British & Irish Governments Plan Ceremony in Croke Park

[Jaime]

If you think the stress level is any different for the boys in a Super 14 team -- compared with the 'who-gives-a-shit' that let Wales beat England yesterday -- then you know little of Super 14!

I think someone needs to take a chill pill....

[JimmyGreaves]

Oh, & sincere congratulations to the French -- a deserved victory!

Personally, I think that they were given the championship by a few moments of Irish lack of concentration and would not really say they deserved it. Getting beat by the English after all was a disastrous result!

[troopie]

Oh, & sincere congratulations to the French -- a deserved victory!

Personally, I think that they were given the championship by a few moments of Irish lack of concentration and would not really say they deserved it. Getting beat by the English after all was a disastrous result!

But if the 6N is as great as some claim, then no team can afford such a "few moments", surely? & being beaten by the English merely shows that the French are what they have always been -- a true see-saw team!
If the Irish had played every game like they did against the English, then they would have deserved it. However, sadly indeed, the lapse against the French wasn't their only lapse. However, the French, who are always unpredictable & changeable, did not lapse when it matters -- & surely that is one of the things that makes a winner!

France won because when they were given a target -- in the games against Scotland -- they met it. England were also given a target but a much larger one, & they missed it. Ireland could have made the target too high for either (especially when playing Italy) but they didn't.
OK, France may not have been the greates 6N team ever -- but I still think they deserved it MORE than the others, & that's speaking as someone who was heartbroken over Ireland's often disappointing performance.

[JimmyGreaves]

It's a pity Ireland didn't have the luxury of knowing what target they had! Personally again I think that this was unfair to Ireland and to beat Italy away by such a huge amount was an immense acheivement and by far the most difficult of the day. Knowing Ireland I think that the circumstances of them finishing second again to France for the second year with same points stand them in good stead for the World Cup. Just Hope they only get runners up in their group with France and avoid the Kiwis. Now that group will be interesting to see who wants top spot. Sorry Argentina supporters for ignoring you.