State of form, post-Sexton management, lessons from the last World Cup… Before the clash against the Blues at the opening of the Tournament (Friday, 9:00 p.m.), three Irish journalists analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the XV of Clover for Le Figaro.
By losing in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Ireland fell from a height. The 24-28 defeat at the Stade de France against the All Blacks dampened the hopes of an entire nation for the title, even though the team had never been so sure of its strength. No time to procrastinate. For its first match back, the XV du Trèfle challenges France on Friday (9:00 p.m.) in Marseille, opening the Six Nations Tournament. With a Grand Slam to defend and doubts to chase away.
At Quinta do Lago (Portugal), where the Irish group met to prepare for the clash against the Blues, players and members of the staff affirm loudly and clearly that confidence is intact. But the men in green must deal with a new fact, or rather an absence: that of Johnny Sexton, their fly half and lifelong captain, now retired. Journalists Simon Lewis, from the national daily theIrish ExaminerCiarán Kennedy, from online media The 42.ieand Colmán Stanley, from the website balls.iehave agreed to scrutinize the XV of Clover to Le Figaro. Everyone will be in Marseille on Friday evening.
The desire to bounce back after the failure of the World Cup
The premature exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup hurt and “will stay in people’s minds for many years» according to Colmán Stanley. But the Irish staff do not want to dwell on it, preferring to move forward. “They can’t wait to turn the page. That has been the key phrase since the start of the gathering: turning the page. Andy Farrell hammered it home to his players», Explains Simon Lewis, who evokes the major role within the staff of Gary Keegan, the mental trainer. “He does wonders with the players and gives them confidence. It makes them resilient.»
There is excitement in the Irish ranks. It’s a very difficult opening match, but Ireland see it as an opportunity to put the World Cup aside for good.
Ciarán Kennedy, The 42.ie
Resilience, one of the keys to the success of the XV du Trèfle in recent years. Simon Lewis points out that “Ireland has always been able to bounce back after major defeats“. During the 2022 Tournament, she lost at the Stade de France against the Blues before winning the Triple Crown thanks to three victories against England, Scotland and Wales. That same year, in July, they beat the All Blacks twice in a row on New Zealand soil, a historic feat after losing the first confrontation. “On Friday, we can expect the Irish to be aggressive, with a desire to quickly bounce back», concludes Simon Lewis.
The Irish leave the World Cup to the applause of their New Zealand tormentors. Laurent Lairys / Laurent Lairys / Panoramic
«There is excitement in the Irish ranksnotes Ciarán Kennedy. It’s a very difficult opening match, but Ireland see it as an opportunity to put the World Cup aside for good.» An Irish victory on Friday in Marseille could create good momentum. But journalists are worried about the repercussions in the event of defeat. “Everything can turn around very quickly», fears Simon Lewis, when Ciarán Kennedy notes that “the reception of Italy the following week will not motivate the players as much.»
The succession of Sexton, between concern and confidence in Crowley
Jonathan Sexton, known as “Johnny” Sexton, hung up his boots at the age of 38 and after 118 caps with the Clover XV jersey on his shoulders. “Sexton’s succession is the team’s real question mark. He was not only the fly-half, he was also the captain. He leaves two big voids behind him», deplores Simon Lewis.
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«The entire attack hinged on Sextonconfirms Ciarán Kennedy. He ran everything, he was the driving force. It’s the start of a new era.» A new era which takes the name of Jack Crowley, the Munster number 10 chosen to start at the opening against the Blues. Only a tenth cap for this 24-year-old player, the fourth as a starter. But Crowley is far from being unknown to the battalion. “Last year he was impressive with Munster, who won the United Rugby Championship. He is still young and inexperienced but he is already a leader, he gives voice. He reminds me a little of Ronan O’Gara. They both come from Cork, play pretty much the same game and have a lot of confidence», Ciarán Kennedy’s analysis.
Jack Crowley in the Munster jersey. Craig Thomas/News Images / News Images / Panoramic
Colmán Stanley shares this feeling about Crowley, who certainly “does not have the ability that Sexton had to make the best decisions at the best time” but represents “a greater threat with the ball in hand. And his offensive footwork is at least as good.» Simon Lewis concludes the eulogy: “Jack Crowley has the character and temperament to take the keys to the game of an international team.»
As for the captaincy, the choice of third-row wing Peter O’Mahony (34 years old, 101 caps) was unanimous in Ireland. “He has been the leader of Munster for at least ten years, and already has a very important role in the national team.»
The touch and the scrum, the lessons of the defeat against the Blacks
One of the first things the Irish group did when they met in Dublin on Monday was to rewatch the World Cup matches, and in particular the quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks. The staff claims to have learned lessons from this cruel elimination. The first lesson is mental, as Simon Lewis explains: “In a match with so much at stake, you have to be concentrated for 80 minutes. You can’t afford lapses in concentration.»
Something always happens when these players find themselves together in the selection. Confidence, fitness and concentration are always there with Andy Farrell, whatever the situation.
Simon Lewis, The Irish Examiner
Colmán Stanley confirms that «the players are aware that the match was decided on details, and that one or two small things only needed to go in their favor to beat this excellent New Zealand team.» Ireland sometimes lacked the lucidity to seize opportunities when they presented themselves. “This is a fault that Leinster and Munster have had recently: not sufficiently converting incursions into the 22. We have to be more clinical. note Ciarán Kennedy.
The three journalists are unanimous on the second lesson to be learned, more technical: the management of set phases, in particular the touchline and the scrum. “The team worked a lot on physical presence on the touchline, in scrums and in mauls. The players will be more aggressive, more authoritarian, to try to respond to the physical density of the French XVassured Ciarán Kennedy. For the rest, we all know the power of the Irish attack when it unfolds…»
The difficulties of the provinces, a limited impact on the national team
The four Irish provinces, where most of the internationals play, have not been celebrating since the start of the season. Leinster has certainly won eleven of its thirteen matches in all competitions, but “it’s not running at full speed yet» notes Simon Lewis. In the Champions Cup, Munster qualified at the last minute, Connacht was eliminated and Ulster “was catastrophic».
«From the outside, it doesn’t look good.laughs Simon Lewis, who is nevertheless not worried about the consequences for the XV of Clover: “Something always happens when these players find themselves together in the selection. Confidence, fitness and concentration are always there with Andy Farrell, whatever the situation.»
