France v Ireland Six Nations Rugby

14 matches gone, just want to go in this year's RBS Six Nations. The

141st and very last international appearance for Brian O'Driscoll. If

Ireland win tonight, the title will be theirs for the 12th time. But the

omens are not encouraging. They have won here just once in 42 years, and

that was in 2000, when the architect of their triumph was the very same

Brian O'Driscoll. COMMENTATOR: Brian O'Driscoll,

virtually under the posts! It is O'Driscoll again, and Ireland

have done it at last, they have won in Paris!

JOHN INVERDALE: And France, what to say? Is it the players, the

coaches, the culture? How is this team so sublime on occasions, so

lamentable on others? A landslide victory might give them the title.

More likely, it would just spoil the O'Driscoll party. If you have been

watching earlier, you will know that England won very convincingly in

Rome, but not by a sufficient margin to overtake Ireland, should they win

narrowly tonight. The extraordinary sending-off of Stuart Hogg sabotaged

the hopes of Scotland in Cardiff, meanwhile. So, here we are in Paris.

It is the last hurrah of this year's Championship. With me are,

scattering yet, Jeremy Guscott and Keith Wood. How do you explain the

fact that they have only won once here in four decades? I do not know.

France have had some incredible players. The Irish had no confidence

coming out here. It took an awful long time to get that changed, and

it was that one time in 2000. But we were never comfortable coming over.

There was a huge fear factor. I am hoping that has gone. If that is

hard to explain, how do you explain France going from good to bad in the

blink of an eye? It is very difficult to say, but the French

team has a very talented individuals. We do not manage to

play together. I think we deserved much better than what we got at the

start of the tournament. I think the team is not playing well. Nine and

ten, they need to take the lead. There is also concerns up front. We

need to have more ball to create a threat. Even though a French victory

would almost certainly give the title to England, as a warm,

compassionate human being, is there a part of you which would like

O'Driscoll to go out with a victory? Everyone I think would

agree that it is something he deserves as a player. But we have to

concentrate on the team performance, rather than his own performance. It

would be great for him and Ireland if they get what they deserve. We

have been trying to come up with a word to describe the performance of

the French team in this year's Championship, and the one we came up

with in the end was bonkers. Well, Philippe, at the start of the

tournament, you said you wanted to see progress from this team. You

have said that they have improved on last year performance, so do you

think some of the criticism you have had has been unfair? I think it is a

job in France, and after two years, it happens. But I think we have

improved, with three victories already. The game against Scotland

last week, we cannot say that it was a very good game. But we are just

focused tonight to win this game. I know that all of the English people

will be behind us! Just to play a good game of rugby, and to finish

this Six Nations 2014 well. Of course, it is a big day for Ireland

and for Brian O'Driscoll. What have you thought of him as a player? Oh,

I think he has been a fantastic servant of world rugby. About his

flair, his spirit in the game, his positivity, and also, he has scored

some brilliant tries, in the Stade de France, amongst others. He

creates space for people around him, and I think he is a fantastic

player, because he is still very fit . just I hope today will not be a

fantastic day for him! If it is a big day for Brian O'Driscoll, it is

also a big day for the man opposite him today. Yes, Gael Fickou is

facing maybe the biggest challenge in his life. He scored the last try

against England, so we love him. He stopped England getting the Grand

Slam. But he is very good technically. But today will be a big

test for him. It is youth against experience, he has got nothing to

lose? Yes, he has two show his abilities. He has done that at club

level with Toulouse. Now, he has two show it at national level. It would

be a fantastic opening salvo for the Irish, if their coach, Joe Schmidt,

was to lead them to the title in his first season. Ireland had an

emphatic win over the Italians last weekend in Dublin, which started and

finished as a Brian O'Driscoll love-in.

COMMENTATOR: The Leinster partnership works! And the great

man's day is done. This crowd is showing its appreciation for

religion. Well, the last game of the

Championship, the tension has been building all day, but now you know

that Ireland just need a win to take the Championship. Have the team been

watching? Yes, a fair few of the team watched the game. To be honest,

I leave them alone on the day pretty much. We get together at the ground,

and I will have a couple of words, but most of the work really is done

in the early part of the week. I hope they have not expended too much

nervous energy watching those games. But they are big boys, they can look

after themselves. Hopefully we are prepared for this evening. So much

talk going into this game, so much emotion flying around, is it almost

a relief to get to match day? Yes, it an even greater relief to get to

kick off, and hopefully there will be a greater relief beyond that. But

I think with the various things surrounding the French team, we have

got our own special moment coming up for a player we all have an

incredible amount of respect for. So, it is a game which is a final.

Finals do not get any bigger. But this just adds a little bit of extra

spice. Well, there he is. Even Barack Obama mentioned him in his

presidential address for St Patrick's Day. So, just one last

interview to give as a current international player...

# We said we'd walk together. # Come what may.

# I was a little oblivious to the

years. It was a nice sunny afternoon. A young kid out to have

fun. When you start well, early in a game, you get into it quickly. I got

an early score. I think that I grew into the game.

The hat-trick at the end and you were suddenly a star. Did it change

your life? I think as a result, probably it was that I became a bit

more recognisable as the guy that scored three tries in Paris. It just

changed from an expectation level as well of Irish rugby as we were

capable of winning in France and in other things too.

And the first success, a Triple Crown in 2004. What was that like?

It was important to win the silverware. And finally having

something to show for our endeavours, for our work and for the

quality of the side that we had. It was really important. But it was in

2009 you got the Grand Slam? We were a team that were to have that year,

to finally come good was a relief. The feeling in the country

afterwards. The warmth of the public and the lift that I think that the

country got in general. That was very, very special.

# But you and I know what this world can do. Since then we have done next

to nothing in the Six Nations. This is my last opportunity to try

to win another medal. I haven't had that chance since 2009.

Are you happy to be leaving Ireland in good hands? I think that Ireland

are in good hands under Joe Schmidt. Now I think we have the depth of

squad where guys can transition in and replayers -- replace others

seamlessly. The competition for the places is hotter. Different to when

I came in 2009. It is different in that view.

Last weekend was emotional. I had a great day. I really didded.

-- did. It was the ultimate semi-final and then the after math

was fantastic. The way that the lads even clapped

me off the pitch. The Italians staying around, my

family being there. My little girl being out on the pitch with me. My

wife, obviously, being there. It was a very special day for me, and for

the extended O'Driscoll family as well.

What about emotion for the match against France? This week is all

last. This weekend will be the last time. Cleaning my boots, polishing

my shoes. That is starting to hit home. Inside there will be more

emotion this week, but hopefully I can keep it in check and project it

in the most positive of ways into my performance.

Will we see tears? I don't know. I don't know. I'm sure there will be

tear, whether you see them or not, we will have to wait and see.

Will you be a real man and cry on telly? No problem! Well, there he

is. One last time. He seemed very calm and chilled when you spoke to

him? Chilled and comfortable with his exit. He knows that his time is

up. This is his last day. One more day on the stage. And I think nine

months ago when he thought about stopping, he was not ready. He is

totally ready now. I expect him to be phenomenal today.

He is an icon at sport. In rugby. He is comfortable because he is at ease

with everything. It shows in everything he is doing right now.

