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Rob Kearney: we're in better shape now. INPHO/Dan Sheridan

'We're in a much better place' - Rob Kearney ready for French test

Full back says the win over Italy has made for a much more confident side than the one that was to tackle France before the game was postponed.

IRELAND FULL BACK Rob Kearney believes his side are now better placed to defeat France in Sunday’s rearranged Six Nations fixture.

If the Irish prevail it will be only the second time in 40 years they have done so in Paris, and Kearney said their win over Italy has made for a much more confident side than the one that was to tackle France before the game was postponed earlier this month due to a frozen pitch.

“We’re in a much better place than maybe we were two or three weeks ago,” Kearney said. ”Tries win games and to score five of them against Italy was really pleasing.

“We’re starting to get more clinical in the green zone area of play, and while we were too guilty of playing too much in our own half, it was pleasing that when we did get into the right areas we took our opportunities.”

Kearney is back in training after recovering from a groin strain and said their buoyant win over Italy was playing on their minds more so than their poor record in Paris.

“I don’t think we need to do something special,” he said.

“That’s where we fall down sometimes when we play in France. We look at our record and it doesn’t fill us with confidence, so maybe we feel as though we have to try something different there.

“Where we have always fallen down in France is that we’ve had a very poor start, giving up a big lead 20-30 minutes into the game. When you’re playing a team of the calibre of France you can’t do that and expect to win. We have to start strongly on Sunday.”

France are second in the Six Nations table having won their opening two games against Italy and Scotland, while Ireland are fourth with one win from two matches, following their narrow opening loss to Wales.

Click here for more of TheScore.ie’s Six Nations coverage

Opinion: Paris beckons, but so does a problem at half back

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    Mute Aidan Kearney
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    Jul 9th 2012, 7:38 PM

    Have no lessons been learned since Cian O Connor lost the Gold medal! Dont blame the horse.

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Jul 9th 2012, 8:13 PM

    Irish showjumping is poxed

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    Mute Victoria Power
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    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    Please post a link to the statement Denis made on his web site in the spirit of fairness http://www.denis-lynch.com
    The behaviour of the HSI committee is deplorable after the dedication he demonstrated to secure an Olympic individual place. A member of the committee who decided to remove his ratification was the team vet that examined his horse 2 hours before the competition and advised team manager that the horse was sound to compete despite his concerns.

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    Mute Johnny Reynolds
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    Jul 9th 2012, 11:17 PM

    If what Denis has said is true, there is something seriously wrong going on there

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    Mute Adam Pamplin
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    Jul 9th 2012, 9:26 PM

    He shouldn’t even have figured as a contender to go to the Olympics 2012 having been sent home from Beijing in 2008 for the very same thing.

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    Mute Tony Stack
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    Jul 9th 2012, 9:28 PM

    A bit harsh, it might be naturally occurring, and its within the rules of the horsejumping body. Like the UK rule with Millar and Chambers that was overturned, the national association should not rule like this, as he was not banned by the IOC . Any thoughts on this or am I wrong?

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    Mute Johnny Reynolds
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    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    What a joke, why would Denis risk it when he’s got one of the best show jumpin horses in the world. Surely, with the amount of money involved in horses, they can come up with a clear test for drug taking. One that shows a very clear difference between natural and artificial hypersensitivity in the horses legs. Seen as he got kicked out last time on disputable grounds, why would he try it again and risk his lively hood. Something doesn’t smell right

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    Mute Oonagh Fitzgibbon
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    Jul 9th 2012, 11:20 PM

    Disgraceful….heartbreaking for him & his team….read his statement…something v odd going on!

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    Mute Killian Maher
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    Jul 9th 2012, 11:25 PM

    Title should be “Unintroducing Denis Lynch”

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    Mute Roy Scott
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    Jul 9th 2012, 10:12 PM

    Pity, wonder of other nations have same issues?

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    Mute Matt12
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    Jul 10th 2012, 5:31 AM
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    Mute Scattered Showers
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    Jul 10th 2012, 12:13 PM

    i think there is something in the wording here.
    why use disqualified instead of withdrawn for health reasons…..
    Other questions are how widespread is the problem of horses being illegally Hypersensitive? How easy is this to administer to a horse and what are the benefits as a result?

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