Ireland v France Rugby Union

Welcome to Cardiff for Ireland against France. Wales beat

Argentina here, 28-13. The best moments of that to come. But here

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we go at the of the stadium. This is there! What a change by Ireland!

Beautiful from Brian O'Driscoll. It try! It could be on for David

Wallace. Jamie Heaslip, try for Ireland! Impeccable. Five out of

Interestingly, France have won 10 out of the last 11 meetings between

these teams, including a 19-12 in Bordeaux last weekend. Just about

full strength for both teams. Some familiar teams are returning to the

Brian O'Driscoll is back. It is a bad performance, not results, he

says. He had more than most after Ireland's exit from the World Cup

four years ago. He and Gordon D'Arcy are reunited in the midfield

today. Paul O'Connell returns to bolster the second row. These are

the big names that will have to play well today, next week and in

New Zealand if Ireland are to play to their potential. For some like

Stephen Ferris, today is the chance to make the World Cup squad after

winning a long battle against injury. A lot to play for for a lot

With us here in Cardiff, Jeremy Guscott, Keith Wood and Jonathan

Davies. Ireland lost to Scotland a couple of weeks ago, they lost to

France last week,... I think they will win this one. The first two

Games, a lot of shadow-boxing involved, getting players back from

injury, the extended elements of the squad together. This is the

first time it looks like a proper Irish team. A few of them will be

rusty. Felix Jones sticks out, because a lot of people will not

know him. If he gets a chance, he is blisteringly quick. Tell us

about his history. He had a serious neck injury, he was out for a year,

he then came back, and he quickly tore his cruciate and he was out

for another year. He has come back as if he has never had an injury,

he throws himself about with abandon. He is a talent, it will be

great to see him. He also has great people inside him. He has the

opportunity to shine. This is Wales earlier, beating Argentina, 28-13.

It was all Argentina for the first 30 minutes. That was followed up by

this great run from George North and support play from Alun Wyn

Jones. Wales led 14-3 at half-time. George North scored in the second

It was OK for Wales, better than last week against England, the

scrum was a lot better, but questions about the line-outs. The

group that they have got, they need the scrum and line-out to work well.

But they were very shocked offensively. Scotland are playing

Back in Dublin after a couple of weeks on the road, a big game,

people trying to force their way into the squad, and big names

coming back. Yes, all of the boys are keen to play, and it is a

fantastic occasion here. His huge crowd is coming. You must know a

your squad for the World Cup, how close are you? I have a fair idea,

but let's play the game. I was hoping he would reveal it! Is it

about the result or the performance? Every time you play

for the national team, you want to get a win. That is what we will go

after. But you need to perform well. It is a chicken-and-egg situation.

We know we have to play well and take the opportunities that come

our way, but we are against a 4 million -- formidable French side.

Do you watch through your fingers some of the big names? There is no

point, you have to play. That is what rugby is all about, you have

to play regularly, you have to get hardened, and you have to do that

through playing. Training sessions Approaching half-time, South Africa

A straight from the debt go, I have this conversation with Keith,

why can they not live up to their expectations? Keepsake it is a

mental block. If they do not believe, they will never win the

World Cup. They have a great opportunity to beat Australia. Then,

their progression to the final is easier. They do not have a mental

block on that group, they know they can beat Australia, even though it

is a tough match. They have done it in the past, they have got over

that hurdle. It is one of the more comfortable groups. I think they

will go through. If they can get over Australia, anything is

possible. Australia's package is weak in the front row. The men in

white, the French. They are led by Lionel Nallet. Some familiar names

backing the team. A formidable starting 15. We always love

watching France play. They will give Ireland a rough ride, in

particular, the pack, the front row looks aggressive and powerful.

can see Brian O'Driscoll, an interesting point, a Brian

O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell are such iconic figures for the Irish

team, they cannot afford to lose players like that, because they do

not have the depth below it. team has that depth of status or

leadership. If you look at New Zealand, they have good players

below them, but they do not have the characters. Talking about line-

outs, there is a comfort, having Paul O'Connell there, because he

has done it in the past and he always will, and the same for Brian

O'Driscoll. The teams are waiting in the tunnel. Jonathan? A very

tough one to court. Ireland need to win. I think Ireland will win

because of that. They do not want three defeats in a row. But they

say it is not as important as that, they do not seem to be stressed out.

They are mentally tough,... those of you who missed the earlier

fracas between Jeremy and Keith, it is worth having a look at the

iPlayer! Just a repeat, BBC Two in Scotland, Scotland against Italy,

and it is available on the red button, but here we go for Ireland

against France. Phillip Matthews and Andrew Cotter in the commentary

warm-up game, there is so much at stake. For some, it is about

burning their place in New Zealand, for others, it is about fitness.

