France v Ireland Six Nations Rugby

We have left the thermals at home. It would be stretching the point to

say that March 4th showcasing Paris in the spring but the good news is

It has been ridiculously, ludicrously called all week in

Paris. They have had covers on the pitch all day and they're just

taking them offer. I am just hearing that the matches offer. It

has been postponed because of the state of the picture. They're

telling the crowd now. I expect we Sadly, it means we do not have a

match to show you. Saturday night in Paris, what are we going to do?

And the answer, sadly, was not very much. 80,000 very disgruntled

people leaving Stade de France at the same time, it took a long time.

So we are all tucked up in bed by 11pm. 22 days on, here we are again

and one thing has not changed. Ireland's record in Paris is still

Can it really be a dozen years ago, the opening season of the Six

Nations, that the youthful Brian O'Driscoll scored a stunning hat-

trick of tries to take Ireland to their last victory in Paris? But

may be the break will have done them some good. A revitalised

second half showing against the Italians put them in a more

confident mood than they would have been three weeks ago. The French

may have won both matches so far but they have hardly lit up the

championship yet. Is today the third step towards a potential

Grand Slam slowdown with Wales in Cardiff? -- showdown. It goes

without saying that this is a huge game for both sides but for

different reasons. For the French it is about maintaining a winning

run and winning back the affection of disaffected fans who came here

three weeks ago and left with no rugby and an awful lot less money.

For the Irish, it is about winning back the faith of a sporting public

that have grown so used to success through regional sides but cannot

understand why that does not translate to domination on the

international stage. Victory today will be only their second in Paris

in 40 years. It is 20 degrees warmer than it was last time. It is

raining at the moment but decent conditions. One of the main

questions, how many Irish fans are going to be here today? At least

two. I think she is just checking the state of the pitch. It is all

going to be OK. We have a panel. Jonathan Davies, Keith Wood and

Serge Vet son. Do you think the delay might have benefited Ireland?

Without a shadow of the doubt. I think they looked very vulnerable

against Wales. They performed really well in the last 25 or 30

minutes last weekend. I think the confidence is high. France won both

their matches but they have not really excited us. Does that

matter? I am really pleased that they have won two of the games.

Last weekend, against Scotland, that was a bad start. But at the

end, they played a good game. I hope today will be the same thing.

The toss taking place. Thierry Dusautoir and Paul O'Connell. The

man in the middle, a key figure three weeks ago. It looks as though

it was not his decision. But think the French rugby authority have

something to do with it. As a neutral, Jonathan, what is your

take? I am looking forward to it. Ireland need to take it up a few

levels, but so de France. They had been playing within themselves,

absorbing the pressure and then coming through and attack. I do not

understand the pressure. Interesting to see how many people

have not turned up today. It will depend on how France play. There is

an expectant crowd. When they play well, this place is amazing.

state of play as far as the Six state of play as far as the Six

Nations is concerned, Wales played 3 and 13. -- played three and won

three. England versus Ireland could yet be the deciding factor. But

we're getting ahead of ourselves. This is a game for both sides but

This is a game for both sides but how do the Irish you today? -- view

today. Deja vu is a phrase that has been

used a fair bet today. Do you think Ireland have benefited from the

break? No more than France have. Having another win under their belt.

Both sides have a little bit more time, so the quality will probably

be better for it. Ireland have a poor record in Paris, does that

weigh heavily on the shoulders and minds of this team? It makes it all

the more exciting. It is all to play for. I know that if we play to

our ability, we have every chance of coming away with what we want.

It will be about making the right decisions on the pitch and dealing

with the pressure that France put on us, and seeing how much pressure

we put on them. What did you take out of watching France against

Scotland last week. --? With Philippe at the head, they were

defensively very strong. They had their scrum right, and with their

selection this week they are looking to be very solid in the

set-pieces. That makes obtaining the ball a challenge for us. But

when we get it, we must treasure the ball.

France, obviously solid up front but behind the have Wesley Fofana,

one of the most exciting players in the championship. Two matches and

two tries. How good could he be? is down to his play. 20 as the ball

in hand, he has the speed and power. in hand, he has the speed and power.

-- when he has. I think he is a very talented player. Jonathan?

is very aware. He plays for the same club as Rougerie. They have a

good combination in the midfield. I think he has a very bright future.

And opposite him, interestingly, when you look at the statistics,

one that I found fascinating is that Ireland have scored a try in

every match since Declan Kidney had been in charge. You can look at

that in both ways. 12 years ago when Ireland last won here, there

was only one player on either side that survives that. And that is

Ronan O'Gara on the bench for Ireland today. That means that

Johnny Sexton will start. The rivalry continues. Jonathan, is he

the man you would always have starting? I think so. He is the

form player. He plays fantastically well. You have to bring that form

to the international stage. With the platform he has been given, he

has just sat back. He is still learning the tricks but he is the

future. I think he is suffering with the fact that the pack are not

starting as well, are not getting enough quick balls. He is not

attacking as much as he used to. As much as he does with dense turf --

Leinster. He is the catalyst for slowing it down and speeding it up.

