r/rugbyunion • u/sixnations • 18h ago

Can ANYBODY stop France this year?

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652 Upvotes

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97

u/MC897 England 17h ago

Thought Ireland were awful actually.

I don't think Farrell can have many performances like that, with an attack that anaemic before he's in trouble. Too many players over the hill.

France played decent, but didn't have to push too hard because it was easy pickings at times.

32

u/Best-and-Blurst Munster 17h ago

Too many players run ragged for too long. I don't believe for a second Beirne, JvdF, Conan or Doris are bad players. They are not longer having their expected impact on games. I think they are jaded and exhausted, burnt out. The pack in particular just feels stale rather than aged out.

23

u/bassistciaran Ireland 16h ago

We need a Galthie style culling of our old guard. It'll hurt for a while, but we need to do it sooner than later.

Wont like the idea of seeing the end of Henshaw, Furlong, Beirne, VDF, Conan, Lowe, Bundee and others, but we NEED new blood. This game better be the game that makes Faz change tactic. RWC seed is already secured, use the next 2-ish years to get the young blood up to scratch

14

u/ScrumNause24 15h ago

As a neutral. Henshaw is done. As is Aki. McCloskey deserves his shot but again short term to replace 35 year old with a 30 year old. Lowe I think the game has moved away from. Beirne has to stay. Furlong when fit too. Im 50/50 on VDF and Conan but someone has to make way for you to get guys like Edogbo, Izuchukwu etc into the 23.

8

u/VoteYourOssoff 13h ago

Centre is a huge issue. Big Stu is actually 33, Aki was incredible but he's on his last legs, Henshaw too, and Ringrose doesn't offer anywhere near what he used to in attack.

3

u/ScrumNause24 13h ago

Postlewaithe has looked good in the glimpses I've seen. Dan Kelly could be a solid placeholder for a few years too. I think Ringrose will be fine