Ireland closing out wins with regularity but yet to develop knock-out punch
Ireland have now won nine games in a row and, stretching back to last February, 11 of their last 12 international outings. As a Welsh journalist commented post-match, ‘Congratulations Ireland. You have forgotten how to lose.’
Joe Schmidt’s men are now a steely unit – they tackle in pairs, groups and, when Plan A and B fail, land some big hits on their own. With or without the excellent Johnny Sexton, they are winning. With or without Healy, O’Brien, Henry, Ruddock, Trimble [I could go on], they are winning.
Ireland turned the French over 16 times and, for all the pressure in the last half hour, conceded only 11 penalties. Knowing Schmidt as the perfectionist that he is, hitting double figures for penalties will rankle. Indeed, were it not for the poor place-kicking of Camille Lopez in the second half, Ireland may have lived to regret their moments of indiscipline.
One factor that Schmidt seems to have definitively nipped in the bud is the end-game. Ireland tackle feverishly but with a clear plan in mind. Paul O’Connell will rarely leave the pitch while on Test duty and the captain drives the standards. Do as I say and, while you are at it, do as I do.
The next issue Ireland need to address is that of putting teams away when they are on the ropes. The hosts had two chances to lay the French out but could not produce the K.O.
Pascal Papé was simmering in the sin-bin, following a stupid knee on Jamie Heaslip’s vertebrae midway through the half, but Ireland could not turn possession into points.
Later, when Sexton returned from being patched up by the Irish medics, the out-half needed only to connect with Jared Payne as the French defence huffed and the tryline beckoned. Instead, Sexton’s pass was too high and it bounced forward, and away, off Payne’s jaw.
Post-match, Schmidt told us: ‘We do have that killer instinct, I think, but we’re maybe lacking a little bit of accuracy.’
With France restored to a full complement of players and both sides dipping into their reserves, Ireland – by instinct not design – sat back. France made possession count when Romain Taofifenua crossed over, out wide, but they could not sustain that drive again.
Ireland, with O’Connell bellowing, encouraging and hectoring his teammates, mauled like demons and implemented a superb drift defence. Post-match, a frustrated, vaguely content, O’Connell said: ‘You want to be finishing games in their half.’
Irish supporters were not washed with that sense of trepidation that was, for so long, a default in the closing stages. Trust exists between the coach and the players and the supporters are now on-board too.
We’re used to winning. We have a taste for it. If we can develop that ruthless streak, victory number 10, and more, should follow.
