France v Ireland

0:00:53 > 0:01:01Ireland bring England crashing to earth.Jacques Brunel is coming in,

0:01:01 > 0:01:10not met with widespread excitement. A record win for Ireland. Conor

0:01:10 > 0:01:25Murray gets the tribe for Ireland. -- try.The talent coming out of

0:01:25 > 0:01:32French rugby is still frightening. It is not Strictly Come Dancing.Of

0:01:32 > 0:01:39course Ireland go out as favourites. There is the weight of expectation

0:01:39 > 0:01:44for Ireland to go out and deliver. Plenty to digester for the French

0:01:44 > 0:01:50rugby fans arriving at the start to France today.

0:01:50 > 0:01:52In December, the French Federation sacked a head coach

0:01:52 > 0:01:55for the first time ever - Guy Noves the man to

0:01:55 > 0:01:56suffer the guillotine.

0:01:56 > 0:01:58Into the hot seat comes Jacques Brunel, with just five weeks

0:01:58 > 0:01:59to prepare for this match.

0:01:59 > 0:02:02And he's taken a big gamble in his team, bringing in 19-year-old

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Matthieu Jalibert at Fly Half for his first cap.

0:02:05 > 0:02:06The Irish, in contrast, are in fine fettle.

0:02:06 > 0:02:10Seven wins in a row and 32 tries in those matches as well.

0:02:10 > 0:02:13They hand Six Nations debuts to three players as well.

0:02:13 > 0:02:21Including young second row James Ryan.

0:02:24 > 0:02:34Welcome to Paris. The first match for France, freezing, grey skies and

0:02:34 > 0:02:38we are all shivering appear in the studio. But to warm you up with

0:02:38 > 0:02:45their comments and receptive observations Paul O'Connell and the

0:02:45 > 0:02:52rest of the team. We are all very excited. You can feel the excitement

0:02:52 > 0:02:57ahead of this Six Nations. It is like Christmas.It is an exciting

0:02:57 > 0:03:04time of year for everyone, for the fans and the players. The French

0:03:04 > 0:03:08have the possibility of six new caps. That brings excitement to

0:03:08 > 0:03:21French rugby. It reminded me of 2000 when five players got their caps for

0:03:21 > 0:03:25England and they had a record win over Scotland. So hopefully for

0:03:25 > 0:03:35Ireland, that will not indicate the same.Well we will look at Ireland

0:03:35 > 0:03:43in a minute. But let's talk about France. And French rugby in some

0:03:43 > 0:03:53kind of disarray. And the first ever coach sacked. Jacques Brunel has

0:03:53 > 0:03:57come in, not dynamic enough for many. Is this a new low or a new

0:03:57 > 0:04:02dawn?

0:04:02 > 0:04:10dawn?Well diagnosis was picked by the former president. They were

0:04:10 > 0:04:17fighting as we know. And Guy Noves had too much pressure. So bad that

0:04:17 > 0:04:25came the opportunity to get a new coach, a guy that they trust.You

0:04:25 > 0:04:30know how difficult this job is. You were in that hot seat with that

0:04:30 > 0:04:34weight of expectation and of course the difficulty is dealing with the

0:04:34 > 0:04:38clubs who do not always seek international rugby as a priority.

0:04:38 > 0:04:44Is that the biggest challenge, to get the clubs onside?I do not

0:04:44 > 0:04:52remember having so much stress!It does not look like you are stressed.

0:04:52 > 0:05:00It was tough. But during

0:05:00 > 0:05:07It was tough. But during the ten years, we made changes. But we can

0:05:07 > 0:05:12see much more French players and some young players coming in today.

0:05:12 > 0:05:18Well it certainly is visible how much it has been in decline looking

0:05:18 > 0:05:27at the winning rates of the coaches over the past six years. 33%

0:05:34 > 0:05:37win right for Guy Noves.For the resources they have, the number of

0:05:37 > 0:05:43players. It is right up there in terms of popularity as the game. But

0:05:43 > 0:05:49hardly any French players and too many foreigners and that is

0:05:49 > 0:05:59affecting the national side.

0:06:01 > 0:06:06Jacques Brunel has some pedigree. He has been coach at Bordeaux before

0:06:06 > 0:06:11coming here. So he has gone ambitions and he will give these

0:06:11 > 0:06:17guys are run at being quality international.He has gone with

0:06:17 > 0:06:23youth and fitness in the shape of Jalibert coming through onto the

0:06:23 > 0:06:31international stage. He really is green however.He is a fantastic

0:06:31 > 0:06:35footballer that he started three months ago with his first game in

0:06:35 > 0:06:44the Top 14. So he is talented but it is a big ask.

0:06:44 > 0:06:47is a big ask. The fly-half has not performed well for ten years and new

0:06:47 > 0:06:58players are coming in to have a go. They're looking take responsibility.

0:06:58 > 0:07:05Well I would be excited about today because this guy, his speed and

0:07:05 > 0:07:10acceleration, he is a platinum attacker. And you want to fly-half

0:07:10 > 0:07:19like that who will be ambitions. As long as there are not many

0:07:19 > 0:07:26interceptions.I think Johnny Sexton has got to control the game a little

0:07:26 > 0:07:31bit more. And in these wet conditions as well. The kicking game

0:07:31 > 0:07:36will have to be really accurate. Territory will be really important.

0:07:36 > 0:07:41And we have seen some bad habits last year from the French team. That

0:07:41 > 0:07:45silly penalty playing the ball on the ground. Slimani, the French

0:07:45 > 0:07:55number three. Grabbing his legs and that was also a penalty. Conditions

0:07:55 > 0:08:00were poor, similar to today. And Ireland peppered them with some high

0:08:00 > 0:08:09kicks. This scrum was in front of the posts as well. And just that

0:08:09 > 0:08:16silly penalty. And that was three points. Ireland did not create a lot

0:08:16 > 0:08:22in the game last year. They only scored one try. But a big part was

0:08:22 > 0:08:32the kicking game, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.

0:08:32 > 0:08:36Johnny Sexton.Is Jacques Brunel the man well placed to stop those sloppy

0:08:36 > 0:08:42mistakes, is he known as a good disciplinarian?Yes the atmosphere

0:08:42 > 0:08:49is much better. He has given responsibility to the players. But

0:08:49 > 0:08:55we need first a good set piece and good discipline. And after the

0:08:55 > 0:09:04kicking game will be very important. The back free will need to be spot

0:09:04 > 0:09:10on. We've just seen a game where we thought Scotland would be

0:09:10 > 0:09:20comfortable in this open plan but they were not. But for France with

0:09:20 > 0:09:22these inexperienced players they could bring some surprises for

0:09:22 > 0:09:28Ireland.And that is one big advantage for Ireland taking away,

0:09:28 > 0:09:33the players are good at getting to know the opposition and doing their

0:09:33 > 0:09:38work. So that advantage has been taken away. Ireland do not really

0:09:38 > 0:09:42know how France are going to play and Jalibert, they have not got a

0:09:42 > 0:09:48lot to go on.Johnny Sexton said that, it is a bit discombobulatedly

0:09:48 > 0:09:55to know so little about your opposite number. We shall see.

0:09:58 > 0:10:02opposite number. We shall see. Now let's focus on Ireland. Coming off

0:10:02 > 0:10:07the back of seven wins in a row and it all began in March with that

0:10:07 > 0:10:15victory over England to deny them the Grand Slam.

0:10:15 > 0:10:22A thunderous start guaranteed. The Irish, kitchen-sink at the ready.

0:10:22 > 0:10:27Johnny Sexton just the kind of man for a day like this.Ireland on the

0:10:27 > 0:10:39board.Ireland with the try. A fifth score for Henderson. Ireland into

0:10:39 > 0:10:48double figures. The cleanest of strikes from Owen Farrell. That is a

0:10:48 > 0:10:58monstrous kick from Johnny Sexton. Keeping England in touch. Ireland

0:10:58 > 0:11:06bring England crashing to earth. Eddie Jones has stirred the pot seen

0:11:06 > 0:11:09Ireland are favourites.Are you comfortable with that. I'm just

0:11:09 > 0:11:13comfortable with the group and how much hard work to get through. I do

0:11:13 > 0:11:20not get distracted by what anyone says. It does not really influence

0:11:20 > 0:11:26what we go out and do. We can only try to control as many variables as

0:11:26 > 0:11:33we can and those are more on the pitch than off the pitch was a

0:11:33 > 0:11:36Johnny Sexton had a torrid time here a couple of years ago. Do you have

0:11:36 > 0:11:42plans to make life uncomfortable for young Jalibert customer I do not

0:11:42 > 0:11:52think we centre on him. Chavancy is a strong runner. And Thomas comic

0:11:52 > 0:11:57you do not let him have too much space. So not to focus too much on

0:11:57 > 0:12:02Jalibert. At the same time we would not liking to get too comfortable

0:12:02 > 0:12:07because he looks like a talented young player.You have players

0:12:07 > 0:12:12making their debut today for the Six Nations.Including Ake. I hope that

0:12:12 > 0:12:17he is a huge handful today for France. And begged that -- backed up

0:12:17 > 0:12:21by Stockdale and Ryan. They are excited about the opportunity, a bit

0:12:21 > 0:12:26nervous but that is to be expected. With the level they expect

0:12:26 > 0:12:31themselves to perform at and the pressure of this first game in the

0:12:31 > 0:12:40Six Nations.So there they are, seven wins in a row starting with

0:12:40 > 0:12:45England, dumping South Africa, plenty of younger players of course.

0:12:45 > 0:12:49But if we are going to be picky perhaps not the most difficult run

0:12:49 > 0:12:58of matches comparing some of the other games in the autumn tests.

0:12:58 > 0:13:02That is probably true, they have not really been tested since playing

0:13:02 > 0:13:07England. But it has given them the chance to catch a few players as

0:13:07 > 0:13:14well and to widen the squad. That was a problem in the last World Cup,

0:13:14 > 0:13:18the depth of the squad but now there is depth in Irish rugby for the

0:13:18 > 0:13:24first time in a long time. That is produced special considering there

0:13:24 > 0:13:28are only for professional teams. James Ryan is one of the debutants

0:13:28 > 0:13:34today. Keeping Devin Toner out of the sides of the his first Six

0:13:34 > 0:13:42Nations cap.He is a former captain of the Irish under 20s team. The

0:13:42 > 0:13:51kind of modern second round. He goes from a good six to potentially good

0:13:51 > 0:13:57second row. He is very tall, excellent line-out operator. A good

0:13:57 > 0:14:01off loader. And getting back to full fitness after being out with

0:14:01 > 0:14:05injuries. That is the only thing that could hold him back, those

0:14:05 > 0:14:10injuries early in his career. But he has got that fitness now and he is

0:14:10 > 0:14:14going to blossom in this championship. Great to see him

0:14:14 > 0:14:20getting a cap with an experienced side as well.

0:14:20 > 0:14:30Is he the Irish Maro Itoje?He probably is! And he has the same

0:14:30 > 0:14:33attributes, brilliant attitude, brilliant trainer, they have to pull

0:14:33 > 0:14:36him back from training rather than pushing towards it, which is great.

0:14:36 > 0:14:43I think he has great potential.Just like you! He loved training.I was

0:14:43 > 0:14:49miles behind where this guy is.You are being modest. Let's talk about

0:14:49 > 0:14:53Bundee Aki, a man who has been on a real journey to find his

0:14:53 > 0:15:01international career, at 27. He has travelled.Yes, he came over as a

0:15:01 > 0:15:07young man, he came to England, he went to Truro college at 16, and he

0:15:07 > 0:15:11played at Bath with the skills coach from Exeter, took under his wing,

0:15:11 > 0:15:16talented there, and he went back to New Zealand because he had a child.

0:15:16 > 0:15:22He worked as a bank clerk.And a builder.To look after his family,

0:15:22 > 0:15:27which is tremendous. And he was brought over, you sign up for

0:15:27 > 0:15:32Connacht, and from all accounts he is a real man of the team. When

0:15:32 > 0:15:35Connacht won be Pro12, he was playing that season, so he let by

0:15:35 > 0:15:41example. He has come with a New Zealand work ethic, brought back to

0:15:41 > 0:15:44the Irish fold, and when you hear people like Brian O'Driscoll say

0:15:44 > 0:15:49that he is a quality player, they're on his merit, you know he is good.

0:15:49 > 0:15:54He has been embraced by the team in terms of any international issues,

0:15:54 > 0:16:01the rules changing to five years. There is no ill feeling towards him.

0:16:01 > 0:16:04In Ireland, there are four professional teams, so they probably

0:16:04 > 0:16:08had to use that rule a bit more than most, but they used it well. Guys

0:16:08 > 0:16:16like CJ Stander as well, Jared Payne, injured at the moment, they

0:16:16 > 0:16:21made a big sacrifice to come over, to move their families over and try

0:16:21 > 0:16:24something different, so the players have a lot of respect for them, and

0:16:24 > 0:16:28they really look after them and they are delighted to play with them.

0:16:28 > 0:16:32When he went Connacht, it was probably a gamble for him, playing

0:16:32 > 0:16:38for evicting side. And he had a fantastic season that year, and they

0:16:38 > 0:16:44won be Pro12. -- playing for a fantastic side. He is fantastic.

0:16:44 > 0:16:48Let's talk tactics, we expect a gripping game from Ireland, and why

0:16:48 > 0:16:53not, when you got Murray and text and in the side. This is what France

0:16:53 > 0:17:00will have to better with an last time. -- and Sexton.For the last

0:17:00 > 0:17:05five years, we built a strategy, kicking, and also all the challenge

0:17:05 > 0:17:11on the eyeball.

