British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
6N: Ireland 30 – 21 France
What a way to do it, Ireland claimed a scorching victory in a Frozen Croke Park running three tries in and marking themselves as title contenders!
There were tries for Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy to guide Ireland to their first win against the French since March 2003 – seven tests!
O’Driscoll silenced his critics showing the pace and finishing that has been less-apparent in recent years, lets hope the Lions selectors were watching. Ronan O’Gara added 15 points to the haul sweeping the opening day stumbling block out of the way.
An early penalty just 3 minutes in for Ireland saw O’Gara do what he does best and pop it between the posts.
Ireland 3 – France 0
In the 13th minute Harinordoquy steamrollered O’Gara and a clean kick from Malzieu was gathered by Thierry Dusautoir to feed Yannick Jauzion. Possession was recycled to Chabal who combined with Medard – sending Harinordoquy over for the French to take the lead! Beauxis converts.
Ireland 3 – France 7
O’Gara lands a second penalty keep Ireland on the French tails!
Ireland 6 – France 7
On 34 minutes O’Connell wins line-out ball, and plays through Kearney and Bowe to send Heaslip on a blistering run from outside the 22 to score, and O’Gara converts.
Ireland 13 – France 7
On the stroke of half time France make a fantastic break through Poitrenaud and Beauxis slots the ball for a drop goal!
HT: Ireland 13 – France 10
It took just two minutes of the second half before O’Driscoll’s flare struck the French – from a practically stationary position he caught line-out ball and raced between Beauxis and Jauzion, wrong footed Medard and darted over the line. O’Gara converted.
Ireland 20 – France 10
Les Bleus weren’t going to take this lying down and Beauxis chipped out wide in the the 50th minute, and Medard dives for the corner…. Beauxis fails to convert though – the pressure is rising.
Ireland 20 – France 15
With 54 minutes gone and massive pressure from the French Beauxis drops another drop-goal from the 22!
Ireland 20 – France 18
The pressure is clearly getting to both kickers as O’Gara misses a clear-cut penalty from the 22.
With 67 minutes on the clock Ireland look to finish this game off, Gordon D’Arcy takes the ball from O’Leary and squeezes through four defenders turning a full 360 degrees and dives for the line… O’Gara converts this one!
Ireland 27 – France 18
Time is ticking away and with just four minute left on the clock France get a penalty in front of the posts, Beauxis is not going to miss this one…. It’s like 2007 all over again – a converted try in it!
Ireland 27 – France 21
2 minutes to go and it’s Ireland piling on the pressure this year, as they gain another penalty, to watch O’Gara slot away to put it all beyond France’s reach!
FT: Ireland 30 – France 21