IRELAND 19-9 FRANCE
Ireland started slowly but build up an impressive head of steam to see off a decent if scatty French side at the Aviva Stadium. The 10-point win means Ireland top the Six Nations table.
Ireland were error-strewn in the opening quarter and were fortunate not to be more than 6-0 down before they started a resistance movement of their own. The rolling maul started to hum and Conor Murray sniped over after some clever clearing from Jamie Heaslip. Johnny Sexton converted and Ireland had suddenly edged ahead by the break.
Ireland pressed on after the break, with Sexton penalties and a sumptuous drop goal giving them some breathing room on the scoreboard.
Hurling fist pump, you know he means business #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/wXJddd9i9Y
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 25, 2017
16-6 up and close to get more, Ireland were forced to defend in the closing stages and so many stood up with big plays.
It wasn’t pretty but these wins over France rarely are. The fact that they are getting more frequent is some going.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green:
Rob Kearney – 4
Not a first half to write home about. Struggled to get into the game and missed two of his four tackle attempts. Missed a straight-up tackle on Camille Lopez before he was called ashore. Rating may seem harsh but his bicep injury may have been worse than we were told.
Keith Earls – 6
Hardly saw him in attack in the opening 40. Only with Zebo, was targeted by Serin with dangerous cross-field kicks. Superb second-half line break as he bust throw Le Roux and Guirado.
Garry Ringrose – 8
For better or worse, was everywhere in the opening stages. Sprang up on Fickou on the left wing and was shrugged off. Made a fine, 10-metre line break off a nice Sexton pass to give his team some momentum. 13 carries in a bust first half. Forced a Picamoles turnover as he stood up well to the charge.
Robbie Henshaw – 6
Trucked it up and trying to gain the hard yards but gained inches, not feet in an awful slog. One good kick-chase and some hefty hits, including a ball-rattler on Picamoles.
Simon Zebo – 5
Only he can explain his skewed logic in handling that grubber in the Irish corner to give away a needless French scrum. Got mulched in his first encounter with Remi Lamerat. Chased back after the Spedding break but was rag-dolled and lost possession near the Irish 10m line. Scuttery clearance kick almost led to a Spedding try.
Johnny Sexton – 8
Shanked one kick out on the full after, moments earlier, making a good line break. Ring rust kept coming to mind. Lovely hands to put Zebo through a hole. Took some fearsome hits but kept brushing himself off. Penalties were never in doubt and how much did he enjoy that 40-metre drop goal.
Conor Murray – 9
What a star. Lovely passing, nice time and height on his box-kicks. Lovely snipe and fine strength for his try and nearly got another in the first half. Heavenly grubber kick into the corner just after the hour mark. His low tackle on Spedding prevented a French try, on 65 minutes.
Jack McGrath – 7
Combined well with Furlong to win an early turnover. Punished by Nigel Owens for collapsing one scrum within metres of the French line. Topped the tackle count at 9 when he came off, at the hour mark.
Rory Best – 6
Made some important carries in a first half where Ireland struggled to get going. One lineout overthrow but found his jumpers otherwise.
Tadhg Furlong – 7
Big impact hit forced a French knock-on, early doors. 13 carries for the big man and every yard gained was hard.
Devin Toner – 6
Rucking clearing was effective in attack and the attacking mauls were ticking. Stuck a lot of tackles but was rarely used for carries.
Donnacha Ryan – 5
Failed to physically impose himself on the game in the opening forays but was a big part of the mauls that got Ireland a foot-hold in the game. Badly missed Spedding five metres from the French line to see Ireland concede 70 metres.
CJ Stander – 7
If Stander figures prominently, early, Ireland usually prosper. This was not the case in the first half. Found himself flipped by Lamerat at one stage – proof that this wasn’t your average day.
That flip on CJ Stander…. pic.twitter.com/y6rd8D3Okm
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) February 25, 2017
Really grew into the tie and was a different animal after the break.
Sean O’Brien – 5
Struggled to impose himself in the loose at at the breakdown. France had his card marked and shut down a few set-plays designed to get him into the game, including a couple off mauls.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
Chased well to haul down Nakaitaci and shut down a 3-on-2. Lucky not to be yellow-carded for cynically handling on the ground to slow down French ball. Yanked Serin out of the way to give Murray a free dart to the tryline.
Replacements
Trimble [for Kearney ’50] – 5
Took up a spot on the left wing and made good ground with one carry.
Healy [for McGrath ’59] – 6
Won a big penalty in the closing stages.
Henderson [for Ryan ’59] – 6
Made one crunching hit that brick-walled a French attack.
O’Mahony [for O’Brien ’67] – 6
Some much-needed aggression off the bench.
N Scannell [for Best ’67] – 6
Four carries, three tackles and five successful lineout throws.
Jackson [for Sexton ’69] – 5
Knobbled over the 76th minute penalty to seal it.
J Ryan [for Furlong ’73] – N/A
On to freshen up the pack in the closing stages.
Marmion [for Murray ’76] – N/A
Was more thrown on so Murray could get his ovation.