A great shot of Thierry Dusautoir, a world Player of the Year last

year. Hugely influential, every time you see him play you think,

how can you be so good? He is good because he has true belief in

himself. He is a confident player. He has built his confidence for his

club play, and as French captain, he is really important. Here they

come, the French and Irish teams, to almost a full stadium. Probably

a couple of thousands that most NT. -- at most. There is a really good

atmosphere in here. Perhaps some people who did not have tickets for

the first match but I somehow managed to get a hold of them in

the intervening period. Loving the fact that they are here. Jonathan

has left us, so Keith, how do you think it is going? If Arlen start

well, they have a chance. Ireland. I think it will be a close

game, because the French team are really good at the moment. I expect

France to win. Every match Ireland have played here they had been

behind at half-time, including that victory. -- they have been. The

first 20 minutes or so during this game is going to be absolutely key

in determining the final outcome. The commentary after the anthems

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comes from Brian Moore and Eddie have had the music and now which

will have a rugby that did not happen three weeks ago. -- Thierry

Dusautoir. A World Cup final -- cycle normally means a clean-out

but not in France. 660 caps and an average age of 29. Yoann Maestri,

the youngster in the second row. Poitrenaud and a fullback. Ireland,

not much younger. An average age of 27, 610 caps. Experience and age

throughout the team. It is very much an Irish side picked for the

last victory over Italy. Conor Murray continues in his rather

uneasy half-back partnership with Johnny Sexton. A little bit of

Leinster and a little bit of Munster. Lionel Nallet, the

grandfather of the French bench. Pressure on the Irish scrum-half.

He is a wonderful defensive player but the speed of service to Johnny

Sexton has been in question. Brian Moore, above all, must start well.

Surely? Yes. I was watching the four words in their practices prior

to the kick-off. Driving will be a good tactic to get the back row

going forward, getting into the French and making them make tackles.

And Dave Pearson is very relieved, no doubt. There was lots of

pressure on him three weeks ago. Everyone said he was the judge of

whether it was playable Andy took the brave decision that it was not

safe for the players. It is today, it is a perfect. It is a wonderful

atmosphere. Any fears that it would not be a full house has been --

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have been dashed. Here we go. stretched. A very confident start

from both sides. Ireland have been making use of the whole width.

Nothing wrong with that. carefully Cian Healy put Vincent

Clerc down. They know that if they get it wrong, referees will be told

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not to give them the benefit of the Ireland. They have majored on that.

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a test for Ireland. What damage can than that. Credit to the French

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points Tim reach 200 in has to be consigned to the bin.

They do need to take every chance that comes their way, especially

of view. The French needed to be sharper. They took a leaf out of

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It looked as if Bonnaire might have that France have had in Irish

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from the original lineout. Change safest catcher of a rugby ball in

the international game. Quite solidity and the confidence of

lineout. They ought to be told to all down. Tommy Bowe probably could

not believe his eyes when he saw the ball floating like a balloon of

right in front of him. This was so or anything. If it were a cricket

match, you would swear there might be something odd about that. Good

opportunism from Bowe. You have been talking about Ireland's line

speed been good. France's was not looking or not caring. But it

does not matter. Ireland had to language at the moment, there is

some shoulder-shrugging, and some whistling. I think when the crowd

start a whistle, it is a great feeling for an opposition player.

If it was another 10 minutes and another score, and they get on the

from the side. Rory Best, finding Donncha O'Callaghan. Murray with

going to say, I was pleased that the Irish tackle has been there in

terms of taking the game to France. Drawing people in, then taking the

ball. Then moving it wide. Keeping the French guessing. Settling down

for a scrummage, any observations? Last week, we saw France defend. If

you look now, it is obvious that we have an overlap. The defensive line

is always very, very tight. All you have to do is run the inside

shoulder. You have men on the inside, but they do not commit a

towel. Attack the inside shoulder. made a sluggish starts. They

trailed by a converted try to pressure and keep knocking France

as well. One lucky. -- unlucky. A bit too enthusiastic. If you

contrast the way in which Ireland steamed up to that in threes and

fours, and the fact that the French kick was met with a jogging amble

at best, frankly that is not good enough. It really isn't, for

international rugby, jogging about. Three Irish players there, and then

the rest of the pack were in over the top. Unfortunate that they did

not stay on their feet. But the contrast between the urgency of the

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This must be warming your heart, Keith Wood. Absolutely. The level

pace at this stage from the defence in particular, this is what

everybody has been looking for, that level of intensity. You can

see the big hits, even on the chase. The crowd or giving France the slow

handclap. Thierry Dusautoir is complaining to the officials about

this, that and another, but what he needs to be doing is telling his

forwards to pull their finger out. Some urgent instructions being

issued to ground level. If there is one point that I can make, in the

last two incursions, Ireland have got players under a high ball. They

have given a penalty away and they have knocked the ball on, which has

led France out of their own territory. They need to cut out

those errors so the French can be put under pressure. Then they will

get the penalties. They must not let France off the hook by doing

something good and then not there. There is a little space on

The Blind Side but there was nobody there. Tommy Bowe has gone to the

time, going backwards. REFEREE: You do not have to put the ball in if

the scrum is not steady. The Irish from have does not have to put the

ball into a moving scrum, whether it is recruiting are moving forward.

