O’Connell laments “bizarre” French experience
A general view of the covering on the pitch at Stade de France before the postponed Ireland V France game on Saturday
IRELAND captain Paul O’Connell says the players were just as frustrated as the supporters at the decision to postpone the 6 Nations match with France in Paris on Saturday night.
Referee Dave Pearson made the decision just before kick-off as some areas of the Stade de France pitch were dangerous after being hardened by days of sub-zero temperatures and O’Connell said it was a “bizarre end to a strange day”. The tournament organisers are expected to announce a date for the re-fixture on Monday.
The team emerged for a run-out shortly after the decision had been announced, but O’Connell revealed even this was cut short.
“Guys were pumped up and they just wanted to do a little bit of fitness,” said the Munster second row.
“Unfortunately the crowd then gathered and we were asked to leave because it was thought that if we left, the crowd might leave.
“We only ended up getting half a session done so that’s just the way it was - a bizarre end to a strange day.”
O’Connell insists Ireland were caught by surprise by Pearson’s decision as they were on the brink of making their entrance on to the pitch.
“I was aware there was a patch on the pitch that wasn’t in the best condition,” he said.
“During the warm-up once or twice I caught a glimpse of (coach) Declan Kidney and a few officials down there, but I was still fairly sure it was going to go ahead.
“We’d prepared that way and everyone else was preparing that way.
“Sometimes you say you’re preparing but you kind of know it’s not going ahead.
“We were fairly sure that it was going to go ahead and I’d say it was 30 or 60 seconds before we went out that the ref came in and said it’s not going to go ahead.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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