Ireland vs. France was teed up to be a Six Nations classic, and it certainly delivered in the first half of a pulsating contest at Aviva Stadium. James Lowe and Damian Penaud scored two crackers.
Ireland led France 7-6 after two Thomas Ramos penalties were shaded by a converted Hugo Keenan. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, Damian Penaud finished off an incredible France counter-attack that started inside their 22.
France were 13-7 to the good but Ireland answered back with a superb attack that ended with Garry Ringrose finding James Lowe out wide and the Leinster winger taking flight to score in the corner.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1624420713217118208
Rugby fans all rave about James Lowe
Needless to say, fans and pundits were lapping up the sheer audacity of that Jams Lowe score:
https://twitter.com/lauracwinter/status/1624420058028994560
https://twitter.com/gavinocal/status/1624418656057794562
https://twitter.com/portercraig1/status/1624419863841087488
This angle showed that the right boot of James Lowe may have brushed off the ground, though:
https://twitter.com/brettruganalyst/status/1624419178709909504
Not everyone was in full agreement, though:
https://twitter.com/ugomonye/status/1624418341593968640
Ahead of the game, James Lowe spoke of his admiration for Les Bleus, and their attacking weapons.
"They're a world-class side, they've shown it for a good couple of years," he told reporters. "Their nine-10 combo [Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack] is pretty scary, their back-rowers are world-class, a midfield that’s very dangerous and a back three that would put the sh***ers up most teams.
"Individually they’ve got some pretty good firepower, so hopefully they don’t string it all together.
And still, we were only warming up...