-- retreating or moving forward. I am disallowing early pushers.

is one of the reasons why scrum and at this level is poor. -- scrums at

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unhappy. The penalty was called earlier than the incursions that

the crowd were complaining about. The French, with a brilliant piece

of work by Trinh-Duc. This is the problem for Ireland. If they do not

make the most of their incursions, when France to get their act

together, and that is a bit of offloads, that they will cause

trouble because they are capable of doing that. What was interesting,

when the French came left early on in that move, they may then go back

inside. When they ran right, they did not use the same defence. They

did not bring the outside man up. from sluggish, almost indifferent,

to surging and all-powerful in the space of seconds. And here is their

Irish defenders, setting up the penalty. France are underway.

was a lovely bit of skill from Trinh-Duc, pulling defenders in and

unloading the ball. Andrew Trimble of field position. It is a basic

ever -- basic error. I would like to see them catch and drive this

one and pushed the French back row under pressure. -- put the French

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Take the point. Mike Ross will need up to 10. Eight the Irish defence,

what their Trinh-Duc, as the ball comes out of a try and shoot-out

very quickly and forced the ball inside. When they manage this is

effective but when they do not, the and sent backwards, he had the

presence to keep the ball. That is an area where he is underrated. --

although he was hit. To be able to cope with that, while... If you can

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do with -- if you can do it under that they are trying to drive and

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behind them. It was a bad experience. They had been playing

well. They need to get back into done that for some time at the

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Trinh-Duc was not able to take a being left to the back row and the

saying he is going to be a star of the French side. But do you know

why they did not pick him sooner? Discipline. In the sense of what?

bit wild, puts it about a bit, gets caught. That is the difference,

getting caught. I thought you might like him. This is how close it was.

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there was a shaky moment for Francois Trinh-Duc under the high

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loitering penalty. He will be lucky if he does not get a yellow here.

It does not matter if he is looking or not, his offside. He has got

away with it. The crowd tells you everything. That was the laziest

running. At any point before them, he could have stopped. But he chose

to be in the back line. I am amazed that Dave Pearson has not targeted

him for that. What am I doing out here? I am not interfering with

play. He could have stopped, and yet he just happened to be there.

It is not quite as long as previously. They will still have a

in every sense. But sometimes, these are the bits of luck you need

to win in places like the Stade de France. Ireland need to compound

the French misery now by getting out of here and giving the attack

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back. For the last ten minutes, behind this scrummage. One behind

the other. Again, it has gone pear- shaped for them, and they have got

away with it again because that was a horrible move by France. There

was the good defensive work by forwards into these situations than

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youngest in the French team at 23. The youngest, and yet this is his

39th cap. Tommy Bowe is going to score for Ireland! They have done

it again. Tommy Bowe's second in two games. He ignored the man

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Tommy Bower is closing in on Denis Hickie, who was second in the all-

time list. But they are all behind post. There is clear water between

the teams. If you go back only five or six minutes ago, Ireland were

facing the possibility of being down to 14 men. They rode their

there are 40 seconds to go. According to our clock, not the

referee's. The whistle goes for half time. Ireland step into the

changing rooms with a healthy lead You could see that the Irish

sprinted off the field. They are Well, well. What an interesting

game of rugby we have here. Having said that Ireland have never lead

at half-time in an international here, they find themselves in that

position, thanks to an astonishing piece of rugby. Tommy Bowe's try.

Morgan Parra missed one that was fairly straightforward. He kicked

it wide of the post. That face said it all. It was compounded for the

French by Tommy Bowe's second try, which means they have an 11 point

cushion at this stage. Who would fascinating reading. Ireland are

certainly ahead on possession but behind on territory. It is even

Stevens across the board. Two errors made by France but one of

them fundamental in giving away a try. What an interesting game.

is a cracking game. One of the frustrations is that -- one of the

frustrations is that -- one of the frustrations that supporters have

with our island is that when they play with intensity, they can play

unbelievably. They have started badly for 15 months but today they

started with pure aggression, unbridled aggression, time after

time. France are the exact opposite. The need the aggression up here.

You have been going mad appear, search. They are really poor. We

did not see any intensity. I am really sorry for the French team at

the moment but a hope in the second half it will be better. 95% of the

crowd, if not more, our French are today and the slow climb -- slow

hand clap after 18 minutes is an indication of how frustrated they

indication of how frustrated they were getting. Here is the first

score. What did he make of this? This is so telegraphed his is

unbelievable. I think that is the worst past I have seen for a long

time. Everyone in the stadiums of that intercept. Tommy Bowe is

renowned for spotting them but that was so easy for him. They were

trying to run a slow ball all the time because the Irish are so good

in the tackle area of that everything is being slowed down.

