TACTICS TALK: TEDDY THOMAS (France v Ireland)

With 71 minutes on the clock, Remi Lamerat puts a poor kick through, which Rob Kearney mops up well.

The Ireland full-back has time on the ball, and he opts for a big kick down-field rather than finding the safety of the stands, which would have given his team-mates a much needed breather – not to mention the fact that it would have run the clock down even further.

Ireland’s kick-chase is poor, something Joe Schmidt will not be pleased about, with Conor Murray the furthest player up field looking to close down the option of a quick lineout. Murray can’t get there in time and Anthony Belleau doesn’t hesitate in restarting the game, as he finds his halfback partner Antoine Dupont. Murray misses the tackle on Dupont who has only just come off the bench. His fresh legs are crucial as he glides outside the tiring Ireland scrum-half. Suddenly the Ireland defence is scrambling to cover and become too narrow, with Jacob Stockdale opting to stay in the back field. Teddy Thomas recognises as much as he holds his width on the right touchline.

Dupont delays his pass for a fraction of a second, which takes Kearney out of the equation. Stockdale is faced with a one-on-one with Thomas, who is lightning quick. The Ireland winger shows Thomas the inside where there is a huge gap. Thomas spots the open space and a clear run to the line and he doesn’t need a second invitation to turn on the after-burners and score the only try of the game, despite the best efforts of Keith Earls and Johnny Sexton.