For all of them, it is about winning and playing well and

getting the all-important confidence to take with them on the

long trip south. The stadium announcer is confident, a huge

noise to welcome these players. France in unfamiliar all white. The

familiar ritual before the kick-off, the anthems. There is Felix Jones,

what a day for him, trying to force his way into the squad, the young

full-back. Lansdowne Road is nearly full. They are already to sing in

# Allons enfants de la Patrie. # Le jour de gloire est arrive!

# Contre nous de la tyrannie. # L'etendard sanglant est leve.

# L'etendard sanglant est leve! # Entendez-vous dans les campagnes.

# Mugir ces feroces soldats. # Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.

# Egorger vos fils et vos compagnes!

# Aux armes, citoyens. # Formez vos bataillons.

# Marchons, marchons! # Qu'un sang impur.

# Sinne Fianna Fail. # A ta faoi gheall ag Eirinn.

# Buion dar slua. # Thar toinn do rainig chughainn.

# Faoi mhoid bheith soar. # Sean tir ar sinsear feasta.

# Ni fhagfar faoin tioran na faoin traill.

# Anocht a theam sa bhearna baoil. # Le gean ar Ghaeil chun bais no

saoil. # Le gunna screach, faoi lamhach na

bpilear. # Seo libh canaig amhran na bhFiann

# Come the day and come the hour. # Come the power and the glory.

# We have come to answer our country's call.

# From the four proud provinces of Ireland.

# Ireland, Ireland. # Together standing tall.

# Shoulder to shoulder. # We'll answer Ireland's call.

# Ireland, Ireland. # Together standing tall.

# Shoulder to shoulder. # We'll answer Ireland's call.

before the World Cup. This is the and in the absence of the range it

-- the injured Rob Carney, perhaps Philip Jones can book his place.

No fewer than seven players getting after breaking his ankle in of May.

On the bench, the return of Stephen Ferris on the back row should

The South African referee for this one. And it will be France who get

us underway. David Skrela's ball in hand, and the penultimate warm-up

game for Ireland is under way. The last one for France, and how

Ireland would love a great performance, a win. This is near

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but forget to take the ball with better start. Cast your mind back

to last week in Bordeaux, they could not get their hands on the

ball, and when they did they could not hang on to it. Brian O'Driscoll

and Paul O'Connell, in terms of restart and set pieces, will give

this Irish team a lift. They have got Australia in their group, one

of the best three quarters in world rugby at the moment, and who better

to practise your defence against than the best three quarters in

Europe, France. Really good preparation, these two Test against

France. We saw Felix Jones getting his hands on the ball, in because

tones turn to a wall inside Lansdowne Road. Three points on the

board for the home side. -- turn to a roar. He is a confident kicker,

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he will be pleased to have put that Ireland in light of the counter-

attack. Last week, the restart was something they struggled with and a

different French side challenged them. You really have to get the

set pieces right, a lot more structured, but Ireland so far are

can't -- are coping with those very This is a big area for Ireland, for

any side, but the line-out against a giant French back, Rory Best will

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wit Sexton. Up to the fringes of in front of the post, but phase

after phase from Ireland, did not let the ball slip, good defence

from France, but ultimately will end in a pub at goal from Sexton

again. Ireland have been able to get good, quick second phase ball

inside the French half. There is something to commend there, it is

the confidence. The last time we saw Jonathan Sexton at Lansdowne

Road was against England and you remember the confidence he had then.

It is a good side for Ireland, they want to play a proactive, attacking

rugby. The last World Cup was characterised by defensive kicking.

I think we will see a different world Cup this year. I can see a

lot more counter-attacking, a lot more ambition. It seems to be more

about a road bit fitness. -- the contact. O'Driscoll, no way

walled has risen up in front of him. -- Keith Earls. A try for Ireland!

What a start they have made! Dominated France, and it is key in

Healy with his first try for his country. They were running a bit

too wide -- Cian Healy. They are not allowing France to challenge

and are getting the ball quickly away. Cian Healy was able to just

pick that out. He fancied his chances there. No way Morgan Parra

was going to stop him. Keith Earls does well to step inside and not

get bundled into touch. The ball is quick, France cannot challenge.

That was just brute strength from Cian Healy. We saw the position

initially from Sean O'Brien, what a false he. He can get you going

forward again when things become static. He will get behind any

defence, which he has done a couple of times today already.

conversion attempt from Sexton, out wide, but such an impressive start

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at the ball by the time Sexton hit it! The lead is eight points. In

terms of possession, pretty much 100% Ireland. A complete reversal

of the first 10 minutes last week, France have barely had their hands

on the ball. The injured French man down was David Skrela, he is off.

Francois Trinh-Duc is on. Not a bad again, they have got themselves a

the knock-on. Here we are, another test, because the Irish First

Choice front row which we see in front of us today is pretty useful

in the scrum, but there back-up props were pushed around against

Connacht on Monday night. And this is a big French back. There are a

number of players in this side that cannot afford to get injured, and

one of them is Mike Ross, you would have to say the same against Brian

O'Driscoll. Mike Ross has become a critical player. Bowd props

critical to the Irish cause. -- both of the props are critical to

huge playing numbers, it is the prop numbers which suffer most of

all. Good First Choice, but not a huge amount of strength and depth,

and France know that. They have to take the scrum against. France have

to get something going, they have to get their forwards into this

decent shot from Ireland. Become all ushered towards the stand. --

you get a late call-up, you are desperate to impress. Yes, that was

anxiety, he took his eye off the ball. He was looking at who he had

to beat before he had it. So far, France, not impressive, they are

running towards touchlines, turning over possession. This is not the

same France as last week, they are lacking direction, leadership and

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Cian Healy, he was able to stand up. That is what we saw last year, that

was a real feature of the Irish forward play. Preventing the

attacking player going to ground. Talking of Paul O'Connell, he has

got him upright, and that led to the turnover. France could not get

the ball, a great start for Cian Healy, a try and a turnover. When

you see Cian Healy and other key players taking a knock, you wince,

but he is fine. He is ready to scrum again. His try and penalty of

Ireland of playing with ambition, they are not playing the territory

game at all. Jonathan Sexton trying to get the ball into the hands of

his three-quarter. If this is a warm-up, they are making a steak

and, this is how they are going to play in the World Cup. -- making a

statement. To be trees RS of ski, fresh from the beach! -- Dimitri

France will be gone to the ball. -- France holding on to the ball.

