French in despair as Sexton seals late win

– Johnny Sexton’s last-gasp winning drop goal in the Six Nations in Paris highlighted the glaring gap in France’s faltering team.

With the cock ticking into the third minute of red beyond the scheduled 80 minutes, Ireland calmly and clinically marched up the field, orchestrated by the unflappable Sexton (right) and gained the field position he needed to send a 40-metre drop goal slicing between the uprights.

It was a stunning moment that broke French hearts and left their players slumped on the turf in despair.

Just 10 minutes earlier, a converted try from France’s Teddy Thomas, whose arcing run and injection of raw pace had carried him over the line for the only try of an otherwise turgid affair, looked set to give the hosts a most unlikely victory.

France even had the chance to extend their lead to four points with two minutes to go – which would have left Ireland needing a try to win.

But where Sexton was to show pinpoint accuracy, replacement French flyhalf Anthony Belleau wavered and sent his penalty wide of the uprights.

If only France had a playmaker of Sexton’s calibre – something they’ve lacked since the days of Frederic Michalak in his pomp – things could have been so different.

The 21-year-old Belleau had been thrust into the action earlier than he would otherwise have expected after teenage debutant Matthieu Jalibert – a shock selection by new coach Jacques Brunel – went off after just half an hour with a knee injury.

But it was the difference between the opposing flyhalves’ game management that proved decisive and a glance at the official statistics speaks volumes.

Ireland enjoyed twice as much possession and territorial advantage as their hosts.

That was crucial because when France gave away penalties, it was in a dangerous area presenting Sexton with easy kicks at goal.

The Irish led 12-3 at one point and had a chance for a 15-6 lead, but Sexton screwed that kick wide in the only blip of an otherwise faultless performance.

It was his tactical kicking, in a match in which line breaks were at a premium and defences dominated, that allowed Ireland to occupy vital territory. – AFP