RUGBY: 'Ireland must show French attitude'
IT is the end of the Six Nations this weekend and the close of the international season and I would just love to see Ireland going out this weekend with the attitude of the French and pulverising all in front of them.
The French, who are on a different level, went out last week against Italy and if there was a chance to counter attack or take points, they did.
I doubt if France will lose to England, so the championship will be going to them.
But Les Bleus have deserved it, they are the best side in the Six Nations, they have gone into every game with a great game plan for each one, they have players with power and skill.
Last week they played a fantastic game of rugby, they went out and took the Italians apart.
Scotland have never really recovered from their loss to Wales, and although they managed to lift themselves as they always do for a game against England and the Calcutta Cup, you know they can come to Dublin and make it difficult.
They are trying to save their pride having not won in this Championship, but Ireland are better overall right through the team and they should be winning the Triple Crown tomorrow.
That would be a fitting reward for the campaign. While France are on the top level, Ireland should finish second and they are on a level way above the other four nations.
The Irish rose from the defeat and disappointment in France to win against England and Wales and put themselves in this position and there is no reason why they cannot grasp that opportunity.
As for last week, like in every game there are defining moments, and Ireland had two in their favour against Wales.
One was when Welsh fullback, Luke Byrne got binned. The game had been quite pedestrian up to that point, although Ireland were creating and that was fantastic to see.
However, it was great to see a side that had obviously agreed before hand to go for if they were in that situation and they scored two tries.
The other moment was the third scrum, which Ireland turned over on their own line. Had Wales got the penalty try they were seeking, it may have made a little difference, although the outcome I feel would always have been an Irish win.
Wales are simply so predictable. They won a Grand Slam and you wondered what they were going to do the next season and the next. It is like in the Premier League in football, Hull City come in, no one knows what they are like and they stay up and do well in the first year.
But in the second year, the other teams know what to expect and they struggle.
Wales are the same, they have not changed anything and everyone knew what they were going to do.
Last year Ireland put the emphasis on putting pressure on opposition and it worked. This year they attack from set play and have achieved tremendously from it.
They have come up with a strategy to zero in and the players have the confidence, competence and skill to do that. It certainly has been refreshing.
And Declan Kidney has also kept a bit of the amateur ethos in there as well, by ensuring the players are enjoying it as well.
We have also seen a number of players blooded. Jonathan Sexton has come through, and Cian Healy and Keith Earls have made good progress.
It is good to see and it is something Ireland need to do with a few more places on the summer tours with an eye on the World Cup next year.
A Triple Crown would be a rich reward for the Irish players and management and with another packed house for the last game at Croke Park, what a fitting finale it would be.
Some have scoffed the importance of the Triple Crown within the Championship. It is a tremendous achievement to win.
I was fortunate to have won a Triple Crown and a Championship. It was wonderful to do so, a fantastic achievement and it remains so.
I just hope this weekend that Ireland go out with the attitude of the French and really turn it on for 80 minutes, rather than go out with the mindset 'lets win this match no matter how.'
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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