For him to win, for Ireland to win, for him to go out on a victorious

day, it will require the French to play better than they have done over

the past few weeks. You feel that the match is almost there for France

to lose. If they keep making the mistakes that they have been making

through the championship. It has been hard to fathom a style

and a game plan for France. Whatever they are trying to do. Whatever they

are, they are making too many mistakes. This are trying to play a

little bit, but they have turned the ball over, 68 times in the four

rounds so far. That is more than any other team. And when they are in

good positions to make the scores, they make those mistakes. They are

trying, off loading, making the line breaks as much as everybody else but

they are not as effective and as clinical as Ireland. That is painful

but it is the truth. We don't have so many balls, and when we have

them, we don't know what to do with them. If we play like the beginning

of the tournament, no chances. If we play as we did against New Zealand

in November, we can do something. There were moments in the first

weekend of the championship. It was like someone had flipped a switch

and it was the old France? In the last five minutes, we decided to

pass the ball, move it forward. To create things, we made things but

apart from that we were average. It is amazing how France are fored

into playing the way that we like and the way you know feels natural

to them. Whatever Philippe Saint-Andre is asking them to do,

they are not comfortable with it. And the question is if they ignore

their coach and do what they want. It is almost a take-two of the World

Cup final in 2011, when the French coach then Levermon and the team

said that they would play their way. It is like that with the French team

sometimes. We don't always listen. The first exist ten shallist rugby

team to play in the championship. The tenseness, you can see it in the

eyes of everybody. It has been an average day, here in Paris, the

weather but it has turned out to the most perfect evening. And a penny

for the thoughts of Brian O'Driscoll. As he comes out here for

the very last time. It is a great atmosphere in the Stade de France.

For a fine throw of of the dice in the R BS Six Nations championship.

Are you nervous, Keith. It is odd to say that this could be a banana skin

for France or Ireland? I am not nervous.

There is no overconfidence. Ireland have to play at their best to win.

They know what to do. If they do it they deserve it, if they don't, they

have thrown away a championship. Well put the flights of French fancy

to one side. If Ireland win, they are the champions and Brian

O'Driscoll will leave on the highest of highs. If France win, England

will be the champions and the Six Nations celebrations will be in Rome

in a hotel where the England team are watching. So after 14 matches

and more than 1,000 minutes of angst that began at the Millennium Stadium

in Wales, this year's championship all comes down the next and the

final 80 minutes. Commentary after the anthems is to

come from Phillip Matthews, Brian Moore and Eddie Butler.

Irish National anthem: $$NEWLINE # Come the day and come the hour.

$$NEWLINE # Come the power and the glory. $$NEWLINE # We have come to

answer our country's call. $$NEWLINE # From the four proud provinces of

Ireland. $$NEWLINE # 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. We'll answer Ireland's call #. 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.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. It's a beautiful evening at the

Stade de France in Paris. It is a heavyweight pack that France have

gone for. Pablo Picasso is back, but on the

blind side. It is huge that pack. Behind, well,

it is the teenage teenager Fickou against the Wrecking Ball. Such a

familiar pack the Irish one. O'Connor leading from the second

row. And O'Mahoney on the blind side. And it is all about Brian

O'Driscoll. His farewell appearance for Ireland. Can they go out with a

championship? Ireland simply have to win. France can win the championship

by score scoring and maintaining points. It is more realistic should

France win, England would be the champions of this year's Six

Nations. Good evening, Brian.

There is a bit of a mix-up about who is kicking which end.

Well. Off to a great start. Steve Walsh into the action early.

And there is a man. Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some,

like Brian O'Driscoll, will be remembered for being great.

It was here 14 years ago we realised we were in the presence of somebody

a bit special. He scored a hat-trick. Can he go out in style?

France against Ireland for the title.

Andrew Trimble catches. Brice Dulin, the fallback. A

dangerous runner. Pascal Pape is the captain in the

centre. Gordon D' Arcy comes in. It takes

three green shirts to bring down Bastareaud.

A penalty to France. Phillip Matthews? Well, France

playing with intent. We were talking to the French journalists, they were

saying that France have picked a very aggressive eight. So maybe

playing more instinctively. Not overcomplicated things but imposing

their size on the Irish eight. Irish teams have struggle struggled

physically. And that is what this French team will want to do.

He seemed to be on his feet, Iain Henderson. He was given a long time

to keep hold of the ball. It shows if you go forward, you get the

50/50s. France take the lead, 3-0.

Well, Ireland have to hold their heads. They will want to be patient

and not try to force things. To play a more territorial game than they

played against Italy. So Joe Schmidt must be tactical now. Given or

assuming that Ireland get the possession to start to dictate.

It does depend how Jonathan Sexton kicks. Against Wales, imperious.

Against England too far. You don't want to give the French a lot of

space. Defensively, Ireland will want to

put pressure on the French line-up. It has stuttered throughout the

championship. Danger here. Has it gone forward?

Yes. BRIAN MOORE: Well, Bastareud, if you

do not catch him first time, he will do that. But then again, that was a

relatively simple pass. You cannot go in high on him. Woeful.

PHILLIP MATTHEWS: Gordon d'Arcy goes very high, he is shoved off. Draws

Brian O'Driscoll in, creating the overlap, and he can't take him.

It is a dangerous first scrum for Ireland, that is their 22 metre

line. Rory Best strikes, Ireland and advanced to the 22.

Well, that was very solid from Ireland. It does show that if you

have someone like Rory Best who can hook the ball, it creates quick

ball, saves publicans... But Joe Schmidt will be worried about that

first contribution from Bastareud. -- saves problems.

I cannot see the point in Ireland trying to take France on man for man

up front. They do not want an arm wrestle, they want to run them about

side to side. They want to play more of the game in the French half.

A real purpose to the French game in these opening exchanges. Devin Toner

comes through. Well, I am not sure that ball was on

the floor, either. I think that was held up. Yes, a couple of decisions

going against Ireland at the breakdown. This is not the French

team we have seen so far in the Championships. There is a lot more

purpose and direction, isn't there? Varies. From the Irish point of

view, what will be worrying is that they are making more yardage. They

are giving ground because of not stopping the French on the

gain-line. Maxime Machenaud just having a word

with his open side flanker. Or, right-hand side flanker, because

France play left and right rather than open and blind.

Now, that is unacceptable. It was not straight, for starters. But to

have a big dividend like that on an international surface, it is not

good enough. Nicolas Mas, who stormed out of a

press conference in the week of the questions came in about the French

scrummaging. But that is all right. Remi Tales. Pascal Pape eight, the

captain. That is a good pass, but it has gone forward.

The crowd is reacting warmly to what France are doing. Believe me, they

are quite capable of not doing so, if the team are not doing well. But

at the moment, they will be happy. Yes, psychologically, they have got

a bit on top of this Irish side at the moment. Ireland will have to

regroup. Paul O'Connell using the opportunity to talk to his men. They

are going to have to withstand this pressure, get some field position

and start getting some momentum and going forward themselves.

EDDIE BUTLER: Philippe Saint-Andre who has face-to-face bit of flak

himself. But you know when there is a genuine campaign building to oust

the coach, and that has not started yet. There seems no pressure yet in

France to ditch the coach! They have won three games, Brian! They have.

Not well, having said that. There is a man they have missed, do

so too. Now, he is having a chat with the

Irish front row. It is a scrum. Yoann Maestri, a giant of a man.

Devin Toner, taller, but more slender.

Both sides driving early. It looked to me as though Domingo was

whingeing there. -- hingeing. Foot up by Rory Best,

but on we go. The Irish scrummage going well. Steve Walsh is being

very patient. Mike Ross did come up first, but I would not give a

penalty for that. If you are going backwards and you stand up, that is

a completely different matter. But whatever the discussions are

between the referee and the front row, it is their responsibility to

play within the law, it is his responsibility to referee. Let's

just get on with it. If they do not do it right, penalise them.

Penalty to Ireland. Thomas Domingo is the man singled out. The way back

into this match may well be through the set pieces for Ireland. They may

have an edge on the scrummage. They will be delighted to see that Steve

Walsh has seen it that way. In the line-outs, they should be stronger.

And also, expect Ireland is to start to try to maul these French

forwards. Devin Toner has gone to the tail.

Paul O'Connell is in the middle. And it goes to him. Heaslip. Sexton.

Dave Kearney, in from the left wing! This is working well for Ireland.

Kimi, still going. Cian Healy drops it. Advantage,

France. REFEREE: Advantage over. The

strength and power of Louis Picamoles.

