Sexton’s last-gasp strike stuns France

JOHNNY SEXTON’S stunning last-minute drop goal secured a hard-fought victory for Ireland at heaving Stade de France.

Teddy Thomas’s electric solo try, seven minutes from time, looked to have sealed a French win but Ireland fought back valiantly and, after an exhautive 41-phase attack, Sexton rifled over the winning kick from 40 metres out.

Ireland have triumphed just three times in the French capital since 1952, but this victory will live long in the memory.

Space was very much at a premium in the first half but a slick backline move, sparked by Bundee Aki in midfield, had France in all kinds of trouble. Referee Nigel Owens duly penalised the home side and Sexton fired Ireland into a 3-0 lead.

Like a prize fighter, Ireland were taking everything France could throw at them and replying with a counter punch. Sexton made it 6-0 when France once again infringed at the breakdown.

All eyes were on France flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, the 19year-old rookie, entrusted by new head coach Jacques Brunel to run the show. Unfortunately, a promising debut was brought to an end by Aki, who steamrolled the French starlet. Anthony Belleau entering the fray as Jalibert hobbled off in the 30th minute.

France finally got some points on the board six minutes later thanks to a Maxime Machenaud penalty. In this attritional contest, every point was earned.

That hard work was undone by a moment of stupidity by Sebastian Vahaamahina who charged into scrum-half Conor Murray at the ruck allowing Sexton to make it 9-3 before the break.

Ireland were beginning to tighten their stranglehold with Sexton’s fourth penalty of the contest stretching their lead out to 12-3. Irish indiscipline and errors allowed Les Bleus back into the contest as Machenaud kept them in the hunt with a 54th-minute penalty strike.

It was all getting a bit close for comfort with Sexton hooking a penalty on the hour mark, which would have given his side some much-needed breathing space.

A six-point lead always seemed too close for comfort and that duly proved to be the case as Thomas scythed his way through the Irish defence, with Belleau’s conversion giving France the lead for the first time.

But there was time for one more twist as Sexton’s drop goal secured a heart-stopping victory.