Our rugby writer, Mike O’Halloran on a fantastic win for Ireland yesterday…
Johnny Sexton came back from a twelve week lay off to put in a man of the match performance when Ireland overcame a French team of “big human beings” as Joe Schmidt called them.
It looked like France came to Dublin with a plan to out muscle Ireland, thats not how it worked out exactly, even with the introduction of Uini Atonio it wasn’t enough to break down a resolute Irish defence.
Johnny Sexton set the tone when he took a knock to the head from the other big boy in the French team Mathieu Bastareaud, they both went off for treatment for cuts.
There was a fear that Sexton mightn’t return but he did – one nil to Johnny.
Sexton went on to collect the man of the match medal and a rather swollen eye for his trouble.
Ireland pride themselves in their discipline. That was severely tested today and their indiscipline offered France nearly eight minutes of a one man advantage when Rory Best was carded.
The Irish defence is very organised and hard to break down, that’s all very well but a great defence is of little use if you are sixty metres from the opposition try line.
To be heard to say that Ireland won’t win the 6 Nations or the World Cup is totally taboo, but given that Ireland have played two games – one against the whipping boys of the competition – and only scored two tries does not inspire much confidence in this writer.
Also take into account that all the pundits seem to think that Joe is the greatest rugby coach in the world and France are apparently coached by an inferior coach, they are poor travellers, yet Ireland could only beat France by seven points at home and were barely hanging on at the end.
Sexton’s kicks got Ireland into attacking line out territory but the usual reliable maul was unable to deliver the try. Johnny Sexton delivered one beauty that if Tommy Bowe got his hands on it was a certain try.
I’m sure there will be a list of reasons why Ireland weren’t that impressive against France and Italy trotted out prior to the
England game in Dublin on March 1.
The match fitness of Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy? To overcome England those men must get time on the pitch.
Heaslip received a blow to the back today and was in some pain, a yellow card resulted but it should have been a deeper colour. Will he play a game before March 1?
Sexton returns to France and will be hoping that his swollen eye does not prevent him from getting some game time into his legs, O’Brien and Healy will be hoping the Pro 12 might give them some game mileage.
That mileage will certainly be needed to match the power, pace and try scoring ability of The Charioteers.
When my tickets arrived for the England game during the past week the envelope included a warning on selling them on etc.
I’m sure there will be the usual urban myth figures offered for tickets to see Ireland defeat England on their way to the Grand Slam. It should be a great day out.