Rob Kearney has the safest pair of hands. Lord D'Arcy. He heads back

into the heavyweights. Paul O'Connell. Good presentation

for Ireland. Andrew Trimble comes off the right

wing. Toner. D'Arcy. That was a good tackle. I

thought there was a knock on there. Machenaud kicks it, but only as far

as Dave Kearney. Good tackle by Machenaud. Aggressive follow-up by

the scrum-half, and that is the reward. Well, Steve Walsh is right

about that, because his knee went down, although it was done so

quickly, it looked as though he had done nothing wrong. That is down.

Playing into French hands. The French defence is good. Ireland are

conceding turnovers. They are playing a lot of rugby just inside

their own half, and not gaining a huge amount of ground. They need to

play more territory. I am surprised Sexton is turning down the

opportunity to turn this French side around. Nicolas Mas having some

attention. Three more points for the

scrum-half. I was speaking to a respected French

journalist before the kick-off, and he was saying the French were very

angry as a team. They have been receiving abuse from the media are

all week. He said they were sick and tired of it and they were determined

to do something about it. One for the forwards to chase. Paul

O'Connell catches brilliantly. Sexton.

Dave Kearney. I should out by Brice Dulin. -- that was ushered out by

Brice Dulin. It is really important that they put pressure on this

line-out. Even if they do not win it, they need to put the French

under pressure. Quite wisely I think, the French have decided to

cut the line-out. Paul O'Connell penalised for taking his opposite

number while he was in the air. Well, that is not what they wanted

to do. I think that is a harsh call. That is very well played by Rob

Kearney. He tries to go past Huget. He does.

Heaslip drifts across. Oh, or again. Oh, dear. That has gone up in the

air! Gordon D'Arcy is the first Irish tackle.

This is Mathieu Bastareaud. Steve wash is groaning in pain if

you can hear that. And Gael Fickou, the danger man and

Louis Picamoles just as dangerous! Short to Szarzewski. That looked

forward to me. It was. Now, then, is Steve wash

injured? Well, he is certainly making a lot of noise if isn't.

Well again, Bastareaud is letting him down.

Well done, Steve, well done. Brave man.

I think he will take some shifting today.

Who, Walsh or O'Driscoll? Brian O'Driscoll! I'm not sure we are

going to see the incident. There was a man outside of him. That

ball could have gone wide. It would have put Ireland in trouble.

It would have been better had Bastareaud passed it straight, first

off. Can I make the point. We are not in charge of the pictures, we

cannot show what we want. We are in the hands of the French director.

Unfortunately, we cannot bring you the pleasure of the Steve wash

incident! Already France are ahead in the statistics.

There is no real pace to this game, though. The theory is that frants

can't do 80 at full pelt. -- France.

With the regular stoppages, it helps them.

We saw a couple of kicks from Jonathan Sexton. The last high kick,

only a fraction, two metres long. It gave the catcher enough time to be

secure. And another scrum goes down.

Unlike the one before when Domingo went before. It was an Irish take

down from a bad strike. It was going back through to the

French side. It was so crooked it bounced off a knee. Another penalty

for Ireland. A set piece. That's what they want to see. They really

are starting to get a psychological edge. They want to get Steve wash on

this French eight's back, especially at scrum time. Now coming up, a bit

of territory and a decent line-out. Jonathan Sexton judged that well.

Now surely this is the time for the Irish catch and drive. They have

done it so well. And I don't understand why but maybe you can

tell me but for large parts of the Six Nations, when it is one of their

prime attacking weapons. They do it so well.

Absolutely. They have done it well in the

campaign. Joe Schmidt may not be wanting to show his hand too much.

Well taken. They have gone for it. Connor Murray almost through.

A great tackle by Szarzewski. N Jamie Heaslop up to the five-metre

line. Around that, they can go backwards now.

It's still there for Ireland. Sexton for the line! A brilliant off-load.

A great try for Ireland. They've opened their account.

That was fantastic pace for Ireland. They didn't panic. A couple of times

you thought they would be turned over. They had faith. Ireland are on

the way. It should help. It is a big

psychological positive for them. I was surprised, I'm not saying it was

easy but they opened up the French defence by going blind and around

the corner. I thought that the French defence would have stuck up a

little more to that, but that has switched the momentum completely.

There is a contrast. Nicolas Mas and Jonathan Sexton.

Well what that has shown is that Ireland has come here with real

confidence with the ball in hand. They have rejected opportunities to

kick and play for territory. They have come here with a confident game

of taking the ball forward. They are attacking this French

defence. Oh, no, Jonathan Sexton. They do not

take the lead but they have scored a try.

A superb read by the Number 10. It is early.

But Ireland will hope that relatively easy kick as a conversion

won't count against them at the end. The pace of Brice Dulin. Ireland are

forcing him out of play. Spot anything? Yes, a philosophical

discussion going on. It is probably about he disagreed with Sartre!

Rory Best to throw into the line out.

Paul O'Connell brings it down safely.

Iain Henderson... He has his hands on the ball and Ireland maul their

way away from their 22. Murray to put a boot to it. You

don't want that out. Well caught. Caught by Picamoles.

A French player went down. , but oh, dear. Not so well taken by Louis

Picamoles. There is a better percentage in that

kick from Murray. Normally so good under the highball, Picasso. It

worked out for Ireland, but pushing France back and forcing them to

counter deep it is much better play. Unusual for Picasso he caught the

ball without a problem. But he dropped the back lift to the

pass. The French were booing earlier on.

They thought that a French player had been booked.

He went down. Murray, there is space here for

Murray. And Andrew Trimble is in! A second try! Two in succession! Not

only did O'Driscoll make, the important thing, once he had made

the half break, the ball came back so quickly, the French had no time.

The scrambled defence was shredded. France's defence does not have the

organisation. The big question was if they could get their passion up.

They have done that but they have not made up the gap in the

organisation. It has left big holes in the defence and huge holes for

Andrew Trimble's try. And the problem for France, after

the scrum they did not get up quick enough.

It is a much simpler conversion for Jonathan Sexton. They are in the

lead now. This is to double France's total of six, he has. France, six,

Ireland, 12. Now questions with respect to how France can respond.

Can they respond with patience? Keep a cool blue head rather than the

norm? The red Gaelic head? Phil, if Ireland score the next one and

another try, this crowd is going to make their feeling well known.

It has never happened to me here, Brian, you are dead right.

Andrew Trimble has made ground again.

Gordon D' Arcy to O'Driscoll. That could have been dangerous. Fickou so

nearly away. A moment of panic there from those of us wearing the green

today. Little moments like that can shift

the momentum in games. If that ball had stayed in touch.

The 19-year-old up against the 35-year-old.

Peter O'Mahoney and a mauling. Twice now in their own half.

Chris Henry has it, now it is for Connor Murray. Not far enough. There

is a bit of a queue. Dave Kearney got his hands there and Jamie

Heaslop has done well. Well taken by Dulin.

This time Gordon D' Arcy does get him down.

It's a penalty to France. Well that is one of the things that

Bastareaud does well. When he gets his body over the ball he is very,

very strong. Machenaud is weighing up the

distance. Or measuring the distance. Ireland have to be more accurate

with the Gary owns. They need to get a lot more depths on the kicks.

Remi Tales. He is invited to take the kick. Very well played. Crucial

time for both sides. If Ireland can keep France out, it would be a huge

psychological blow in their favour, and obviously, converse.

Szarzewski trying to get the maul going forward. Looking for the weak

spot. O'Connell is up in the air. Nicolas Mas comes away with it!

Chouly. Pascal Pape digs in for it with his hands, leaves it. Domingo,

as I'd advantage. France have the penalty. -- offside advantage.

Try for France. UTV played! A bit of volleyball, and a rugby try, which

puts France right back in the mix. REFEREE: Try, no try? If it is no

try, we will go to the advantage. That means France will at least get

a penalty. The television match official,

Gareth Simmons, of Wales. REFEREE: We are talking about six

Green taking out a support lifter. That is a catch. And that is a try.

