Ireland in English Viewfinder

Published: 03/12/2022 – 07:50Changed: 03/12/2022 – 07:48

Launched to follow the Blues, the last unbeaten team to face Wales on Friday, the Irish and English can no longer make the slightest mistake.

The victory for XV de la Rose in Twigenham and the English will deliver a real final against France XV a week later.

“We are looking forward to the semi-finals against Ireland,” England coach Eddie Jones warned.

“Ireland are the tightest team in the world at the moment and this weekend it will be a good test (…) I worry my team is playing well. We are ready, we will attack them,” he added. .

Accustomed to verbal competition, XV de la Rose’s Australian technician wanted to allow the Irish to wear cadre attire: “They’re the favorites. I went to the cafe yesterday, the employee told me + this Irish team should be really good. International players say they win. How does it feel? + I was like ‘I want my coffee’, “Jones laughed.

However, after the initial defeat against Scotland (20-17), XV of the Rose regained the spice by dominating Italy (33-0) and then Wales (23-19). The third win against Ireland, who have not beaten them at Twickenham since 2018, would give the British a good chance to spoil the French party at the State de France on March 19.

At other meetings of the day, Scotland will try to forget its disappointment against Italy and Rome against France (36-17). The Italian team has not won a single match since 2015.

France continued their path to the first possible Grand Slam tournament since 2010 on Friday evening, winning 13-9 during a dangerous journey to Wales to become the reigning champions. Power transfer?

© 2022 AFP