Hosts emerge on top
IRELAND produced a win that scrum-half Conor Murray said was vital to their RBS 6 Nations title hopes, as Johnny Sexton shrugged off France’s latest bullyboy tactics to lead his side to victory in Dublin. The result propelled Joe Schmidt’s side to the top of the table, although England can depose them when they face Italy at Twickenham today.
Murray’s early try got Ireland up and running at the Aviva Stadium, before 11 points from the boot of Sexton and a late Paddy Jackson penalty secured a 19-9 win .
“With the way the weather was, it was always going to be difficult and I think we stuck in the fight,” Murray said. “To beat France 19-9 at home is great. To have missed a few opportunities is a little bit frustrating, but we’re still in the hunt for this championship. A win and nothing else would do this week and we’ve managed to get it.”
Sexton has been knocked unconscious, suffered a nasty black eye and been put on his backside from countless late hits in a string of gritty clashes with France in the last four years. His former Racing 92 team-mate Eddy Ben Arous even vowed to “go after” Sexton “200 per cent” at the World Cup in 2015.
Indeed, Sexton took a heavy, late hit from Ben Arous, but emerged unscathed and victorious in his first match in a month after calf trouble. The 31-year-old was replaced by Jackson in the final quarter, but for once against the French his withdrawal was not enforced.
Ireland’s sole concern from another bruising encounter remained a potential groin injury to full-back Rob Kearney.
The hosts rode their luck to sneak a 7-6 lead into the break. France led through two Camille Lopez penalties, with Remi Lamerat denied a try by a knock-on by his midfield partner Gael Fickou. The hosts then botched two fine attacking platforms before forcing the breakthrough that proved enough for the slender half-time advantage.
Robbie Henshaw’s brave, tight line from a five-metre scrum set the platform, and Murray sniped home in style, with Sexton converting.
Ireland burst out of the blocks after the break and Sexton slotted a penalty to extend their lead to four points. They then turned the screw, with Sexton dropping a fine goal thanks to the safety net of a penalty advantage.
Julien Le Devedec put in a questionable hit on Sexton as France started to clutch at straws, but the Irishman slotted his second penalty to push Schmidt’s men into a 16-6 lead. Ben Arous then flattened Sexton with a late hit, but the latter had already launched a fluent attack by sending Simon Zebo down the left flank.
Ireland ploughed through 18 phases, most with Sexton receiving treatment, before Scott Spedding raced clear only for Zebo to recover his ambitious chip.
Lopez slotted his third penalty with six minutes left, only for Jackson to restore Ireland’s 10-point cushion.