DUBBED the match of the tournament, Ireland’s mistakes were the story of the game as the French made them pay.
France ended Ireland’s hopes of a Grand Slam and furthered theirs with a 30-24 win in the second round of the 2022 Six Nations.
Irish penalties gave the French an amazing platform to score or to take the pressure off throughout the whole game. Such a platform was crucial in controlling the tempo and the French did this excellently on Saturday.
Three tries and a Carbery masterclass from the tee for Ireland kept them within range to gain a losing bonus point. The extra point could be very important to the Irish side come the end of the tournament.
Ireland will look to regroup after the loss and the French look to continue to storm ahead.
The French started like fireworks, the team was lively from the first whistle. Coming from an Irish kick to touch the French chose to use a quick throw in to move the ball across the pitch. The ball came to the French fly-half Ntamack who shifted the ball onto Antoine Dupont to touch the ball down for the try. Fullback Jaminet added the extra two points to add insult to injury.
French fullback Jaminet stepped up to the tee again shortly after. He slotted over a simple penalty kick for an added three points to push the score to 10-0.
The Irish sided kicked off to the French again. Seemingly out of nowhere from the Irish kick off Mack Hansen rose up and collect the ball. From the catch he pinned his ears back and dived over the line for the try.
France capitlised on Irelands poor discpline before the half-time whistle as Jaminet once again stood up to add three points for France bringing the half-time score to 19-7.
The second-half started just like the first and once again French fullback Jaminet sent a kick through the posts. The score was now 22-7 to France with only three minutes gone in the second half.
Ireland had a penalty awarded and the elected to go to the corner. From the lineout Ireland gathered the ball, Van der Flier emerged from the lineout. He drove himself over the line for the five points, Carbery then stood up and nailed another wonderful kick. the score was now 22-14.
On the 50th minute mark Gibson-Park bagged himself a quick try as the Irish pressed forward into the French 22. Carbery again added the extra two points and there was real belief of an Irish triumph. Cyril Baille helped end that however as the French prop replied with a try of his own three minutes later. Finally Jaminet missed a chance to convert the try.
Ireland pushed in the French half and were awarded for their efforts after the French were found to be illegal at the breakdown. Carbery elected for the kick and he sailed it over once more adding three points.
Ireland pushed and pushed but their uncharacteristic ill discipline continued to have an affect on the game. France gained position in the Irish 22 as the boys in green were deemed to be infringing at the breakdown.
Whilst in the Irish 22 France had a try held up but the play went back to an earlier penalty. Jaminet stood up and added the final points on the board.
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