THE KEY THAT UNLOCKED FRENCH DEFENCE

As soon as Anthony Belleau misses his 76th minute penalty, Johnny Sexton is animated, as he rallies the troops for one final roll of the dice. The Ireland out-half’s restart has enough hang time on it so that Iain Henderson can gather it and give his side a glimmer of hope at snatching victory. Ireland patient ly work their way through the phases but look devoid of any ideas that are going to break through the blue wall. That is until the below situation presents itself. After 20 phases, Keith Earls (circled) is screaming for the ball to go wide. He franticly waves his arm in the air and Sexton has spotted him, but waits for the right moment. Every player understands their role and that is best summed up here. Jack McGrath does well to deny France the turnover, but he needs help and Conor Murray piles into the breakdown and ensures that Ireland get the ball back. That means that someone has to step in and play scrum-half and tighthead prop John Ryan obliges with a pass out to CJ Stander. Earls has kept his width, hugging the right touchline and Sexton decides that the high risk play is the only way to unlock the French defence.

Note how Sexton keeps his head down when striking the ball. This is because he has huge trust in his own ability as well as Earls, who will have a job to do to get above Virimi Vakatawa and catch the ball. Earls is outstanding in the air however, and he proves so again here as he leaps above Vakatawa, who is over six feet tall. From there, Ireland get the line break that they have been desperately craving. That in turn stretches the French defence, which culminates in Sexton’s incredible 45 metre drop goal.