Ireland 22-26 France
Ireland put out the strongest team they could with regards to injuries, Stephen Ferris was on the bench after making his comeback from a troublesome knee injury.
The French named a strong team with Rougerie back at 13 after breaking his ankle, they have been experimenting with their back line to see who is the strongest line for the Rugby World Cup. Otherwise for France, this was their strongest side they could put out (who knows in Lievremont's eyes)
First Half
To start the proceedings Ireland got a penalty to which Sexton converted Ireland 3 “ 0 France, a great strike from the Leinster Fly half who will most likely start for Ireland in the Rugby World Cup.
After the penalty Ireland continued to dominate the game Great wing play from Ireland spreading the ball very well but the French were putting up a good defence, O'Brien carrying good ball and always getting over the gain line. A great start got the fans behind the team and it was setting a great tone to over throw the French after last week's loss against the French in France.
Ireland were spreading the ball very well, in the French's 22 Jamie Heaslip passed the ball to Keith Earls who had to beat 2 French players to get over the line but he dipped inside with Cian Healy getting the ball to which he bulldozed past the tiny Morgan Parra and scored his first try for Ireland. Ireland 8 “ 0 France. Johnny Sexton misses the try.
The great scrummaging from Ireland continued with the French missing Thomas Domingo and on this occasion once Picamoles picked up for France the Irish defence were all over him with Heaslip showing him touch with Shane Jennings.
Brive winger Alexis Palisson danced and dazzled his way to the Ireland try line but luckily Felix Jones made his way across to usher him with a great tackle. Felix Jones was quiet at the start of the game but it was good to see him show his defensive skills with Rob Kearney back in the frame after recovering from injury.
France got a penalty and Morgan Parra converted it, Ireland 8 “ 3 France. From this point the French took over the game dominating it, things didn't go Ireland's way which started with the confusion of Sexton and Earls who both went to get a high ball then both made an error of judgement. Frustration and anger was shown by Earls by shouting at Sexton, stupid mistake by both of them. Meanwhile the French had put more points on the board with a huge drop goal from Francois Trinh Duc to make it Ireland 8 “ 6 France.
With the French feeling better after gaining on the Irish, Cedric Heymans scored a fantastic team move from France with Rougerie being a major help, it was a try many fans would love to see in the Rugby World Cup and would be worth the money! Questions were made over the defence with a gap left in midfield that allowed Heymans to slip through unchallenged. Morgan Parra converted. Ireland 8 “ 16 France.
Second Half
The second half started with flowing play from both sides but a good break from France with Palisson. He showed how dangerous he is, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Rugby World Cup and could trouble many major teams. The game was brought back as an Ireland player was offside, after play continued again play was brought back again as an Ireland player wasn't 10 metres therefore giving France a penalty to which Parra converted Ireland 8 “ 19 France.
Things went from bad to worse as the Irish physio team were kept very busy especially with Cian Healy after going down many times he was taken off which hopefully was just incase a further serious injury occurred but Ireland's scrum took a hit when he went off.
Ireland had a scrum in their own 22, Heaslip gathered the ball and threw a terrible pass to O'Leary who then went to throw a blind pass 20 metres to the nearest man but French Fly Half Francois Trinh Duc gathered the ball in the air and strolled over the line to score for the French with Parra converting. Ireland 8 “ 26 France
Sadly for Ireland full back Felix Jones got taken off injured, signs looked bad but let's hope he is ok and will make a full recovery.
Ireland soon got the ball and it made it's way to Felix Jones's replacement Luke Fitzgerald who danced past the French team and nearly made it to the try line to which Johnny Sexton got the ball and dived over the line to make it Ireland 13 “ 26 France. Ronan O'Gara converted to make it Ireland 16 “ 26 France.
Ireland got a penalty but rather than just go for points as the game had been lost they ran the ball and Sean O'Brien crashed past 3 French defenders to score for Ireland and with O'Gara's conversion the game ended Ireland 22 “ 26 France.
Full Time
Thoughts:
I thought Ireland started very well but once France got points on the board the flaws showed until the last 5 minute burst at the end with 2 tries but a lot will need worked on. It was good to see Stephen Ferris back in the fold who will most likely be a hit with most Ireland fans.
France defended very well and Parra was on form today having a great game for France. The Halfback combination for France should stay the same but no one knows what Marc Lievremont could do as he is unpredictable. France should bode well in the Rugby World Cup, with their back 3 also very dangerous even without Vincent Clerc.