Louis Picamoles is not having a finder, he is just content to make

sure of the line-out. Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll back in tandem

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Sean O'Brien, as if they were not to wrap himself in cotton wool.

given to be injured, Sod's law will say that is when you get injured. A

full-blooded performance from everybody so far. Dimitri

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-- penalty. You do wince. Yes. Paul O'Connell is a stone lighter than

he would have been the last time he played. But his ball-carrying is

better, he is more dynamic. He is giving up weight to Donncha

O'Callaghan. This weight suits Paul O'Connell much better. He is more

dynamic and athletic looking. Receiving a bit of treatment. But

he is OK. All he can hope for is a decent performance and for players

to come through unscathed. Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan,

people walk off the Irish pack. -- the bulwark of the Irish pack. An

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flanker, and a good kick. It was a bounce of the ball. Alexis Palisson

was well tackled by Felix Jones. Paul O'Connell Getting about the

place. Every Bickley, he is in much better shape, he saved Ireland's

not too serious for Cian Healy. -- worrying sight. He would not be

able to tell if you were dropped from Mars that this was not a

fierce test match in a World Cup or Six Nations, it is just a warm-up,

clinging onto the ball. Keith else has done everything right, he put

himself in position to take the pass from Tomas O'Leary, but the

loose pass was their undoing. only the second time, the French

fans are singing. The kick at goal coming from Morgan Parra. I saw a

few French spectators in Dublin this morning, not too many. Brian

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O'Driscoll talking furiously to moment for France, but it is

something, and it reflects the place so far. Ireland have been

pretty much in control. Yes, Ireland have been creating the

chances so far. They have had the vast majority of the possession.

France have only really had restocked, getting the ball back

from restarts and upping their but Keith Earls did not hear him.

They are shouting at each other. Keith Earls came from a long way.

Jonathan Sexton was pretty well under it. If you are having to run,

and there is already somebody under it, you have to leave it to the

person who is under it. Keith Earls was doing most of the shouting. But

that was Jonathan Sexton's ball. is good to see the players wanting

the ball, that confidence, particularly from a window. You

want that from your full-backs as well. The French scrum at strong

direction were both fined from Francois Trinh-Duc. France have

from Tomas O'Leary. The Six Nations this year, Ireland and scored

France 3 tries -1. It is usually the other way round with these

of Heaslip. And a penalty to France again. The tide beginning to turn.

Donncha O'Callaghan had to release the tackle before he was able to

take that ball. He should know that left foot. He has made the tackle,

he has to get his arms out of the way. He knows that. Once again,

France with his attacking position. Once again, share jet-ski troubling

-- struggling to hear the call over the Norris -- Szarzewski struggling

Beautiful try from France right on the half-hour mark. They take the

lead. Simple. It was. Very few teams in world rugby can tear you

apart like that, but France did it. Ireland seems to have it covered, a

little decree in the mid- field. -- a de corps we in mid- field.

Rougerie was able to turn inside. That has to go down as defensive

error. Everything seemed to be covered, I don't know why Brian

O'Driscoll Matt Rougerie slip inside him. That put them open.

Cedric Heymans with his 16th try for France. Rougerie is back after

sends the kick over again, and suddenly from a position of

trailing by eight points, they now lead by by it. You can see Brian

O'Driscoll having a good chat about favour of France. Ireland really

need to get back into this again with possession from this kick-off.

They have had a lean spell in the Felix Jones. There was a white wall

in front of him and very little He has just said he is OK to Maxime

Medard, so hopefully all is well. They will play on, Cian Healy is

France. Pape trying to clear some Irish bodies out of the way.

O'Callaghan is in there. He slowed it up, that is what he was trying

to do. He has put France on the forward? It did. Estebanez raced

towards the line. They will come back for a French scrum. Keith

Earls was just trying to get that ball away, but it was loose in his

hands rather than under his bicep. It was able to be knocked out, that

has turned it over. I think this is... Does he wear contact lenses,

Cian Healy? His try got island off to a flyer. He made everyone happy,

well, the vast majority of people inside here happy. But it has been

a full-on, aggressive Test match. A French player down injured at the

moment as well. Looks like Pascal Pape. He is back on his feet now.

Let's talk about the selection is in the Irish squad, named on Monday.

