Is this the French coach trying to find his team?

What to make of the Frogs. They looked imperious in the period after the half when DuPont was cooking. But Scotland breached them rather easily to make it a game they could have won but for a few lost lineouts.

France was very aggressive on the turnovers….both on the deck but also the strip, ball in hand. Something to watch if we play them.

But that’s a few tough matches away. Scotland are technically very sound with their number one pack, but we should be able to exploit their reserves. Ireland will present a very similar challenge.

What a player Finn Russell is …near the end cleaning up difficult ball within a second he had the presence of mind to release the down ball, pick it up and flip out an exquisite offload. I don’t think he is money like a healthy Pollard but one of the most fun players to watch.

Russell has outplayed Pollard a few times now. He is very dangerous. I still maintain that had the Lions started with Russell, even with the biased reffing, they'd have won the series. We have to be disciplined, and physical. In spite of how terrible things have been, we do have the resources, even in this poorly selected squad, to get the job done. If we could just be more efficient and accurate. 

I think we are pretty much going to have to kick the leather off the ball, try to create turnovers and trust in the counter attack. With Dud at 12 any constructive back play is a bridge too far.

With our defence, I agree, play as far up the field as possible, and really hound the breakdown. 

If Ireland can play to their potential, absolutely, they are the clear favourites. This time, they don't look t o be petering out like the buildup to RWC 2019. They looked tired and jaded. However, their history in World Cups means I don't trust them. 

Amazing how much Fabien Galthié looks like the late, super cool, Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Agree Xavi, losing Eben would be a disaster.