Let’s throw something wild and unpredictable at the French and see how they react

PATTERNS, tactical strategy, lines of running and the many other phrases commonplace in modern rugby are all very fine - and, no doubt, very important.

But such is the nature of the game that there is and always will be room for the spirit of up and at ’em, for having a lash and giving it a go.

And if Ireland play with the fire and physicality that have long been traditionally associated with this country, allied to the skill that abounds in the side, then I believe they will beat France in the World Cup quarter-final in the Telstra Dome in Melbourne tomorrow.

If they stick to the tried and trusted formula that has brought them this far, I suspect they will come unstuck. Let’s throw something wild and unpredictable at the French and see how they react.

The mood in the Irish camp two days before kick-off appears to have tightened up appreciably. Coach Eddie O’Sullivan was yesterday up to ninety at what he perceived as the unfair manner the team’s practice time at the match venue was curtailed.

And he also expressed deep annoyance at RWC’s investigation of a complaint against media officer John Redmond.

Mind games, of course, have a place where big time sport is concerned. Teams like to go into matches bearing a sense of grievance and perhaps this is Ireland’s way of playing that game. Otherwise, you’d wonder why these little spats even merit a public mention.

O’Sullivan has been making a big noise about support for his team, not just from the travelling Irish but also from Melburnians, who he would like to see acknowledge Ireland as their chosen favourite team after the Wallabies.

“We have achieved our goal of reaching the quarter-finals but we’re not happy with just that”, said O’Sullivan last night.

“We knew it would be a very difficult job to get here and there’s a great feeling of satisfaction and relief at having done so. But the second picture in our minds was to then get to the semi-finals because we felt we were good enough.

"These opportunities come every four years if you’re lucky. It’s a one-off shot for everybody here and quite a few of the squad won’t be around next time.

"It would be a special achievement for Ireland to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. There is no question about the boys being up for this or having difficulty getting out of bed on Sunday morning.”

That’s good to hear. It hardly needs mention that France are a rung or two further up the skills and invention ladder, so it is my belief that traditional Irish ingredients are essential if the next step towards the Holy Grail of the RWC is to be achieved.

Self-belief, confidence and a fast start will be essential for the Irish and O’Sullivan agrees that they must stop giving teams the early initiative.

To avoid that happening, you would like to see Paul O’Connell and Malcolm O’Kelly steal or spoil a few French line-out throws within reasonable reach of the kick-off, for the scrum to discomfort them and for the loose forwards to make their presence felt around the field.

O’Connell for sure can be a crucial figure once again and won’t fear taking on Fabien Pelous, whom he knows well from Heineken Cup confrontations.

John Hayes has further cemented his reputation as one of the game’s finest tight heads and if this is to be Keith Wood’s final rugby match, then Ireland won’t go down without a heroic contribution from a remarkable captain and person.

It’s in the back-row area that I harbour most misgivings. I honestly believe the preference for Victor Costello over Anthony Foley is a mistake and also wonder if the Keith Gleeson-Simon Easterby-Costello axis will be able to contain the brilliant French trio of Olivier Magne, Serge Betsen and Imanol Hardinordoquy.

It will take some doing.

“Beating France earlier this year just confirms that we are capable of beating them if we get things right”, said Eddie O’Sullivan. “We have had some success against them in recent years when we have got all our ducks in a row.

"They have a rhythm to their attack that is quite potent and they have game breakers, so they can take it through many phases and if somebody makes an error and slips off a tackle, then you’re punished. We’re going to have to be very patient and diligent in defence to stay with them.”

It’s an interesting statistic that seven of the French forwards played in the 15-12 Six Nations defeat they suffered in Dublin last February. But only one of tomorrow’s backs were there, which, O’Sullivan agrees, presents a different cocktail in trying to defend and attack against them.

“They seem to have got their balance right, their centre partnership is very strong and they have pace in the back three while Michalak is always testing the gain line. It’s a better backline than played in Dublin so it will be a different game because we know what the conditions will be like with the roof closed.”

O’Sullivan also spoke of the strength of the French pack, especially at scrum time, but clearly sees the line-out as an area where Ireland can prosper.

“There were 52 line-outs in the game against Argentina and that’s a phenomenal number for a game played in dry conditions. I’m happy to say our line-out has functioned well in offence and defence.

"We were very effective in the second half against Argentina in spoiling their ball and poaching it and took some very important ball off Australia last week. It didn’t win us the game but got us very close to it. The line-out can be a platform for winning a game.”

THE IRISH camp, to a man, insists this match can be won. You want to go along with that view but wisdom tells you it’s going to be a bridge too far.

One of Eddie O’Sullivan’s observations last night sticks in the mind. “They have a lot of players who can offload just before the tackle or in the tackle so that the ball stays alive. When they get into that style of rugby against any team in the world, they are a nightmare to play against.”

Indeed. But let’s say it one more time ... ally a bit of traditional bite, boot and bollock to the inherent skills of the side and an upset is very much on the cards.