Luke Fitzgerald is hanging on in there at the moment, Fergus

McFadden, perhaps. Felix Jones. A few positions up for grabs? You put

your finger on two there that may not but be going, Luke Fitzgerald

and Fergus McFadden. I cannot see them both going. Felix Jones looks

like he has written himself into the squad, and a think at this

stage Declan Kidney has a pretty good idea about who is going, are

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pass. An apology from the South now. They have not been able to get

their hands on the ball and keep it. They need to turn this around. The

only time France -- any time France have scored, Ireland have not been

able to press them from the restarts. Ireland need to get

themselves into possession again Domingo, is injured, it does not

look like he will be ready in time for the World Cup. He was coming on

that tackle off the ball without the ball, penalty to France. Keith

Earls came in early in anticipation, more than anything else. The ball

did not really get anywhere near Morgan Parra. We should not laugh,

it could have been nasty. But Keith Earls was committed. Should be

committed for that! Another man down injured. Six penalties

conceded. That really is too much at this stage in the game. Sean

O'Brien is down. He was hit so hard his scrum cap has, off. But he is

first half, a half which started well for Ireland, but France have

grown in stature and confidence and a France with confidence is pretty

dangerous. Ireland ran out of steam when they were not able to maintain

possession and that has stopped and France stretched their lead

with half-time beckoning. What was often a weakness in French sides,

place-kicking, they are now blessed with the likes of Morgan Parra.

Summing up the first half, Philip? I would be concerned that Ireland

have not been able to maintain the momentum of the first 10 minutes,

possession in particular., a lot of periods in the game where they

could not get the ball and hold on this first half if Ireland should

want to start another passage of I thought Declan Kidney would be

talking about a bit more balance in the second half, play more

territory when it is on and put pressure in the French 22 if they

France hanging on. They should just pop it into touch and say, we will

first half is over, a try appease, but France with the wind in their

sails towards the end of the first Good game, good game, and nobody

giving any quarter or asking for it. A half of two marks, you could say.

-- of two hearts. It is not how you envisage it? They seemed to drift

away from it, giving away penalties. The momentum totally swung France's

way, and they have looked like they are struggling for the last 15, 20

minutes. It is something they will have to rectify quickly. They are

making fundamental errors. A lot of teams struggle with the momentum.

It can happen when you're lineout stops functioning, you lose your

own ball and then at the breakdown you are not getting quick ball, and

I am surprised, I think there is a simple fix, going back to basics,

hit up the middle, get your support, then sort out your lineout and your

scrum should be pretty good anyway. When you had so experienced players

like O'Connell and O'Driscoll in your side, you should not lose at

momentum. But France have that breakdown area more sorted and are

banging into Ireland. For the first 15 minutes, France will not beat

Ireland were very natural. They had one break from Sean O'Brien. The

difference is, when they go on the attack... This is a great try. Sean

O'Brien bursts through, but they did not do with enough. A great

finish by the prop. He is to begin strong, and he scores. We talked

about momentum, the drop goal was momentum as well. A great start,

and they thoroughly deserved that. But they look far more threatening,

the French. Yes, but it is about compounding the error is, if there

is an error. You have to make sure there are not six or seven. The

drop goal was phenomenal, but it came from a loose kick. France have

had several opportunities, several half bricks, where they have been

making ground, putting Ireland on the back foot. You can never take

France out of the game. What they make out of nothing is amazing.

This is smooth running from Alexis Palisson. Left, right, left, right.

It is beautiful. It is poetry in motion. Tomas O'Leary was left, and

it was his loose kick. You thought, what will Francois Trinh-Duc do?

Became almost swung at that moment. It was a great steel. It was 15

yards out. But you do not expect somebody to do that. He did not

even have to kick it into touch. Watch New Zealand, two passes, then

they decide what to do. Because then you walk into space, and

anything can happen. Tomas O'Leary, I hate it, I would attract a scrum

half for kicking it away a turnover bought. There were a lot of guys,

but there was not the depth. If his intention was to kick it down the

line,... I would why? -- but why? You have to have people chasing.

Everybody is attracted to the ruck. You have two passes, you get away

from the traffic, and if you need to pick it, there are several

players who can keep it. If you are going to do that, you have to

compete for it. It came from two or three players beforehand, they had

the ball, they decided to run wide, and the ball bounced on the ground.

I do not disagree with you. The line was not set for that. He got

the ball, I do not know if anybody was calling for him to pass. There

was lots of space, the passes could have gone wide. When we watched the

replay of Cedric Heymans' try, who is responsible? There is a gap,

they are both chasing. If Brian O'Driscoll runs to the line, it

puts pressure on to the inside centre. He uses the gap, and it is

a great support angle. That is pure class. The Australians are great at

set play, but the French are electric, and when they get their

timing and ankles like we have just seen, it is almost impossible to

defend, but Brian O'Driscoll is at fault, because he put pressure on

his inside right. It is the recognition of float. -- flow.

pushes up and the gap opens up on the inside. The French Grand

support lines differently from anyone else in the world. Everybody

else runs wide. They can vary their debt, they are brilliant to watch.

You can't tell what a good game it is by how animated everybody has --

everybody is. Earlier, Wales beat You said before the game that you

wanted to win and have a good performance. Happy with the

performance? We were a bit rusty. It took us a while to gel, but we

scored three tries, and we won, and they are a hard team to put away.

Argentina are difficult. England and Scotland will find them tough.

We are happy with the result. not a bad changing-room to be in,

the boys are happy. Everybody is looking forward to the World Cup.

