The only areas where France out-performed Ireland by any significant margin was the scrum success rate (92 vs 80%), penalties conceded (7 vs. 10) and number of tackles (134 vs. 77). This last stat is perhaps the most telling as the numerous tackles early phase play prevented Ireland from really getting gathering much momentum. This led to frustration, penalties and one (nearly two) yellow cards.
This match is shaping up to be an epic encounter, one that I cannot wait for. There is so much at stake beyond just winning the match in my mind and I hope Ireland smash France because like any sports fan will tell you, a little payback is always satisfying.
The featured match this week is Ireland v. France in Paris. Over the years, this match has provided some of the most thrilling rugby the Northern Hemisphere has to offer and some have suggested that it’s the match to decide the championship champion.
It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
Once the darling of English rugby and architect of the 2003 World Cup (see the ‘kick heard round the world’ in the video above), Jonny Wilkinson (biography) suffered years of injury-stricken absence from the top English national side, though remained influential in England’s uninspired defense of their title at the 2007 World Cup. Despite making [...]
Saturday, February 13, 2010
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