That was a very smart play by Huget. They knew they would have the

advantage anyway. We have to have official

confirmation. BRIAN MOORE: Come on, get on with

it! Steve, can you hear me? You may award the try. It looked like Rob

Kearney had covered that well, but... It was absolutely key for

France to get themselves back into this. The momentum was with Ireland,

and now, it is on a knife edge again.

A successful kick here would take France one point in front. Jonny

Sexton having missed one from almost in front of the posts. Machenaud,

for the lead. And France are in front.

There was organisation in that, so, some signs that France have brought

something to the party, in terms of organisation, which they have not

had so far this Championship. You have to give credit for the

execution of the kick. Ireland will have the throw. Rob

Kearney keeping a close eye on the ball. That has brought the crowd to

live, Brian. From the point of view of the no,, that is exactly what you

would want, for the game to continue to be close. -- of the neutral.

Brian O'Driscoll, out to Andrew Trimble. Still in Irish hands. Paul

O'Connell. Play on. Sexton. O'Driscoll, inside

to Rob Kearney. Very aggressive line speed from the defenders.

Ireland have done very well to get up to the halfway line again.

Sexton, this one does go further. Too far. There was a huge amount of

space there. There is an awful lot of space behind the French back

three for him to be putting diagonal kicks into the corner. But so far,

he is not looking up and seeing that, unless that is the preferred

option, to keep it high. But I am not so sure they are getting any

return on it. If it is, you have got to have someone contesting it. You

cannot give people a free catch when they are in their 22.

It has come back on the French side. Mike Ross goes through on Machenaud.

The power of these huge French forwards. Picamoles. Rory Best does

well to stop the number six. Tales going on his own, finds Machenaud

with the pass. Ireland hold things up. It is therefore Machenaud.

Tales, for three points! He has missed it. Well wide. Wider than it

should be. He had enough time. French player down here. He was

miles away. Some panic there are, there was no

real reason to be taking that option, unless he was 100% confident

of getting it over. They had Ireland under pressure. Nicolas Mas is the

injured man. They will not want him to go off. They were signalling for

a replacement very early. And he is already on.

Hyperextension of the elbow. That is something I HAVE experienced. Did

you come off? Element it was playing for all-star.

EDDIE BUTLER: Well, we have all winced up here.

Ireland have got the put in at the scrum. That is the new prop. One of

the Irish players expressing his admiration for the effort there are,

in a rather prosaic way! We are at that lovely time in the evening,

just at dusk, it is ethereal almost. Goodness me! It inspires you when

you are in Paris, doesn't it?! It is another good Irish scrum.

Jonny Sexton on the loop. Dave Kearney, was he taken early? It is a

forward pass, advantage being played, as Dulin comes away.

O'Driscoll had to roll back the years, and go at full pace, to save

Ireland there. REFEREE: It was a forward pass, and

then a forward pass. We had one each way.

PHILLIP MATTHEWS: Well, that has got to be the first one. And that is the

second one. We have now had four forward passes

in the game! Ireland still playing a lot of rugby in the middle of the

park. He certainly made the tackle on the

man without the ball, but the passwords forward. You know the law

book, Brian? Once it is forward, that is it, isn't it? Does an early

tackle count as foul play? Possibly, but they did not give it, so...

Steve Walsh, a study in patience. Ireland do not want to give a

penalty away which is kickable just before half-time. Whatever happens

here, they do not want to do that. And there is Thomas Domingo, the

prop in question. What was he referring to, he goes

down, he goes like this... ? BRIAN MOORE: He is saying, he is

hingeing, and then trying to drive up. He is really trying to get in

underneath Mike Ross. First of all, Mike Ross should not be binding on

the arm, actually. That is illegal binding. And why the touch judge is

not pointing that out, I do not know. So, instead of having a

dangerous scrum, Ireland now have an attacking line-out. Rory Best. He

finds Peter O'Mahony. And he's it finds some space! Briefly.

Penalty, and it is Thomas Domingo again, I think.

Well, I would like to see that one again. He is saying, don't play the

number nine. I am not sure that he did. For me, whoever it was looked

like they were trying to play the ball. That's fair enough, isn't it?

Yes, he is still the receiver. This, to take the lead and go into

the dressing rooms at half-time. This will be perfect for Ireland to

go in, if it goes over, just before half-time.

Ireland do not take the lead. A second simple miss for Jonny Sexton.

It is Pascal Pape's team who go in at half-time with their noses in

front. Well, this can be a bit of a

soulless, concrete bowl on occasions, but the Stade de France

is working tonight. It is a spine tingling atmosphere. This is a

brilliant and brutal Test match. Early points for Machenaud, to put

France into a 6-0 lead. Jonny Sexton replying for the Irish with a try.

But he missed that conversion, and he missed another penalty, on the

stroke of half-time. How key might those five points the, in the final

analysis? This was a magnificent try, orchestrated by Huget, and

converted by Dulin. That was converted from the touchline as

well, which could be crucial. This is a real contest.

It an amazing contest. As good a game and a perfect final for this

fantastic tournament. France turned up. We were saying in the first five

minutes, are they turning up? You feel we were going to give you the

game? The manner that they played is so different from anything that they

have done. It is because we love the Irish. We want to show you how good

we are. Absolutely.

Let's talk about the match. The first ten minutes was the French

playing with dash and passion. Was that to spite the critics? We are

scare bad Ireland. We know how good they are. If we did not turn up, we

could have lost the game by 40 points. In the first 20 minutes, we

showed the desire, the commitment. Bastareaud, Hakkinen -- Picasso made

the difference and Ireland came back. They managed to play the game.

We were slow. The defence was poor. And they took the score.

But France had opportunities to score? It shows how prescriptive

that rugby is. You have Remi Tales. He is calling for the ball, they

don't get it. I think if only you can listen. The game is about the

communication. You will make the right decisions then. They have

decided to go the same way, but look at this opportunity. Talles is

shouting for it. Look at the overlap. The numbers. Given the

ability of the French team, that is bang on a try. It is about

decision-making. We have to improve. We create the opportunities be don't

take them. Here is the Bastareaud break.

On a one on one you would fancy him? It is unusual for D'Arcy and

O'Driscoll to be so far away from one another. That was the space to

attack. You have a guy at 18. 5 stone, conservatively, I am

guessing, and any gap he is going to smash through.

But you were screaming at the pass? Yes, but because they have to the

action better. Dulin should have come closer.

But there was no-one there. Then suddenly, a great chance.

So, 6-0, it is all France, but when Ireland are back on the board, the

momentum shifts. It was a good line by Jonathan Sexton? It was good play

by Ireland. They have been efficient. You can see what they are

trying to do. There is a strategy to how this are playing. They are

trying to suck in the French defence but going the same way. Attacking,

close to the break down to break the defence in. It is the same. Then you

rely on the good players to spot the opportunities. Machenaud is shouting

for defence to come over but Ireland are going the same way. Ireland have

a huge amount of patience. And Murray snapping on the heels here.

The delivery fantastic. You see it very well, when Henry gets the ball

out for Jonathan Sexton. It is highlighted there. That came

after ten phases, a very good scrum from Ireland. We can build on that.

I am a bit scared of the second half. The Irish are dominant.

It is great to see the patience. Normally a side can get whitelined

fooer, but they are structured comfortable with the playing.

Connor Murray has been a stand-out player during the course of the

championship, but during the second score, it came from an extraordinary

error that Louis Picamoles made. He has been so, a bit like Pirese, when

a highball goes up, every time he catches it.

It is a bit of a shame. He is a top player. He was last season. France

bases a lot of how they play around him. This is a basic error. He

catches it and looks up, and it has gone. As a result Ireland get the

scrum. It is fascinating how much space there is for Ireland to

attack, but look at the quickness of Paul. Where are the French defence?

