“He may not be 100 per cent match fit but he still has probably the best pass in Northern Hemisphere rugby and is a big physical presence so we know he won’t let us down.”
Wales boss Warren Gatland, talking about 27 years old Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips, who has been named among the replacements of tomorrow 6 Nations clash with France at the Millenium Stadium (after he made his comeback from a four-month lay-off with a 40-minute stint for the Ospreys on Sunday)

Indeed, Ireland will not win the “Grand Slam” for sure this year… but France will most likely do.

At “Stade de France” it’s freezing.

I put my scarf over the heat on my head to get some more warm. Match starts.

What I see is a magnificent team… very strong with their forward and back rows (Domingo and Nallet above all)… fast, concrete, concentrate at the half side (Francois Trinh Duc and Morgan Parra are simply perfect and the last one gets also a score of 100% at kicks, which is not bad at all) … Poitrenaud, Jauzion and Palisson (both first two score excellent tries and the last one would have probably done if he was not rouled out by a Flannery’s bad fault).

O’Driscoll (excellent again) is not enough for Ireland today. Jonathan Sexton, (who is on for the last fifteen minutes of the second half) cannot make more.

Something still to improve at line-outs for France (they score a 70% something. Indeed, Ireland is very strong over there… but if “Equipe de France” succeed, they will win the tournement for sure (their “Grand Chelem” as well?)

See you on the 14th of March for Italy then (hopefully, with most of your best player… come on!)

13th February 2010 16:30
Stade de France Six Nations
France 33 v 10 Ireland

Dublin is “brilliant”.

I spent here two months in 1991. Nowdays a lot has changed, but people is still very nice, as they used to be before, actually.

I get to know Frances and Robert who are hosting me at a B&B which is very close to Fairview.

Croke Park is only at fifteen minutes walking. City centre either.

Saturday morning is rainy. At noon it gets to become warm and sunny.

Either colours or athmosphere are amaizing inside at outside the stadium. Me, Gian and Tamara have fun.

Two years ago I was here for the same match…it was freezing… Italy more dangerous and concrete… but the result was the same.

After having seen Ireland this year, I’m quite sure that they will not repeat last year performances (Grand Slam).

Jonathan Sexton was not playing today. I’m very sorry with that …yes, Ronan O’Gara is still one of the best outside-half…but Jonhatan is the future, simply.

Good luck guys!

6th February 2010 14:30
Croke Park Six Nations
Ireland 29 v 11 Italy