French fans confident they will not be feeling bleu

It was three colours in bleu in Dublin yesterday. With Christine Lagarde in Government Buildings, French rugby fans on the streets and some blue in the sky by dusk, the capital was looking decidedly French.

The Irish rugby team will be hoping for better omens today. It’s seeking to pull a victory from its RBS Six Nations clash with France – but with both teams languishing on leader board, neither has anything to lose.

“There are results around the corner,” International Monetary Fund chief Lagarde had told journalists at a press conference at Government Buildings yesterday. “While it has been very hard, there is clearly good news on the horizon.”

But was she talking about her native France’s rugby prospects or ours? On Grafton Street, Montpellier club man Siegfried Herant was sure she meant France.

“France has nothing to lose,” he said confidently. In Dublin with three friends from the rugby mad south, they were soaking up the pre-match atmosphere.

“We took the lunch; we drink two beers so for the moment it seems to be good. No rain.” And their predictions for the game?

“I hope we will win, but it will be difficult maybe. It is the last match of Brian O’Driscoll so they will be very determined. And we don’t have a good team at the moment. Maybe 34 for us, 29 for you?”

The foursome would debate it further over dinner. “We are looking for a restaurant, the Ear’s Pig?”

Clermont Auvergne fans were out in force too. Friends Manuel Ruiz and Christophe Darney thought either side could do it.

Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 5pm.