0:17:11 > 0:17:14on the eyeball. I don't think the Irish ways will help us, because I

0:17:14 > 0:17:20think you are the master, also with your scrum-half and fly half.It's

0:17:20 > 0:17:24not always the most popular thing with a purist, and it doesn't always

0:17:24 > 0:17:29win new fans, does it, that's kind of tactic, when you employ it all

0:17:29 > 0:17:36the time, but if it's a effective, why not?Those clips from last year,

0:17:36 > 0:17:40I led about six points ahead, they had two fantastic players in Johnny

0:17:40 > 0:17:45Sexton and Connor Murray, and they kept pinning back France, and with

0:17:45 > 0:17:48Andy Farrell in defence, getting into your face and make you make

0:17:48 > 0:17:53defence, so you are chasing the game and you have to play, but you are

0:17:53 > 0:17:55playing in front of this disciplined, hard defence, which

0:17:55 > 0:17:59makes you make defence. Ireland capitalised and kicked penalties,

0:17:59 > 0:18:04and they'd be good at that.Every side would wish that they have a

0:18:04 > 0:18:10kicking strategy as good as Ireland do with Johnny Sexton and Connor

0:18:10 > 0:18:15Murray. It gives so much momentum, pure quality.We have an Irish

0:18:15 > 0:18:19legend in the studio, and there's another one with Sonja McClaughlin,

0:18:19 > 0:18:23but slightly speedier than this one. Somebody would have beaten Paul

0:18:23 > 0:18:29O'Connell in a foot race! Given that you have played on the win, what

0:18:29 > 0:18:35have you made Jacob Stockdale?I'm excited, along with the rest of the

0:18:35 > 0:18:40country. He's a big kid, great for international rugby, because it's a

0:18:40 > 0:18:44physical environment. I'm excited to see how he does today, he has a

0:18:44 > 0:18:48natural finishing side, and he hasn't four tried in four games.

0:18:48 > 0:18:54Impressive strike rate already. He is tall and quick, even such a young

0:18:54 > 0:18:58age, the complete winger already. It's always nice to be a big guy,

0:18:58 > 0:19:07Shane Horgan, guys like that, because it's so physical. There are

0:19:07 > 0:19:10challenges, defensively at times against this season, he had

0:19:10 > 0:19:18challenges. There are a few things he has to work at, but he's good.A

0:19:18 > 0:19:22neck injury curtailed your career. Do you wish you were playing today?

0:19:22 > 0:19:26I don't know, there are some big guys! Is something you always miss

0:19:26 > 0:19:29and you will treasure for the rest of your life.

0:19:29 > 0:19:35Thank you. As always, a cracking atmosphere,

0:19:35 > 0:19:39and the tenth time that France had played Ireland at the Stade de

0:19:39 > 0:19:43France in the Six Nations. They tend to be corkers.

0:19:43 > 0:19:49A moment of individualism. Iron can it be the perfect finish for Brian

0:19:49 > 0:19:56O'Driscoll in his last game? Ireland are Six Nations champions.The pitch

0:19:56 > 0:20:09is freezing, the match is off.He's got!By 10-9, France lead Ireland.

0:20:09 > 0:20:15They have really been fantastic encounters, these two here at the

0:20:15 > 0:20:20Stade de France over the years. What it one of your favourite places to

0:20:20 > 0:20:26come and play rugby, Paul O'Connell? I wouldn't say that! I only beat

0:20:26 > 0:20:32France once there in 2014, to win the championship. It's been a tough

0:20:32 > 0:20:36place Irish teams over the years. In recent years, decent enough record,

0:20:36 > 0:20:42but historically we've really struggled. For some of the older

0:20:42 > 0:20:46guys like me, you still have a hang-up about that, so for James

0:20:46 > 0:20:50Ryan, the last four or five years, we've been watching Ireland doing

0:20:50 > 0:20:57really well again.And they have no historical baggage in that respect.

0:20:57 > 0:21:01Although Ireland have been doing well of late and they are different

0:21:01 > 0:21:06contenders, the waveform, only five defeats in seven, two wins is all,

0:21:06 > 0:21:12that's something you got to rectify. -- the waveform.I'm not sure, when

0:21:12 > 0:21:15you are part of a team, we're not going to go there. You are thinking

0:21:15 > 0:21:21about that game the seasoning, this afternoon, and how you are going to

0:21:21 > 0:21:25impart what you been doing all week. You don't go back into history. The

0:21:25 > 0:21:33Irish team is well drilled. It is manicured. With the rugby brains of

0:21:33 > 0:21:38Murray and Sexton, those two girls Ali guys taking it on the field,

0:21:38 > 0:21:44it's good.No matter what certain sense you take over, it's a moment

0:21:44 > 0:21:53of intense pride.With the French team, what's fantastic, we lost the

0:21:53 > 0:21:56last five games, but the atmosphere today is amazing and fantastic, and

0:21:56 > 0:22:02I think this will be a brilliant contact.There is a mismatch in

0:22:02 > 0:22:11terms of experience between these sides. The French side, 262 caps,

0:22:11 > 0:22:14Ireland, 819. When it comes to international experience, you'd

0:22:14 > 0:22:21fancy Ireland all day long.And even the experience together as a group.

0:22:21 > 0:22:25Joe Schmidt, his fifth or sixth day in the championship, so they are

0:22:25 > 0:22:28familiar. For a lot of the Leinster guys, he has been coaching them

0:22:28 > 0:22:34longer. When Leinster were coached by Stuart Lancaster, the same

0:22:34 > 0:22:39defensive system as anti-viral, a lot of continuity in the Irish game

0:22:39 > 0:22:46at the moment. -- and the Barrow. And that continuity counts for a

0:22:46 > 0:22:53lot, Jerry., It does, because the depth that Joe Schmidt goes into,

0:22:53 > 0:23:00preparing a side, it's incredible. It's almost information overload.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03But he has magic this Irish side into understanding and accepting it

0:23:03 > 0:23:09and also, they put their own spin on things. When you are out there, you

0:23:09 > 0:23:13can't beat that programmes, you have to act in the moment. When you have

0:23:13 > 0:23:18players as skilful as Murray and Sexton alongside the new players

0:23:18 > 0:23:21like Bundee Aki, who isn't used to the system, you do what comes

0:23:21 > 0:23:25naturally. The way the Irish play today will be direct, because they

0:23:25 > 0:23:31are looking at Jalibert, who isn't big, he isn't strong, but he has

0:23:31 > 0:23:47abrasions. -- brains. I asked if it was a new dawn or a

0:23:47 > 0:23:50new low, and you think it was a new dawn with that reception. What an

0:23:50 > 0:23:56atmosphere! The smoke is billowing. It's wonderful in the stadium right

0:23:56 > 0:24:00now. Expectation and excitement. The French public certainly hoping for

0:24:00 > 0:24:06something from this new era. What do you expect today, a French victory?

0:24:06 > 0:24:11I would say my heart says France, but my brain says no. So France by

0:24:11 > 0:24:24one.It is points. Ireland for me. Will go to a commentary team, Luke

0:24:24 > 0:24:30Fitzgerald, Brian maul and Eddie Butler. Enjoy these, they are always

0:24:30 > 0:24:31rousing.

0:24:39 > 0:24:51ANNOUNCEMENT IN FRENCH. Ladies and gentlemen, in

0:24:51 > 0:25:06Ladies and gentlemen, in honour... ANNOUNCEMENT ECHOES AROUND STADIUM.

0:25:14 > 0:25:17# Come the day and come the hour Come the power and the glory

0:25:17 > 0:25:20# We have come to answer Our country's call

0:25:20 > 0:25:21# From the four proud provinces of Ireland

0:25:21 > 0:25:29# Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall

0:25:34 > 0:25:42# Shoulder to shoulder We'll answer Ireland's call

0:25:51 > 0:25:59# Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall

0:26:00 > 0:26:08# Shoulder to shoulder We'll answer Ireland's call

0:26:10 > 0:26:17# We'll answer Ireland's call. #

0:26:30 > 0:26:36ANNOUNCEMENT IN FRENCH.

0:26:36 > 0:26:42# Allons enfants de la Patrie Le jour de gloire est arrive

0:26:42 > 0:26:50# Contre nous de la tyrannie L'etendard sanglant est leve

0:26:53 > 0:26:55# L'etendard sanglant est leve

0:26:55 > 0:27:03# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces feroces soldats

0:27:03 > 0:27:11# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes!

0:27:13 > 0:27:20# Aux armes, citoyens Formez vos bataillons

0:27:20 > 0:27:24# Marchons, marchons

0:27:24 > 0:27:29# Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons # !

0:27:29 > 0:27:36# Amour sacre de la Patrie

0:27:39 > 0:27:44CHEERING

0:27:44 > 0:27:51Welcome to the Six Nations in Paris. Jack Bruno, -- Jacques Brunel,

0:27:51 > 0:27:58installed as coach. No try has been scored by anybody in the second or

0:27:58 > 0:28:15back row. All eyes on Matthieu Jalibert, 19 years, 89 days old.

0:28:15 > 0:28:21He'll be up against Johnny Sexton, and there will be a lot... Geoffrey

0:28:21 > 0:28:29Palis is at full-back, a brand-new start for him in the Six Nations.

0:28:29 > 0:28:34James Ryan, into the second row. Plenty of experience in front of

0:28:34 > 0:28:44him. Rory Best, the 106 captaincy for the hooker, and the captain, CJ

0:28:44 > 0:28:50Stander, at number eight, will be targeting Jalibert. Johnny Sexton

0:28:50 > 0:28:54wears number ten. The contrast of the outside-halves. 69th cap for

0:28:54 > 0:29:01Sexton, 14 years Jalibert's senior.

0:29:06 > 0:29:11We normally look to the replacements bench to bring on experience and

0:29:11 > 0:29:18power but it is a brand-new bench for France. So many near the front

0:29:18 > 0:29:24row players have not played in the Six Nations. Of course France are

0:29:24 > 0:29:30built to surprise.They are but how much they can do it against Ireland

0:29:30 > 0:29:36side which so experienced especially in defence but we will see. I doubt

0:29:36 > 0:29:40it.

0:29:41 > 0:29:47it.Aki playing in the Centre for Ireland. His first game in the Six

0:29:47 > 0:29:52Nations. Nigel Owens of Wales the referee today. The first touch for

0:29:52 > 0:30:01Jalibert and were off. Conor Murray, presumably not the first time

0:30:01 > 0:30:14Ireland will put boot to ball. Gourdon. Camara.

0:30:14 > 0:30:21Gourdon. Camara. Ireland forced the strong flanker out of play.

0:30:22 > 0:30:28strong flanker out of play.We will see how the battle goes. It will

0:30:28 > 0:30:33revolve I would think around the two number eight. Stander is the more

0:30:33 > 0:30:43experienced. He needs to come inside, that is poor play.Ball from

0:30:43 > 0:30:52Ryan. Aki.

0:30:52 > 0:30:59Ryan. Aki. The elusiveness of Keith earls on the wing.

0:31:00 > 0:31:10earls on the wing. Penalty advantage, Furlong involved.

0:31:14 > 0:31:26Machenaud made the tackle. We go back for the penalty put up and

0:31:26 > 0:31:29hello to Luke Fitzgerald in the penalty box.Thank you, it was an

0:31:29 > 0:31:35interesting start. Good from Ireland, a few guys getting their

0:31:35 > 0:31:40hands on the ball and a nice bit of defence to get that line-out. So a

0:31:40 > 0:31:51solid start.They got round the outside of France quite easily.I

0:31:51 > 0:32:00feel that they will target that guy. I believe France are vulnerable on

0:32:00 > 0:32:10the wilder parts of the pitch from kicking and passing as well.

0:32:10 > 0:32:15kicking and passing as well.Keith earls back in action. Johnny Sexton

0:32:15 > 0:32:21are very familiar sight.

0:32:22 > 0:32:28are very familiar sight. Slimani the French prop.

0:32:37 > 0:32:49No problem for Johnny Sexton.France will have to be careful in that area

0:32:49 > 0:32:55of the game. They averaged over four times more penalties than Ireland in

0:32:55 > 0:33:05their last encounter.Jalibert to Conor Murray.

0:33:11 > 0:33:20Johnny Sexton the captain.

0:33:28 > 0:33:34Keith earls with the follow-up and Ireland moved smoothly into the

0:33:34 > 0:33:39French half.We see what an easy exit that was put up that pinpoint

0:33:39 > 0:33:47kicking. Ireland, their aerial and chasing game has been good for many

0:33:47 > 0:33:51years.I'm not surprised, they spent a huge amount of time in that area

0:33:51 > 0:33:59and they try to be as prepared as possible in that area.

0:34:07 > 0:34:13Told to get back onside.

0:34:33 > 0:34:41Penalty given for breaking the bind. With this French team I think they

0:34:41 > 0:34:47will be most dangerous in Little scraps like that. I don't have the

0:34:47 > 0:34:50advantage in terms of organisation but they do pose a threat behind the

0:34:50 > 0:34:55scrum.

0:34:59 > 0:35:07scrum.Just checking work Johnny Sexton has gone. Thomas waiting.

0:35:07 > 0:35:13Tackled by Stockdale.

0:35:13 > 0:35:18Tackled by Stockdale. Machenaud.

0:35:24 > 0:35:38Jalibert with his trademark kick and chase.

0:35:43 > 0:35:52Jonny Sexton, much more effective into the corner, clever little kick.

0:35:52 > 0:35:58That is the difference between them, Jalibert trying something

0:35:58 > 0:36:03spectacular against a very organised defence. Then Johnny Sexton, superb

0:36:03 > 0:36:11kick into the corner to put pressure on France.Went straight to Keith

0:36:11 > 0:36:21earls.Henderson, challenge on the French throne. Good clearance under

0:36:21 > 0:36:27pressure, Machenaud.

0:36:42 > 0:36:47Ireland are strong in this kind of positions. They could throw in a lot

0:36:47 > 0:36:53of crossfield kicks at the French back three.Henderson winning the

0:36:53 > 0:37:00line-out. Aki.

0:37:04 > 0:37:12line-out. Aki. Cian Healy. Safely back to Conor Murray. He makes the

0:37:12 > 0:37:22mark.

0:37:24 > 0:37:35Pallas, a very long kick.It will be interesting to see how much fluency

0:37:35 > 0:37:39friends can produce after such a short preparation time with their

0:37:39 > 0:37:46new coach.

0:37:46 > 0:37:53new coach.The ball got slowed up a little bit.

0:37:57 > 0:38:03little bit.Gourdon into the heart of the midfield.

0:38:14 > 0:38:25Chavancy, a first glimpse.

0:38:32 > 0:38:38Thomas coming off his wing.

0:38:50 > 0:39:07Vakatawa. Victoria. Out wide. France patiently building. Thomas given a

0:39:07 > 0:39:13roaming role today.

0:39:13 > 0:39:23roaming role today. Vakatawa has swapped wings.

