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France feel they have an advantage ahead of clash with Ireland

BY Grant Constable  ·  Friday Mar 2, 2012

The postponed Six Nations game between France and Ireland will take place on Sunday afternoon as both sides look to get a win to reach their respective goals. No ice is expected, and the result may have lasting affects on both sides.

If France aren’t able to beat Ireland this weekend, they’ll not only lose out on a Grand Slam, but they could see themselves dropping out of the top three of the IRB World Rankings.

Ireland on the other hand sit in eighth place, their worst since the introduction of the rankings, and cannot go any lower as they have a decent buffer over Tonga.

A win however will see them move to seventh, one place ahead of Argentina, with France slipping down to Fourth. South Africa will then resume their position in the top three. A win by 15 points or more will see Ireland overtake England in sixth place, and France drop down to fith, with Wales benefitting in fourth position.

French coach Phillippe Saint Andre has said that they’ve enjoyed having the extra time to study their opponents, while Aurelien Rougerie has said the postponement left them with the upper hand.

Since 1972 when they won in Colombes, Ireland have won in France just once, when Brian O’Driscoll scored a hat-trick for a 27-25 victory in 2000. With the home side having won nine consecutive games at Stade de France, dating back four years, they will be odds-on favourites.

Below is a short video where we hear from Rougerie and prop Vincent Debaty, who says that while the rearranged game was disruptive, they will need the all of the home support.

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