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'There aren't many better places to play in world rugby'

Ireland's Rory Best

Rory Best is relishing the chance to sign off from the Six Nations with a crunch clash against Wales in Cardiff next week.

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The Ireland captain scored a try in Sunday’s bonus-point 26-14 win over France, which kept alive their hopes of retaining the championship.

Best revealed earlier in the week that he would almost certainly call it quits after the Rugby World Cup in Japan, bringing to an end a professional career that started in 2004.

But first he wants to help guide his country to what could be a title-clinching win over table-topping Wales, who beat Scotland 18-11 on Saturday.

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“To go to Murrayfield and play like that shows where Wales are at the minute and Cardiff is a tough place to go, so we’ll dust ourselves down and prepare well,” Best told ITV.

“It’s a great place to finish off my Six Nations career. There aren’t many better places to play in world rugby and it will be a fantastic occasion to sign off.”

Reflecting on the victory in Dublin, where Ireland eased off to allow France two late tries, Best conceded the hosts had failed to make their dominance show in the final scoreline.

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“I think we had chances with a series of scrums on their line and we just let ourselves down a little bit, but we are happy with the way we controlled the game,” said the 36-year-old.

“We had chances in the first half and maybe we could have put more away, but you cannot underestimate how physical that French side is.

“We weren’t expecting to get as many line-outs as we did and a few things came off and a few didn’t.

“We know going to Cardiff next week we will have to be a lot better and the exciting thing is how we get our teeth into that.”

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Soliloquin 36 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

235 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 53 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

235 Go to comments
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