0:39:24 > 0:39:36Jalibert now. Advantage being played, the ball went forward.14

0:39:36 > 0:39:42phases for France. Against an Irish defence which was always

0:39:42 > 0:39:51comfortable. They have powerful runners but if you cannot give the

0:39:51 > 0:39:56defenders more questions to answer and do not have options inside and

0:39:56 > 0:40:02outside and runners available, with a defence like Ireland who are so

0:40:02 > 0:40:09well organised, they're going to come at you.Just looking at those

0:40:09 > 0:40:13phases for France, trying to maintain width. A lot of the guys

0:40:13 > 0:40:18getting drawn towards the ball. Holding width would give the players

0:40:18 > 0:40:24an opportunity to get a one-on-one and they have fantastic athletes.

0:40:24 > 0:40:31But you do not get those opportunities if you are too tight.

0:40:35 > 0:40:52Johnny Sexton. Felt the full force of Vakatawa coming his way.

0:41:05 > 0:41:10Ireland have improved out of all recognition in this area. The front

0:41:10 > 0:41:17five was not seen as a dominant scrummaging set piece unit but they

0:41:17 > 0:41:25are now and they have got that depth.Coming under pressure here.

0:41:25 > 0:41:37Rory Best. The scrum going down. France with a slight nudge forward.

0:41:37 > 0:41:48Back towards the 22. Cian Healy. Makes a yard outside the 22. Conor

0:41:48 > 0:41:54Murray cannot kick directly to touch.

0:41:57 > 0:42:06touch. He aims instead at Palis who takes it well.

0:42:06 > 0:42:17takes it well. Thomas. Doing well to stay away from the touchline. France

0:42:17 > 0:42:34just getting a bit of width. Vakatawa, good tackle. Machenaud.

0:42:34 > 0:42:42France making no ground at all. The whistle goes.

0:42:44 > 0:42:53After the any penalty it is a bit flat.-- early penalty. I would be

0:42:53 > 0:42:57happy if I was Ireland. You just want a settled period in an away

0:42:57 > 0:43:06game. Three points up. They have not had much ball and when they do get

0:43:06 > 0:43:09back I think there will be more creative and threatening than France

0:43:09 > 0:43:14have been.

0:43:22 > 0:43:37Machenaud prepares to feed the scrummage. Free kick. Gourdon.

0:43:37 > 0:43:44Knocks on. Irish ball.

0:43:46 > 0:43:49Knocks on. Irish ball.Brian made a fantastic point early on, one of the

0:43:49 > 0:43:57strengths of this team is the front row. It is such a nice thing is back

0:43:57 > 0:44:01to know you have that security and strength in that area. They have

0:44:01 > 0:44:05given away a few soft penalties at the start of the game but normally

0:44:05 > 0:44:17this is a strong part of the for Ireland. -- of the game.

0:44:20 > 0:44:23I must say, the turf here at the Stade de France is in such good

0:44:23 > 0:44:27condition, compared with a ploughed field it has sometimes been in the

0:44:27 > 0:44:33past. Connor Murray drills its down to the corner. Palis keeps it on the

0:44:33 > 0:44:44park. Sexton looks infield and goes high. Under pressure, Thomas.

0:44:44 > 0:44:53Ireland reclaim possession. A chance, options on both sides.

0:44:54 > 0:45:04Penalty advantage to France, though. There is none. Nigel Owens goes

0:45:04 > 0:45:14back. Chavancy, wearing 12 for France. Sebastien Vahaamahina, the

0:45:14 > 0:45:20giant.

0:45:20 > 0:45:22giant.Disappointing, from a really good regather from Connor Murray.

0:45:22 > 0:45:27Ireland find themselves with the lowest penalty points on average in

0:45:27 > 0:45:31every game. A few loose ones to start, and I think they'll look to

0:45:31 > 0:45:36tighten it up in the next few minutes.Palis the line-out, taking

0:45:36 > 0:45:48Thomas. -- Teddy Thomas rises high, but there was just a chance here.

0:45:48 > 0:45:50but there was just a chance here. A bit of nostalgia for you, Brian.

0:45:50 > 0:45:55Just

0:45:57 > 0:46:01Just to say, those are French pictures, which is why you are

0:46:01 > 0:46:04getting the after slow motion nonsense.Chavancy, stopped in his

0:46:04 > 0:46:14tracks. Machenaud. Jalibert. In open play.

0:46:15 > 0:46:20play.Well, the French crowd were temporarily excited, and yet, in

0:46:20 > 0:46:21reality, Ireland simply guided France towards the touchline. They

0:46:21 > 0:46:31were never really in danger, two men covered.Nice to see some creativity

0:46:31 > 0:46:37all the time. I like the move, I like that they are trying to

0:46:37 > 0:46:40manipulate and condense that Ireland defence, and go outside to the pace,

0:46:40 > 0:46:51of which they have in abundance out wide.

0:46:54 > 0:47:00France putting something on the maul. Vakatawa.

0:47:00 > 0:47:07maul. Vakatawa. Infield, then trying to straighten it. It's Robbie

0:47:07 > 0:47:13Henshaw who can't get away. He's been penalised. Jalibert. Free play

0:47:13 > 0:47:19for France now. Rob Kearney comes forward, takes it well, but back to

0:47:19 > 0:47:24the penalty.

0:47:24 > 0:47:28the penalty.Back to your point about giving penalties.Yeah, an

0:47:28 > 0:47:31unusual start for them, and I think there will be messages coming from

0:47:31 > 0:47:35the sidelines that they need to tighten up. It's OK for France to

0:47:35 > 0:47:40have the ball, Ireland have looked comfortable so far. They need to get

0:47:40 > 0:47:42it under control, it was easy pressure for France, and they will

0:47:42 > 0:47:49get heart from that and I think they'll grow.

0:47:51 > 0:48:03they'll grow.Palis again, towards this near touchline.

0:48:03 > 0:48:05this near touchline. He had a few weeks, had to serve a little

0:48:05 > 0:48:11sentence for a few discussions...

0:48:16 > 0:48:24Well stolen by Ireland. But they didn't do their sums right. CJ

0:48:24 > 0:48:30Stander just hangs onto the ball, just to delay things.Nigel Owens

0:48:30 > 0:48:39making the point numbers three times there. I have to say, very

0:48:39 > 0:48:47surprising. REFEREE: The decision is made, the

0:48:47 > 0:48:52scrum is here, the numbers. You are too late getting out. The

0:48:52 > 0:49:00scrummage, Brian. I suppose it was a free kick, wasn't it?Well, given

0:49:00 > 0:49:03that France have had problems on their line-out so far, not surprised

0:49:03 > 0:49:08they've taken this option. All depends on whether they can get a

0:49:08 > 0:49:15good striking clean ball, give them back -- give their backs some

0:49:15 > 0:49:19options, or whether they will try and put the Irish under pressure and

0:49:19 > 0:49:23try and force a penalty.

0:49:31 > 0:49:38A free kick for not straight. However, Cian Healy was a terrible

0:49:38 > 0:49:50angle. -- was at a terrible angle.I think they were lucky he called it

0:49:50 > 0:49:53back after the kick. Johnny Sexton missed touch, so a few fortunate

0:49:53 > 0:50:01events in a row.

0:50:01 > 0:50:10Only a free kick, Sexton kicks it in play. Palis can't take it. Lauret

0:50:10 > 0:50:18was by his side to clear up the possession. Vahaamahina.

0:50:18 > 0:50:21possession. Vahaamahina. Tadhg Furlong involved in the tackle.

0:50:26 > 0:50:31Connor Murray is back, and rises well.

0:50:36 > 0:50:55Cian Healy. Sexton. Van der Flier come out among the backs. -- Van der

0:50:55 > 0:51:01Flier, out among the backs. James Ryan, nearly to the halfway line.

0:51:01 > 0:51:06Good hands from the prop. CJ Stander, Stockdale. Picked up by

0:51:06 > 0:51:12Vahaamahina.

0:51:12 > 0:51:19Stockdale did very well to get to it. A very messy and slow run, but

0:51:19 > 0:51:23considering he was up against three or four French players and Ireland

0:51:23 > 0:51:33have come at a -- come away with it, it's worked. Earls.

0:51:33 > 0:51:35it's worked. Earls. Back to the 22 metre line, just in front of Ireland

0:51:35 > 0:51:45as they come, through second row, Ryan. The other one, Iain Henderson.

0:51:47 > 0:51:53Penalty advantage, free play for Johnny Sexton. It will be a penalty.

0:51:53 > 0:51:58Drop goal misses.

0:51:58 > 0:52:05Drop goal misses. Penalty against Yacouba Camara.A lovely bit of play

0:52:05 > 0:52:11from Ireland. Something there has been a renewed focus on the island

0:52:11 > 0:52:14is being more expensive, and a big part of a renewed game plan is the

0:52:14 > 0:52:21board. Sean O'Brien is missing today, so can Josh van der Flier

0:52:21 > 0:52:29fill that void for Ireland?The hands by Cian Healy. And you also

0:52:29 > 0:52:35saw the ball back inside just before the breakdown, which gave the

0:52:35 > 0:52:38penalty. That's what I'm talking about, posing different questions

0:52:38 > 0:52:45for defenders. If you get a straight one out, it doesn't matter if you

0:52:45 > 0:52:50have got width or you defence it -- condense it. International players

0:52:50 > 0:52:55are too well organised and they will stop pupils vary the point, give

0:52:55 > 0:53:01them so much doubt as to where they can target it, and you are likely to

0:53:01 > 0:53:04get just beyond the gain line and everything else becomes a lot

0:53:04 > 0:53:06easier.

0:53:11 > 0:53:21Johnny Sexton, in front of the posts.

0:53:40 > 0:53:43Ireland doubled their lead.

0:54:07 > 0:54:12CJ Stander, tackled by Camara.

0:54:21 > 0:54:29Conor Murray. Hasn't gone very far. Thomas. Knocking it on. Advantage

0:54:29 > 0:54:36being played. Murray. Stander.

0:54:40 > 0:54:55Sexton. Gourdon is back. Palis. Murray, again covering it. A free

0:54:55 > 0:55:00opportunity, nobody on the Irish side but anywhere near it. Carbery

0:55:00 > 0:55:06comes away with advantage over. Again, it's all too easily pushed

0:55:06 > 0:55:13out of play. The flag is up.

0:55:16 > 0:55:17out of play. The flag is up. Nigel Owens being advised about the height

0:55:17 > 0:55:30of the tackle.Lets wait for the decision. It's not going to be high.

0:55:30 > 0:55:32Play on, he slipped over his back, and over his head.

0:55:32 > 0:55:39REFEREE:

0:55:39 > 0:55:43REFEREE:Play on. Perhaps what was missed was the fact

0:55:43 > 0:55:47that Conor Murray found himself in a situation where he thought, if I'd

0:55:47 > 0:55:50played this ball, I might impede the running player, so he decided not to

0:55:50 > 0:56:01go anywhere near it, clever play. Peter O'Mahoney won the line-out.

0:56:01 > 0:56:10Dumped to the ground. But here comes Bundee Aki. Does well to get into

0:56:10 > 0:56:15the French half. Iain Henderson, on halfway.

0:56:19 > 0:56:25Josh van der Flier. There is the halfway line.

0:56:32 > 0:56:40Henderson. Johnny Sexton, Bundee Aki, good strength under pressure.

0:56:44 > 0:56:53James Ryan. That familiar line. Made a mess of it. Jalibert in hot

0:56:53 > 0:57:00pursuit. Rob Kearney goes back. Did he get back to his feet? Real

0:57:00 > 0:57:07pressure from France. Now Ireland, instead of attacking the halfway

0:57:07 > 0:57:11line, are on their own goal line.

0:57:18 > 0:57:22Very calm presence of Conor Murray, in charge of the defensive

0:57:22 > 0:57:34operation. Teddy Thomas.Such a strain for Ireland, having -- a

0:57:34 > 0:57:37strength for Ireland, having Conor Murray in that position. A lot of

0:57:37 > 0:57:43encouraging signs for France, defensively solid and I like their

0:57:43 > 0:57:46shape in the back field, not giving Ireland easy opportunities to the

0:57:46 > 0:57:56ball in behind them.Rabah Slimani. Rob Kearney under pressure. Camara

0:57:56 > 0:57:59build another French attack with the line-out.

0:58:08 > 0:58:16Scrum down, Irish ball.Technically, anything from the line-out with that

0:58:16 > 0:58:21is offside. The referee has let them get away with one drive. If you

0:58:21 > 0:58:27detach from the original setup and go round the corner, like the French

0:58:27 > 0:58:32state, then it seems that the players in front are obstructing. --

0:58:32 > 0:58:38like the French did. When you go round the side here, that is when

0:58:38 > 0:58:49they will penalised you, or they'll give obstruction against you.

0:58:51 > 0:58:59Ireland comfortable at the moment. But just being held back by a bit of

0:58:59 > 0:59:03ill discipline and small inaccuracies. Things will get a lot

0:59:03 > 0:59:10better when they tidied those up.I think they look solid but just

0:59:10 > 0:59:15struggling to get a bit of momentum. The few times they have it has come

0:59:15 > 0:59:20from a pass. There should be passing more forward to Ford, change the

0:59:20 > 0:59:32point of direction. Such a different game from the

0:59:32 > 0:59:39opener in Cardiff.It is but the opener in Cardiff had no structure

0:59:39 > 0:59:52from one team and then Wales played very well.

1:00:02 > 1:00:08Stander, and Ireland have the penalty.

1:00:08 > 1:00:14penalty. The crowd in Paris again not happy.

1:00:20 > 1:00:25There are no rules changes in advance of two years from World Cup.

1:00:25 > 1:00:32But one or two directives. One to make sure there's no movement in the

1:00:32 > 1:00:40scrum and the other to stop comments from players. Slammy, I think his

1:00:40 > 1:00:52words, perhaps discussing Donald Trump, I do not know!

1:00:52 > 1:00:54Trump, I do not know!Interested to see what Ireland have prepared in

1:00:54 > 1:01:03the week. They have been practising to try to pull apart this French

1:01:03 > 1:01:14defence.Aki. Low centre of gravity. Left Jalibert on the floor. Here is

1:01:14 > 1:01:19Stockdale. Jalibert still down.

1:01:21 > 1:01:23Stockdale. Jalibert still down. Play on from James Ryan. A good run by

1:01:23 > 1:01:31the second row. Sexton.