Instead of just playing what is in front of them, he is doing on -- up

and unders. I am not sure why Trinh-Duc is doing that. They

Trinh-Duc is doing that. They should go for distance. It is like

schoolboy rugby, when you call the move, and they go through with it

irrespective of what will they get. And they are normally such a great

side, unbelievably deep, but they are jogging. If you looked at Tran

Duke in the middle of that, he ran three steps before he passed. Their

pace and intensity is off the mark. -- Francois Trinh-Duc. Occasionally

they take the handbrake off but they take the handbrake off but

when they do, they look very good. Yes, in this situation, they were

really powerful. They played with a lot of confidence here. We did not

see that so often in the first half. It is really bizarre, but I hope

the second half is going to be like this. This is an indication, the

penalty that resulted here. We're talking about the Irish defence,

and the intensity of it. O'Brien in particular, the Irish back row has

been staggering. The back row has been staggering. They are targeting

time after time. Great discipline their from Cian Healy. It is this

book. Johnny Sexton has done this four or five times. There is

suddenly a semi-circle around it, but if you look at some of these

elements, this in particular, look how deep. 22 metres. When the ball

gets past, look at the speed of the line and the speed of the French.

They go nearly that 20 metres. comes down to Trinh-Duc. He has to

decide that it is too slow. He has to get that forward to pick it up

to get that forward to pick it up or turn it in the air. The Irish

are so good in the contact area. They work out defensively. They

tried to bring Julian Knowles UN. They cannot cope with it at the

moment, France. -- Julien Malzieu. Is it not up to him to say to the

guys behind him, come closer? is slow, you have to get on with

the game. You have to be flat. It is all about the breakdown.

Definitely. I think Trinh-Duc need to adapt his position to defend

against the Irish. He may need to be flatter, and played very close,

to make sure that he gets on to the advantage line. That is not the

case. That they are repeating their skills, like in a training

situation. They need to change their depth. There could have been

three in just that. Tommy Bowe has an eye for it. He is going to go

for our any one of them. But this was telegraphed. Brian Moore has

said that could have been a penalty but it could have been a try.

soon as I saw the past, I thought that was him again. I think it is

much to do with Trinh-Duc being deep but it is the pace that France

are playing at. It is terrible. It is a saunter. If you go back to the

World Cup, that debate about who would play outside half, would it

be Trinh-Duc, Para, they have not really decided what they want.

number 10 is the general. For some reason, and maybe France can -- you

can answer this, going back, it all seems to resolve around the number

nine. Maybe Australia do it a little bit, but sometimes for me,

when he is caught up there, he is looking for the ball the time. It

has to come from Number Ten. Let us talk about Cian Healy, whether he

talk about Cian Healy, whether he should have been sin-binned or not.

This was a key moment in shifting the balance. I am smiling, from the

fact that from 25 yards back he ran into the line. There was a good

chance of him catching that poll. - - that ball. He was quite close. He

- that ball. He was quite close. He should not be in the bin. Why would

a referee not give that? No idea. think he is supporting Irish team,

maybe! -- the Irish team. He had two or three bad decisions in the

first half and I hope he is going to correct it. You are turning into

a football manager. But there is a job going at Chelsea! The is a job

going at Stamford Bridge, so you going at Stamford Bridge, so you

could be the man. -- there is a job going. And this is Tommy Bowe's try.

Two minutes to half-time, they could have easily kicked that out

of play. I have to say, I think Stephen Ferris has been phenomenal.

That was the wrong option from Tommy Bowe. It was a simple pass

and he made an absolute mistake of the kick, but it bounced perfectly

for him. Islander having a bit of luck but they are playing with such

great passion. That is poor defence as well. Usually, he communicates

so well but this time, they go in. Again, that was from a turnover

which they spread out wide. The which they spread out wide. The

forwards have been magnificent. there is an interested observer on

the touchline. Retired international lock forward for loch

-- for Scotland, Derek Claremont. What have you made of that so far?

I think Ireland have been putting the French under pressure. The

French have been struggling with the quick defensive line, and the

way that Islander tackling, they are holding them up. I think it is

frustrating the French. They're playing with more territory,

keeping in the French half. They have had a couple bad kicks, but it

was 20 minutes before France put any rhythm together. I think that

has been the story of the half. Ireland attacked with ambition in

the second half. They have been rewarded with a try. Great skill

from Tommy Bowe. A how well the French react to trailing at half-

time? -- how will the French react. The same story at Murrayfield, the

second half, there came out with more intensity. They are obviously

mad keen. They are back out on the mad keen. They are back out on the

bench. I think they had been set out early

in disgrace. -- have been sent out. Wales' first is to isolate live

from Cardiff at 2pm on Saturday. -- Andrei Villas-Boas being sacked by

Mr Abramovich at Stamford Bridge. Probably much more to talk about on

And that match will go some way towards deciding the Premiership

towards deciding the Premiership this season. As far as the swimming

is concerned, no second chance for everybody at the GB Olympic trials

at the aquatic centre. Live from six and 5:00pm on the Red Button.

Rebecca Adlington in the 400 metres freestyle among others. But the

depth and strength of British swimming at the moment is so

immense at the moment that some of the people at Beijing four years

ago will not be in London 2012. Back here, we have the French on

the pitch but nor Irish players. That is a huddle that I would like

to be in the middle of. What are they saying? I think they're saying

that we need to stick together, we need to keep believing. And we need

to start really well in the second half of. Keith? I think the Irish

took their time going out. They want more of the same, they want to

keep their concentration and not give away silly penalties, but keep

the focus. Brian O'Driscoll got a hat-trick 12 years ago. All of us

would like to say quickly we are wising a speedy recovery to Alex

Bennett, seriously injured playing rugby in Cheshire last weekend. I'm

sure everybody in the game would echo those sentiments. I hope you

enjoyed the first half. What to the next 40 minutes old? -- what do the

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little bit tamely. You have to give credit to the Irish effort.

