RTÉ rugby analyst Stephen Ferris was scathing about France’s performance in their 38-17 defeat at the Orange Velodrome, but said Ireland’s performance in Marseille “scared” their rivals. Ta.
The result was France’s heaviest defeat at home to Ireland, with Andy Farrell’s side opening their Six Nations campaign in the most positive way possible with a dominant performance that saw them score five tries.
”[They] “It felt like we picked up where we left off in the middle of last year’s Rugby World Cup, playing perfectly against France outside the park in Marseille,” said the Ulster man. Game On on RTÉ 2fm.
“It’s great to see and it’s really refreshing. There must have been a lot of tension building the team, with personnel changes, the addition of big man Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash and Jack Crowley, and I’m sure there will be some setbacks. I was struggling” – for up to a week.
“But they came out and performed and Peter O’Mahony led the team really well. Some of the decisions they made, especially when they had the ball, were very interesting to watch.”
“A huge congratulations and I’m a little scared of the other teams taking part in the championship.”
The former Ireland flanker, who has 35 caps, has been impressed with how easily Ireland have found their rhythm in a post-Johnny Sexton world.
When asked what stood out most, he said, “I think it was the continuity of the multi-phase attack.”
“We know they use a pod system where they always have two or three different options and the player is left to make those decisions or turn it on. .
“I think it was a Tajig Beirne try and it almost fell apart. Tajig Furlong tried to play a pass and it went ground. “They recycled the ball to Hugo I passed it to Keenan and he picked up the pace a little bit.”I think after two or three phases, Tadhg Beirne ran under the sticks without any resistance.
“It was just a build-up and a couple of phases before that we had a little tip-on from Tajig Furlong to Caelan Doris and it was just the right call.
“The speed of the ruck was very good, the quality of the ruck, the placement of the ball, the detail on the ground was great and we fought hard to get the ball on the plate at Jamison Gibson Park.
“They were just all-around good.”
Feliz didn’t hold back on Friday’s performance against France, saying Pete Mauvaca’s lineout “couldn’t have hit the barn door” and that Paul Willemse’s 32 red cards saw the hosts’ He was struggling to find his footing in the game.in a few minutes
“Their set-pieces were very poor and their attack was almost non-existent,” he said.
“I think the game was summed up by the maul defense in the last 10 minutes and how they capitulated and Ireland ran over.
“Ireland achieved a huge and well-deserved victory.
“After such an effort, France will be licking its wounds, absolutely licking its wounds.”
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