It is nowhere. Murray and Andrew Trimble link up. Murray is

brilliant. Andrew Trimble follows him. That is the key. He is not on

his own. There is support. I think it comes down to poor

defence. It was a good ball.

And Connor Murray is playing heads up. It was a beautiful hard pass, a

difficult pass. It came from your dominance in the scrum. You turn in

the proper way, the French forwards were late into the defence.

You can't defend quick ball. The Irish went up from the scrum, the

French did, you talk about the skripsive rugby, Connor looks up,

Andrew Trimble sees it, they capitalise on that.

In rugby, the spatial awareness, the French try was magnificent. A

perfect kick. Yoann Huget and the Dulin line. It was fantastic.

We see the kick going over and an overhand slam. It was magnificent.

It is a French try. I am cheering, jumping about a bit.

It is magnificent. You laughed at the start of the game. You said we

did not have a game plan. That was in the game plan.

They had rehearsed that. It is great to see as it is reading

the game. Huget is up there. He knows he will get the support. He

knocks it down. Brilliantly read by Dulin. We thought we would score the

drive but we didn't. Then we scored, found the right option for the try.

You talk about being dominant in the forwards but at scrum time it has

been Ireland in the ascendency. In many ways, the game has change

because of Steve wash's treatment of the scrum. He is penalising France.

They are hinging. The shoulders dropping below the hips. They are

giving away penalty after penalty. As it goes, a think that is yellow

card could be in the offing. There is something for Philippe

Saint-Andre to work on. They are struggling. At half-time they are

going to have a talking point, are you getting on Steve wash's side?

But the French players are the same for many years. The scrum is

struggling now, is it the new rules? That is taking the pressure off

them. They are not used to striking. Walking over the ball. They can't do

it. They are fishing for the ball. They are uncomfortable.

But like Gethin Jenkins last week, he knew that they had it in for him

he had to get on. Philippe Saint-Andre has to decide whether

the props are to get hammered. Is it me, or is it loud in here?

Magic. A great atmosphere. Well, there is enormous interest in

a hotel in Rome. If the scores stay like this, England will be the

champions of the R BS Six Nations champions. That is because earlier

in Rome, they won like this. Burrell from Brown and he takes it.

And Mike Brown scores his third try of this Six Nations championship.

In short, and over they go. Own farl is right there. He touches down --

Owen Farrell touches down. Now to Brown. Here he goes for the line.

The second try for Mike Brown. And here they come. Farrell to

Brown. And to Knowle! Over the line. And suddenly it opens up for

Twelvetrees here. Here comes Manu Tuilagi. Three goes.

That is exactly what England expected from their supersub.

And they are on their way again. Interception here. Sarto to beat

Robshaw. He heads for the line. Sarto in for his second try of the

championship. Ford. A lovely break Ford. He plays

the inside ball and England captain, Chris Robshaw is over! So this is

how the table is looking at the moment.

You will not be surprised to hear that Mike Brown was Man of the

Match. That is how the table is looking.

England could be the R BS Six Nations champions.

Snrfrjts we have a forum later on this evening, we would love to hear

from you, e-mail, tweet us. However, but the emphatic win for Wales, was

largely predicated on Stuart hog being sent off for Scotland after a

tackle with an elbow in the face for Dan Biggar. After that, there was

only ever one winner. And one thing to mention before we

start the second half, unlike Jonathan Sexton to miss two

straightforward kicks. That is five points thrown away.

He must get his act together. He also had three loopy inside

passes going forward. His attention is not exactly accurate enough at

the moment. It could be a big call as he deliver delivers in the next

20 minutes. You were cool, calm and collected

before the game. Are you slightly more on the cusp now? I am loving

it. Still calm and comfortable. I am hoping in five minutes going into

the game that Ireland will be in a position to win it.

Well, as we go in to the second half, as things stand, England are

the champions. That Ireland team will be doing all in their power

during the course of the last half of the championship to ensure that

the trophy goes to dub lained to the rest of Ireland.

-- goes to Dublin and to the rest of Ireland.

So, here we go. It looks like France are taking

positive action against Thomas Domingo, given that Steve wash

doesn't like him in the first half. sn't Jonathan Sexton, can he put

behind him the two missed kicks? And will Joe Schmidt's team change the

tactics? Will Jonathan Sexton start looking for more territory in the

second half? Rory Best to throw. Connor Murray. Up ended with the

balls, it is there for Paul O'Connell. Sexton, change of

tactics, well read by Gael Fickou, who then slips.

Tales. Very interesting, because Maxime Medard is in hot pursuit, and

he has picked it up! He kicks ahead, which may not have been the best

option. Pascal Pape leaves it for Dulin.

This is the number eight, Razia Iqbal Szarzewski. He fires it out,

and it bounces for Pascal Pape. Penalty to Ireland. Relief for

Ireland. It is Rob Kearney who is down, and it does not look good.

BRIAN MOORE: Good work by Paul O'Connell there.

Rob Kearney is back on his feet, but limping. This is Maxime Medard.

Ireland's first line-out of the second half. And they have won it.

Murray does well to scoop it up. Mike Ross.

Advantage from, after the tighthead prop, loitering out there, knocked

on. That is one of the problems, if you are going to be playing that

outside channel to give yourself wet, -- width, you have got to have

someone who can get the ball out, and Heaslip is not the right person.

PHILLIP MATTHEWS: It all gets very lateral. Not one of Mike Ross's

strengths. Again, Ireland playing an awful lot of rugby with ball in

hand. There is space behind this French back three, but they are

determined to carry on where they left off against Italy, which is in

really trying to stretch the French defence and tie them out. But so

far, I am not sure they are getting any return from it. They may need to

start to think about getting more territory. The thing is, if they

catch, drive and kick off an advancing maul, there will be more

players taken in from the defensive side, there will be more room to

either run or kick. Just looking at Rob Kearney, he seems all right now.

Machenaud feeds this scrum. It is another little nudge forward

by the Irish forwards, but France have it. Bastareud.

Szarzewski presents the ball for Machenaud.

Clever footwork by Slimani. And Kylie comes away with it. And that

could be an interesting kick. That is a great kick.

One thing you can say, Eddie, this is a full on Test match. Good

footwork by the replacement prop. And Kearney did well to pick up and

clear. France have the putting. -- have the throw in. Off the top,

Tales. Pascal Pape, the captain. Devin

Toner tries to hold him up. France get the ball to ground. They make a

couple of metres. Clive Byrne, the footballer.

Bastareud tries to free his hands, and does well! Knock-on. Now,

Ireland have a chance. Rob Kearney goes down.

It is a game of swaying fortunes. Andrew Trimble. O'Driscoll outside

him! Can it be the perfect finish for Brian O'Driscoll! Still going!

Two metres short! , picks up. Has to be! Jonny Sexton! What great play

from Ireland. From defence into attack. They are in the lead again.

I thought for just a moment that they had messed it up. Jonny Sexton

running a good line again. He has stuttered with his boot today, but

he is bang on form with his hands, and his running. That is what you

want. It was a mismatch, but against Pascal Pape, exposed by Andrew

Trimble. Yes, Andrew Trimble really just needed to force the tackle.

Brice Dulin did really well not to commit himself. You can see the line

run by Sexton, coming back in, catching the defenders on the inside

shoulder. Here is the try. He is doing this

part of the game all right. His second try. His kicking, I mean,

that one went over, but it is squeaky! It may well be. But what

you cannot appreciate, I do not think, from the pictures, is the

commitment from both sides, which is huge. The collisions are monstrous.

Jamie Heaslip catches, under pressure from Medard.

Knocked on by Picamoles, under pressure. Good chase by Andrew

Trimble. That was a better kick bike Colin Murray. In the first half, his

kicking was too high, not enough distance. That was much better. It

is another key time, we ended and divided in the first half, Howard

France we act just after Ireland scored? -- we identified it. Have

Ireland got the ability to kick on from here? Picamoles has gone to

number eight on this Irish putting. -- Irish put-in.