O'Connell helping to drag him out of frankly, poor play by France. It

was within the their own remit as to whether or not they were dragged

of a hurry. Philippe Saint-Andre is very new in the job. Francois

Trinh-Duc has dropped it on. It is a French scrummage on the 50 metre

line. I was just going to say, from Irish point of view, the thing is

not to give the French anything. If the French take it by dint of good

play, then sometimes you cannot do anything about it but do not give

them balls like that, 3 balls, or penalties at goal. Make them earn

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And France have left players on the ground. Poitrenaud is one of them.

The Vincent Clerc is another although the winner is back on his

feet. -- the winger. I think he's all right. France were threatening,

just for a second, to cut loose. I don't know what is going on at the

moment with Rougerie. But he passed behind the man. It is unforgivable.

He is not looking other target. Another example of the amount of

work that Sexton is doing, hands-on. In the end, he cannot quite keep

the man up. But he has been instrumental in two or three of the

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short turnovers that Ireland have is such an important set piece for

Sexton's BUPA, it might have charged down -- of the outside of

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backs. This driving from lineouts is a skill which has been largely

forgotten, because not many sides use it now. The French and South

Africans are very adept at doing it. It is very difficult to stop them.

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Jonathan? It was good play. This the 22. Ireland need to be working

themselves into a position whereby if, at the end of the Day, they

can't make more ground against a solid French defence, they can have

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-- nothing barges. So Francois Trinh-Duc has ideal conditions to

Wesley for a finer for the line! Three caps, three tries. -- Wesley

match official. What is he looking at now? Well, that is as obvious as

you can get. If officials aren't going to make those calls, why

bother having them? It was not just a question of there being Irish

Thank you. Geoff Warren gives Dave Pearson the all clear. Try awarded

to France. For a second, Ireland were loose against France. That is

what you cannot do. Give them space, and you are in trouble. Ireland

need a period of five minutes where they keep the ball in French

territory. Doesn't matter if they don't go anywhere, just keep the

Just wide. So Ireland still lead. But the gap is now just three

points. That was an unholy mess. But I go back to the point that

from the kick prior to that with Kearney, there was a single Irish

chaser. They were in trouble after that. Suddenly, there is a zip to

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the French play. They have given it of play, for Ireland, was exactly

what they didn't need to do. Moving the ball unnecessarily close to the

touchline, nearly being pulled him. Unforced error. They have to

remember what they did well in the first half, which was what put

France under pressure. When they were taking the ball forward, they

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because he did not make the break. He found himself sliding out of

control. He thought it was a better option as he was going to go out

anyway. But the result is that the throw for the lineout is for the

France now. The referee is unimpressed with their claims.

Again, it is a penalty advantage to Pearson. You can see the difference

between the line speed in the first half and the second half. The

French have been able to take the ball forward and get over the game

defensive line goes all over the place. It allows a Fofana all the

way around the outside. Morgan Parra has not had an easy selection

of texts. This is the outer limits is fine. It is all square at the

SAT de France. 17-17. It is a difference second half. -- stand to

France. There could be called for bringing on Ronan O'Gara to close

out the game or to take a bit more control. Ireland have lost their

shape for the last seven or eight points. You know, they need to do

something to reverse this, Ireland. Denton Clerc with the restart. --

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He was calling straight away when on his knee. I hate seeing injuries

like that. That is the end of his afternoon. Eoin Reddan will come on.

I will be is OK. Just look at the execution of the passing. -- I hope

he is OK. They hold the defensive line, just watch, and there is

space on the outside, but just watch that pass. What a dreadful

pass, which spoils the whole movement. That is poor execution.

Conor Murray goes and Eoin Reddan comes on. We have the Leinster

half-back combination. Whether or not the Irish management think they

can make that sort of change, it has been forced on them now. I

think they need to reverse the momentum of this game. It has been

against them the whole of the second half of. It has been all

France in the second half. Ireland lose a player to injury. The score,

available for Ireland but the French did well under pressure.

Vincent Debaty comes away with it. and Lionel Nallet will come on. 35

years old, the former French captain brings all his experience

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have the line-out. For the first time in the second half, possession

for the men in green. It was a good passage of play. Ireland did not

panic or force the ball. A lot of work done. Sexton threatening to

cut loose. The important thing was that when... At the end of the day,

the French actually stood their ground but it is important but

Ireland come away from this passage of play with the score of some sort.

Whether or not they have to drop into the goal, it does not matter.

Ireland are warming up replacements. They might stick with the pack they

have got out there. Rory Best drives the ball. -- drives the ball.

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bring on some replacements. I know Keith Wood is interested in Peter

O'Mahony coming on. He is a promising talent. He is coming on

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Gordon Darcy at the wrong time. have to give some credit to the

French because whilst Ireland have put them under pressure, they have

replace Francois Trinh-Duc. Stephen Ferris, chasing his shirts. --

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changing his shirt. Poitrenaud is earlier, that One rivals it.

