Review: Ireland vs France

The Irish top Group D following a hugely impressive display in the Millennium Stadium. Ireland’s win this evening sees them face the Pumas in next week’s quarter final clash, while France face the monumental task of taking the on current World Cup champions.

The first half saw a predictably tight encounter ensue with Ireland going into the break leading by the slightest of margins, 6 points to 9 the score. 2 penalty goals from Sexton and 1 from Madigan made up Ireland’s 9 point tally while Spedding kept France in the game with 2 supreme long rang efforts from the halfway line.

A limited amount of try scoring opportunities were produced by either side. Earls will be gutted with his inability to control the ball on 24 minutes after a superb break from Bowe saw a near certain try go a awry, while France will be disappointed with not being able to capitalise on a ragged Irish defence in the closing moments of that first half.

Although the French were 3 points down they certainly would have been the more comfortable going in to the sheds after Ireland were dealt 2 huge injuries blows in the opening 40 minutes; Johnathan Sexton retired after 25 minutes with what looked like a rib injury and the ever talismanic Paul O'Connell required an oxygen assisted stretcher after going down with a serious knee injury - no further details known at this point.

The second half saw a depleted Irish outfit rally in heroic fashion. With Ireland’s two most influential players now gone, they were tasked with maintaining their narrow lead over a star-studded French unit. Kearney was first to cross in the 50^th minutes, following a lengthy assault on the French defences. Attacking the blindside on an arcing run and blasting through Michalak’s feeble challenge.  The French would push the Irish hard in the following twenty minutes, picking up three points through the boot of Parra. Murray would ultimately run in try number two though, diving for the post after terrific interplay between both backs and forwards. With ten minutes to go, Murray’s try would all but secure the win for Ireland.

Sean O’Brien was awarded Man of the Match after a relentless shift in the backrow. O’Brien rekindled much of his bruising carrying-ability and terrorised the French breakdown.