IRELAND SEXTON
IRELAND elected to change at the Aviva Stadium – and powered to victory on the back of it.
With the country going to the polls to choose a new Government, there was ballot box-ticking to be done yesterday.
Meanwhile, at Lansdowne Road, Andy Farrell’s men kept their old box-kicking ways to a minimum – romping home with a bonus-point victory to set up a massive clash with England at Twickenham in a fortnight.
The Irish team voted to let the shackles off after the lucky win over Scotland in Dublin. The result was a much more cohesive performance.
Ireland were inspired to victory by skipper Johnny Sexton – who hailed their best performance since the victory over the All Blacks in 2018 and set his sights on storming Twickenham.
“It was brilliant,” said Sexton. “It had a bit of everything. It had some of the stuff that we didn’t get to show against Scotland.
“When you get the ball in our back three’s hands, something can happen.
“They showed that.they stuck to the tactics. Some of our shape stuff we’ve been working on was great.
“And we won – that’s the most important thing.we’re building momentum now, but obviously our biggest challenge is in a couple of weeks’ time.”
“They’re a top-quality side and the last two times we’ve played England they’ve given us a right
SKIPPER Charles Ollivon will lead out a France side brimming with confidence as they face Italy at Stade de France today.
The flanker shone in the 24-17 victory over England on his first Six old spanking. So we need to up our game from those levels of performances.”
There were big displays all over the pitch from Ireland as their rivals’ dream of emulating the team of 1970-73 that won nine straight championship games was ended.
Despite running in four tries, the most intense celebration from the hosts came 16 minutes from time when, after sustained pressure from Wales, Ireland won a scrum penalty against the head five metres from their own line.
It felt like the match-winning moment and so it proved as Andrew Conway scored
Ireland’s fourth try in the 75th minute – but, for the second week running, the men in green were fortunate that an opponent squandered a great try-scoring opportunity.
Hadleigh Parkes was the guilty party this time.
So it is Ireland that remain in Triple Crown and Grand Slam contention.they played with ambition and, when they had to in the second half, they defended with massive intensity.
Nations start, scoring two tries. He also chipped in with 15 tackles, missing none, and claiming eight line-outs.
Les Bleus have won their last four home matches – their longest winning streak in a decade – and look a good bet to extend that against an Italian side still reeling from last weekend’s 42-0 drubbing by Wales.
Italy have lost all 10 away fixtures against France in the Six Nations and interim coach Franco Smith makes just one change to his starting line-up, Leonardo Sarto paying the