DROP OF GENIUS
Sexton has final say as Irish snatch unlikely win
JOHNNY SEXTON’S stunning last-gasp drop goal secured a hard-fought victory for Ireland at heaving Stade de France.
The fly-half landed a long-range kick in the third minute of added time, to pinch Joe Schmidt’s side a victory that had appeared already lost.
Teddy Thomas’s mazy solo try looked to have floored Ireland, as France conjured a 13-12 lead from nowhere in Jacques Brunel’s first game as Les Bleus boss.
But just when Ireland appeared beaten, Sexton unleashed a stunning drop-goal to wrestle victory — and keep hopes alive of a Grand Slam decider with England at Twickenham on March 17.
Ireland appeared in control for the majority of the match, failing only to add a try to their composed performance.
But Joe Schmidt’s men almost crumbled after the otherwise reliable Sexton missed a regulation penalty just past the hour.
The previously subdued France summoned fresh levels of zeal and grit — and Ireland came so close to finding no answer to Thomas’s scything finish.
Replacement fly-half Anthony Belleau then slotted the conversion that so nearly secured France’s one-point victory.
But, after Belleau failed with a testing penalty effort, Ireland rallied once more, with Sexton taking the glory — and then being mobbed on the field by his team-mates.
Ireland carried a deserved 9-3 lead into the break courtesy of three Sexton penalties.
The visitors dominated the first 40 minutes, but ought to have turned around with at least one try.
Cian Healy was robbed on the ground after Ireland had ploughed through 13 phases in the France 22, and with that turnover went their best chance of crossing the whitewash in the half.
Compounding errors almost cost Schmit’s side, when CJ Stander was stripped in contact, and then Rob Kearney was penalised for holding on in a botched counter-attack.
Maxime Machenaud posted France’s solitary penalty for the half, leaving both sides craving a genuine breakthrough.
Sexton’s fourth penalty edged Ireland further ahead to open the second half, before the visitors laid siege yet again on the French whitewash.
But just as in the first half, another long-winded set of phases — this time 15 — ended with France clearing their lines, not an Ireland try.
Machenaud’s second penalty cut Ireland’s lead to 12-6, and so the scores stayed until the hour.
Sexton served up a surprise miss with his fifth penalty attempt, emboldening France into a frenzied attack.
And as Les Bleus continued to build, Ireland failed to turn the tide. Just as with French sides of old, Brunel’s outfit switched in a flash from rabble to rampant.
Wing Thomas fielded a wayward clearance, set off on a determined run — and bisected Ireland’s hamstrung defence.
The prostrate Sexton’s pained face after failing to rebuff Thomas told the full story. Replacement fly-half Belleau slotted the facile conversion, and France had the 13-12 lead.
Belleau missed a penalty shot with three minutes to play, handing Ireland renewed impetus and hope of clawing their way back to victory.
And Sexton delivered, nailing his drop-goal to atone for his earlier miss, before disappearing under a mountain of joyous green-clad team-mates.
Ireland have triumphed just three times in the French capital since 1952, but this victory will live long in the memory.
One highlight of a cagey encounter was the performance of Leinster lock James Ryan, who was making his championship bow.
Big things are expected of the 21-year-old and he certainly delivered an energetic and aggressive display.
SCORERS; FRANCE — Try: Thomas; Conversion: Belleau; Penalties: Machenaud 2. IRELAND — Penalties: Sexton 4. Drop Goal: Sexton. Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Attendance: 70,000.