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IRELAND sets out in search of fourth Six Nations title in seven years with words from former South African Munster coach Rassie Erasmus stinging their ears
In a recently released documentary on the Springboks’ World Cup victory, « Chasing the Sun », Erasmus is filmed giving a team speech in preparation for the semi-final against Wales
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« They are not softies », he told his Welsh players « They are not like Ireland Like England going away, they are fucking tough »
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Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby dismissed Erasmus’ claim yesterday and said his side are ready to show the world how tough they are against France in Paris
« Look, if that’s Rassie’s opinion, it’s clearly something he used to try and motivate his players to put on a performance against the Welsh, » he said
« I know you will see a performance tomorrow which regardless of what Rassie Erasmus said in this quote would suggest otherwise
« Can’t wait to see what we’ll deliver, the elements of the pack before we worked with John (Fogarty) on the scrum and the contact zone, myself at the time of the line-up
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« We have to take the lead; to do that, we have to have a mentality and a state of mind to take on the French
« We can only control what we can control and which will be physical tomorrow We have to win collisions, we have to do it as a unit, as a pack before »
A first four-try win in the French capital secures Ireland the title and the € 5 5m prize, but if they win without the bonus point, they will have to finish ahead of playing England before them in Rome
After four matches, Ireland lead the table with 14 points and have a points difference of 38, while Eddie Jones’ men are on 13 points with a points difference of 15 France is also on 13 points, with a difference of 13 points
Easterby admitted that Ireland have struggled physically in big games against powerful teams over the past two seasons, but insisted they are ready to compete tonight
« There’s a real determination about some of these players, guys that you might not be that familiar with, it gives me a lot of confidence, it gives us a lot of confidence as a group coaches to know they can go out and perform, he says
« It’s like anything, there’s always ‘we have to go out and perform and be physical’, but I truly believe this team is starting to understand what it takes
« I really think this team is starting to understand what it takes to be physical, what it takes to win crashes, what it takes to keep the opposition out of the game with this physicality and win those collisions
« Yes you are right there are times in the last 20 months we haven’t won them and it is clear to people
« But don’t underestimate what this group can do. We’re building and we certainly got a lot of positives from last weekend, but it’s a performance and we know there will be one more step. forward this weekend and, in particular, in this physicality and these collisions that we have to win both sides of the ball «
Six Nations
Premium
The miserable 20 months have been for the Irish rugby team Tonight they have a chance to change course by winning a Six Nations title in Paris
Six Nations
Premium
Work completed One victory, one bonus point for four tries, our difference in score was compensated by late trials, and we are therefore heading to Paris with our Six Nations fate in our own hands next Saturday night
sport
James Ryan was backed to lead Ireland’s fearless brigade in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations title race against France in Paris
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Ireland, Rassie Erasmus, Simon Easterby, Six Nations Championship, South African national rugby union team, Munster Rugby
World news – GB – Easterby responds to Irish jibe and promises a great performance in Paris
Associated title :
– Easterby responds to Ireland & # 39; softies& # 39; jibe and promises a great performance in Paris
– Rassie Erasmus& # 39; & # 39; soft& # 39; jibe Ireland for collisions in Paris
– Softies ? Ireland vows to deliver physicality to Paris after Rassie& comment
– The Irish camp was fuming after being labeled & # 39; softies& # 39; before France clash with crunch
– Ireland goes all out to prove Rassie Erasmus wrong after & # 39; softies& # 39; jibe
– Ireland are ready to face and show their domestic steel against France after being labeled & # 39; softies& # 39; by South Africa& # 39; s