That is good work, picked up by Peter O'Mahony.

Penalty advantage to Ireland. Chris Henry takes it up.

REFEREE: Hands off. Now, what do you do here, with Jonny Sexton's kicking

form? I would say go for the corner. I would say it has to depend

on him, if he is confident, give him his head. The head says Warner. --

corner. Driving maul? I think it would be

wise. And I just give credit to Steve Walsh, only a fraction of a

delay, with the hand on, but that is all it requires for international

defences to reorganise. He tried to play on, but came back. Very good

refereeing. Toner is taken out, and that is a

penalty advantage being played. Yoann Maestri gives away the

penalty. REFEREE: Number five, in the maul.

Number five. That is what I expected Ireland to

do more of in the first half, use the maul. France have been giving

away a lot of penalties so far in this Championship. Can Jonny Sexton

put the Demons of the first half out of his mind?

I am thinking of kicks Jonny Sexton has missed. I am thinking back to

New Zealand in November. It was this very spot. On the right-hand side,

but not difficult. A similar spot. When he takes too long, that is when

it seems to get to him. There is now a 9-point gap. That is

important, more than a converted try.

Yoann Maestri is off the field... There were about six French chasers

in front of the ball there. Flanquart has come on. That is an

excellent kick by Murray. The challenge was good on Picamoles.

Chance here for Ireland. Gordon d'Arcy kicks downfield. It comes to

Brice Dulin, who returns it. Andrew Trimble. Excellent pastor

Sexton. Was he taken late? Play on, says the referee. He has a chat with

the touch judge... I think the idea was right from

Gordon D'Arcy, but the execution was not up to it. There was a lot of

space behind that French back three. Jonathan Sexton will probably regret

going to ground there. He may well have been able to stay on his feet.

He did not get the penalty he was looking for.

Ireland just need to keep their nerve now, to have confidence in

their ability on the ball. We are still in the third quarter, plenty

of time left. Devin Toner wins the line-out.

Conor Murray takes it off him, and hits the blindside! Gets the pass

away to Dave Kearney. Brice Dulin catches. Bastareud fix

up. He finds the new player, Flanquart. Pulled down by Jamie

Heaslip. Player down for France and that

player is Brice Dulin. In possession, Maxime Medard. Rory

Best, what a good tackle by the hooker. There is a scrum advantage

being played for Ireland. That is an excellent kick by Conor Murray.

We will pause, because there is an injury to Brice Dulin.

BRIAN MOORE: I know everyone wants to see the game continue, and it is

right that the physio can come on and treat players, but that got

dangerously close. That is a tremendous catch. I love Brice Dulin

as a player. He has been one of France's few successes in the Six

Nations. Yes, and was from there that Maxime Medard nearly got away.

Rory Best is in the form of his life again. The addition of Devin Toner

has taken a huge amount of pressure away from Rory Best in the line-out,

and the rest of his game has improved. Brice Dulin is ready to

continue. That is a tricky little kick by

Tales. Murray says chase that, everybody.

The Irish kicking game, has been recalibrated. It is a real

challenge. It is better in the second half.

They are getting good returns. That is three knock ones in the second

half alone. I don't know how much Irish fans have start started to get

into the ground, but there is a lot of support here.

This is a key period of the game. They really need to stay here.

The possession statistics are up. They really need to stay.

Jamie Heaslop brings it over to his right-hand side. Connor with a

little kick-through. Dulin blasts it.

Oh, out of play. That is a very good kick.

It is from almost no angle. However, Ireland have the throw. They have

been very goon on their own. Because they have that lead, provided they

keep doing this, then France have to do something special.

Alexandre Flanquart coming back into the line up after having some

attention. And Jamie Heaslop is out on the

three-quarters and Devon Toner delivers to Chris Henry.

Jamie Heaslop coming in to join the maul.

It will be a teaser from Connor Murray. That may be a little too

far. Medard to Huget.

And that leaves Brian O'Driscoll behind. Here come France through

Medard again. Medard has some tricky footwork. A penalty. An early

tackle. Just from that loose kick. That ball

gave the French too much time to counter.

I don't know if we will see that footwork again but it was something

special. It remains one of the mysteries why

we don't see more of it! In and out. He stood him up well, Huget. He has

been great with the ball in hand. France win the line-out and enter

the Irish 22. Chris Henry is on the floor. There

is back up now, but France are looking menacing.

That's a good tackle by Jonathan Sexton.

Alexandre Flanquart to Debaty over the ball.

Machenaud calls the players to the right. He goes that way.

Damien Chouly to Machenaud. Debaty on the far side.

There is a penalty advantage being played.

This is Picamoles. That's got to be a penalty. That

could be a yellow. What that will do, it will prolong

the advantage it gives France. They are going for the cross-field

again, but that is over done. And it is back for the penalty. Is there

trouble for Cian Healy? He is in the red zone. He will get a warning at

least. Head-to-head as well.

Louis Picamoles is the victim. That is Picamoles.

He is keeping his hands to himself today. Not applauding anybody. If I

was going to hit somebody head-to-head, it would not be him. I

wouldn't think that was intentional. A little reckless.

The problem is that there is no attempt to use the arms. You cannot

say he was trying to ruck the player off.

So, Cian Healy stays put. France is up for the penalty

line-out as it were. Pascal Pape wins the ball and Ireland get the

initial drive-on. Szarzewski spins out.

Henry tackles him. Bastareaud, they have to put him down early. That's

the try line. And it is in Debaty's reach but he

cannot quite reach for it. There are so many men on the left

for France. The ball goes in. The power of

Picamoles! Gordon D' Arcy part of the hold-up operation.

There is a penalty coming as well. Machenaud! It must be. If they get

the ball down against the post it is a try. They can't. Have they now?

Yes! Against the post. It is a try. Well, that is a very, very spirited

response from France. The game is on again.

Well it's game on as when Ireland have the set Pete deepen, the French

half were unable to do that. They have allowed France to play out and

they have a paid the price. Clarify this, the base of the

padding counts as a goal line. If you get it against that, that is a

try. Oh, I think he has dropped.

Oh! Was there a little knock-on there? I bet there definitely was.

Steve Walsh was certain at the time, but in the days when referees tend

to go upstairs for most things, he decided not to. Machenaud adds to

the two points. Although that may well not have been

awarded as a try. There was a penalty coming. He was still playing

advantage. That is definitely a knock-on.

Changing all round for Ireland. Mike Ross has gone off. Martin Moore

comes on. Peter O'Mahoney comes off. So into

the back row. That is Martin Moore. Eoin Reddan.

It's a good tackle by Iain Henderson.

Tales. The first of the replacements, Flanquart.

Number 21 for Ireland is Eoin Reddan at scrum-half.

Dulin goes for spiral length. That's a brilliant kick.

Kearney goes for the spiral kick. That does find touch.

Just a point here, Phil, Ireland chipped seven points when there was

a knock-on there, however, there were three offences within five

metres. Had it gone on, I wonder if there had been a man in the bin and

if you would have swapped one for the other. I don't know? It is a

fair point it looked like a try was coming. Ireland are luck you enough

not to have got a yellow card there. They really is have to play more in

opposition territory. Jonathan Sexton saw the space, but

was not able to execute. Unusually, Louis Picamoles has not

been one of the top French players tonight.

And Vahaamahina is going on for Louis Picamoles.

When all is said and done, Ireland are still in the lead.

Well, if anybody in this game thinks that a two-point advantage is enough

to do it, they have to think again. There will be more points in this

game. Rory Best is looking a little worn.

This is Rory Best taking it nice and slowly. I wonder if Cronin is

warming up On goes Fergus McFadden and Gordon D' Arcy is going off.