There was a lot of pressure on us to keep it going after a great

performance last week. We have done that. We can go to the World Cup

full of confidence. We showed our strength in depth. Yes, food for

thought in a lot of positions. There are still things for us to

work on over the next few weeks before we get on the plane. Weldon

The Scotland match is live on BBC Two in Scotland and on the red

button. South Africa are leading New Zealand, 18-5, with 10 minutes

to go. Weeks and months have gone by and we were looking forward to

the Olympics, and now we are really talking about weeks and months.

Testing, testing, London has been in full Test mode as we prepare for

the Olympics. In a special programme tomorrow, we will bring

you the action from the beach volleyball, from the road race and

also prink you up to date with Much of the day will be well worth

watching. -- Match Of The Day. On Monday, Martin Johnson will

announce the England squad for the World Cup. Any areas where he might

be losing sleep? Probably the proper situation. -- proper

situation. Cole played well, but he has tapered off a little bit. Who

does he take? Does he take Wilson? He has got to get that position

clear. And possibly the second row, who does he take? And Mike Tindall.

He is lacking power and pace at the moment. Who is the captain? Lewis

Moody if he is fit. The problem he has got, picking the team, because

there are questions about Number Ten. I would start with Toby Flood

in the next couple of games and see how he goes, because he is Court

against two stalls against Wales. If they had gone for call, they

would have been comfortably leading. I would give him another chance,

and I would start with Toby Flood in the World Cup, because you know

what Jonny Wilkinson will brink, and he is good to beat on the bench.

-- he is good to have on the bench. I would not play either of them at

number 12, because they do not have the pace. Pickup crashed through,

they are too similar. -- they cannot crashed through. You need

the physicality at number 12. Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson, they

will be charging down the channel. The biggest disappointment for me,

Riki Flutey at his best is physical, he can hold his own, he is creative,

but that is at his best, and against Wales at Twickenham, he was

appalling. He was almost anonymous. Tonight, Ireland did not want to

lose, because to lose three games in a Rome, and then played England,

they do not want to have four in a row. It was interesting to hear

their excuses after the last one. They need to play the way they

played in the first 15 or 20 minutes, but they need to cut down

on the simple errors. You are looking for leadership. For some of

them, that is their first game. -- this is their first game. They will

change from France, Fabien Barcella Poux. I will check. A stern word

will have been had by Declan Kidney. He does not have to shout to be

stern, you know when he is being spurned. The players know, there

were probably stern words between have the scrum. A groan from

Phillip Matthews. He called that pretty quickly. Andrew Trimble got

the ball to ground. It looked like he had been turned by Aurelien

Rougerie. It is so valuable to have the height and physicality from

number 13. We have not talked about Tommy Bowe, who is still injured.

We expect him to play against England next weekend. But you have

David Wallace, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney who would make this a first

they left off. France could not retain possession, they made a

couple of errors. France turning that into point-scoring

opportunities already. Cian Healy has spent a lot of time in paint on

the turf. -- in pain. But invited particularly complicated in that.

Morgan Parra had drawn the defence, but was really good play from

Alexis Palisson and Louis Picamoles. Simple to do, but unexpected.

grimace and a deep breath from Cian Healy, he is struggling with his

neck a little bit. Stretching it out. France will take a pop at goal.

When one of the front row players goes down, there is a collective

about. Here is Morgan Parra, a beautiful kicker, the scrum-half. A

chance to stretch the lead for left foot from that angle, and

France now have an 11 point cushion. To any other coach, you would have

thought consistency and wit his played that Morgan Parra has almost

kicked himself into the starting 15, but you never know with the French

ball away to Barcella. Keith old trying to come in on the switch --

Keith Earls. O'Driscoll has been quiet for a while. Pelous ball

gives the French team time to put in some big hits. -- a loose ball.

It is time for a cool head. That was a top pass to take, scrappy

not relish playing France, as they will in the group stages. However,

Marc Lievremont may abandon all of these players and pick an entirely

new team from the French second French scrum. This time become all

loses it, gives Ireland the chance. Picamoles has looked affected in

this match. He has mixed the errors with the playmaking as well, that

is what you get with him. A big, powerful player. Ireland fortunate

that France were not able to hold possession. He is an enormous Slam

of a man, Picamoles. O'Driscoll was having some treatment there, but he

seems to be OK, despite the worried look. Seemed to be in the general

area of those neck and shoulder problems that he has been cursed

changes come on. I know that Stephen Ferris is champing at the

time. Ireland waiting for a penalty, Trinh-Duc, an opportunist try! --

Trinh-Duc read it well. They have just handed France A seven pointer.