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another Irishman injured, too. That Harinordoquy's game is going to end.

Louis Picamoles is warming up. Ireland have been deep into French

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territory, and yet they have not There is a change to be made by

France. Their number 19, Louis Picamoles, is coming on. Ireland

are going to make a change, to. And Ronan O'Gara comes on for Ireland.

It is Gordon D'Arcy who is coming off. O'Gara goes into the outside-

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half position. Jonathan Sexton goes tactical kicker. He has gone.

Almost brilliant work. In a tight Irish territory. This is their

equivalent now. Will they record a score where Ireland couldn't?

Ireland have slowed down France's they say. As a considered piece of

tactical play, that was right out of the bottom drawer. No need to

approach halfway through Stephen penalty. They are committing

drifting to the touchline. They had to let go of the ball. It was then

open to be played, and was then encouraging position for them.

Let's have another go. The French are exactly where they were before,

when they contrived to get the ball Sean Cronin comes into the front

row, as does the prop, Tom Court. Here are numbers one and two going

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starting to creep into the first But they have made it out of the

drop goal danger zone, and they Malzieu to make sure it came down

safely. Very good Irish defence at the moment. But if you are a French

forward, you must be saying, what late on. The French forwards Paul

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courage by the Irish defenders. It does not matter about the territory.

Harinordoquy is are furious. I would be if I was a French forward.

I don't think they could have done much more. You are always furious,

Bryan. Ireland have the throw-in on the halfway line. They have

conceded 11 points in this second half, scored none. But the scores

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it. Ireland will have to face a set-piece. One last chance for the

team in blue. One last call to arms to the Irish. 1 War period of

Defence to get through. Time is up. The next mistake, it is over.

Declan Kidney, oh dear. This is what international coaching is

about, Anthony. Suffer! If Ireland went to go home with the wind, they

would criticise him for not taking the points in the second half. But

you also have to give him immense praise this defensive effort in the

last five minutes. France were on a roll, no question. They scored in

the second half, and Ireland regrouped. I bet there will not be

a penalty awarded at this scrum. shall see. You can guarantee that

drama. We are over time by one minute and 45 seconds. Ireland have

to get through this scrummage. We the referee. Harinordoquy comes

whistle goes for the end of the match. France could not seize the

opportunity. The score is tied. Ireland have drawn in Paris, 17-17.

In the end, it turned out to be a very brave effort indeed by Ireland.

They got off to a fantastic start but unfortunately they could not

period where they were deep into French territory. However, they

denied the French, who were intent on fashioning some sort of drop

goal. 5, 67 minutes of courageous defence. -- 5, 6, 7. Paul O'Connell

can be proud of what he did. away draw in Paris is not to be

spared that. Philippe Saint-Andre, the French coach looks disappointed.

A home draw in Paris is not satisfactory. Congratulations to

Ireland, 17-17 at The Stand de France.

Only one team can win the Grand Slam this year in the RBS Six

Nations and it is Wales. Obviously, France are still in contention to

be the champions. It is the first draw in this fixture since 1950.

Keith Wood, are you happy? deflected. -- slightly deflated.

And yet the bravery of the last 10 minutes of Defence. There was a lot

of Irish errors in the second half, to do with the huge defensive

effort they had any first half. You thought they were dead and buried,

but you had eight or nine minutes of just pure defence, typified by

that great tackle. Far you relieved or disappointed, Serge Betsen?

Really disappointed. The second half was poor from the French

perspective. We did not play well, we did not play with pace. Of

course, I am disappointed. Paul O'Connell, happier are

disappointed? -- had the or disappointed. If Ireland won the

first half, France won the second first half, France won the second

half. A fair result? I suppose it is. But disappointing for us. We

played good rugby in the first-half but maybe we did not match it in

the second half. We will have to look at a few of the penalties in

the second half. I would like to see if you have the penalties in

the first half, particularly the scrum. It is disappointing. We had

a great opportunity to win and we did not take it. France had a great

opportunity in the dying seconds. Solid defence from Ireland, which

was key to your overall performance. Our defence was excellent. It is

not very often you see French scenes like this in Paris. They

were trying to draw a penalty but our defence was excellent. And you

were in uncharted territory, leading at half-time, the first

time that has happened at the SAT of France. -- Stade de France.

wanted a better first half. We failed to retain the ball at times,

which is a symptom at the moment. It was frustrating at the start.

Obviously, they would have not liked to have been behind by that

score line, so it was frustrating for us. You do not get many

opportunities to win here, and it is a shame we did not take it.

have not had a draw in this fixture since 1985. The last one was 1950.

So to get something from the match is surely pleasing. I don't know

about that. As it was, to get a result is disappointing for the

boys, they will be very disappointed. Thank you very much.

Undoubtedly, it was Ireland's first Undoubtedly, it was Ireland's first

half and France's second half. Funnily enough, we end up with a

possession statistic that is 50 apiece. There was one point in the

second half where France had 84% territory. At the end of the day,

it is all square. That means that that is what the table looks like

it. Everyone has now played three matches. With two weekends ago,

Wales with six points, France with five, Ireland with three, England

with four. That should be the other way around. Wales, Italy, Ireland,

Scotland are and France against England here one week from today.

