Fleck rings changes for derby

You see, this is the disrespect I am talking about. NZ immediately started this character assasination on Irish rugby after the series win “about a year and a half” before the RWC. We win in NZ and suddenly we are arrogant. Do you consider this respectful?

And please substantiate Ireland talking themselves up comment: for every supposed instance of this there is surely 100x examples of NZ talking themselves up?

We were ranked 1, but that’s not talking ourselves up. We were playing good rugby.

Using Galthie’s maths and extrapolating the numbers, going to NZ would put Cros at 1700 minutes, Antonio at 1300, and LBB at 2200. 2200 is a perfectly fine number for a back to be at considering it’s what Marcus Smith and Freeman will do/did, while Itoje had 2500 minutes last season.

Immediately after the series win, a lot of claims of ‘arrogance’ started emanating from NZ media and behind the scenes from NZ players. You do not get respect for beating NZ. You get the opposite. The big countries are suppose to set the example. Attempting to character assassinate an improving nation is not such an example.

So before all the theorizing on France’s failures lets try to have a fair draw and scheduling and an even playing field. Making 3 finals and knocking NZ out twice is not bad when you are constantly made play against the wind.

It is basically only a 2 team comp these days, with a third for testing yourselves.

I don’t think I’d appreciated until reading this article what a cool circumstance it would have been with the Lions series going on at the same time. Wonder if that actually affected both sides decisions?

From the fixture list (no Eden Park) you have to figure it was always planned to be a dud it’s just sponsors weren’t supposed to know!