Give credit to Gordon D' Arcy. Often overlooked in the centre

partnership, but he has been around for a long time. He has been a very

effective foil for Brian O'Driscoll. He deserves a lot of credit as well.

A new scrum-half for France. It is Jean Marc Doussain.

Oh, and France get the penalty! Walking around the corner will give

it away. With so little separating the sides,

penalties are going to become all-important. You sense that the

match is going it hang in the balance. It will be decided by

little things like this in the last 13 or 10 minutes.

That's as it stands. Ireland leading by 22-20. A simple victory will do

it for Ireland. A simple French victory and England are the

champions. 67. 5 minutes gone. France with an

attacking line-out. Trailing by two points.

The crowd has gone quiet. It is not because they are not interested, but

they are all tense. Tales to Bastareaud.

That was brought down early. Jean Marc Doussain changes

direction. Fickou and then to Paul O'Connell.

Gael Fickou tries to get the pass away. It has gone forward. Sexton is

down, and he does not look good. No, and Bastareud looked concerned for

him, which says something. I do not know if that happened in the

contact, or the impact on the ground. His head did not seem to me

to be in a bad position, upon impact with Bastareud.

REFEREE: That collision with the ball carrier for blue...

EDDIE BUTLER: Just listening to Steve Walsh their...

BRIAN MOORE: Well, initially, I heard the comment elbow. If he is

looking for a reverse angle, I can only think that he is saying there

was something intentional. Yes, he starts low, but he does not go in

with the forearm. It was not the contact with the ground. Jonathan

Sexton is out as he is hitting the ground. It was the contact with his

lower arm or his elbow. REFEREE: Have you got anything for

me, mate? In the middle of that group is Jonny

Sexton, who is out. Well, if he does come off, you can expect Bastareud

to be running that channel a lot more. The difference is, if you go

in with your arm tucked in and you push up with your elbow, you are

perfectly entitled to do that. Nearly all players do that. The

difference is, if you lead with the elbow, it is entirely different.

Jonny Sexton has been replaced, and France have also made a replacement

at hooker. Szarzewski has been replaced. Here we go, look. No, that

is the former come for me, not the latter.

PHILLIP MATTHEWS: Yes, I would have to agree with that. Another thing I

would say, I made this comment earlier, about how enormous the

collisions have been. You look at the number of players who have got

cuts everywhere. APPLAUSE

Let's hope Jonny Sexton is OK. If you lose your playmaker, the

scorer of two tries, it places a lot of responsible at the on the

shoulders of the substitute fly half. It certainly does, and he has

not had a lot of game time at this level. Joe Schmidt has had his

reasons, but I suppose, at least he is slipping into what is essentially

a Leinster backline. It is not as if he will not be familiar with his

midfield. There is the replacement, Ian Madigan, now playing fly half.

Problem with the bind there. The Irish tighthead, binding on the arm.

With great care, Jonathan Sexton is taken to the medical room.

Rory Best and Cian Healy, the only two that remain of the starting

front rows. Sean Cronin and Jack McGrath are poised to come on.

Eoin Reddan feeds. France tried hard. France get the penalty, with

that drive on the scrum. You could see the difference there.

The prop gets caught square on, and goes backwards. Job well done by the

big prop from Belgium. Change of kicker for France, because

Jean-Marc Doussain has come on for Maxime Machenaud.

Oh, dear. He has missed it, and Ireland's slim lead remains. There

is a long ten minutes coming up. Here we go, changes in the front

row. Jack McGrath comes on the Cian Healy. And Sean Cronin comes on in

the middle of the front row. Ten minutes to go. Ten minutes for

Ireland to win the Six Nations, to give Brian O'Driscoll a wonderful

sendoff. Doussain, the replacement

scrum-half, catches that kick-off. Chouly. Tales. Too far. Safe mark by

Rob Kearney. That is a gift. Yes, it is a gift, but it is territory, and

it is going to force Rob Kearney to give France... He has kept it in,

presumably that was intentional. Good tackling by Ireland, forcing

France back into their own half. Tales. Bastareud. Maxime Medard,

foot in touch. That was absolutely key. The whole dynamic and momentum

of this game has been with France. It is all about possession and

territory. Ireland have somehow got to turn that around. They have got

to get territory. They have got to spend as much of this remaining nine

minutes or so as possible deep in French territory. Ian Madigan was

the player who made the tackle. Chris Henry is receiving attention.

This is the new hooker, Sean Cronin. It is therefore Eoin Reddan. Andrew

Trimble sets off. Maxime Medard with the catch.

Madigan. Rob Kearney giving him the instructions - put it in the air.

Brice Dulin, he will be tempted to run.

That is a great catch by Bastareud. It was a terrible pass to him.

How many does it take to bring down Mathieu Bastareaud?

Advantage being played. REFEREE: Advantage over.

Rob Kearney again issues the instruction, let's get down into the

French are. Madigan kicks well. Bastareud is down. And both teams

will be desperate to make sure they play just within, or just outside,

goal-kicking range in their own half. Because one mistake, one

penalty either way, could well decide this now. Referee wants

France to get on with it. Well, they need to, because they are losing.

Five minutes plus half a minute to go.

France try and burst out. Iain Henderson did well to stop it. That

is a great tackle by Cronin. Doussain. Penalty to Ireland.

Absolutely key. This game is going to rest on little moments like that,

turnovers like that. The break was made by Jean-Marc

Doussain, on his own. And here is Ian Madigan. How brave can he be? He

made sure. Well, he did the right thing. If that had not made touch,

it really would have compounded things, and Ireland would have had

to defend the counterattack, I am quite sure. Number 21 on for France,

Wenceslas Lauret. And also, Gael Fickou is off, and Mermoz comes on

in the centre. Fergus McFadden took it to ground.

Heaslip. Jack McGrath. Good clearing out work

by Ireland. Eoin Reddan. The crowd get behind France, as

Brian O'Driscoll rolls out of a pair of tackles. Devin Toner.

France have been awarded a penalty. 2.5 minutes to go. Oh, Ian Madison

was -- Ian Madigan was trying to get a vital, what he thought was a vital

extra couple of yards, but he left himself exposed there. That is a

really bad miss. Rob Kearney, that has not gone far enough forward,

either. Bastareud catches. Is this France's chance? Tales cannot take

it. Taken on by the prop, Debaty. Doussain again. Tales.

The captain, Pascal Pape. It comes out to Mermoz. Maxime Medard!

Tackled by Andrew Trimble, but they are within ten metres of the Irish

line! Dulin long to Tales. Has it gone forward?

It is Dulin who touches down, but Steve Walsh, on the advice of the

touch judge, is going to have a look at this.

REFEREE: Time off. REFEREE: Gareth, we are in the frame

for a forward pass, otherwise it is a try. Let's get this right, it is

not whether the ball travels towards the opposition line, it is whether

the hands were going backwards. I do not think they were, I think that is

a forward pass. Phillip Matthews can't speak! . The

hands were going forward! Gareth Simmons is watching keenly.

What are we saying here? Does it leave his hands forward? Can you

give me clarity, please. They are having another look.

Well, whichever way this decision goes. It will be very, very

unpopular with one side or the other.

Forward pass, mate. I have it. A forward pass.

80,000 people do not agree that is a forward pass.

We have one minute and 10 seconds to go.

The Irish management team think it is a forward pass.

And Rob Kearney had a chance to clear his lines there. If they don't

see this through, they will feel they have thrown this away.

And this is the fifth one that they have had. Whilst it was tight.

International professional players should be able to make that pass.

Ireland have to be careful now. We have had penalties at the scrum.

France have applied the squeeze. Eoin Reddan to feed.

This is in a very kickable position. It goes straight to ground.

Well, they have to be careful here. He is binding on the arm. He is

right in front of Steve Walsh. One last scrum.

He is under pressure again. France steal the ball! Iain

Henderson makes the tackle. That's not a bad result for Ireland.

They will take that, if they can defend it.

