France player ratings vs Ireland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
France player ratings: In a match that laid bare the stark disparities between expectations and reality, France found themselves uncharacteristically lackluster, a shadow of the formidable force they were in 2023. A man down for much of the contest, France eventually buckled completely.
15. Thomas Ramos – 7.5
Mr Reliable with the boot and a much needed comfort blanket at times of real need. Caught the first high ball to settle his side’s nerves and despite a narrow penalty miss early in the second half he remains the best France have in this position.
14. Damian Penaud – 6
It took 40mins to get this mercurial player the ball in space and he responded with a 36th try in a career that shows no sign of peaking. Had been well shackled early by the Irish who had him chasing a few shadows in defence. He almost looked human at points
13. Gael Fickou – 5
Could the great man be on the slide? Not the force in defence or attack that we expect and seemed to be unable to pick up the pace of the game early. Got more influential as the contest opened up without reaching the level we expect from him.
12. Jonathan Danty – 4.5
More like Jonathan Dainty in the first half and dreadfully exposed for the second Irish try by Beirne which left him waving helplessly as he fell to the ground. This is the kind of performance that gets you dropped and he can expect plenty of stick from the home media.
11. Yoram Moefana – 4.5
The game largely passed him by on the left wing and he was caught out too often in defence. Seemed to pick up the pace of the game better in the second half without ever threatening to deliver anything out of the ordinary. Needs to go looking for work rather than being reactive.
10. Matthieu Jalibert – 6.5
When given front foot ball his quick hands and clever footwork was in evidence, particularly in ensuring the space was there for Penaud to exploit. Kept ball in hand early when it probably needed to be booted downfield to relieve the Irish pressure. Line kicking was too conservative.
9. Maxime Lucu – 6
Who would want the job of replacing Antoine Dupont? A charge down and a lazy pass only helped the Irish cause and like Jalibert, only looked himself when given protection from the pressure Ireland put on him. His clearance kicking was solid but replaced in the second half to show the coaches weren’t convinced either.
1. Cyril Baille – 6.5
Solid work in the scrum and a busy performance in defence and boy was he needed in that first half. Has good hands for a big man and an engine that belies his position.
2. Peato Mauvaka – 5
Flew out of the defensive line and contributed hugely to the space that Beirne exploited for his try. Missed his jumped twice but given the lack of options you could understand his problems. Provided the forward drive that help set up the position for Penaud to exploit.
3. Uini Atonio –6.5
The big man did the business in the scrums giving Porter a torrid time and winning a couple of penalties. Effective in the defence where just standing there is enough to create the impression there is a blue wall erected on the pitch.
4. Paul Gabrillagues –6
Had to become the line out target and struggled to evade the Irish jumpers who got up to make his life difficult. Not a force in the loose and looked short of the class France need in the second row, particularly given the talent they have in the Top14 but got a try at a key moment.
5. Paul Willemse – 1
Got one point for running onto the pitch because after that it was a disaster for the lock forward. Lucky to get a yellow for his hit on Andrew Porter, he didn’t learn his lesson after 10 minutes contemplation and another hit to the head of an opponent, he left the referee with no option but to end his contest. Dumb.
6. Francois Cros – 6
Quality forward who can be relied upon to defend with courage and was always eager to carry the ball into the Irish defence. However, he lacked real impact and was outshone by the Irish back row.
7. Charles Ollivon – 6
Not the dominant force we expect the former captain to be and not used as effectively at the line out despite his height and excellence in this skill. Like so many of the Les Bleus he came second best in too many collisions and needs to up his game.
8. Gregory Alldritt – 7.5
Let down by Willemse and managed to keep his head while others became muddled. Carried selflessly and worked well with the referee which is a skill that will serve his team well. Will learn important lessons about crisis management from this match.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Julien Marchand – 5
Always ready to get involved in the hard work up front and hammered into rucks to good effect.
17. Reda Wardi – 4
Had to leave the contest after hardly being able to show his worth after picking up an injury.
18. Dorian Aldegheri – 4.5
Tried to continue the scrum domination but is not the force of nature that is Antonio. A solid competitor but not a game changer.
20. Posolo Tuilagi – 6.5
Made an immediate positive impact add tackling power and a willingness to get stuck into the opposition. Plenty more to come from him.
19. Cameron Woki -4
One of the leading options to replace Willemse but appeared to lack the physicality that will be needed in the campaign after coming on.
21. Paul Boudehent -4.5
Brought a physicality that was needed if not the kind of guile that could close the gap in the final quarter.
22. Nolann Le Garrec – 5
Came off the bench to try and increase tempo and managed to steal a turnover as if he was a back row forward.
23. Louis Bielle-Biarrey- 4.5
Tried to make an immediate impact on to be given a pass behind his head to sum up the disjointed nature of the French attack.
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments