France beat Ireland in their home ground
France the Reigning Champions have got two wins in the bag in this year’s Six Nations so far, after a victory over Ireland in Dublin at Lansdowne on Sunday by concluding the score to 22-25.
The initial half scoring was done by scrum half Tomas O’Leary and winger Fergus McFadden. Their tries put the Ireland squad on run for victory but the defending champions turned the game around in second half with the help of winger Maxime Medard and scrum
half Morgan Parra. Ireland tried to cope up in the end but the late storming run by Jamie Heaslip gave France a striking lead.
Ireland’s squad that had beaten Rome last weekend had only made single change in their side by welcoming number eight Jamie Heaslip. He just recovered from an ankle injury. The only change in French squad was the movement of fullback Damien Traille to centre
and Clement Poitrenaud was given the number fifteen jersey.
Ireland started off in good form and they interspersed the France team with flanker Sean O’Brien and Jonny Sexton taking on from the center and after Luke Fitzgerald received a forward pass from center Gordon D’Arcy he gave a decent finish to the multi phase
move. Later on France lost their possession in the result of some careless adventure and Ireland punished with try from McFadden. McFadden scored his first try in a Test match, which was converted by Sexton.
France found their composure and discontinued the poor performance in the second half, after a doleful effort from center Damien Traille. Some momentous forward pressure from the French side earned them a penalty against David Wallace, which Parra booted
through the uprights to reduce the Irish lead. But later France won a trifling combat at the scrum, Sexton cancelled out his endeavor and wasn’t able to execute.
Ireland’s defense started to tighten up and created problems for the French forwards. It turned out to be frustrating for France, but the hosts gifted the visitors another penalty, after McFadden was almost physically thrown in isolation. Parra got an opportunity
to boot yet another penalty and doubled his count. Ireland’s discipline was being tested again and again; they were found at fault moments later and were punished by Parra, who kicked it straight into the posts, making it a one point difference.
Donncha O’Callaghan the Irish lock was the other one to bare the referee’s warning after getting caught red handed on the not allowed area. Parra expectedly scored the gifted penalty again, giving the French side lead. Sooner France had the control of the
game and was passing the ball around with confidence. Poitrenaud kept on chipping and chasing the ball and creating opportunities for his side, but couldn’t really materialize his efforts.
Parra scored his fifth penalty when Paul O’Connell had to listen to the referee’s whistle and the things were level. Fly half Francois Tinr Duc scored a drop goal with the assistance of Jamie Heaslip. An incidental knock from Julien Pierre the French lock
under his own posts immediately put France under pressure, but Ireland couldn’t give this opportunity a perfect finish.
France showed some great spirit and strength at all the scrums and their overall approach was gratifying. After laying a solid scrum the center Aurelien Rougerie ran with great pace but was tackled by D’Arcy. Medard collected the shabby pass from Rougerie
and stormed forward for a try which he successfully did. Parra was replaced by Dimitri Yachvili. Yachvili scored a few extras to add to the French total.
Later on when Yachvili missed a penalty, French forwards drew yet another penalty. This time Yachvili’s kick landed between the posts, while Brian O’Drsicoll was still trying to focus after hearing a short lecture from Dave Pearson the referee.
Ireland tried to make a comeback, when Heaslip scored a try in the corner after collecting the ball from David Wallace, but couldn’t give the match a final turn towards their favor.
France concluded the match by winning it with a three point lead and keeping their stakes for the title high. France’s most difficult match has yet to come in the coming two weeks, as the only prominent threat England will be taking on the French side in
Twickenham.
The match was overall a good showdown and a close call for both sides till the end stages. Ireland had could have maintained their lead, only if the fouls were avoided, while France came upfront late but with a better impact and composure.
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