Schmidt’s resilient Ireland power back to keep fans dreaming
That first-half aberration at Murrayfield aside, Ireland are putting together an increasingly tidy championship. One might go so far as to say they are now favourites for the title.
If Joe Schmidt’s team can navigate their way past Wales in Cardiff a week on Friday – no given, of course, especially with Rob Howley’s team sure to be smarting from their defeat by Scotland – their odds will certainly shorten dramatically.
The reason is simple. Even if England win with bonus points against Italy and Scotland, they would still only be a maximum of four points ahead of Ireland heading into that mouthwatering final game in Dublin on March 18. Destiny is in Ireland’s hands.
Not that Schmidt was admitting to it. “I probably haven’t done the maths that far ahead,” the Kiwi said when asked how he now saw the title race. “We’ve tried to focus on the immediate challenge ahead of us.”
That is their prerogative. Ireland’s fans are certainly dreaming of that grandstand finish against England, however. The manner in which their team came back yesterday to subdue a dangerous France side who had made an electric start at the Aviva Stadium – eventually prevailing with their biggest winning margin over France in the championship since 1975 – had them in raptures.
As did the return of one Jonathan Sexton. The big talking point before the game had revolved around Schmidt’s decision to bring the Leinster fly-half straight back into his team after five weeks out with a calf injury. In previous years such a decision would not have merited a second thought; Sexton being having proved himself one of the finest No10s in the world, a department in which Ireland hardly boast the greatest of depth.
Such has been Paddy Jackson’s development, however, and the litany of injuries suffered by Sexton in recent seasons, that there were some wondering whether this tournament might herald a changing of the guard. At 31, Sexton still has a few years left in him, but can his body still withstand the rigours of Test match rugby? On this evidence, Ireland will hope so.
Sexton got off to a mixed start. One early carry and a decent Garryowen were the high points. But he also sent one kick straight into touch under no pressure at all, looking heavenwards in exasperation. While he was finding his feet, Ireland, as a whole, were looking sloppy, regularly getting turned over in the opening 20 minutes.
This France team offer so much more dynamism and verve than recent vintages. The likes of Gaël Fickou – who exchanged passes with No 8 Louis Picamoles out on the left wing in the early stages – and scrum-half Baptiste Serin are a joy to watch. Serin sold Jamie Heaslip an outrageous dummy and wriggled clear before stepping Rob Kearney to win France an early penalty in front of the posts.
France then thought they had scored, Fickou flicking a loose ball up into the path of his centre partner Rémi Lamerat who went over on an arcing run. Replays showed Fickou had fractionally knocked on in the process, but France went 6-0 up anyway with Nigel Owens going back to an earlier penalty. Ireland did not so much as put a foot inside the French 22m in the opening quarter. But Schmidt’s team have mental resilience in abundance and despite their faltering start they managed to wrest back the initiative in the 20 minutes before half-time, going in 7-6 up after Conor Murray bulldozed his 6ft 2in frame over the line after a clearout from the excellent Garry Ringrose.
Ireland could and maybe should have been six points better off at the interval. Captain Rory Best had promised in the build-up that his team would remain committed to the more attacking philosophy they have shown in the last 12 months, and he was true to his word. Ireland repeatedly eschewed kickable penalties in favour of kicks for the corner, or quick tap penalties.
France coach Guy Novès would have been delighted with the score at the break. But there were signs, as Ireland battered away in the minutes before half-time, that Sexton was beginning to hit his straps. He was finding particular joy with a midfield loop, passing to his centres and then lopping around to collect the ball again. From one such move, Sexton streaked clear, kicking over the top for Keith Earls to chase.
“I thought he was really, really positive for us,” Schmidt said of Sexton’s performance. “We varied it up a bit in the second half because we had to try to get them chasing things. I thought he did it superbly – a couple of great kicks in behind. And we know he never shirks his defensive responsibilities.”
The second half continued in the much the same vein. Ireland on the front foot, Sexton growing in confidence all the time, putting over two penalties and then punching the air in delight after sending a drop goal attempt sailing through the uprights. It was Ireland’s first successful drop goal since 2011. Sexton departed to a standing ovation when he was replaced by Jackson with 12 minutes remaining.
By then Ireland were home and hosed. Honourable mentions go to Ringrose who seemed to break almost at will, and man of the match Murray who looked happier with Sexton outside him.
A Camille Lopez penalty brought it back to 16-9, but Jackson swiftly restored Ireland’s 10-point lead and that was how things stayed.
Ireland are still in this tournament. Next up Wales. “You don’t go to Cardiff and get anything easy,” warned Schmidt. True. But Ireland are right back in this now.