It took just seven minutes for Johnny Sexton to ease our nerves
The Irish out-half – returning from a 12-week, concussion-enforced leave of absence – stood up to the rampaging, 12okg Mathieu Bastareaud and came out with a penalty on the other side.
Home fans may have fretted about Sexton taking contact but he did not hesitate for a second, hitting the French centre high. His teammates piled in and Wayne Barnes whistled for a clearing penalty.
Sexton then landed two penalties in the opening 20 minutes to counter Camille Lopez’ successful kick for the visitors. Added to that, his tactical kicking has been spot on.
The remainder of the half saw France hampered by injuries to Wesley Fofana and Teddy Thomas while Sexton [twice] and Lopez landed further penalties. The score lies 12-6 to Ireland at the break.
When Sexton left the field, for a blood injury, Ian Madigan slotted a kick, from the left of the sticks, to make it 15-6 after 50 minutes. Sexton returned, on 57 minutes, to a rousing ovation.
Sexton landed his sixth kick, to make it, 18-6 but France scored a try with 10 minutes to go to set Irish hearts pumping again. Thankfully Lopez lost his kicking radar in the second-half.
Ireland held out in the final eight minutes to claim their second win on the bounce and 11th in 12 games.