1:01:37 > 1:01:50Ryan again. Two players down. The ball goes behind the first.

1:02:02 > 1:02:15Aki on Jalibert and the young Frenchman is down. And so is Aki.He

1:02:15 > 1:02:19might be built more for that collision than Jalibert. James Ryan

1:02:19 > 1:02:24has had a strong start to the game. We have not spoken about him a huge

1:02:24 > 1:02:31amount coming into the game. But he's only just in the team ahead of

1:02:31 > 1:02:39Devin Toner. He has had a fantastic start. He is surviving really well

1:02:39 > 1:02:44at this level.

1:02:44 > 1:02:49at this level.Belleau of Toulon. And it looks like a knee injury for

1:02:49 > 1:02:54Jalibert.

1:03:00 > 1:03:06It is his knee.

1:03:21 > 1:03:28Jalibert, the youngest ever outside-half, going off. Belleau

1:03:28 > 1:03:33coming on.

1:03:40 > 1:03:46That is very unfortunate for Jalibert. He had a few nice touches,

1:03:46 > 1:03:51nothing too expensive but doing the simple things right so that is

1:03:51 > 1:04:03unfortunate. Hopefully we will see him back on the pitch.

1:04:10 > 1:04:20Nigel Owens laying down the law.

1:04:20 > 1:04:25People say you should not warn both props until you're sure you have

1:04:25 > 1:04:34seen one of them doing wrong. But for me it is sort it out or get off.

1:04:34 > 1:04:43On the 22, space on both sides.

1:04:50 > 1:04:57Robbie Henshaw and Aki a long way apart.

1:04:59 > 1:05:07apart. CJ Stander protected from Conor Murphy. -- Conor Murray. Iain

1:05:07 > 1:05:16Henderson, CJ Stander on his shoulder. Tight furlong. Peter

1:05:16 > 1:05:21O'Mahony with good support.

1:05:23 > 1:05:29O'Mahony with good support. Sexton back in his guiding position. Sexton

1:05:29 > 1:05:41a little dummy. Gourdon reading it, covered, tackles. Stander.

1:05:43 > 1:05:48Cian Healy.

1:05:49 > 1:05:57Cian Healy. Ten metres to go for Ireland. Van der Flier.

1:05:57 > 1:06:10What will Sexton try. Ireland in front of the posts. CJ Stander, the

1:06:10 > 1:06:21French defence good. Conor Murray waives the forwards,

1:06:21 > 1:06:27Cian Healy obeys the instruction. France think they have turned it

1:06:27 > 1:06:40over. Ireland narrow for the majority, Palis clearing the line.

1:06:40 > 1:06:47Excellent defence from France. It is the easiest place on the pitch to

1:06:47 > 1:06:52attack but that physical commitment was fantastic. Slowing down the

1:06:52 > 1:06:57Ireland ball consistently. Momentum is key. It makes all your decisions

1:06:57 > 1:07:02a lot easier if you're going forward. And a lot more difficult

1:07:02 > 1:07:08defensively if the other team has momentum.

1:07:13 > 1:07:22Conor Murray delivers the ball going backwards. Play on. Rory Best.

1:07:26 > 1:07:31backwards. Play on. Rory Best. Into the French 22. Vakatawa cannot

1:07:31 > 1:07:47control it. We thought Jalibert walking past

1:07:47 > 1:07:52limping, clearly he hurt his knee in collision with Aki but we're told by

1:07:52 > 1:07:58touchline officials that he has gone off

1:07:58 > 1:08:02off for an HIA to check if he has concussion. So that means that

1:08:02 > 1:08:07France have additional time to check over, worked on him and getting back

1:08:07 > 1:08:14onto the pitch. A head injury assessment for the

1:08:14 > 1:08:19young outside-half.

1:08:19 > 1:08:28young outside-half. Keith earls plays outside-half position.

1:08:29 > 1:08:33plays outside-half position. Furlong fights for a few feet of space.

1:08:33 > 1:08:40Gourdon Terrace is out on the French side. Rob Kearney turned and got

1:08:40 > 1:08:54back in time. Chased down by Chavancy. Booker winning the tackle.

1:08:54 > 1:09:10-- the hooker. In front of the posts.

1:09:10 > 1:09:13In front of the posts.Another excellent French defence of said

1:09:13 > 1:09:17putting huge pressure on Ireland at the breakdown. Great success slowing

1:09:17 > 1:09:23down the ball against Ireland. For me Ireland need to be war creative.

1:09:23 > 1:09:27Give themselves half a second extra on the ball to maybe get an

1:09:27 > 1:09:33opportunity to do something else. Those kind of things would make it

1:09:33 > 1:09:38more difficult for France to put on the kind of pressure that they are.

1:09:38 > 1:09:47The scrum-half Machenaud will be taking the kick at goal.

1:09:54 > 1:09:59Lamerat limping around the field. Nigel Owens having a word with

1:09:59 > 1:10:09Poirot. Standing and applauding and the kick is good. France have three,

1:10:09 > 1:10:15Ireland six.

1:10:34 > 1:10:51Johnny Sexton. To Belleau.

1:10:58 > 1:11:00France have been very good challenging at the breakdown.

1:11:00 > 1:11:10Furlong.

1:11:10 > 1:11:16I no real forward momentum so far. Another charge by James Ryan. Van

1:11:16 > 1:11:34der Flier.Van der Flier got hit. That will have hurt.

1:11:36 > 1:11:42That furlong carry is a perfect example, that ball needs to go just

1:11:42 > 1:11:47one more. They need to give each other space out there, to get one on

1:11:47 > 1:11:55one opportunities to get that freedom for Conor Murray and Johnny

1:11:55 > 1:12:06Sexton to run the game plan.His head came into contact,

1:12:06 > 1:12:09head came into contact, Guirado injuring his hip or five. With

1:12:09 > 1:12:15defence when they are so well organised, unless, there are one of

1:12:15 > 1:12:22two players like Vinnie -- Billy Vunipola, they can make yards after

1:12:22 > 1:12:27the initial contact, you have to find a way to make defenders move

1:12:27 > 1:12:31out of their set standards. So they cannot get a full hit on you. By

1:12:31 > 1:12:39doing that, just moving it then you have the chance to do that.Ireland

1:12:39 > 1:12:43forced to make a change. Van der Flier, his day is done. And of

1:12:43 > 1:12:58replacement already on, Dan Leavy. He is the guy who has had a really

1:12:58 > 1:13:02good underage career. This year and last year he has established himself

1:13:02 > 1:13:09with Sean O'Brien being out injured. He is a huge part of what made

1:13:09 > 1:13:14Leinster so competitive this year in the league and in the cup.Again and

1:13:14 > 1:13:18inviting position for Ireland. A few set scrums in the middle of the

1:13:18 > 1:13:26field. And they have split their centres. Split their three quarters.

1:13:26 > 1:13:32Conor Murray.

1:13:32 > 1:13:41Conor Murray. To Aki. Little dart by the inside centre. Peter O'Mahony

1:13:41 > 1:13:50goes to scrum-half position. Conor Murray back there now. The first

1:13:50 > 1:13:56touch for Dan Leavy.

1:13:56 > 1:14:07touch for Dan Leavy. Johnny Sexton, Penshaw, on the good angle.

1:14:07 > 1:14:09Penshaw, on the good angle. The switch of direction by Johnny

1:14:09 > 1:14:16Sexton. CJ Stander delivers.

1:14:20 > 1:14:22Aki.

1:14:24 > 1:14:31James Ryan. France have to be careful not to pick up the player

1:14:31 > 1:14:33beyond the horizontal.

1:14:36 > 1:14:44Penalty against Sebastien Vahaamahina.

1:14:59 > 1:15:06REFEREE:You want to come in and play the ball, no problem. Don't

1:15:06 > 1:15:11come in and play the man without the ball.He also doesn't come in from a

1:15:11 > 1:15:17sideways angle.A bit lucky not to have that look that a bit closer.

1:15:17 > 1:15:24Not sure there were too many arms in that. Thankfully Conor Murray is

1:15:24 > 1:15:28able to continue. Better from Ireland, they changed the point of

1:15:28 > 1:15:31attack better, they looked like they were trying to be expensive, but

1:15:31 > 1:15:40France look good defensively to me so far.You are right, Luke.Yeah.

1:15:40 > 1:15:45So one wondering left arm, perhaps. Irrespective of the technicalities,

1:15:45 > 1:15:52the fact is it a goal penalty giveaway in front of your posts to

1:15:52 > 1:16:01let Ireland though undoubtedly 9-3 up, instead of 6-3.

1:16:09 > 1:16:13REFEREE:County Down ten seconds. One minutes to go until half-time.

1:16:13 > 1:16:21-- count me down. Johnny Sexton puts Ireland 9-3 ahead.

1:16:24 > 1:16:34There is a lot of dampness in the air. The rain falls. Dan Leavy.

1:16:34 > 1:16:39Wenceslas Lauret.

1:16:40 > 1:16:44Wenceslas Lauret. Belleau. Will it go the ten metres? Ireland played it

1:16:44 > 1:16:53anyway. That's a good league by Leavy. -- a good leap.

1:16:59 > 1:17:04The last minute, Conor Murray keeps aerial game going. A test for Palis.

1:17:04 > 1:17:10Good pressure from Keith Earls. Belleau, the replacement.

1:17:15 > 1:17:17Guirado.

1:17:27 > 1:17:31Iturria with the drive. Palis says, I think we'd better go and have a

1:17:31 > 1:17:34chat in the changing room, see what we can do to swing this game our

1:17:34 > 1:17:46way. Ireland lead in Paris by 9-3. Incomplete performance from Ireland,

1:17:46 > 1:17:50they will be concerned they haven't got enough momentum, yet they have

1:17:50 > 1:17:54looked comfortable in defence, and I'd expect a huge improvement in the

1:17:54 > 1:17:59second half. STUDIO: Around this point, we

1:17:59 > 1:18:03normally show you a key moment of the half, but we couldn't think of

1:18:03 > 1:18:07anything that would grace the screen and believe that key moment. I guess

1:18:07 > 1:18:13these that tell a certain amount of the story, a low scoreline just

1:18:13 > 1:18:15through penalties, and so far Ireland have taken advantage of

1:18:15 > 1:18:21those kickable penalties. Possession, Ireland, 69%, and they

1:18:21 > 1:18:27haven't found many gaps. Potentially quite a good French defence, that

1:18:27 > 1:18:32would say. Thoughts on the first half, Philippe, from a French

1:18:32 > 1:18:37perspective? Improvement in terms of defence and not making silly stakes?

1:18:37 > 1:18:42Yes, it's a tough and physical game. I feel that the French team are good

1:18:42 > 1:18:48in defence, but they tackle a lot, 110 tackles. I thought we had the

1:18:48 > 1:18:52same problem, we are not very good on drives, too many mistakes, and

1:18:52 > 1:18:59around the line-out we lost so many balls.The opening salvo suggested

1:18:59 > 1:19:06Ireland would play expensively and there was excitement, in conditions

1:19:06 > 1:19:14like this, but France have snuffed that out effectively.Possession is

1:19:14 > 1:19:1975 and 30 and so is territory in Ireland's favour, so France have

1:19:19 > 1:19:24under pressure but defended well. I think they have managed to keep

1:19:24 > 1:19:27numbers out of their defensive rucks, but the way that Ireland

1:19:27 > 1:19:32started, Jerry and I were confident for Ireland, but France have snuffed

1:19:32 > 1:19:38them out. They have had some big modes and -- the moment to moment

1:19:38 > 1:19:45themselves.At the kick-off, France get it, and you think, we are going

1:19:45 > 1:19:51to tear this up. And then you think, actually, no. We get here, a pretty

1:19:51 > 1:19:54good shape, and Camara needs to go inwards, dust to keep possession,

1:19:54 > 1:20:00get yourself into the game early. But a schoolboy error, running

1:20:00 > 1:20:05straight into touch. From the line-out, this is the way Ireland

1:20:05 > 1:20:11have been practising, the way the scrum has got them going, and they

1:20:11 > 1:20:15know the way France are going to defend, so they look at that space

1:20:15 > 1:20:20and attack it. It's precise, position rugby, well executed, and

1:20:20 > 1:20:23at this stage, they got well over the gain line, look how upset they

1:20:23 > 1:20:29are, ready to go again. They are calling the tune and they know the

1:20:29 > 1:20:32space will probably be out wide, and as slow as the ball is, they are

1:20:32 > 1:20:37still in an attacking shape. Look at these paid out wide. If they were

1:20:37 > 1:20:43more they could make inroads there and opened it up. -- look at the

1:20:43 > 1:20:48space out wide. As it happens, nothing much brilliant, they got a

1:20:48 > 1:20:52penalty to go back, and Sexton knocked over the three points.

1:20:52 > 1:20:57France wised up quickly to the way Ireland were playing and, if

1:20:57 > 1:21:00anything, the momentum was changing throughout the match. Let's focus

1:21:00 > 1:21:05first, because he didn't last long and we gave him a big time in the

1:21:05 > 1:21:11field -- the build-up, Matthieu Jalibert, that lack of experience

1:21:11 > 1:21:18showed out there in that 29 minutes. Exactly, it's tough, but also the

1:21:18 > 1:21:22conditions are very difficult. First ball on the eyeball, very important

1:21:22 > 1:21:28to catch it, he drops the ball, the Irish go for 60, 70 metres. This is

1:21:28 > 1:21:36a piece of experience in a small kick, a bit too long, and gives it

1:21:36 > 1:21:46to the Irish team. I think he will learn a lot about this.

1:21:46 > 1:21:51learn a lot about this.He's got experience inside of Machenaud,

1:21:51 > 1:21:58Chavancy on the outside, not many caps.We keep the ball in the face,

1:21:58 > 1:22:03but we don't do the right thing to move, and we used too many guys in

1:22:03 > 1:22:09the ruck, and the Irish team are organising in defence. They are more

1:22:09 > 1:22:15in defence than in attack, so it's difficult for a young fly half. It's

1:22:15 > 1:22:22a shame he's injured after that 30 minutes.

