Ice-cool Sexton in Paris snatch

AIDAN BYRNE France 13 Ireland 15

JOHNNY SEXTON’S monster drop-goal gave Ireland a last-gasp victory over France in Paris. The fly-half (left) landed a longrange kick in the third minute of added time to pinch a victory for Joe Schmidt’s side. Teddy Thomas’ mazy solo try looked to have floored Ireland as France conjured a 13-12 lead from nowhere in Jacques Brunel’s first game as Les Bleus boss.

But just when Ireland appeared beaten, Sexton unleashed a stunning dropgoal to keep alive hopes of a Grand Slam decider with England at Twickenham on March 17.

Ireland looked in control for most of the match, failing only to add a try to their composed performance.

But they almost crumbled after the otherwise reliable Sexton missed a regulation penalty just after the hour mark.

The previously subdued France suddenly came to life and Ireland came so close to finding no answer to Thomas’ scything finish.

Replacement fly-half Anthony Belleau slotted the conversion but, after he failed with a testing penalty effort, Ireland rallied once more and Sexton grabbed the glory before being mobbed by his team-mates.

Ireland carried a deserved

9-3 lead into the break thanks to three penalties from Sexton.

The visitors dominated the first 40 minutes but ought to have turned around with at least one try.

Cian Healy was robbed on the ground after Ireland had ploughed through 13 phases in the France 22.

Errors almost cost Ireland when CJ Stander was stripped in contact and then Rob Kearney was penalised for holding on in a botched counter-attack.

Maxime Machenaud posted France’s solitary first-half penalty and Sexton’s fourth penalty edged Ireland further ahead in the second half before the visitors laid siege yet again on the French whitewash.

But just as in the first half, another long-winded set of phases – this time 15 – ended with France clearing their lines.

Machenaud’s second penalty cut Ireland’s lead to

12-6 and it stayed that way until the hour mark.

Sexton surprisngly missed with his fifth penalty attempt and France launched into a frenzied attack ending with Thomas fielding a wayward clearance before setting off on a determined run.

Sexton had a chance to stop him but was left trailing in his wake.

But he delivered when it mattered most, nailing his drop-goal to make up for his miss before vanishing under a mountain of team-mates.