That was a poor pass under absolutely no pressure. He really

just did not have his eyes Open. In trying to recover that, they have

given them seven points. Only be has been a bit patchy, made a

couple of errors, and you sense that there is some rustiness, not

the same intensity. They are not really match Sharpe, you would have

to say, this Irish team, at the moment. It is something they need

to get out of their system before they get on the plane. Not only a

try conceded but another player down injured for Ireland, receiving

serious treatment. Is that he and Healy? Yes. -- Kearney Healy.

seemed to be his shoulder last time. Waiting in the wings, warming up,

is Tom Court, the Ulster prop. A hobbling off the pitch. Through the

post, another two points, but more importantly, Cian Healy, Ireland's

first-choice loose-head, is hobbling off the pitch. This is how

the try came about. That really was off like that. France making

changes as well, of Coe's Dmitri Szarzewski, on comes we and

Guirardo. -- Guilhem Guirado. Let's hope he and Healy's injury is not

as bad as it looked. He was walking into the tunnel on his own without

the aid of the medical staff, so maybe it is not so bad. The restart

is a bit of a mess. Ends in a scrum new players on here, wait for my

wait. Free kick for France. Lewis become all again. -- Luis Picamoles

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space. A good touch finder, just by is a bit of territory. -- buys a

bit. Ireland are just able now to put a little bit more pressure on

France. A substitution, Eoin Reddan coming on for Tomas O'Leary.

Somebody like Eoin Reddan should give Ireland a little bit of a lift

now. A defensive line-out for France. It was Nicolas Mas who lost

Rougerie. A fierce contest on the ground, Ireland still have it.

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Reddin finds Keith Earls. -- Eoin a bit too far for the charging

Jennings. Into touch it goes, with Medard for attention. Much better

used many times successfully far Ireland. Jonathan Sexton very fond

Guirado goes long. It is risky, but holding on to the ball. This, I'm

sure, will not be a pop at goal. is a lot more than three points

that are needed. Decision time. is going to take it. Paul O'Connell

making that call. Taking the scrum. That is a good call. With Cian

Healy off, France may be fancy their chances of having a pop at

depth in the front row, on comes Ireland, if they are to entertain

prospects of winning this match. They have the squeeze, they have

the push, they will have the penalty again. France bringing in

down -- bringing it down. They clearly had something in mind there

with Allyn Reddin moving to the warming up there. Same again, down

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O'Driscoll's face said it will. The ball sailed high over his head.

That is a quick restart from France. They will go all the way back.

need to be much more clinical than that when they create opportunities.

They do not have its huge amount of time to get that out of their

system. Replacements. Jerry Flannery has replaced Rory Best.

Stephen Ferris is making his return, he has not played against January.

He replaces Shane Jennings. Not a great day for Shane Jennings, he

was trying to take his chance afforded him by the late injury to

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David Wallace. Julien Pierre has Well struck again. France can

afford to do that, sit back and take a pop at a few opportunities.

They are looking pretty comfortable. They have got Ireland pinned back,

they have got a very healthy lead. Ireland are not taking the chances

that have been offered to them, that they have created. Alexis

Palisson taking a hit from Andrew Trimble. That is a poor restored,

no pressure on France. -- poor physicality of the French backs has

been a real feature. I have been really strong defensively. We are

well into the final quarter, Ireland have a penalty. The culprit,

Fabien Barcella, the prop. It is hard going at the moment from

Ireland. Francois Trinh-Duc looks to be injured. He would be the

number one choice fly-half, ahead of David Skrela, I think. David

Skrela was only on the field for a few minutes. Yes, he would be the

first choice. In our rational minds! But what about the strange

world of Marc Lievremont?! A pretty impressive French performance today.

They have done well, they have weathered the first storm but

Ireland put together, and they got themselves back into the game, and

they had looked comfortable, captain. This will be frustrating

for Stephen Ferris, he wants his hands on the ball. So far, he has

not had much of a chance, and we only have 15 or 16 minutes left.

Ronan O'Gara, stretching out, ready one. It will be a five-minute --

five-metre line-out for Ireland. Jonathan Sexton's numbers -- days

not, so the ball goes to France. Hugely frustrating for Ireland.

Were the Jerry Flannery did not hear the referee or not, but

everybody else heard him. He is sending Paul O'Connell off to the

blood bin, not a huge amount of been the difference. Ireland have

had an opportunity and they have not taken it, but France have been

clinical. Is it time to get worried about Ireland? The worry is the

lack of sharpness and the lack of ability to finish things off. But

this is not a Six Nations Test match. There is intensity, but I

expect the big players, Brian O'Driscoll, the big-game players,

to be different when it comes to the World Cup. I would not be

unduly concerned. A penalty for France. Tom Court is penalised. We

have not seen the best of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy. Brian

O'Driscoll has come back after a while at, and Gordon D'Arcy after

even longer. He would be more concerned if you lost your key

players and you want all of your games. You want all of your key

players sharp, whatever the result, and get them on the plane. Ronan

That is just protecting Gordon D'Arcy. There was a doubt whether

he would be fit for this. graphics said Jonathan Sexton, but

something for Ireland to show in this final 15 minutes or so would

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of a Felix Jones. -- stretcher for for the high ball, under the

attention of Aurelien Rougerie. It him, he caught it in an awkward

position. It was his right foot. There was a gasp from the crowd,

watching on the big screen. He is not in great pain, but this could

be the end of his World Cup. looks like a man who is not going

to the World Cup. There is a look of resignation on his face, I hope

that is not going to keep him out of selection. Luke Fitzgerald takes

his place. You think back to 2003, Geordan Murphy broke his leg at

Murrayfield. He is sitting up, but a broken bone in the foot would be

with the injury to Rob carnet. -- Rob Kearney. He does not look happy.