1:22:22 > 1:22:25minutes.30% possession, mainly in your own half, so probably not the

1:22:25 > 1:22:30type of game for him.Let's look at the French attack, which you could

1:22:30 > 1:22:34describe as fairly blunt, because it barely came to much. Perhaps you

1:22:34 > 1:22:39have explained in a way why that is, too many men committed to the

1:22:39 > 1:22:42breakdown, and it's too laboured after that.It's not a quick ball,

1:22:42 > 1:22:48it's very slow. We don't arrive to go for out. Good presentation of the

1:22:48 > 1:22:56ball. We don't stay on the pitch, the window... When you have the

1:22:56 > 1:22:59French team is starting to go forward, we need to stay on the

1:22:59 > 1:23:07pitch.You can see the difference in a side that's been together and been

1:23:07 > 1:23:12coached by the same guy for a long time for the smart rugby players at

1:23:12 > 1:23:17half-back controlling the game. You look at the French side and you

1:23:17 > 1:23:19think, you have only been together for a few weeks. In no real

1:23:19 > 1:23:26commanders. They haven't had possession and territory but at some

1:23:26 > 1:23:30stage you have to make your mark on the game. They are looking around

1:23:30 > 1:23:33and there isn't that player in the French side that has gone, right,

1:23:33 > 1:23:38follow me, lads.We organise in defence. They were quite good

1:23:38 > 1:23:44contest. We won some turnovers. Ireland are normally well after the

1:23:44 > 1:23:51ball, but the conditions... It's a big advantage for us, because I

1:23:51 > 1:23:54think it's a bit slippery, and it's difficult for the Irish to play

1:23:54 > 1:23:59without width.Let's look at the kicking game, normally a potent

1:23:59 > 1:24:01weapon for Ireland, but it hasn't come off as often as normally.

1:24:01 > 1:24:06Percentages haven't been working.I think they have been doing a bit

1:24:06 > 1:24:12more. This came after Jalibert's pour kick ahead. This is the kind of

1:24:12 > 1:24:16pressure that Ireland normally put on teams. They have a good defensive

1:24:16 > 1:24:25line-out. Gourdon the back, following this kick. Big pressure,

1:24:25 > 1:24:28fantastic, and Luke Fitzgerald mentioned it, fantastic kick from

1:24:28 > 1:24:33Conor Murray, and it takes the pressure off the Irish. They

1:24:33 > 1:24:37probably kicked loosely once or twice. The chase has been excellent.

1:24:37 > 1:24:42It's something they practice, Irish teams, chasing and catching with the

1:24:42 > 1:24:47high ball.As good as the French defence has been, you get the sense

1:24:47 > 1:24:51that it will crack at some stage, because they are not renowned for

1:24:51 > 1:24:58their fitness, it's a new side. Look at the possession, the territory,

1:24:58 > 1:25:02with only three penalties...And a much more powerful bench.Yes, but

1:25:02 > 1:25:08it's building and building to get that airtight bubble of keeping the

1:25:08 > 1:25:13ball and controlling the game. There was a slight difference at the end

1:25:13 > 1:25:19of that first half.I agree, and I know Jacques Brunel, and he'd say,

1:25:19 > 1:25:23guys, just six points behind, we scored a try, we took the lead on

1:25:23 > 1:25:27interception. The key for the French side is that the Irish don't score

1:25:27 > 1:25:35twice more. We need to play more and then it can be a point.Was a good

1:25:35 > 1:25:39signs for France for 30 minutes, a turnover, big moments and a penalty.

1:25:39 > 1:25:46You felt the momentum switch. Ireland attacking the French line

1:25:46 > 1:25:52vet, hoping for three points, maybe a try themselves. France got the

1:25:52 > 1:25:57turnover, straight after that, Gourdon gets the ball. They kicked

1:25:57 > 1:26:02this to rob Kearney, and a good chase, and Guirado, the French

1:26:02 > 1:26:08hooker has been excellent. Guilhem Guirado, the blue number two, gets

1:26:08 > 1:26:14on the ball. Three points. That's what you have to do in international

1:26:14 > 1:26:16rugby to get scores, you accumulate moment after moment that put them

1:26:16 > 1:26:23together, you can get three, five, seven points.

1:26:23 > 1:26:25seven points. Something we highlighted earlier. Unfortunately,

1:26:25 > 1:26:31they gave it back and not long after with a clumsy penalty from

1:26:31 > 1:26:36Vahaamahina.Exchanged quickly. One said it looked like a couple more

1:26:36 > 1:26:39phases and you could restore a try. Moments of brilliance. Gourdon

1:26:39 > 1:26:45ripping the ball, one tackle, again, a jackal, three points, or in 20

1:26:45 > 1:26:52seconds.Perhaps it's a lack of experience that France need more of

1:26:52 > 1:26:57an injection of.

1:26:59 > 1:27:02an injection of.The fresh co, Guirado, has been fantastic, he is

1:27:02 > 1:27:09very fit. He is in very good shape, very fit player. He has had some big

1:27:09 > 1:27:17impact.We didn't see any tries in the first half, and we are here,

1:27:17 > 1:27:19making history, with the joint lowest scoring half between Ireland

1:27:19 > 1:27:25and France in the nation 's history, so tell that to your grandchildren!

1:27:25 > 1:27:30However, plenty of tries and drama and action in the first match of

1:27:30 > 1:27:33this year's Six Nations at the Principality Stadium, so let's look

1:27:33 > 1:27:38at the match between Wales and Scotland.

1:27:43 > 1:27:48Jonny Gray into play scrum-half, using the referee as a decoy run

1:27:48 > 1:28:01out. And Price at scrum-half. Can anybody catch the scrum-half? Davies

1:28:01 > 1:28:14for the corner. A try for Wales? Wales punching forward again. Now

1:28:14 > 1:28:20there's a gap out wide. Leigh Halfpenny, and he is in! Two tries

1:28:20 > 1:28:29in 12 minutes for Wales! What a start for the home side. Now Rhys

1:28:29 > 1:28:34Patchell going himself, not quite there yet. Wales with a couple of

1:28:34 > 1:28:42metres advantage, penalty coming, try coming. Two tries. Well and

1:28:42 > 1:28:45truly over for Leigh Halfpenny, and Wales are roaring towards victory.

1:28:45 > 1:28:52Another chance for Wales to go hunting for try number four, and

1:28:52 > 1:28:56Aaron Shingler taken down by Grant Gilchrist, and on through the house

1:28:56 > 1:29:04of Watkin onto Hadleigh Parkes, and he steps in! There it is for Wales.

1:29:04 > 1:29:12They have try number four. They Sale past 30 points.

1:29:15 > 1:29:23Ryan Wilson now. Peter Horne through the middle and he is in for the try.

1:29:23 > 1:29:30Scotland have something from this match. What a start for Wales.

1:29:30 > 1:29:35They are up and running. Incredible start to the campaign for Wales. No

1:29:35 > 1:29:43one saw that scoreline coming. But this is the most unpredictable and

1:29:43 > 1:29:48wide open Six Nations in many a year. The women got off to their

1:29:48 > 1:29:54start last night with Wales women beating Scotland in Colwyn Bay for

1:29:54 > 1:29:57that you can catch up with all the action from the opening weekend in

1:29:57 > 1:30:02this.

1:30:08 > 1:30:13# Welcome to your life

1:30:13 > 1:30:21# There's no turning back

1:30:22 > 1:30:28# Even while we sleep

1:30:28 > 1:30:30# We will find you

1:30:30 > 1:30:34# Acting on your best behaviour

1:30:34 > 1:30:39# Turn your back on mother nature

1:30:39 > 1:30:47# Everybody wants to rule the world.

1:30:53 > 1:30:58That is tomorrow night and on the iPlayer. Before that live commentary

1:30:58 > 1:31:06on the England beat Italy game and highlights of Rugby special tomorrow

1:31:06 > 1:31:14evening. And the Rugby union weekly podcast is out on Monday night.

1:31:14 > 1:31:20Plenty to talk about.

1:31:29 > 1:31:45We are off.No problem for Johnny Sexton.Ireland's double their lead.

1:31:45 > 1:31:55The kick is good. Ireland 9-3 ahead. Well a tale of

1:31:55 > 1:32:00penalties in the first half. We hope for something a bit more exciting in

1:32:00 > 1:32:06the second. But plenty of excitement certainly in Cardiff. That Welsh

1:32:06 > 1:32:11performance, a Scarlets performance in many ways. I will turn a wind for

1:32:11 > 1:32:21Wales. -- a real turnaround.Yes they have had injury and ten

1:32:21 > 1:32:27Scarlets players in the side. It was brilliant to see, fantastic to

1:32:27 > 1:32:32watch. But unfortunately for Scotland, they did not change. They

1:32:32 > 1:32:36do not have the precision of the Welsh and that showed. They could

1:32:36 > 1:32:46not direct the game. Wales worked incredibly hard. Brilliant to watch.

1:32:48 > 1:32:55A good bit of Scarlets in the pro 14 this year. You just cannot turn the

1:32:55 > 1:33:00ball over and give them half a chance, the Welsh. There are similar

1:33:00 > 1:33:07to New Zealand, incredible at finishing off a line break. I do not

1:33:07 > 1:33:11think anyone expected that result today. Certainly not Scotland and

1:33:11 > 1:33:19probably not Wales either.The Scotland we saw playing against

1:33:19 > 1:33:21Australia and New Zealand, scoring record amounts of tries last year at

1:33:21 > 1:33:25Murrayfield, they will be disappointed. But on whether the

1:33:25 > 1:33:32action here and heading into the second half. It is Ireland 9-3 and

1:33:32 > 1:33:38certainly we hope Ireland and France as well, that someone finds some

1:33:38 > 1:33:47gaps to get themselves over the white line. Your commentary team,

1:33:47 > 1:33:51Luke Fitzgerald, Brian Moore and Eddie Butler.

1:33:51 > 1:34:01Bellows still on the field. Looks as if Jalibert, his debut did not last

1:34:01 > 1:34:13for long. Machenaud waiting. Ireland to kick off in this second half.

1:34:14 > 1:34:24Johnny Sexton has not had to move out of third gear. Ireland have been

1:34:24 > 1:34:29very contained and full of calm authority.I would be interested to

1:34:29 > 1:34:38ask what might have been said at half-time.We are off, Johnny Sexton

1:34:38 > 1:34:46sending a low scuttle towards Machenaud. What are the team talks

1:34:46 > 1:34:50like a tough time?Usually very calm and concise, the days of roaring are

1:34:50 > 1:35:01probably gone. People just want to get technical information. In a game

1:35:01 > 1:35:05that is very tight. And he is normally very good at that.Rory

1:35:05 > 1:35:17Best throws and finds CJ Stander. Aki helping it on its way. The Irish

1:35:17 > 1:35:25replacement Dan Leavy on for Van der Flier.

1:35:25 > 1:35:36Flier. Dan Leavy again. The strength of the back row. Here is CJ Stander.

1:35:36 > 1:35:53And the second row, Iain Henderson. Henshaw out to Rob Kearney.

1:35:53 > 1:35:59Henshaw out to Rob Kearney. James Ryan who was a major ball-carrier in

1:35:59 > 1:36:10the first half. Johnny Sexton. Aki. Conor Murray switches it. Furlong.

1:36:10 > 1:36:16That has gone forward.

1:36:17 > 1:36:22That has gone forward.Johnny Sexton not too happy. A few of his

1:36:22 > 1:36:25team-mates would say he's never happy on the pitch to be honest. But

1:36:25 > 1:36:29that was a good opportunity in a game where they have been few and

1:36:29 > 1:36:39far between. Ireland seemed to not give France too much time to go up

1:36:39 > 1:36:42the middle. Interesting to see if they will continue to pursue that.

1:36:42 > 1:36:48Well you mentioned the first threat that we have really seen from Conor

1:36:48 > 1:36:52Murray. He needs to do it a bit more to make sure that defenders cannot

1:36:52 > 1:36:58drift off.

1:36:58 > 1:37:03drift off. So they're not cluttering out the midfield.That is the

1:37:03 > 1:37:09halfway line. Spending a lot of time in this game between the ten metre

1:37:09 > 1:37:17line. Pressure from Ireland on the French scrummage. Belleau on the

1:37:17 > 1:37:33front foot. Vakatawa. Henshaw now. Machenaud.

1:37:33 > 1:37:44Machenaud. Tackled by Peter Armani.

1:37:49 > 1:37:58Lamerat delivers for Machenaud. Vahaamahina again.

1:37:59 > 1:38:12Vahaamahina again. Gourdon. CJ Stander with the tackle.

1:38:12 > 1:38:26Lauret. Iturria, the second row.

1:38:27 > 1:38:33Iturria, the second row. Ireland have turned the ball over.

1:38:33 > 1:38:39have turned the ball over. And Poirot is offside.

1:38:40 > 1:38:47That might have been smart play in hindsight.

1:38:50 > 1:38:57hindsight. Again a lot of penalties starting to build up against France.

1:39:02 > 1:39:07Coming from Poirot!Not right in front of Nigel Owens! Good position

1:39:07 > 1:39:12now for Ireland. Nigel Owens having a word with Poirot. There is the

1:39:12 > 1:39:23turnover. Iain Henderson involved. Interesting position to attack from.

1:39:23 > 1:39:26You do not often have to defend a kick. You can often use your

1:39:26 > 1:39:31wingers.

1:39:34 > 1:39:43wingers.Good take by James Ryan. Good counter drive from France. Just

1:39:43 > 1:39:48now the question of spot the ball. Ireland scrambling it back on their

1:39:48 > 1:39:59way. Sexton has a go on his own. Conor Murray. Henderson. Good drive

1:39:59 > 1:40:11by the second row. France offside. Two of them.

1:40:11 > 1:40:21Two of them.Vahaamahina again. Managed to get away from the initial

1:40:21 > 1:40:31contact but then loitered in and around. For all the French forwards

1:40:31 > 1:40:38did, it was a tremendous counter drive. Given away by a moment of ill

1:40:38 > 1:40:45discipline.Good skills by James Ryan. And here is the other second

1:40:45 > 1:40:50row, Henderson.A couple of dynamic players. Henderson just seems to

1:40:50 > 1:40:55slip ahead of a lot of tackles, you see that all the time for Ulster. A

1:40:55 > 1:40:59big talisman for them. I think he will be a big talisman and a big

1:40:59 > 1:41:09part of this Irish team going into the World Cup.

