Irish defy adversity to show France who are world leaders
THERE is no question now who is the number one team in world rugby after Ireland surged to victory on a special Aviva Stadium afternoon.
With their record-breaking run of 14 wins, Six Nations champions France came to Dublin looking to leapfrog
Andy Farrell’s side in the world rankings.
Despite losing Johnny Sexton in the 48th minute and Tadhg Beirne two minutes earlier, and being without four first-choice players through injury, Ireland were fully deserving of this 13th home win in a row.
Asked what pleased him most, coach Farrell said: “The character more than anything. To show the togetherness, the spirit that we know we’ve got, to everyone else in world rugby, it was there to be seen.”
Scoring four tries to Les Bleus’ one, Ireland picked up a first triumph over France in four attempts.
Sexton’s replacement Ross Byrne brilliantly steered Ireland home and Caelan Doris picked up the man-of-the-match award.
Ireland were the dominant force on an emotional day for Conor Murray, who decided to play after his father suffered serious injury in a road accident.
First blood went to France in the fourth minute, when Thomas Ramos fired over a penalty.
Ireland scored the first try five minutes later. Andrew Porter was held up over the try-line, then Finlay Bealham’s brilliant disguised pass sent full-back Hugo Keenan racing clear. Sexton’s conversion made it 7-3 but Ramos cut the deficit to one point with his second penalty.
Worse was to come for Ireland as Gregory Alldritt broke and released flyer Damian Penaud, who scored France’s only try, improved by Ramos. But Ireland came back firing and Garry Ringrose launched a long pass which James Lowe somehow touched down in the corner while in mid-air.
Sexton later described the finish as “incredible” and added: “To jump at the right time and keep the ball under control, it’s world class.”
Sexton didn’t make the tough conversion and Rob Herring failed a head injury assessment following a high tackle by Uini Atonio, who received a yellow card. When play resumed,
Murray went close before
Andrew Porter muscled over for a try on his 50th Ireland appearance.
Sexton’s conversion made it 19-13 but Ramos pegged that advantage back with a penalty before the break.
Ramos dropped a 46th-minute penalty short but Ireland lost their skipper two minutes later and it was all hands to the pump.
Sexton’s replacement Byrne almost nipped in for a try but did score a welcome penalty. Ramos responded once more in the 62nd minute, his drop-goal making it 25-19.
The match-clinching try came in the 72nd minute, when Doris released Ringrose down the left, Byrne adding the two-point cherry on top.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan 8, James Lowe 8, Garry Ringrose 7, Stuart Mccloskey 7, Mack Hansen 8, Johnny Sexton 7, Conor Murray 8, Andrew Porter 8, Rob Herring 7, Finlay Bealham 8, Tadhg Beirne 7, James Ryan 7, Peter O’mahony 7, Josh van der Flier 8, Caelan Doris 9.
REPLACEMENTS: Ronan Kelleher (Herring 25) 7, Dave Kilcoyne (Porter 69) 7, Tom O’toole (Bealham 61) 8, Iain Henderson (Beirne 45) 7, Jack Conan (O’mahony 56) 8, Craig Casey (Murray 56) 8, Ross Byrne (Sexton 47) 8, Bundee Aki (Mccloskey 65) 8.
FRANCE: Thomas Ramos 7, Damian Penaud 8, Gael Fickou 7, Yoram Moefana 6, Ethan Dumortier 5, Romain Ntamack 5, Antoine Dupont 8, Cyril Baille 7, Julien Marchand 6, Uini Atonio 5, Paul Willemse 5, Thibaud Flament 6, Anthony Jelonch 6, Charles Ollivon 6, Gregory Alldritt 7. REPLACEMENTS: Sipili Falatea (Dumortier 25) 6, Romain Taofifenua (Willemse 45) 5, Reda Wardi (Baille 56) 7, Maitheu Jalibert (Ramos 61) 6, Gaetan Barlot (Marchand 73) 6, Sekou Macalou (Alldritt 51) 7, Francois Cros (Ollivon 69) 6, Baptiste Couilloud (not used).