Ireland vs France: High stakes as Six Nations title rivals collide in Dublin
Of course, Ireland faced and overturned a “bomb squad” before winning the World Cup in South Africa in the 2023 World Cup billiards.
Here, Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby has resumed six-point votes for the first time since losing to England last year.
In that match, Ireland lost the starting wing Calvin Nash and his replacement Ciaran Frawley, unable to perform a head injury assessment, leaving the influential Scrum-Half Jamison Gibson-Park on the wing for the last 30 minutes.
In France, Easterby chose Conor Murray and Jack Crowley as defender backups in the absence of Mack Hansen.
Again, it’s a gamble: Osborne has never played there, but his versatility – he can also cover 15, 12 and 11 – makes Easterby convince this is the best way to win.
Osborne will compete with French jet athlete Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has made five attempts this year. Bielle-Biarrey is faster than Osborne, but the Irish coach must feel that the Leinster players can win the air battle.
James Lowe V Penaud should be just as interesting on the opposite wing.
Penaud is a French record of 38 attempts equal to Serge Blanco. He will be fired against Italy, but Lowe enjoyed a beautiful match, leading Ireland (Try Assists) (four), lineup (eight) (eight), gauge (299.5) (299.5) and gauge (199.5) (199.5).
