in slow motion but I reckon a wendyballer would have been sent off for that. He should be cited and punished…thankfully, we're not short of hookers.
You can't simply walk away heads down…as Wales showed today. And hey, they lifted their spirits a little int he second half and at least did cross the line.
Like I said, a quality game between the best two sides in the 6N 😛
