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.
This weekend kicks off the 2010 Six Nations Championship with a strong Irish team looking to defend their Grand Slam from last year, with England, Scotland, Wales and France eager to dethrone them.
I think it was around the time of the 1995 World Cup that I started following rugby and looking for it on TV.
At that time in Canada, I remember a 2-hour show that came on once a week (sometimes, at least) with a few highlights from the semi-pro teams and one test match shown on [...]
Saturday, February 13, 2010
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