SPIRIT KEY FOR BOSS

the last kick of the game - after 41 phases of possession by Ireland.

“It was a credit to Johnny, who was struggling with cramp and fatigure,” said Ireland manager Joe Schmidt. “His ability to win those big moments is second to none.

“It’s pretty hard to explain how you feel when you think that the game has got away and you’ve let it slip. “And suddenly you’ve grabbed it because I felt it was an incredible team effort to work their way up the pich about 50 metres and then add on to it a 45 metre drop goal, it was incredibly inspirational.

“When he struck the drop goal I was just willing it to have enough distance to get over.

“When it did, I think the coaching staff we all stood up as one and cheered with the other Irish supporters in the stadium. We saved our best until last.” Schmidt added: “We felt it was one that got away if it managed to get away. I felt we did a lot of things really well, started the game strongly and launched at them.

“Maybe people underestimate how hard it is to come here and win. Having metrics in your favour doesn’t necessarily give you the important one at the end, which was the 15-13 result.”

Robbie Henshaw described the ending as “incredible.” He said: “Fair play to the boys and Johnny, who showed unbelievable bottle to put that over from 40-odd metres.

“It’s a statement as a team. We came here two years ago and lost by a score but to come back and fight our own 22 with our backs to the wall deserves great credit.

“We showed great character. It was a tough game, we always knew the first game away in Paris would be difficult. “