That was a close one!
Ireland held on at the death to claim a 18-11 win over France at the Aviva Stadium. Here is how we rated the men in green:
Rob Kearney: 8
Superb on the kick chase and landed one bruiser on Scott Spedding that earned his team a kick at the posts. Imperious under the high ball. Important late interception to prevent a French score down the left.
Tommy Bowe: 6
Got to stretch his legs more than in Rome last week and almost got to a crossfield kick by Sexton. Underused and frustrated after the break.
Jared Payne: 6
Fine defence from Payne as he hit his targets, low and hard. Slick passing but failed to sparkle too much in attack. Still feeling his way into Test rugby. Knocked on near the French posts but Sexton’s pass was at his chin.
Robbie Henshaw: 7
Guilty of conceding a penalty in the French half as he was unable to present clean ball in time. Another who stood up to French runs straight up the guts. Big second-half turnover after boshing Bastareaud.
Simon Zebo: 6
Came close to punishing the French out wide but perhaps guilty of jumping the gun on a couple of occasions. Made ground to put his team on the front foot. Fell off tackles in the second-half. Earned ONE BIG EXTRA POINT for late grapple on Huget.
Johnny Sexton: 9
What a return. Stood up to a charing Bastareaud early in the piece and lived to tell the tale. His tactical kicking was superb and his unerring penalties gave Ireland reward for their efforts. Came back on tio a huge ovation after having a cut above the eye patched up. Only blip was a high pass to Payne with the French line metres away.
Conor Murray: 6
Dogged in defence and put his colleagues away on a few occasions with well timed passes. Always contributes in defence. Tonight was no different.
Jack McGrath: 6
Penalised early on at the scrum but grew into the game. Another big stepping stone for the St Mary’s prop.
Rory Best: 6
Teamed up with McGrath, to aid in the scrum battles, and threw like a dream, for most of the evening. Landed his usual stream of tackles and combined well with Toner and O’Brien for double-team tackles. Foolish yellow card on the hour mark.
Mike Ross: 7
What a dogfight it was at the start but, if anything, Ross emerged with his reputation enhanced. Ploughed a solo furrow against the French and, in the loose, made a vital grab on a full-flight Teddy Thomas. Pinged for an early shove midway through the first half.
Devin Toner: 7
His tackling and grappling, in close, is a gem for Joe Schmidt. Always a safe line-out option and combined with teammates -high or low – to win turnovers.
Paul O’Connell: 7
Urged his team on with relentless zeal and offered himself up for numerous carries. Practically launched Best into one rampage into the blue lines.
Peter O’Mahony: 8
A quieter than usual evening for the Munster captain. Happy to play the supporting role for O’Brien and Heaslip. Immense turnover on his own tryline, on 52 minutes.
Sean O’Brien: 7
Good to have the Tullow Tank back, too. Gave away one penalty at the breakdown but a fine outing otherwise. Made some strong carries for crucial yards and tackled keenly.
Jamie Heaslip: 8
Assured return to action and some important lineout takes from the Leinster captain. His choke tackle led to a crucial Ireland function better with this man in the team and on form. Limped off after 60 minutes.
Replacements
Ian Madigan: 6
Came on as a blood sub for Sexton and made a clutch kick to extend Ireland’s lead in the second-half.
Jordi Murphy: 6
[On for Heaslip ’60] Was needed at the breakdown, and loose, to stem France in the closing stages.
Iain Henderson: N/A
Not on long enough to fairly rate but played his part in a huge defensive maul.
Marty Moore: 5
[On for Ross ’62] Trundled effectively in the closing stages. Shaky at the scrum as France pressed late on.
Cian Healy: 5
[On for McGrath ’62] Looked eager to get involved in every ruck when he came on.
Sean Cronin: 5
[On for Best ’72] Replaced O’Brien when Best was in the bin and on for the hooker in the final stages. Landed some big hits.
