top of page
  • Writer's pictureThe Season Ticket

Six Nations | Ireland fall short against France in Dublin

Ireland have suffered back-to-back Six Nations defeat after losing 15-13 to France at the Aviva Stadium.

Charles Ollivon and Damien Penaud scored the visitors' tries, securing Les Bleus' first win in Dublin for a decade.

Andy Farrell's hosts trailed 10-3 at half time before Ronan Kelleher scored his first international try in the second half.

Ireland, who were defeated by Wales in Cardiff last week, have now lost their opening two games of the tournament for the first time ever.

Ireland had the better of the opening 20 minutes, with Billy Burns missing an 18th-minute penalty.

Burns then opened the scoring for Ireland three minutes later, before France's Bernard Le Roux was shown a yellow card for a cynical trip on Keith Earls in the 24th minute.

James Lowe was then correctly denied a try by the TMO when replays showed his foot was in touch.

France notched the game's first try in the 29th minute.

The visitors switched the play from right to left, with Antoine Dupont heavily involved.

Gaël Fickou then popped a clever pass to Ollivon down the left flank for France's number seven to sprint over the whitewash.

Matthieu Jalibert converted to give Fabien Galthié's men a 7-3 lead.

Jalibert added three more points to France's tally with a penalty after Cian Healy failed to roll away from a ruck.

https://youtu.be/OF40yP84WOk

Ireland, already stricken with a multitude of injuries, then lost Burns, Cian Healy and captain Iain Henderson (the latter two clashed heads) to head injury assessments early in the second half.

France piled on the pressure and eventually breached the Irish defence in the 54th minute after good work from Brice Dulin, who evaded Lowe's misjudged tackle far too easily before setting up Clermont winger Penaud in the right corner for Les Bleus' second try.

Ireland responded instantly.

Having stolen three French lineouts in the first half, Ireland bagged their own try from their own lineout on the French 22. The ball was knocked down and fell kindly to Kelleher, who caught it and showed good pace to race over the whitewash.

Ross Byrne converted, and then split the posts with a penalty to reduce France's lead to two points (15-13).

Ireland pushed hard in the final 15 minutes, but the French defence remained resolute.

After 19 phases of play in stoppage time, France forced a turnover and Dulin kicked into the stands to seal a memorable win for Les Bleus on Irish soil.

Next up for Ireland is a meeting with Italy in Dublin in a fortnight.

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1360995552238968838

 

The Season Ticket is now accepting donations. For the one-off cost of a coffee or pint, you can help us to expand our audience and content offering.



2 views0 comments
bottom of page