Jonathan Davies, it was a compelling match. What did you make

of it? I felt that some crucial line-outs went a mess but when

line-outs went a mess but when Ireland had the pressure, in that

70th minute, Sexton should have taken the drop goal. They went for

the try with 10 minutes ago. It put the pressure on France to try and

get something. They had to take the opportunity. They put on Ronan

O'Gara but territorially, France dominated. It was a great efforts

to charge them down, particularly... It is easy up here but you were

saying to put Ronan O'Gara on 20 minutes before he went on. I was

because I thought Johnny Sexton had done an unbelievable amount of work.

He was defending as much as any in the back row. He gave a incredible

effort in the first half. He needed him to come on and help out. O'Gara

up as a history of closing out this kind of game. That is his kind of

game. -- has a history. Ireland were in a position to win it from

the start. In the first half, the start. In the first half,

France were very sluggish. Lackadaisical. Here is Rougerie's

pass to Tommy Bowe. Tommy Bowe, like a narrow one of the post. He

scored two tries in the first half which gave Ireland that 17-6 half-

time lead. The areas with one man inside that he could easily have

passed two. He chose to go over the top and the ball bounced kindly. As

top and the ball bounced kindly. As Paul O'Connell said, 11 points, and

in a sense, the ball was in France's accord. -- caught. There

was a different attitude to them in the second half. Yes. They tend to

play more with the ball, more with pace, and carry the ball.

Especially in the front row. At the end, they did a marriage -- it did

not manage to score the try. team are statisticians have been

roaming through the books. Let us roaming through the books. Let us

look at Fofana's try. If you are watching and you happen to know if

anyone has scored a try in all three of their first five walk --

first Six Nations games, let us know. We talk about this all the

time, a bouncing ball causes carnage. Great pace to get into

that corner. It is a great finish. I think he will be disappointed but

again, a bouncing ball, it was difficult for Kearney to come

across. I am slightly disappointed that France because I cannot work

out what they were trying to do. They have got their ball carriers

in the second half and they went forward, but it is very lateral.

was looking at both of them in terms of the attacking. They kicked

terms of the attacking. They kicked an awful lot, more than attacked

out wide. You think that Philippe Bernard so shall might have scored

three? I think, in 97. Many New Zealand Waggers as well. But they

were not playing in the Six Nations. Rob Kearney, was a fantastic game.

Rob Kearney, was a fantastic game. -- are winners as well. Ofwat basic

errors crept in at this key point. Yes, and a lot of it was to do with

the effort in the first half. You might say, why would this be the

case, but the effort they have to put intakes so much out of them.

You're concentrating and did drops a little bit. There was a penalty,

another penalty, a knock-on. There was sloppy line-out. -- there were

sloppy line-out. That is fatigue as sloppy line-out. That is fatigue as

much as anything else. But they allowed France back into the game.

For sure. I think most of the mistakes made by the Irish made the

French come into the game. Regarding his results, it was not

the pressure of the French but the mistake of the Irish. I am hearing

that Nicolas Sarkosy is in the French dressing room right now. He

is probably saying to Lionel Beauxis that he should have got

into a better position for the drop kick. He is a specialist at that.

Very often in the French league you can see and dropping goals for fun.

The first one was a terrible attempt. -- you can see him. The

second, he was under pressure. But as he said, they had the

opportunities. Ireland should have tried one. That was a crucial point.

I think he panicked, to be honest. I think they need to be patient on

this occasion, to maybe move to the 22 to make sure they get enough

speed to score at the drop goals. At this point, they were too early

to make the drop goal. Do you agree with that? Asian stands to work. --

patience tends to work. If they can hold it for long enough, but he

didn't. The first one that went along the ground, it was the first

pass. As a stand-up, but is his role. -- stand-off. When it comes

to that position, all you forwards and backs are waiting for the

Number Ten. On the positive side, Stephen Ferris was the normal for

the second one. He was the normal throughout but he launched himself

on that to make she certainly did not happen. France had a scrum with

one minute to go, well into extra- time. This was the last throw of

the dice from the French. It was a great carry from Harinordoquy eight.

I thought France were going to come I thought France were going to come

back into it. -- or Harinordoquy. For a winner of this size, you

cannot go into touch. You cannot. Not knowing that the clock is over

Not knowing that the clock is over the 80 minutes. Overall, Keith,

there is a sense of deflation that Ireland might have taken this

before the game began. I think so. We discussed it, that is the

frustration with Ireland. I mean, they played 50 minutes, 40 in the

first have, and the last 10 minutes, they played at an incredible

intensity and if they had done that in some of their other games, they

would have had a better result. They are not doing it for all 80

minutes which puts them under pressure. They were on their knees

coming in here and at least they can go back with their head held

high. It was a Frenchman, the last person to score a try in each of

his first three internationals. Any idea? 1978. He was a scrum-half of.

