Irish supporters arrive for French feast of rugby

ERNEST HEMINGWAY called it a ‘Moveable Feast’ and how right he was: Paris is truly one of the world’s great cities.

But when tied with rugby, Ireland certainly don’t like the city in the springtime — when they ritually get beaten by Les Bleus in the Six Nations. However, Les Verts might come to love it in the Fall — if they win tonight.

Will Gay Paree put the joie back in the lives of the bewildered Irish supporters, who have seen their team disappoint against minnows Namibia and Georgia, and in danger of being eliminated tonight?

Up to 30,000 Irish supporters are expected to descend on the magnificent Stade de France tonight for the vital pool D clash with the hosts — also under pressure to win. But the many, many times the Irish have ventured to the French capital in the past, they’ve experienced pain and hurt.

Ireland failed to win a match in Parc des Princes between 1973 and 1996 (where, incidentally, Los Pumas await Ireland in nine days) and have only done the business once in the Stade de France — when our captain Le Dric notched a hat-trick against an unsuspecting French side and public in 2000.

But Eddie O’Sullivan’s green army are arriving in hope.

They’ve been difficult to spot but we’re told they’ll flood le Tour Eiffel, Champs Elysee and Musee de Louvre by lunchtime tomorrow. Flights and packages are too costly, so hundreds have flown to places like Carcassonne in the south of France and are getting the TGV north tomorrow. Thousands more flew to Belgium and Germany and hired cars.

But last night the Irish were spotted enjoying the fine (expensive) cuisine and many green shirts were making their presence felt aboard the Bateaux Mouches on the River Seine.

Stephen, of Lexington, Co Wicklow, but who now lives in Sydney, has flown in from Down Under — where the Aussies are also writing off Les Verts. He isn’t expecting too much: “I’m slightly apprehensive myself, I wouldn’t go along with the opinion thinking we could win it.”

Patrick Silke, who is a member of Creggs RFC in Connacht, was more positive, saying Ireland have less pressure than the French. “I think Georgia were better than they were given credit for. We have to focus on the positive. We’re due a win here in Paris. Imagine the pressure that’s on the French? I don’t think we’ll get hammered.”

His friend Seamus Murray from Roscommon pitched in: “An improved performance is what we’re looking for, and which is needed after the last two games. Hopefully we’ll get it.”

Many were striking an optimistic note, like Ray Tilsen and his wife Sarah from Dublin.

“Ireland will do the business tonight,” said Ray.

“They’re going to change tomorrow. I’m very confident — I’ve taken a Paddy Power bet that we’ll win plus 14 points.”

He’s being optimistic but then again, don’t they say Paris is a place for the romantics?