WORLD CLASS!
Superb Ireland lay down France 2023 marker with display of grit and guile
IRELAND are on top of the world after defeating the reigning world champions in a brutal encounter at Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s side confirmed their status as the No1 ranked side on the globe with an impressive victory against the Springboks, a devastating two-try salvo from Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen making the difference as the hosts turned the tide after a hard-fought first half.
Farrell’s men withstood a fierce South African fightback in the final quarter to secure yet another prized scalp, following up on last summer’s historic 2-1 series triumph in New Zealand.
The hype machine will go into overdrive now ahead of the 2023 campaign, but Johnny Sexton has called on his teammates to back it up next year as the national team set their sights on a first Six Nations title since 2018, with the World Cup in France looming large as well. ‘We’re building well, but
we have to win trophies,’ the Ireland captain admitted in the wake of last night’s 19-16 win.
‘We had a Triple Crown, which was very pleasing last year, but if you’re talking about championships, Six Nations, Grand Slams, World Cups, we’ve won nothing really.
‘The key to a good team is winning trophies and we haven’t done it yet but we’re building hopefully towards that.’
Ireland were already without some big names heading into this Test, with Ronan Kelleher, Iain Henderson, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway all ruled out of the autumn international series.
The squad’s reserves took another hit when Robbie Henshaw withdrew with a hamstring issue. The hosts would then lose Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray and Tadgh Furlong to injury after an attritional first half, but Jimmy
O’Brien – on his Test debut – Jamison Gibson-Park and Finlay Bealham delivered big performances from the bench.
And Sexton hailed the impact of Ireland’s reserves. ‘In the Six Nations
or at World Cups, you need 35 or 40 players to be really competing and you can’t have any weaknesses in your squad.
‘The guys who came in did a great job. It was seamless, that’s what you want and that comes from good prep during the week and making sure guys are on top of their title and ready to go.
‘Some of them have to cover multiple positions as well – Jimmy could have come on in every position and he had to be nailed-on in all of them, so credit to them.’
Meanwhile, Farrell was full of praise for his team’s physicality and tenacity.
‘The game was a bit of everything,’ the Ireland head coach said. ‘What a proper old-fashioned Test match. They are a hell of a team, but to come out the right side of a victory is super pleasing for us.’
Meanwhile in Paris, a stunning late touchdown by Damian Penaud snatched a thrilling 30-29 win for France against Australia late last night in the Stade de France after a thrilling encounter.