MAXIMUM VELOCITY
Ireland off to the fastest of starts as they get on their bikes to leave the French floundering in Marseille bearpit
THERE was need for Le Drop this time as Ireland powered to a record victory on French soil to kick off their Grand Slam defence.
Ronan O’gara said this week that it would be one of the great victories if they were to prevail for only the fourth time in France.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell agreed but, in this battle of Europe’s top two, it was the visitors who romped home as French lock Paul Willemse lost his head twice to get himself sent off (inset).
Marseille was a burial ground to Munster and Leinster’s Champions Cup hopes in the past. For once, Irishmen took away a happy memory from the Orange Velodrome.
As the recent World Cup hosts, Les Bleus had even more hurt in their locker than Ireland – though they both disappointingly went out at the quarter-final stage.
Now France’s pain will only increase – while Ireland can realistically target back-to-back Slams.
Les Bleus felt the loss of Antoine Dupont much more than Ireland did Johnny
Sexton, even if Jack
Crowley – one of three first-time championship starters for Farrell’s side – had a nervy at times outing at No.10.
Dan Sheehan’s 62nd minute score delivered the try bonus point and, crucially, gave his team crucial breathing space after France’s revival saw Ireland’s lead reduced to seven points as skipper Peter O’mahony made his way to the sin bin.
There was a strong spotlight on Crowley as Sexton’s replacement and it was tough at times for him.
His nerves showed through in his kicking game right from the off when he had a kick blocked down.
But he was Sexton-like at times in his carrying and his confidence will be boosted by three big second half conversions. The 24-year-old will have learned a lot from a night on which he helped himself to 13 points.
The experience of Jamison Gibson-park, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw helped him while Tadhg Beirne was colossal and young Joe Mccarthy brought that defensive menace that was expected.
Ireland’s lineout clicked into gear after the difficulties of the last year as well.
The visitors survived a jumpy start and James Lowe’s intercept of Thomas Ramos’ pass put his team on the front foot. Crowley slotted over to open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Worse for France, Willemse hit Andrew Porter high and was sin-binned.
Porter went off for a HIA and by the time they returned together 10 minutes later, Ireland were 10 points ahead.
Two nice attacking moves came to nothing but a lucky break got them over the try line.
Lowe’s kicking had been excellent from the start but he looked to over-cook one on the quarter hour. Somehow, the ball didn’t go dead.
Instead, Ramos kicked to touch and, off lineout ball, a slick move saw Lowe crash it up, then Henshaw’s quick release and Aki’s superb one-handed off-load put Gibson-park in the clear.
Crowley knocked over the 18th minute conversion and Ireland kept coming. France skipper
Gregory Alldritt was penalised for not releasing in the tackle but Crowley’s attempt from 30 metres was poorly hit.
Ramos made it 10-3 when Ireland crept offside.
Munster star Crowley redeemed himself with the assist for his side’s second try, waiting until the last moment before putting Beirne under the posts.
A tap over conversion made it 17-3 and, seconds later, Willemse was dismissed on a second yellow card for going high on Beirne.
Crowley wasted another good chance with an over-hit grubber and France piled on the pressure as they looked for a lifeline. They got it just before the break, making it a seven-point game despite Hugo Keenan driving Damian Penaud backwards. The prolific winger picked himself up to score.
Les Bleus had hope but Ramos was off-target with an early second half penalty, then Porter produced a turnover.
The visitors were back in business. This time they were ruthless, switching the play from right to left in the 47th minute.
Henshaw almost broke through the line but the damage was
done, with Caelan Doris finding Calvin Nash to score on his Six Nations bow.
Crowley nailed the tough conversion for a 24-10 lead.
Back came France. The visitors were hit with the double whammy of conceding a converted Paul Gabrillagues try and losing their skipper O’mahony to the sin-bin for collapsing the French shove on Ireland’s line in the 53rd minute.
Game on but Ireland retaliated in gutsy fashion, with Lowe’s choke tackle winning his side a precious scrum.
Penaud was pinged for offside, Crowley kicked to the corner and Dan Sheehan finished in trademark fashion.
Crowley split the posts again and a fifth try came before the finish with Ronan Kelleher pouncing off a lineout maul.
France: Tries – D Penaud, P Gabrillagues; Pens – T Ramos; Cons – Ramos 2. Ireland: Tries – J Gibson-park, T Beirne, C Nash, D Sheehan, R Kelleher; Pens – J Crowley; Cons – Crowley 5.