By Lucky Maree
Last week Ireland did a no-nonsense demolition job of Wales while France will look to prove a point after scraping home against Italy.
From the first whistle it is clear that the Irish will try to put France under pressure with the up-and-unders, while the French respond by attacking the advantage line through the backs.
Will France’s penalty in the second minute make a difference in what might be a game won by two or three points.
France manage to stop a forward try with great technique to keep the ball in the air, but then Ireland rip the French defence apart and score near the posts.
France get another penalty in front of the posts leaving Ireland with a lead of one solitary point.
Then after 18 minutes the fleet-footed French race from virtually their own tryline to score a magnificent try through wing Damian Penaut.
Is this a turning point in the match?
Nope. Two minutes later James Lowe is awarded one of those tries where the player is entirely outside the field of play but stays airborne long enough to get the try.
Ireland look like scoring as Johnny Sexton comes within inches of scoring but he is tackled.
Then all play comes to a standstill as referee Wayne Barnes watches replay after replay for a high tackle and it looks as if France may face a red card. Common sense prevails and prop Uini Atonio is sent off for “only” ten minutes.
Again the French lose the forward battle on the tryline and it costs them a seven pointer.
Thomas Ramos’ third penalty shot is from near the halfway line but he slots it.
If France are showing a weakness in the trenches in front of their own tryline, Ireland are not making life easy for themselves by conceding kickable penalties.
Two minutes before halftime, Matt Hanson is already over the line when Antoine Dupont literally carries him backwards and forces a line out.
Ireland continues attacking but for and amazing fourth time the ball isn’t grounded and Ireland go into halftime with a six point lead.
At the start of the second half it’s worth remembering that Ireland have three tries and France. The bonus point will matter at the end of the tournament. While France are well in the game, they are a long way away from the bonus point try.
There is no doubt that Ireland lose some of their urgency when abrasive captain Johnny Sexton leaves the field. Can one player, no matter how inspirational, have such a massive effect on his team?
With 20 minutes to go Ireland score a penalty. They lead by nine points, or more importantly, two scores. But fullback Ramos soon brings that back to six points with a flat drop goal.
With 15 minutes to go the French stop the ball from being grounded for the fifth time. It goes without saying that Ireland could have done with that fourth try.
With ten minutes to go, the game is played in the French danger zone. France need a coast to coast try and they need a conversion. And they can do it.
Then the French defence breaks down. A try by Garry Ringrose after sustained pressure gives Ireland the fourth try, the bonus point and the match is all but over.
Two ancient cliches come to mind. Some old codger sips his beer and says: “Today rugby was the winner.” His wife looks up from her knitting and says: “It’s a pity that somebody had to lose.”
Ireland (4 tries) 32-19 (1 try) France.
Pictured above: Ireland touching down against France
Image source: @IrishRugby