1:41:31 > 1:41:41Johnny Sexton, took his time. Just to make sure. Ireland now leading

1:41:41 > 1:41:4712-3.You can see with the conditions, not readily apparent.

1:41:47 > 1:41:54But it is very greasy up there and difficult to handle. Johnny Sexton

1:41:54 > 1:41:59can be relied upon to kick those easy goals. He did not miss one last

1:41:59 > 1:42:10year in the entire Six Nations.For penalties to one. Conor Murray very

1:42:10 > 1:42:18deliberate as always. Rob Kearney so good. Catching those high balls.

1:42:18 > 1:42:31Pure concentration as he delivers. Cian Healy Drive setup. -- drives it

1:42:31 > 1:42:41up. Illegal again, he should get a warning.

1:42:42 > 1:42:50warning. The read they will show he's clearly offside. -- the replay.

1:42:50 > 1:42:57Clear as the nose on your face. Really poor from Vahaamahina. He

1:42:57 > 1:43:00really needs to sort that out because he is putting pressure on

1:43:00 > 1:43:05this French team.You have a lot of penalties now. You were never back

1:43:05 > 1:43:10onside when you play them all. You were never behind in the first

1:43:10 > 1:43:15place.

1:43:22 > 1:43:28These are the ones of the coaches hate.

1:43:29 > 1:43:40hate. You are under pressure. These are the sort of things when you talk

1:43:40 > 1:43:44about discipline, not about punching people but doing silly things like

1:43:44 > 1:43:49that when you know you're never behind the back foot. I would like

1:43:49 > 1:43:57to see Ireland catch this and drive it. Put pressure on.

1:43:58 > 1:44:05Conor Murray, from the set piece. Henshaw, Belleau at pace into the

1:44:05 > 1:44:14French 22. He came in and was sent back again, Rory Best. Cian Healy.

1:44:14 > 1:44:19Restarts the operation of being in the French 22. Bundee Aki. Still

1:44:19 > 1:44:23there.

1:44:28 > 1:44:34Back again. Jacob Stockdale on the left wing.

1:44:44 > 1:44:53Dan Leavy. He always manages to get that extra half a yard. Sexton, the

1:44:53 > 1:44:56inside ball to CJ Stander.

1:45:01 > 1:45:05Still quite narrow, they haven't got any width. I have now. Key players

1:45:05 > 1:45:12spreading out to the touchlines. Meanwhile, the captain, Rory Best.

1:45:12 > 1:45:17Conor Murray has another little look himself. The tackle is good by

1:45:17 > 1:45:20Iturria.

1:45:24 > 1:45:36Cian Healy. Pics, and doesn't go very far. Vakatawa is buried in the

1:45:36 > 1:45:44ruck. Tadhg Furlong, outside Conor Murray. Iain Henderson has to get

1:45:44 > 1:45:48his legs out of the way first. Here is Furlong. Great strength by the

1:45:48 > 1:45:57prop.

1:45:57 > 1:46:03prop. Wonderful play by Jefferson Poirot. Support from Stockdale, but

1:46:03 > 1:46:09Stockdale has support from Robbie Henshaw. Good interplay, Keith Earls

1:46:09 > 1:46:16back involved. Stockdale runs it out of play, but suddenly the game is

1:46:16 > 1:46:22going and protect end and suddenly we have pace. Gourdon delivers, but

1:46:22 > 1:46:29there is a new frenzy out there, and the crowd come to life as well.

1:46:29 > 1:46:38Lauret. Palis, the full-back. Vahaamahina, with ball in hand

1:46:38 > 1:46:40legitimately.

1:46:49 > 1:46:58Machenaud, the change of tactic. Stockdale does very well. Good

1:46:58 > 1:47:03catch, and avoided the dangerous pass. Palis is down, needs to get

1:47:03 > 1:47:06out of there. He's hurt.

1:47:10 > 1:47:29Tadhg Furlong drives it a little further away from the 22. Leavy.

1:47:31 > 1:47:35That's Vahaamahina.

1:47:41 > 1:47:44A disappointing passage from an Irish perspective. Some excellent

1:47:44 > 1:47:50rich defence, and a great kick from Machenaud, two lovely kicks but

1:47:50 > 1:47:57Ireland under pressure. We saw Palis trying to put one up on Johnny

1:47:57 > 1:48:02Sexton, which I'm sure Johnny will not thank him for, but excellent

1:48:02 > 1:48:06French defence and poor from an Irish perspective. I feel like Conor

1:48:06 > 1:48:10Murray was looking for somebody to chase his kick. Rob Kearney had got

1:48:10 > 1:48:14into position, he probably should have gone one phase earlier, but

1:48:14 > 1:48:16excellent defence from France.

1:48:24 > 1:48:30Ireland getting back all right, but giving a way a rare penalty. Maxime

1:48:30 > 1:48:35Machenaud.

1:48:35 > 1:48:50Looks good. France 6, Ireland 12. Still all penalties.

1:48:53 > 1:49:00Do you sense a little breakdown in rigid structures, Brian?I don't

1:49:00 > 1:49:05want to overstate this, but we can probably see on the cameras when you

1:49:05 > 1:49:11are watching -- what you can't see is that the rain is coming down

1:49:11 > 1:49:16quite heavily, and I feel we have to give some credit to the players,

1:49:16 > 1:49:23because it's difficult to handle in this sort of weather.A very fine

1:49:23 > 1:49:28drizzle here in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris.

1:49:31 > 1:49:41Machenaud. Happy to put it out of play.

1:49:45 > 1:49:52I think, if it's going to be a game dictated by the conditions, the

1:49:52 > 1:49:55half-backs for Ireland have more control and experience and are

1:49:55 > 1:50:01likely to win that sort of battle. Interesting setup for Ireland, with

1:50:01 > 1:50:06Dan Leavy standing outside rob Kearney at full-back and CJ Stander

1:50:06 > 1:50:13standing outside Johnny Sexton. I wonder if Joe Schmidt, ending up in

1:50:13 > 1:50:18a white pattern, I would be surprised if that stayed with CJ

1:50:18 > 1:50:21Stander in the middle, but it looks like that is what they are trying to

1:50:21 > 1:50:35cook up.A change of props for France, Danny Priso coming on. And

1:50:35 > 1:50:46Cedate Gomes Sa. Rory Best. He is always a model of calm. Finding

1:50:46 > 1:50:52Peter O'Mahoney. Dan Leavy gets the pass way, a good little off-load to

1:50:52 > 1:51:04Carbery. Ireland have with this way. Sexton, Stockdale. Sexton has a

1:51:04 > 1:51:11little show and go past the 22. Iain Henderson approaches it, can't quite

1:51:11 > 1:51:20make it. Cian Healy. Footwork from the prop.

1:51:20 > 1:51:28the prop. Stockdale, who is off his wing. Keith Earls is still very much

1:51:28 > 1:51:33on his, as CJ Stander again approaches the 22. Rory Best. He

1:51:33 > 1:51:39can't get to it.

1:51:40 > 1:51:42can't get to it. Healy.

1:51:47 > 1:51:53Sexton to Henshaw. It's broken down.

1:51:54 > 1:51:57Turnover possession, Iturria, the second row, picking it up and

1:51:57 > 1:52:05feeding Vahaamahina.

1:52:09 > 1:52:20Gomes Sa, his first charge. Slow ball for Machenaud.

1:52:27 > 1:52:34Rob Kearney, who is normally so good on the highball, drops one. A

1:52:34 > 1:52:41surprise, Luke?Rob Kearney is usually incredibly accurate under

1:52:41 > 1:52:47the highball, and we've seen a few examples today. 18 need somebody

1:52:47 > 1:52:53like him to get the momentum high kicks, get back into the game. -- a

1:52:53 > 1:52:59team need somebody like him for the wave after wave against this very

1:52:59 > 1:53:03sharp French defence, and there hasn't been much creativity. That

1:53:03 > 1:53:07might be governed by the weather, which is poor. I'm surprised they

1:53:07 > 1:53:12haven't tried many crossfield kicks or a real ones to put balls up for

1:53:12 > 1:53:19people like Jacob Stockdale.From an Irish perspective, when you saw the

1:53:19 > 1:53:23two or three moves that were set off that lie out, and the way they could

1:53:23 > 1:53:27get the runners at different angles, even the dummy runners, they made

1:53:27 > 1:53:30significant ground, but when the first to what we have been set when

1:53:30 > 1:53:35you are off-the-cuff, it's breaking down and reverting to type, going in

1:53:35 > 1:53:38one on one, and they need to get more options when they are out of

1:53:38 > 1:53:47the set plays and the players do it off-the-cuff.Yes, and the target as

1:53:47 > 1:53:51well... They haven't kicked in an attacking sense. I can run on the

1:53:51 > 1:53:55one that Johnny Sexton won early in the game and, if I was a winger

1:53:55 > 1:53:59against that, you can hedge and you don't have to defend Hicks, because

1:53:59 > 1:54:05expect them. Just change it up slightly, give France an opportunity

1:54:05 > 1:54:10to have indecision in their defensive line.

1:54:28 > 1:54:34It's a collapsed scrum against the background noise of La Marseillaise

1:54:34 > 1:54:42at full volume. We are a bit bogged down still.

1:54:47 > 1:54:53REFEREE:No, I can't check it on TV. No, you can't, and you don't ask

1:54:53 > 1:54:58either, thank you.

1:54:58 > 1:55:02either, thank you. You come this side, I'm going to go this side, OK?

1:55:02 > 1:55:08Wayne Barnes has moved into position and touch judge, to look down the

1:55:08 > 1:55:17tunnel.You can see a division of labour. Paul Williams has moved to

1:55:17 > 1:55:28the sideline now.In it goes from Machenaud. Gourdon gets it away, but

1:55:28 > 1:55:32it's very scrappy possession.

1:55:42 > 1:55:52Guirado, 24 tackles, the hooker housemaid. -- has made. CJ Stander,

1:55:52 > 1:55:57over the ball, and these are the many triumphs in a tight game that

1:55:57 > 1:56:03are all-important.Also a mini triumph for the Irish scrum, very

1:56:03 > 1:56:10clever in slowly putting France under pressure. The width means that

1:56:10 > 1:56:13you Paul, Trevor Rees always catch that, it's obvious. It still ruins

1:56:13 > 1:56:18your position.

1:56:18 > 1:56:23your position. -- -- that means that you pull, and referees always catch

1:56:23 > 1:56:32that.A change on the Irish side, Jack McGrath coming on.For the

1:56:32 > 1:56:38first time in a while, Ireland have decent field position.A quick word

1:56:38 > 1:56:43from Paul O'Connell in the studio. With the conditions, it would be

1:56:43 > 1:56:46great to see Ireland driving a bit more, and offered a short line-out

1:56:46 > 1:56:54as well, whereby France have to be very disciplined. I think Ireland

1:56:54 > 1:56:58have used it effectively in the past, and they are doing it here

1:56:58 > 1:57:00now, a six plus one line-out and a drive, though hopefully some of

1:57:00 > 1:57:07this. Good defence by France. France did well to sack that

1:57:07 > 1:57:14straightaway.Good catch by Peter O'Mahoney. Now Ireland are inside

1:57:14 > 1:57:22that area of maximum pressure, the 22. Carbery looks up and find

1:57:22 > 1:57:31Sexton. Robbie Henshaw. Tadhg Furlong. Now Sexton goes in. He's

1:57:31 > 1:57:37out of... Oh, penalty advantage to Ireland. They've stolen it through

1:57:37 > 1:57:43Danny Priso. But a penalty against the French.

1:57:49 > 1:57:56REFEREE:First offence, two blue.I think Jacques Brunel and his staff

1:57:56 > 1:58:01will be disappointed. Needless. It's not necessarily a bad thing to be

1:58:01 > 1:58:05stuck down there if you have lots of numbers ready to defend, was if you

1:58:05 > 1:58:08get a turnover the other team is exposed, and Machenaud is exposed a

1:58:08 > 1:58:15few times. They need to not panic, and they are in their 22 defending,

1:58:15 > 1:58:20it's OK.

1:58:22 > 1:58:24it's OK.Guirado princess had up to say, there is a man lying on top of

1:58:24 > 1:58:34me. -- Iturria puts his hand up. If you give an opposition player a

1:58:34 > 1:58:38chance to hold you in, which they will do, I'm afraid you will pay the

1:58:38 > 1:58:43penalty.Good point, think that's something the referees have got

1:58:43 > 1:58:49sharper on. Lots of people often times in that scenario, they talk as

1:58:49 > 1:58:53if they can't get out of there, but more often than not it's as if

1:58:53 > 1:58:56they've got themselves in a bad position and they know what they are

1:58:56 > 1:59:02doing in the tackle area prior to going to the deck.You can't see it,

1:59:02 > 1:59:09but the rain is falling again at the Stade de France.

1:59:18 > 1:59:28Johnny Sexton, his fifth penalty. He has landed all four of them so far.

1:59:31 > 1:59:39The crowd not as quiet as for the first kick.

1:59:43 > 1:59:48A little bit of a fade on it. Bringing it between the posts. The

1:59:48 > 2:00:08kick is good. Oh, no. Faded away. The score remains 6-12.

2:00:12 > 2:00:24France within a converted try still of taking the lead.

2:00:25 > 2:00:37Peter O'Mahony tackled by Gourdon. Back to Henshaw. Forward pass.

2:00:40 > 2:00:52There is Lauret. Just wondering who Gabrillagues has come on for.

2:00:57 > 2:01:02Sometimes you get games that just do not flow, the condition is not

2:01:02 > 2:01:06right, errors and penalties. In these games you have to be precise

2:01:06 > 2:01:11in discipline. That is what we'll give it away, a slip, an unintended

2:01:11 > 2:01:20consequence. Just grinding these games out. Especially as it is the

2:01:20 > 2:01:24first, Ireland need to grind this out and make sure they go away with

2:01:24 > 2:01:31the win no matter how it is achieved.I'm a bit surprise so far

2:01:31 > 2:01:42that Ireland have not just picked it up. That first past easier to

2:01:42 > 2:01:47defend.

2:01:48 > 2:01:56defend. I think Ireland need a lot more attacking kicks.

2:01:57 > 2:02:01more attacking kicks.Held up a bit in the heart of the scrum. Gourdon

2:02:01 > 2:02:09will pick up. Feeding straight through Belleau.

