IRISH ARE IN THE ALL TOGETHER
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ANDY FARRELL pointed to the togertherness of his Ireland side after victory over the defending Six Nations champions at the Aviva Stadium.
This Dublin clash was a hotly anticipated showdown between the teams officially ranked No.1 and No.2 in the world.
It certainly didn’t disappoint – but only one side deserved to win, and Ireland retained their top-dog status in a four-tries-to-one triumph.
Asked later what enabled Ireland to be the dominant force in a pulsating clash, head coach Farrell (below) said: “The character more than anything.
“We talk about the big picture stuff, the fight, the want to cover each other’s backs.
“To show the togetherness, the spirit that we know we’ve got – and to show it to everyone else in world rugby, it was there to be seen. When the chips are really down in big games, it shows a lot of character.”
France had won a record 14 games on the spin prior to this encounter but although Thomas Ramos kicked them ahead with an early penalty, they conceded three firsthalf tries.
Full-back Hugo Keenan drew first blood off prop Finlay Bealham’s mesmerising pass, but Les Bleus responded in typical fashion on the counter, with flying winger Damian Penaud scoring and Thomas Ramos adding the extras.
Ireland’s response was spectacular as winger James Lowe conjured up the score of the match, somehow touching down in the corner as he was being tackled over the touchline by Penaud.
Andrew Porter muscled over for Ireland’s third try, and secured a 19-16 half-time lead.
When Johnny Sexton needed to go off in the 48th minute with a groin injury, his Leinster colleague Ross Byrne had to step up.
The 27-year-old did so in style and the home side successfully kept
France under wraps.
In the 72nd minute, man of the match Caelan Doris produced a sublime assist before Garry Ringrose left three defenders in his wake to secure the winning bonus point. IRELAND: Tries: Keenan, Lowe, Porter, Ringrose; Cons: Sexton (2), R Byrne;
Pens: Sexton, R Byrne
FRANCE: Try: Penaud; Con: Ramos; Pens: Ramos (3); Drop goal: Ramos