Johnny Sexton (fake images)
Ireland took a giant step towards the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating champions France 32-19 in a thrilling matchup between the world’s two best teams at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
The Irish secured a winning bonus point from four tries, with Andrew Porter scoring one in his 50th game in what was a record 13 consecutive Test home wins.
France saw their dreams of back-to-back Grand Slam success dashed, while their national record of 14 consecutive Test wins came to an end.
The win also saw head coach Andy Farrell secure his first win over France since taking over after the 2019 World Cup.
“It was two great teams competing with the French going for an unbeaten record and us going for the home record,” Farrell told ITV.
“At the end of the day, it’s a win in a competition where we want to do well.”
France captain Antoine Dupont admitted the team was dejected by the defeat.
“At the moment, obviously, it’s a lot of disappointment. We can see the result. They have the bonus point, we don’t have the defensive bonus point,” he said.
“We will have to recover and continue this tournament because it is not over. We know that many things can happen.”
France struck first with Thomas Ramos scoring a penalty in the fifth minute.
The Irish took the lead with a sublime try when prop Finlay Bealham sold a dummy pass to Conor Murray and fed fullback Hugo Keenan who broke through the French defense to score.
Irish captain Johnny Sexton made it 7-3 in the 10th minute.
Ramos’s faithful start reduced the gap after fifteen minutes, converting a penalty to make it 7-6.
France then produced a dream try starting inside their own 22 before Anthony Jelonch passed Damian Penaud, who removed Murray before running off for his 22nd Test try. Ramos converted for 13-7.
The Irish immediately regained possession after deflecting Ramos’ clearance.
The ball went wide for James Lowe, who still had work to do but somehow managed to tap the ball into the corner with his legs on the touchline, but crucially with his feet off the ground.
Sexton failed to convert, leaving the French 13-12 up.
The momentum of an exciting game returned to the Irish after French prop Uini Atonio was penalized for a high tackle on Rob Herring.
However, the hosts immediately took advantage, with Porter crouching. Sexton converted for 19-13.
The French were on the defensive, but luckily for them Ramos was once again on hand to keep the scoring on track. The winger converted a penalty from long distance to make it 19-16.
The Irish completed an incredible first half with Sexton scoring a penalty for a 22-16 lead.
Ramos had the first chance of the second half, but missed for the first time with his boot, missing his long-range penalty.
However, with just over half an hour to go, the locals lost their talisman.
A clearly upset Sexton walked away, head in hands. He had received treatment on his left leg early in the second period.
Ross Byrne stepped into the role of playmaker and hit a penalty just before the hour mark to extend the lead to 25-16.
Ramos made one last revealing contribution before being replaced by dropping a goal to bring the deficit to six points at 25-19.
However, it was the Irish who pressed and got their deserved reward when man of the match Caelan Doris found Garry Ringrose on the left wing, and he fended off the French defenders to score.
Byrne converted for 32-19, leaving the French a huge task with just six minutes remaining to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive.
Not to be, as one last French attack faded and Sexton rose from his pitchside seat to celebrate what will be his final Six Nations victory over the French.