2:02:10 > 2:02:14through Belleau. Strong runner, Vakatawa, charging into the 22.

2:02:14 > 2:02:24Machenaud.

2:02:25 > 2:02:31Machenaud ordering more forwards. That did not really help. Gomes Sa

2:02:31 > 2:02:37from a standing start.

2:02:39 > 2:02:42from a standing start. It has ground a bit to a halt, began with good

2:02:42 > 2:02:47momentum. Free zone trying to inject some more momentum. Lauret sent

2:02:47 > 2:02:54back.

2:02:54 > 2:03:10back. Lamerat. And guess who it is, Vahaamahina again.

2:03:13 > 2:03:15Vahaamahina again.Excellent bit of defence from Johnny Sexton. Such a

2:03:15 > 2:03:21good part of his game and a great thing to have in your team. Number

2:03:21 > 2:03:27Ten is well able to wrestle with the Centre. Great recognition from

2:03:27 > 2:03:36Henderson that he had Lamerat in an awkward position.I make that double

2:03:36 > 2:03:38the penalties that France have conceded over Ireland. At least four

2:03:38 > 2:03:48of those have been from the second row, Vahaamahina. That is what this

2:03:48 > 2:03:53man can do if you give him the room. But you've got to cut out the ill

2:03:53 > 2:04:03discipline.Excellent technique, Henshaw and Sexton over the ball

2:04:03 > 2:04:06carrying hand. Then all you need is some more guys to get in behind and

2:04:06 > 2:04:12then you are in trouble. Going in against more numbers in a high

2:04:12 > 2:04:26position.Tauleigne coming onto the field. His first cap for France.

2:04:26 > 2:04:33Conor Murray

2:04:34 > 2:04:42Conor Murray collared. Rory Best, getting his head down to make the

2:04:42 > 2:04:56yard. Sexton, has it gone far enough.

2:04:58 > 2:05:07Keith earls cannot catch on. Vakatawa cannot hang onto the ball.

2:05:11 > 2:05:18High tackle. Keith earls.

2:05:18 > 2:05:21High tackle. Keith earls. High tackle by Keith earls on Vakatawa.

2:05:21 > 2:05:32Penalty to France. Peter O'Mahony back on his feet.Dan Leavy has had

2:05:32 > 2:05:36a huge impact on the game so far with some brilliant carries. That

2:05:36 > 2:05:42was an massive tackle against Gerada.

2:05:43 > 2:05:48Gerada. He has had a massive impact. And back home in Ireland there was a

2:05:48 > 2:05:52bit of surprise given his performance so far this year that he

2:05:52 > 2:06:02was not included but he is proving a point today.

2:06:02 > 2:06:12France will have this possession just outside the Irish 22. Here is

2:06:12 > 2:06:29Palis.Ireland have not looked like conceding a try but anything going

2:06:29 > 2:06:45loose...On comes Toner. Gabrillagues winning the line-out.

2:06:45 > 2:06:56The shaven head of Devin Toner. Furlong did well.

2:06:59 > 2:07:09The new scrum-half, Dupont. Here he is. Centre who has been on from the

2:07:09 > 2:07:19start. Chavancy. Hardly seen much of the ball.

2:07:27 > 2:07:34Vakatawa just about delivers.

2:07:34 > 2:07:50Thomas. Belleau. It is a tame ending.Fantastic

2:07:50 > 2:07:57defence from Ireland. Starting on the 22 and they drove them back.

2:07:57 > 2:08:03They have done a really good defensive job. They're doubling up

2:08:03 > 2:08:08on all the tackles. Two guys on one French carrier. Driving them all the

2:08:08 > 2:08:17way.Johnny Sexton goes long into the drizzle.

2:08:19 > 2:08:24the drizzle. Dupont to Belleau and back up into the drizzle it goes.

2:08:24 > 2:08:31Johnny Sexton starts a counter attack. Rob Kearney safely back on

2:08:31 > 2:08:43his feet. Limping a little bit. Jacob Stockdale.

2:08:43 > 2:08:53Jacob Stockdale. Knocked on. That is unusual, you see that quite

2:08:53 > 2:08:59a lot in the game with a guy almost running beyond where the ball is

2:08:59 > 2:09:04landing into the guy receiving the ball in this case Rob Kearney. Very

2:09:04 > 2:09:09unusual for me and I think definitely a penalty. Hit by the

2:09:09 > 2:09:14opposing player before he's even got into the air. Maybe I'm a bit

2:09:14 > 2:09:18passionate about that as a former back three player but it is an

2:09:18 > 2:09:24unusual scenario.Nigel Owens going to have a look at it.

2:09:24 > 2:09:32I'm not sure, I do not think there's in that the challenging players are

2:09:32 > 2:09:41not in the air.If the contact happens before were the ball is

2:09:41 > 2:09:47landing, quite an unusual scenario. No malice in that. Just a bit of

2:09:47 > 2:09:52over exuberance chasing the kick. I think that should be a penalty, to

2:09:52 > 2:09:58be honest.I have checked and nothing wrong with that, just a

2:09:58 > 2:10:06collision.You will have to agree to disagree.

2:10:06 > 2:10:16France will have the scrum. On the ten metre line.

2:10:16 > 2:10:31Furlong is going off. John Ryan coming on.

2:10:39 > 2:10:50Devin Toner standing quite literally head and shoulders above everybody.

2:11:02 > 2:11:09The Irish have applied a good bit of pressure in the scrummage.The ball

2:11:09 > 2:11:19cannot get cleared to Gourdon. So he cannot get quick ball. And if the

2:11:19 > 2:11:22opposition cannot get momentum then you get that kind of a mess

2:11:22 > 2:11:30occurring. The ball not swept back. It just land in the middle of the

2:11:30 > 2:11:45second row. He is allowed to reach forward and pick it up.

2:11:53 > 2:12:00A very laboured movement. Good pressure again from Ireland.

2:12:01 > 2:12:03pressure again from Ireland. Towards Vakatawa and he takes it. Excellent

2:12:03 > 2:12:19tackle from Johnny Sexton. He is OK. France with a little more energy.

2:12:21 > 2:12:27Dupont the new scrum-half. Belleau who has now been on for a long time.

2:12:27 > 2:12:34Again a very tame end to the attack. Rob Kearney high into the night sky.

2:12:34 > 2:12:42France take it quickly. Dupont. In the clear. Thomas is going to score

2:12:42 > 2:12:51for France! They could take the lead if the conversion is good.I said

2:12:51 > 2:12:57Ireland might be nervous.

2:12:57 > 2:13:07Ireland might be nervous. One man up for the quick throw in.

2:13:07 > 2:13:10for the quick throw in. The French took the chance and it paid off for

2:13:10 > 2:13:21them. Wonderful from Thomas. A lot of work to do.

2:13:21 > 2:13:26of work to do.An incredible finish from Thomas from 60 metres out.

2:13:26 > 2:13:30Lovely recognition of the opportunity down the short side. I

2:13:30 > 2:13:35think Conor Murray made a mistake trying to make that tackle.

2:13:35 > 2:13:41Overextending against good athletes, you need to make sure you connect

2:13:41 > 2:13:46and not defend on your own. He took a chance to try and put pressure on

2:13:46 > 2:13:52France but they have taken full advantage of what for me was a

2:13:52 > 2:13:57mistake. And an incredible finish.

2:13:57 > 2:14:04This is to put France in the lead. Anthony Belleau.

2:14:12 > 2:14:17Or change here in Paris. France go into the lead against Ireland,

2:14:17 > 2:14:3013-12. Teddy Thomas if the man who's turned the game around.

2:14:36 > 2:14:44Johnny Sexton, restarting. Gourdon rises high, catches well.

2:14:52 > 2:15:01Six and a bit minutes to go. Yacouba Camara sets up the ruck. Behind

2:15:01 > 2:15:14Google is -- behind Dupont is Palis. Nigel Owens checked. Keith Earls

2:15:14 > 2:15:25can't believe it. A quick word from pole in the studio.Been calling

2:15:25 > 2:15:29this for the last ten minutes, he said it's going to be like two years

2:15:29 > 2:15:34ago. Ireland have had all of the possession, winning the penalty

2:15:34 > 2:15:38count, but they haven't capitalised and a 6-point gap isn't enough.

2:15:38 > 2:15:43France always dangerous, always capable of scoring a try. Now the

2:15:43 > 2:15:46crowd believes, the French players believe, and Ireland have to chase

2:15:46 > 2:15:51the game in bad conditions.Five and a half minutes to go, France with

2:15:51 > 2:15:58this attacking scrummage. A change on the Irish side. Jacob Stockdale

2:15:58 > 2:16:03is off. Fergus McFadden is on.

2:16:08 > 2:16:15France will be very happy to spend the next five minutes right here,

2:16:15 > 2:16:23eating up the seconds.Important period now for Ireland. They need to

2:16:23 > 2:16:27calm down, they've got six or seven minutes on the clock to get it back

2:16:27 > 2:16:33down to their end of the pitch. This game is still in the balance of they

2:16:33 > 2:16:38need Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahoney calming the game

2:16:38 > 2:16:41down. Let's get our hands back on the ball and get down the other end

2:16:41 > 2:16:47of the pitch.A change in the back row for France, Kevin Gourdon is

2:16:47 > 2:16:53off.

2:16:53 > 2:17:00off. Picking up the scraps. And this is Marco Tauleigne, France with a

2:17:00 > 2:17:07playground. -- a player down. And Nigel Owens quite rightly stops

2:17:07 > 2:17:17play. Head,

2:17:17 > 2:17:23play. Head, HIA, head injury assessment.

2:17:23 > 2:17:28assessment. And one Dupont, the scrum-half, is the man down. Teddy

2:17:28 > 2:17:35Thomas, the man who changed this game completely.

2:17:35 > 2:17:47REFEREE:Hang on, he said it could be HIA.Is it his leg?

2:17:50 > 2:17:55be HIA.Is it his leg?No, HIA it is. Looked like a neat delivery.I

2:17:55 > 2:18:01had two of them in my career. Hopefully it's just after jarring

2:18:01 > 2:18:05his knee, or a lesser one on the inside, hopefully for his sake it's

2:18:05 > 2:18:15nothing too serious.I don't think he is moving

2:18:15 > 2:18:18he is moving it like an ACL. He would be in a lots more pain if it

2:18:18 > 2:18:29was.Very similar against Munster in 2009 with a ACL but I plagued by

2:18:29 > 2:18:33myself for 15 minutes and sometimes you don't realise, strong legs. If

2:18:33 > 2:18:36you get a lot of damage around it, not that I'm a doctor by any

2:18:36 > 2:18:50means...Play on until you know! You're just being tough.

2:18:50 > 2:18:51You're just being tough.I hope that's nothing too serious for a

2:18:51 > 2:18:55very promising young player. I wish you all the best for a speedy

2:18:55 > 2:18:59recovery.

2:18:59 > 2:19:05I don't think he's covering back -- coming back, Nigel.

2:19:05 > 2:19:13REFEREE:You must stop saying that it's definitely an HIA. He can't

2:19:13 > 2:19:19come on if it is. Is it HIA, that's what I need to know. You're me it

2:19:19 > 2:19:25is?

2:19:25 > 2:19:27is?Yeah REFEREE:Go back, please. I know you

2:19:27 > 2:19:32are the captain.

2:19:36 > 2:19:40are the captain. Say again?If it's a head injury, Maxime Machenaud can

2:19:40 > 2:19:45come back on as a scrum-half. If it's a knee injury only...

2:19:45 > 2:19:52REFEREE:The official match doctor is saying it's a HIA? Is that

2:19:52 > 2:20:00correct? OK.Maxime Machenaud can play.

2:20:07 > 2:20:13REFEREE:An official match doctor is telling me it's a HIA. I have no

2:20:13 > 2:20:15medic and I'm going with the official match doctor, and we are

2:20:15 > 2:20:20going to carry on with the game, OK? It's a HIA. It's the match doctor's

2:20:20 > 2:20:30call. It came from the touchline. Back you go, please.Well, you can

2:20:30 > 2:20:36understand the incredulity of Johnny Sexton, because of links onto one

2:20:36 > 2:20:43Dupont with a head injury. -- because of links Dupont with a head

2:20:43 > 2:20:47injury.

2:20:48 > 2:20:51injury.Maybe I might be a better doctor than the medical officer! Who

2:20:51 > 2:20:56knows?It brings to mind what happened here last year in the 100

2:20:56 > 2:21:00minute game between France and Wales, a big penalty. The

2:21:00 > 2:21:05heavyweights scrummaging here. Machenaud, did he take it quickly?

2:21:05 > 2:21:14Nigel Owens is bringing them back.I tell you what, Ireland lost

2:21:14 > 2:21:19concentration. A lot are concerned about whether or not it was a HIA,

2:21:19 > 2:21:23which is no concern of theirs, really, and in doing that they lost

2:21:23 > 2:21:27concentration of the scrum, allowed the French to get underneath. John

2:21:27 > 2:21:33Ryan couldn't get his right shoulder down.

2:21:33 > 2:21:39France will pig for goal, and this could be just about it, in terms of

2:21:39 > 2:21:46time. -- France will pig for goal. 76 and a half minutes. There will be

2:21:46 > 2:21:53time, but it's not...A penalty isn't good enough, and neither is a

2:21:53 > 2:22:01drop goal, that's the problem. Just one scrum. Can scrummage as well as

2:22:01 > 2:22:05you like and you get one wrong in this position, it's a terrible

2:22:05 > 2:22:16feeling.Anthony Belleau. This is to extend the lead.

2:22:37 > 2:22:43It slides wide. Another penalty miss. Johnny Sexton missed one.

2:22:43 > 2:22:48Belleau misses one. Ireland failing. Brilliantly caught by Iain

2:22:48 > 2:22:54Henderson. Ireland with just two and a half minutes to turn the game

2:22:54 > 2:23:02their way. Bundee Aki.

2:23:02 > 2:23:10their way. Bundee Aki. That's a good tackle on the centre. Sean Cronin,

2:23:10 > 2:23:15an act hooker for Ireland. France with a player down on the ten metre

2:23:15 > 2:23:20line, Kevin Gourdon. Johnny Sexton with a little half-break, but they

2:23:20 > 2:23:26are still inside their own half.

2:23:28 > 2:23:34are still inside their own half. Dan Leavy.

