One of France's five changes suggests a truce in alleged strained relationships between players and management

I understand South Africa are also World Champions at abusing performance assisting drugs so thsi is concerning praise from you.

The online rugby world is a cesspit of ‘supporters’ who use rugby as an extension of their personal ego, and are more or less therefore nut cases. People’s lives have been threatened on this platform for example. It won’t be long til you see a whacko attack a player or referee on a street in real life.

Easterby is 100% right in calling out the shenanigans from this French mini Trump.

You do if you get physically drained.

Ireland were chasing the match from the kick off it felt. We worked hard to dominate but ruck speed was slow and timing was off. That said we did have a few chances and could even have gone a couple of scores ahead. But that in itself is debateable.

Holding France for the McCarthy sin bin took a lot out of the team.

The bomb squad of fast strong dynamic players just blew us away.

The Penaud try was a 14 point swing. That did skew the French total.

And I don’t want to say it about such a magical try. But LBB loses it on his second. Seperation and ball bounces. We get an extra call or two and its a bit closer. But we didn’t score enough and the price was paid in fatigue.

I wouldn’t rule it out of the question that Ireland get revenge next year, but I was not 100% suprized by whats transpired on Saturday. Its been coming.

England have always played well when he starts at 10. The purpose of a fly-half is to manage the game and make those around him look good, not to goose-step and go it alone!

9/10

Which must be the first time in history? When Joe leaves Aus it may well become 10/10.

Is my point.

He was indeed an excellent loose forward.

Joe Schmidt is the only non player coach in the top 10. If I recall correctly.

Shannon Frizell is returning from Japan in June and he would be my choice until one or more of Finau, Suafua, Grace, Parker, or Flanders reach All Black standard at blindside.

As for Scott Barrett, he was world class in 2022 and 2023, played solid but not quite the same standard last season due to niggling injuries and will likely return to his 2023 standard if he remains healthy. Locks have a long shelf life in test rugby.

So maybe: 4) Barrett, 5) Vaa’i 6) Frizell, 7) Savea, 8) Sititi, 19) Holland 20) Lakai