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outstanding in defence. Shades of the partnership between Stephen

Clare has replaced Aurelien have been difficult for Ireland to

cope with this afternoon. It was Aurelien Rougerie's first game back

since May. Maxime Medard has moved world of Marc Lievremont, Rougerie

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Sliding for the line, just short. Sexton for the line, but try is

there! Ireland finally do have a second try. Something now to

celebrate. It was a good support run by Jonathan Sexton, he could

have been forgiven not for chasing that because Luke Fitzgerald looks

like he might be able to finish a yard out. That makes the score

board look better, but it is still double scores. A try which came

from a chaotic passage of play when nobody seemed able to claim the

ball. It is late in the game, it has been a tough, physical game. He

was still up to make that ruck and win the ball. Nothing wrong with

Ireland's aerobic fitness. They have been working hard, but are

course he does. Ireland 11 points adrift. But the scoreboard looks at

least a bit better from Ireland's a first try for Ireland from

rain coming down here in Dublin. Donncha O'Callaghan is going off.

indeed to Maxime Medard! A wonderful position now for France.

The French back three are accomplished kickers. It is a quick

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for places, but a big difference here today has been the sharpness

this French team have had. Ireland have lacked it, I don't know if

that is because a lot of the players feel they are already on

the plane and do not have a lot to play for, but BBC the likes of

Rougerie and his performance, -- but if you see the likes of

Rougerie and his performance, they are really looking keen. Seven of

this French side are making their first appearance today. Competition

in France is fierce, if baffling. We spoke to Dave Ellis before, he

said Marc Lievremont was pretty much there with his thoughts on the

bit of a treatment to his wrist. In fact, he is going to be replaced

now by Dimitri Yachvili. Another playing for Test places at this

weaker. They still have the attack, and Vincent Clerc just keeping it

they held that one up off the events down there. That has been a

real success story today, to see him looking as fit is a really good

sign. I think Declan Kidney and Paul himself will be delighted with

that. There is Cian Healy. I think that is a positive side. The fact

he just has ice on it, I think that is OK. Ireland, then, as we head

towards the final minute, through It is Guirardo, but he is back up

of the 22. Fitzgerald asking for a will be? Thoughts on the match,

Philip? I think Declan Kidney, deep down, will be a little bit

concerned at their lack of match sharpness, but a number of players

have come through well. We have mentioned Paul O'Connell already, I

don't think Brian O'Driscoll looks match-fit, but we know he can step

up on the big occasion. I think the biggest his appointment is probably

to see Felix Jones coming off the pitch the way he did. I think he

knew the injury he picked up may well keep him out of selection.

Other than that, if that is as bad as it gets, then he will probably

be looking at a big improvement on their match sharpness against

England. He will want to see an improvement there because he will

not want to go to Australia with a game like that as the last warm-up

game, because it is difficult to line-out taken by Ireland. They

will not win the match, but they there. They will have to get going

as soon as possible again. O'Brien barges through! O'Brien for a try!

It is not going to be victory, it will still be defeat, but something

to take full Ireland in these final play from a French player, I'm not

sure what that was about but there was no need for it. France knew the

game was won halfway through the second half, and everything Ireland

did subsequently was to make the score board looked a little bit

better. Maxime Medard was hanging on to the coat-tails of O'Brien,

but three-man have scored their and this strange end to the game,

the successful conversion from Ronan O'Gara. Just one more warm-up

game remaining for Ireland, but it has been defeated game, three

played so far, three losses, want to Scotland, one to France, 26

A bit like the game here at the Millennium Stadium, the first half

was better than the second. Do you draw any solace from the closed us

of the margin? No, I don't. I think France took their foot off the

pedal at the end. I enjoyed the performance of Paul O'Connell, who

played very well, Sean O'Brien played very well. I was upset to

see Felix Jones go down injured, he is a bit of a white hope going

forward but has had a lot of injuries and his face was almost a

tragedy, watching him go off the field. Morgan Stoddart two weeks

ago. Everybody -- there is always somebody who has their dream

shattered. Some of the players looked very rusty, but for me, I

think they are better than that and I thought that the -- they

The cutting edge that you need to get over the line in midfield, did

you see that in the Ireland team? No, Gordon D'Arcy was poor. 9, 10,

12 and 13, the midfield, the link from the forwards, the link to the

back three, it did not function well. Jonathan Sexton, the last

game I saw him play was against England, when he was dominant. He

raised his game and delivered, he scored tries and penalties. A much

of that is the service? Everything. We watch England, we have watched

them struggling with possession, but they were not clear wind. With

Ireland, I would like to see Deepak taking the lead from Sean O'Brien,

because he made yards. He stayed on his feet, which enabled the rest of

the pack to get behind him and drive through. I think Paul

O'Connell was OK, but not outstanding. Jamie Heaslip played

in patches, Cian Healy did OK, the scrummage was average. Offence of

lit, they were poor. If you look at Cedric Heymans, he adds impact, but

the full-back for Ireland, that is the attacking option, that is where

the cutting-edge needs to come, and it was not there. A lot of lateral

rugby, but no threat. Cedric Heymans scored at the try as half

time was approaching, which gave France the cushion. It was poor

centre play by Brian O'Driscoll. He runs out. He has been shown to much.

