Staggering underdog claim in heavyweight clash

1 year ago 73

France has seemingly conceded decision conscionable a fewer days retired from its second-round Six Nations clash with Ireland.

The men successful greenish thumped Wales successful their opening encounter, dominating the 80-minute contention 34-10 astatine Principality Stadium.

France, meanwhile, lone conscionable got past Italy to triumph 29-24 astatine Stadio Olimpico.

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Italy led precocious successful the portion lone for France to snag triumph from the jaws of defeat.

The clash betwixt Ireland and France is 1 of the astir highly anticipated of the Six Nations arsenic the archetypal and 2nd highest ranked teams successful the satellite travel together.

Despite occupying the fig 2 spot successful the world, French fly-half Romain Ntamack isn't overly optimistic astir his side's prospects.

"They are satellite fig one. It's not for nothing. They are comfortably favourites," said Ntamack.

"There's nary debate. They showed and proved that successful circular 1 against Wales.

"They're bully successful each areas. They person precise fewer weaknesses, if any.

"It's going to beryllium an limb wrestle for 80 minutes."

Ireland went without its skipper Johnny Sexton successful the 2nd fractional of their Wales demolition derby aft suffering a dormant leg.

It's expected Sexton volition beryllium acceptable for Sunday morning's clash, which gets underway astatine 1.15 americium (AEDT).

Ntamack's other fig said he's not fazed by suggestions Ireland volition locomotion implicit France.

"It doesn't truly fuss maine if that's what helium says," said Sexton.

"It's not thing we ever notation internally. We admit being fig 1 successful the world, the nationalist oregon the property volition bash this oregon the absorption volition bash it.

"Ultimately, it comes down to the show connected the day. If we're favourites, we're favourites.

"They've had outstanding occurrence with 14 games connected the bounce unbeaten.

"Shaun Edwards isn't the caput manager but a batch of what helium did with Wales you tin spot it each implicit the squad successful presumption of however they kick.

"They footwear long. Power, existent assertive defence with immoderate outstanding individuals littered done the team.

"They are the afloat bundle really. That's the message. We're going to person to beryllium astatine our precise champion to get a win."

A Six Nations triumph would spell immoderate mode to boosting French assurance levels successful their bid for their archetypal Rugby World Cup win.

They dominated the 2022 variation of the Six Nations, winning each 5 matches against Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and Italy.

"First things first, we'll beryllium blessed to triumph connected Saturday," said Ntamack.

"It would mean that we're inactive successful enactment for a 2nd Grand Slam. It's truly the objective.

"Beyond impressing, beyond reasoning astir the World Cup, if we privation to support our rubric and constitute history, it comes with a triumph successful Ireland."

The blockbuster lucifer betwixt France and Ireland is the archetypal contention successful circular 2 of the Six Nations.

England volition play Italy astatine 2am (AEDT) Sunday successful Twickenham earlier Scotland and Wales look disconnected astatine Murrayfield from 3.45am.

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