Thank you very much, Gaz. In 1935 commie --, Maurice Salhay. If you

were Stuart Lancaster, how would you approach playing this French

team? The same defensive effort as they did against Wales. Take it to

them. They struggled with the quick defence of the Irish. The second

half, they kept a tighter and they got the forwards running. -- kept

it tighter. Because of a lack of pattern, it is difficult to work

out what the French are trying to do. I think after that performance,

they can come home with confidence. Frustrating today, and last week at

Murrayfield, and against Italy. What is missing from the French

team? I do not know. We do not really know what is the game plan

from Philippe Saint-Andre. Like he said, the lack of organisation --

like you said, the lack of organisation. They do not know how

to manage the defence, and how to attack the game. Maybe they need to

work on this. I bet Tommy Bowe could not imagine scoring two tries

at the Stade de France and not be on the winning side.

John Inverdale has just made the point, to score two tries here and

not come away with a win, it is slightly bittersweet.

Disappointment is the overall feeling. We had an outstanding

first half. We put them under so much pressure but to come away with

no points is a huge disappointment. The dressing room is very quiet.

Your scoring tries for fun at the moment. I want to save the first

one was a gift but you have to be one was a gift but you have to be

in the right place and finish it off. It was just a bit of pressure.

We know they like to shift it in their own half. I thought I heard

the whistle but luckily, not. then a little bit of skill here.

The second try was fantastic. was a dodgy kick. It bounced nicely

for me, so I am very happy. The first half, to score a two rise

over here is obviously very difficult but again, to come away

difficult but again, to come away with a drop, nobody enjoys a draw.

We're quite disappointed in there. Five tries in this championship. I

think the record is six. Potentially a big match against

Scotland next week and then in the final weekend. Does this mean

anything to you? It is the case of hopefully getting picked. Obviously,

we have two massive games. Disappointment against Wales at the

start of the campaign, but I think we really showed ourselves on the

quality that we had last week. The first have today, we shall that

again. We need to do so results off and off we come away with good

results. But a big offensive project -- performance from Ireland

once again. Exactly. The last 10 minutes we showed great proportion.

We were under pressure. -- great composure. I think we can be happy

we did not give away a penalty and leave with a loss. Eight you very

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That game in 1950 finished 3-3. Let's nip back down to jail.

Declan has just been telling me his emotions after that match. Could

you repeat it? Not really! Fair enough. How would you assess that

performance? In the last dying seconds, you must have been pleased

to come away with a draw at least. Unfortunately, the weather was

slippier outside. It is a bit of a weird feeling. We talked about

deja-vu before the match. But in a different way, looking back at what

happened against Wales, it must have felt like that? Yes, we have

been in two close ones now. I would not say it is like kissing your

sister, but it is a strange feeling. We will have to have a good look at

the second half of the performance. What happened in the dressing room

at half time? It was more of the same, just be true to ourselves,

don't try and pull a rabbit out of a hat. We said beforehand that we

have to try and believe in ourselves. These games hinge on

tight margins. Are you worried about Conor Murray at this stage?

The first signs are that the main ligaments are OK, but it is always

48 hours before we know for sure. And a quick turnaround before next

week? Yes, a six-day turnaround. We will rise to it.

Keith? There, they have to be disappointed, because they wanted

to come overran win. Even though they have not played to the

standard they would have liked to, they still have huge belief in

themselves. How will the sporting public in Ireland respond? They

will be fairly happy, because Ireland have been on a bit of a low

and started slowly in the past. They did not start slowly today.

They kicked the ball constantly, nearly too much at times. It is a

great build-up of confidence, because they can look at the next

two matches and see that if they can go on like this, they can play

to a higher standard. But they should have expected to win. That

will be a disappointment in the Irish changing room. Nobody likes

draws. To be in that position, they should have won this game, I feel.

It was a great opportunity. France were not really threatening. Their

defence was good and they gave penalties away. You will not have a

better chance of beating France. Let's look ahead to next weekend,

Ireland against Scotland. A week ago, we saw that Scotland had

France on the rack, and then France reel them in. Five I think Scotland

have proved an awful lot. The changes they have made have gone

better. I would like to see Ireland play with more invention. It will

be an unbelievably defensive battle for both sides. Defence is a huge

part of their play. Dear Douglas is desperate to get Nicolas Sarkozy

You can forget about where the best game will be in the last weekend,

it will be in Cardiff. I think Italy will come there with a lot of

confidence. But with Wales playing as they are, I will not say too

much, because I said too much last week. They will go in with a lot of

confidence. I do not think Warren Gatland will make many changes.

Hopefully a good result against Italy to go in against France.

you were the French captain, what changes would you make to the

French team? Tough question. I think maybe change Rougerie. And I

think also maybe changed the way we are attacking. Do you think Parra

had a poor game today? His service was slow. Yeah, at some point he

was really slow in passing. But we did not really come up and push the

Irish and make them struggle. Yes, you need a balance in midfield.

Picamoles has to go on. And Servat has to go on. Also, a final thought

looking ahead to the weekend after next, in Wales, the words grand and

Slam will probably be banned for the next week. Yes. It was a good

performance and a good result. I look forward to France coming. To

go for a third Grand Slam is a magnificent achievement. And it