The support running of the French is superb. That is why you need

somebody with a brain at full-back to run those angles. The full-back

is the eyes of the side on the attacking front. They also have the

whole back line of the French team having an understanding of what the

player will do. Whatever he does, the support players instinctively

follow. It is not as though there has been a pattern of play and a

set move. You see a lot of the other northern hemisphere sides do

that. If we had a camera on our studio for the try at the start of

the second half, Keith through his programme doubt. It was one of

those moments. Yes, we talked about mistakes and not making them. This

is a decent scrum, Jamie Heaslip in a decent position. Not a good pass.

But that is one mistake. You do not compound it by throwing a blind

pass. You of guessing where it is governed. He does not know where

any of the French defensive line are. That cost them the match.

France said, we are in front, we are comfortable, and they took

their foot off the pedal. That try was dreadful. You cannot do that.

It is error after error. When an error is made, consolidate, get the

ball. That is what you said at half-time. Yes, you look to your

decision makers and leaders. Scrum half is one of those positions,

which you have to make 99% of your choices correctly, to get the team

out of trouble or to put the team in a good position. Tomas O'Leary

was very poor. Nobody stuck their hand up and said, give me the ball,

except for Sean O'Brien, because they were shovelling a bad ball and

nobody was taking it on board. They were putting each other under

pressure, and error after error after error. But Ireland had

chances, they had several opportunities, which was squandered,

before the tries at the end. Yes, this is a kick. It is a great

effort. It is Sean O'Brien again. Sorry, it was Jennings. He just

misses. They hold the inside defence, they have got numbers, but

again, what is that? Because of the way the France backs run, if that

was turned around, France would have scored. They create

opportunities, but you are told this in school, you run on to the

past, if you take the ball into your chest, it allows the defence

to go across. The passes were not executed well enough. The French

defence, who are very quick, they snuffed them out. You have got to

be clinical in your execution. France, fought? At times, imperious.

They were back to their best. The Cedric Heymans try, you would pay

money for that. That is the French side I want to see week-in, week-

out. I would like to see them perform like that during the World

Cup. We saw the old France in the last 30 minutes, they knew they had

won, they are looking forward to the next game. Defensively, they

did incredibly well. A lot of the mistakes Ireland were making, they

were unforced errors, and they seemed to have numbers all the time.

They played incredibly composed for the middle half of the field. They

played incredibly composed. Aurelien Rougerie, he was fantastic.

He was brilliant, he is a big lad. You go into the World Cup, who will

he picked? Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc are half-backs.

They are not scared of New Zealand. They always have one great

performance in the World Cup. about the tries towards the end?

Luke Fitzgerald? It was a fantastic run. Two seconds later, a great

reaction, he kept the gap between the players all the way to the end.

He showed a lot of composure, and Jonathan Sexton followed up. If he

does not have to think about something, he is very effective. If

he has to think about something, he is not effective. Give him the ball

and let him do his stuff. If you have got to think about

something,... He gets caught in several minds. I saw him play for

Leinster with great footballing ability. Fantastic ability. He is a

proper footballer, he can pass, he can play in the centre, but just

before the Lions tour, during the Lions tour, he got injured. He is

not the same player. It is confidence. He lost his confidence,

he became over-anxious, he overran the ball, it was getting past

behind him. If you are talking about confidence, Sean O'Brien

seemed as though he was enjoying it. From the day he got his first

jersey, he goes one way, straight over the line. You would have

expected Fulgence Ouedraogo to make the tackle. He has had a great

season. He has brought great ability to the Irish side. He has

been up there every week. He was named the European Player of the

year, of which he deserved. When players get found out and get the

praise in the spotlight, people analyse the more, -- people analyse

them more, and if you are burning heart, if the guy opposite you is

the same size, you will take him down. Sean O'Brien runs hard every

single time. It is very similar to Jenny Roberts. If he runs one of

one, he will get over the gain-line. It is the same with Sean O'Brien.

He will be very difficult to stop. If you have two runners either side

of him, he will cause a lot of damage. There is one more match to

play before everybody heads to New It is not repeated on the Sunday

Scotland have gone through their It was 18-5, South Africa BT New

Zealand in the Tri Nations. New Zealand did not have some of their

players playing for them. Let's talk about Wales and who they have

got in their grip in the World Cup. A nice easy opener! By the time

they get to Fiji, I hope they have got players left on the field. The

scrum is so crucial. Against South Africa, I have got to be very

strong to compete, and it then, especially against Samoa and Fiji,

they have got to tie them up. They cannot be lose. I have lost against

them on numerous occasions, because tactically they have been so poor

and they have been kicked out of the World Cup. If they do well

against South Africa,... The next two Games, that is where the scrum

and the line-out or pikey, because you cannot be loose. They do tend

to bully you, but why can Wales not smash some of their players? You

cannot be backwards against Fiji or some other, because they will

thrive on it. Let's talk about the England group. If Argentina can

step up from what they showed today, can cause England problems, but

England will have had too many games, too good a preparation.

Did you expect to learn more from the performance? There are more

questions now that answers. We want to learn something in every game.

There were certain areas but we wanted to work on, but the result

is disappointing. That is what you are judged on. We need to learn

from it today. The school was what it was, but at the same time, some

of the aspects worked. The set pieces were stronger, and it shows

that we need all of these games to get ready for the World Cup. It was

Thank you to sue Nicholson, her last rugby programme for the BBC.