Last chance for Republic of Ireland. Paul O'Connell is holding them up.

It's a man down. Penalty! Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. The

whistle has gone. That is Steve Walsh... Is it the final whistle? It

is! Brian O'Driscoll, in his very last game for Ireland can celebrate.

Ireland are the Six Nations champions! They have won here in

Paris. There is it, France, 20, Ireland, 22. Ireland are the

champions! And so they celebrate from the Giant's Causeway in the

north to the south. The whole of Ireland can celebrate. That man,

that result and whoever did the fixtures for the Six Nations

campaign, he is a genius, or she is a genius. We have had the most

dramatic finale. It culminating in an agonising, almost unbearable last

couple of minutes. Here is confirmation of the table that

Ireland are victorious. Ireland with the better points difference. Keith

Wood? Absolutely. My voice has gone from screaming at the end. We are

down here on the side of the pitch. It was gulch-wrenching. Incredible

scenes, incredible nervousness and incredibly braery from all of the

players. You can see that they are happy but shattered.

It takes two to Tango. The most fantastic Test Match. That is France

like they should have been all of the time? I thought we could come

back in the last five minutes. Jean Marc Doussain missed the penalty.

Then in the last move, the forward pass, that wasn't a forward pass!

But if you go through the match, there was so many moments when it

twisted and turned. Jonathan Sexton missing the points in the first

half. Szarzewski's try. The one and only occasion where the referee did

not go to the video referee. That was seven points to France that

should not have been given. Rob Kearney not clearing his lines. It

was a game with everything. We were saying it halfway through

the game. This is the reason that we love the sport. When you have a game

like that. Two teams that put everything into it. We are looking

at the scenes of the pure unbridled joy. I disagree in some ways, it is

not about Brian O'Driscoll. It was beforehand but this is about a team

delivering on their promise. Of winning a trophy that they

desperately needed to back up between. It can be the start of a

new era. Ireland have promised for so long.

You look at the provincial play, what they win, what they have

achieved. Now it has been transformed by making this team come

together by Joe Schmidt. It is aen old team but they are consistent.

I'm sure England were thinking at various points, that it could be

theirs but it was not to be. In the last five seconds it could

have been theirs. What a fitting end to such a

fantastic tournament, that it was still hanging in the balance.

They are erecting the podium for the presentation of the R BS Six Nations

championship. We will see endless pictures of Brian O'Driscoll but we

may not have an opportunity to hear from him before going off air on BBC

One, but let's hear from Paul O'Connell. I think that we can hear

from him now. Many, many congratulations, Paul. I

know you are apologising as you have left your teeth in the changing room

but I am sure we can understand you. What was it like to play in the last

few minutes? It was frustrating. We scored three tries. I thought that

we were playing good rugbiment, but we went into ourselves and stopped

playing, stopped trying to win the game. That is a dangerous game to

play, but luckily we held out. Lucky with the forward pass at the end,

but we did score three tries. What was going through your mind

when the decision was coming for the pass? I saw it coming against the

pitch. I saw it forward. Sometimes the decisions go against you, but I

was happy enough it was forward. An amazing week, the build-up, of

course with the attention on Brian O'Driscoll, how much did it mean to

you to get this today? It is fantastic for the people at home.

Fantastic for the team. And for Brian O'Driscoll and his family, to

be part of the team. To have a great finish to his career. It was great

for everyone involved. Congratulations, I think you have a

trophy to collect. Well done. I am not sure that we have told you

but Brian O'Driscoll has been made Man of the Match. How could they

give it to anyone else? Well, that was just brilliant. You can see it.

You know, I still expect him to cry in a few minutes. The second thatten

somebody talks to him, it sings in, the elation, the win is there, and

then the recognition, that is the last time he dons an international

jersey. We have the French team applauding

the fans. There has been a lot of respect between the players and the

spectators. Is as if the French team reengaged with their supporters this

evening? I am proud of the team today. I think that we did

everything. We started strongly. We showed the desire. The platform, in

the line-outs and the scrum that cost us points in the first half,

but then we managed to move the ball from one side to the other to create

opportunities. We were close against a very good team of Ireland. I am

proud of them. We have a forum coming up on the red

button. Any thoughts on an Irish championship or the other sides

playing in the championship in the review of what has happened over the

course of the last seven weekends, give us a shout by e-mail, tweet,

however you choose. In general terms, what have you made of the

events of the last month-and-a-half? I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The

top teams, Ireland and England played well. Not just in defence,

that is a given but in the attack. I like the way with what Joe Schmidt

has done with the team. Brought them together. The line-out is great. The

scrum is good. I think that England have been ambitious and struck a

chord and connected with their public. France, finally, have come

back to play well. Scotland ra nowhere. It is sad to say. They

should have beaten France last weekend? A poor French side turned

out. People can say that Scotland did not allow them in but that is

the argument but they have not progressed this year.

The gather we can hear from Brian O'Driscoll in a few minute's time.

Offer a final eulogy on the most capped international player, in

fact, don't do that just now... Brian, how are you feeling at the

moment? It is starting to kick in now. It is great to be a two-times

nation's winner. There have been so many successes, so many

disappointments, it is great to finish on a high. When I hang up the

jersey on the inside, it will be with very fond memories. How did you

manage the last few moments? It was the last leg stuff. I know now why I

am packing it in. 08 minutes is a long bloody time at international

level! Especially with men like Mathieu Bastareaud running at you. I

am delighted. It was a huge Irish contingent here today, I am glad

that we gave them something to shout about.

Many congratulations. So Ireland's second victory in 42

years. The second this century and Brian O'Driscoll has been an

integral part on both. Your thoughts on him? He has delivered on his

country for 15 years. An icon for children throughout the country.

They have seen that things are possible. That magic is possible.

That winning is possible. If every winner, there is, there is

also a loser but I suspect that Philippe Saint-Andre is proud of

that team this evening. Philippe Saint-Andre, how proud are

you of the team's performance today? Sometimes, I don't know. To have

lost like this, congratulations to Ireland, they played well but I

think that our young team did very well. It was a shame in the end of

the game. If we had a little more of the control. , but, it is an Ireland

game. There was so little between the

teams, a shade of a forward pass made the difference? Yes, we don't

know with the new rules, when you pass behind if it is forward. It is

more on the last scrum it is a lot to take in. It is like this, one day

we will turn in our side. France looked like a team with

something to prove today? I think we know, the guys were criticised all

of the way. I think that we showed a lot of things after we took two

tries. But Ireland played well. I think

that they played well in the tournaments. So I think that on the

tournament they deserve it. Thank you very much.

You can see the presentations have again started to the Ireland team.

And perhaps thinking of the weeks that have gone by. Losing to England

in the Titanic match and then coming down to the points difference. After

England won in Rome so well today but not well enough to make the

points difference a factor. Tonight it came down to just winning or

losing. The margins were fine, as they always are on great sporting

occasions. For me, Andrew Trimble, a guy who is unheralded for the most

part, was truly magnificent. He forced knock-on after nor can. Brian

O'Driscoll, from the start, he was a threat. He played his first game in

the Stade de France, and he scored three tries against us, and we knew

from the start that he was going to be a legend. Game after game, match

after match, he has shown so many times what he is. He is such a

modest man. On the TV, he never takes the lead. Amazing player.

Well, all the Ireland players bar one have been up to shake the hands

of the presentation party. But the most important man tonight, in a

way, is the man who is going to lift the trophy. When he finally hangs up

his boots, Ireland will miss him almost as much as Brian O'Driscoll

will miss them. Paul O'Connell holds up the trophy! And Ireland are

victorious here in Paris. And it has been a terrific Championship,

starting with that first weekend here in Paris, with a titanic battle

between France and England. Some great matches along the way. Italy

against Scotland in Rome, what an extraordinary match that was. But it

finishes with a really outstanding Test match. Ireland's latest rugby

magician disappears from the stage victorious.