2:23:34 > 2:23:41Gourdon is still down, and the play, after Sean Cronin's little group, is

2:23:41 > 2:23:49going to come his way. Robbie Henshaw. It's going the other way.

2:23:49 > 2:23:56CJ Stander.

2:23:56 > 2:24:02Just over a minute to go. Ireland can't get in to the French half.

2:24:02 > 2:24:16Conor Murray. To Leavy. France's discipline, good so far.

2:24:16 > 2:24:17discipline, good so far. Number five, Sebastien Vahaamahina, has

2:24:17 > 2:24:22given away a handful of penalties on his own. He is staying well away

2:24:22 > 2:24:33from danger.Boredom on the right wing is limping. -- Gourdon.

2:24:33 > 2:24:36Vahaamahina presents it again, but they are still stuck in their own

2:24:36 > 2:24:49half. Aki. Healy stayed close -- came close and couldn't really help.

2:24:49 > 2:24:57A big target for Vahaamahina to hit legitimately. Robbie Henshaw. The

2:24:57 > 2:25:04closing seconds of the match.

2:25:04 > 2:25:14Is there one more little twist to this match? Ireland up to halfway.

2:25:14 > 2:25:25We are into overtime. Iain Henderson.

2:25:27 > 2:25:33Aki. France's defending has been excellent. Ireland still in

2:25:33 > 2:25:35possession.

2:25:42 > 2:25:52Sexton, he risks the pig. Keith Earls rises high. -- Sexton, he

2:25:52 > 2:25:56risks the kick. Ireland now deep into the French half. John Ryan. Ten

2:25:56 > 2:26:05more yards. Sexton is down. The drop kick expert is down on the ground.

2:26:05 > 2:26:15Back on his feet now. But still a long way out for the drop goal.

2:26:17 > 2:26:21Guilhem Guirado, the French captain, looks on from a far, with Devin

2:26:21 > 2:26:30Toner up beyond the ten metre line. Peter O'Mahoney.

2:26:30 > 2:26:34Peter O'Mahoney. At what point do Ireland risk the kick? It's a long

2:26:34 > 2:26:40way out. They have to get closer than this. France's defence

2:26:40 > 2:26:53excellent. Danny Priso, aged 17. Heavyweight tackling, Gomes Sa.

2:26:53 > 2:26:58Bundee Aki.

2:26:58 > 2:27:02Bundee Aki. France's defence still keeping Ireland at the halfway line.

2:27:09 > 2:27:13Fergus McFadden, wearing 23, involved. Another replacement, Dan

2:27:13 > 2:27:23Leavy. Peter O'Mahoney going back up to the ten metre line. Look at the

2:27:23 > 2:27:31phases, 36 of them. Sexton. Infield, or inside to Henderson.

2:27:37 > 2:27:39Henderson again.

2:27:42 > 2:27:51Creeping closer to the point at which a drop goal becomes possible.

2:27:51 > 2:27:57Sexton waits, here it comes. It looks good. He likes it. Nigel

2:27:57 > 2:28:04Owens's arm goes up. And Ireland have stolen the game, right at the

2:28:04 > 2:28:13death. And the players tear back into their own 22, and Guilhem

2:28:13 > 2:28:18Guirado, look at that place, look at that body! France put themselves in

2:28:18 > 2:28:23a winning position, only for Ireland to steal it with the last kick of

2:28:23 > 2:28:30the game. Johnny Sexton's drop goal. The final score, France 13, Ireland

2:28:30 > 2:28:3515.

2:28:37 > 2:28:4215.Welcomer sport is rarely fair, but one moment of brilliance came

2:28:42 > 2:28:49from a French try. In terms of kicking excellence and coolness

2:28:49 > 2:28:55under pressure, that is also an exceptional moment.I thought those

2:28:55 > 2:29:00last 40 or 50 phases were littered with high-quality moments from

2:29:00 > 2:29:04Johnny Sexton, all started from a running drop goal into Devin Toner's

2:29:04 > 2:29:09hands, to get a move started, and finished with another drop goal.

2:29:09 > 2:29:13He's got and finishes his kicking training with it and I'm not

2:29:13 > 2:29:20surprised to see him deliver on the big stage.Jacques Brunel, back with

2:29:20 > 2:29:23the French national team, opened his new career with a loss. Oh, what a

2:29:23 > 2:29:30finish! One try scored by Teddy Thomas, a flash of brilliance by the

2:29:30 > 2:29:35French win, but Ireland kept their composure, patience and discipline

2:29:35 > 2:29:38and built themselves that position, and Johnny Sexton, in the sea of

2:29:38 > 2:29:47blue shirts, is the player that has broken French hearts.

2:29:48 > 2:29:52advantage of what for me was a mistake. And an incredible finish.

2:29:53 > 2:30:00An exhilarating finish to a game which at times really was for the

2:30:00 > 2:30:07fan of the game. The second half showed France coming back into this

2:30:07 > 2:30:12and giving their fans hope and excitement. But Ireland in the end

2:30:12 > 2:30:17with their patients and steadiness getting Johnny Sexton into that and

2:30:17 > 2:30:23then you cannot underestimate the skill of a drop goal.An amazing

2:30:23 > 2:30:26moment, we thought they had gone into drop goal rugby a bit too

2:30:26 > 2:30:34early. And giving Johnny Sexton a bit too much to do. But it was

2:30:34 > 2:30:45incredible. But the longer the game went on, the more Ireland were

2:30:45 > 2:30:51taking their opportunities, it looked like it was going to be a

2:30:51 > 2:30:531-point game.Who could have predicted that finish. Let's just

2:30:53 > 2:30:58have a word with Rob Kearney.Johnny Sexton just walking behind you

2:30:58 > 2:31:05shaking his head. He cannot believe it, can you?It is quite incredible.

2:31:05 > 2:31:10We probably got out of jail a bit. But to build that amount of phases

2:31:10 > 2:31:16in terrible conditions. And then Johnny at the end, incredible. You

2:31:16 > 2:31:22watched it go through the post? I thought it was a little bit short.

2:31:22 > 2:31:28Then he ran off celebrating, unbelievably special. What does it

2:31:28 > 2:31:32say about the measure of the man. Massive from him. He puts a huge

2:31:32 > 2:31:38amount of work in. He would have been feeling bad about missing that

2:31:38 > 2:31:43penalty but the sign of a real champion to go again.Why were

2:31:43 > 2:31:49ardent in that position because it was your game to win.Well we kicked

2:31:49 > 2:31:54the ball out and switched off. I got caught down the short site with a

2:31:54 > 2:31:58few of the other boys and that is how dangerous they are. They scored

2:31:58 > 2:32:04that one try and we got out of jail. How special is it to get a win here,

2:32:04 > 2:32:10only the third time you have done it.It is massive. They have had a

2:32:10 > 2:32:14poor year by playing here they are a superb side. We knew that there

2:32:14 > 2:32:17would be a spike in their performance with the new guys coming

2:32:17 > 2:32:20in.But so proud to be part of this team.

2:32:20 > 2:32:27Well done. Well a day for records. The first time since 1964 that

2:32:27 > 2:32:32France have lost their opening match in consecutive Six Nations.

2:32:32 > 2:32:36Disappointment for Jacques Brunel not to start with a wind that looked

2:32:36 > 2:32:40as if it was in the bag.But credit to Ireland with that fantastic

2:32:40 > 2:32:46finish.

2:32:47 > 2:32:52finish. To miss a penalty and before points in front.Johnny Sexton is

2:32:52 > 2:32:59the man of the moment.Can you believe you have just done that? It

2:32:59 > 2:33:04was one of those moments. Just happy to get another chance. I just

2:33:04 > 2:33:11snatched at it with the last moment, something caught my eye and just

2:33:11 > 2:33:15happy to get another chance for the boys who worked so hard for the last

2:33:15 > 2:33:20couple of weeks. It is just great to be in the position we are in now.

2:33:20 > 2:33:27Just tell me what you were thinking as you just pulled the trigger?To

2:33:27 > 2:33:33be honest I went back to a couple of years ago when we played in Treviso.

2:33:33 > 2:33:37I was in the same position, almost identical situation. Just flashed

2:33:37 > 2:33:44back to that. I do not think we could have gone another couple of

2:33:44 > 2:33:48phases so we just got there in the end.What does that say about the

2:33:48 > 2:33:53team, going through 40 phases in the end snatching it?It says a lot

2:33:53 > 2:33:59about the management, drilling as every day and we have some good

2:33:59 > 2:34:05characters in the team. We just wanted to get off to a good start.

2:34:05 > 2:34:10It looked like deja vu the same as two years ago. They got a try out of

2:34:10 > 2:34:13nothing and we went behind.But we took that chance, thankfully.

2:34:13 > 2:34:18Well done to you. They do not come very often, victories here and

2:34:18 > 2:34:23obviously that a win in 2014 lead to a championship winning season. It

2:34:23 > 2:34:29feels like the tide is with Ireland now. And a world-class player like

2:34:29 > 2:34:33Johnny Sexton in the squad. To see that magic at the end. In a game

2:34:33 > 2:34:41that I suppose would not have been planned to pan out quite as it did.

2:34:41 > 2:34:46We chatted earlier and an away win is hard to come by. Even last

2:34:46 > 2:34:52season, I think only one away win and it came with a last-minute try

2:34:52 > 2:34:58by Elliot Daly. They're hard to come by here. That will do a lot for

2:34:58 > 2:35:00Ireland and their self belief. I do not think they played particularly

2:35:00 > 2:35:04well. It was hard to play in the conditions but that will be massive

2:35:04 > 2:35:07for their self belief to have persevered and come through with a

2:35:07 > 2:35:14big moment that. As someone who has dropped a goal in a high-pressure

2:35:14 > 2:35:18situation, with the weather here, you cannot see it but it is teeming

2:35:18 > 2:35:26with rain. 45 metres out and he struck it sweetly. It went the

2:35:26 > 2:35:34distance. Sporting memories. I'm not even playing out there but it sapped

2:35:34 > 2:35:42everything out of me. Jumping for joy and look at that reaction.From

2:35:42 > 2:35:48the Irish bench. Incredible. You lost your emotional hoop with that

2:35:48 > 2:35:54Thomas try. That gave you a thrill. And that was it for France, they had

2:35:54 > 2:36:00the bit between their teeth. When Thomas went over you must've felt

2:36:00 > 2:36:07that France had turned a corner in terms of their recent performance.

2:36:07 > 2:36:13Yes the defence was good, we carried on for 80 minutes. Fantastic school.

2:36:13 > 2:36:20You need fantastic players and matchwinners. And Johnny Sexton

2:36:20 > 2:36:27today, what he did was fantastic. This is the moment of magic. Conor

2:36:27 > 2:36:37Murray in an offside position but it did not matter. And then Rob Kearney

2:36:37 > 2:36:41asleep on the blindside. Thomas just uses his skill and pace. Just to

2:36:41 > 2:36:49slide through. Clearly Irish defence.

2:36:50 > 2:36:59defence.He is quick and strong, a fantastic finisher.

2:37:03 > 2:37:09fantastic finisher.I thought that moment, that was the moment of magic

2:37:09 > 2:37:15that the game was missing. I thought it would be enough.We had a drop

2:37:15 > 2:37:20goal after that by Keith earls which led to a scrum and then a penalty.

2:37:20 > 2:37:26That was the chance for France to put the game away.When you look at

2:37:26 > 2:37:33the statistics afterwards, the possession, in one way Ireland

2:37:33 > 2:37:39deserved to win. But a lot of credit to this young French team.They will

2:37:39 > 2:37:43learn a lot from that experience. Those players who were debutants

2:37:43 > 2:37:47today and a lack of experience on the bench as well. Perhaps that came

2:37:47 > 2:37:55into play. Because

2:37:55 > 2:37:58into play. Because with the HIAs, a couple of them appeared to have been

2:37:58 > 2:38:02called when they wear a knee injury. You did not see players going off

2:38:02 > 2:38:11holding their hands. And you kind of think if they're talking about that

2:38:11 > 2:38:16as a HIA, it looks clear that it is a knee injury. And that technical

2:38:16 > 2:38:23Chat going on off the field, that is not in the spirit of the game. We do

2:38:23 > 2:38:31not know.I will go with the official match doctor.

2:38:33 > 2:38:36official match doctor. HIA is the call.There's nothing Nigel Owens

2:38:36 > 2:38:41can do if the doctor tells them it is a HIA.There he is coming down

2:38:41 > 2:38:47the tunnel and a little gesture pointing to his head. Just make sure

2:38:47 > 2:38:52the doctor is examining his head. Hopefully he will come through that

2:38:52 > 2:38:57HIA with flying colours. We will have to see what happens afterwards

2:38:57 > 2:39:06and whether Ireland has any post-match complaint.There was a

2:39:06 > 2:39:12lot of talk about the values of the game and players protesting and we

2:39:12 > 2:39:17have to protect the values of the game. So just disappointing to see

2:39:17 > 2:39:23that. Two players going off with a knee injury under HIA.Obviously

2:39:23 > 2:39:26with the fixtures falling the way they have for Ireland this season,

2:39:26 > 2:39:33this was an away fixture, their record in France has not been great.

2:39:33 > 2:39:38And the record in the Six Nations for Ireland had not been great

2:39:38 > 2:39:42either. So to get that victory away from home in your first fixture

2:39:42 > 2:39:47coming in with a strong track record. This will now be the team to

2:39:47 > 2:39:55beat in the championship.Well Joe Schmidt will be telling his team to

2:39:55 > 2:39:59focus on the next game. Three home games on the bounce. They knew that

2:39:59 > 2:40:03was coming so they can collect themselves but it is about

2:40:03 > 2:40:06developing and moving on. Joe Schmidt has his side so well

2:40:06 > 2:40:13drilled. I wonder whether magic comes from in a tough situation. It

2:40:13 > 2:40:20has come from their exceptionally experienced guy, Johnny Sexton. It

2:40:20 > 2:40:25was a miracle kick but for me I need to do more than what they're doing

2:40:25 > 2:40:29at the moment. Because they are quite predictable. You have a good

2:40:29 > 2:40:33defence and France had that, they were superb today and they will

2:40:33 > 2:40:39struggle. They just need to move on with their attack.They must beat

2:40:39 > 2:40:46nine, 12 points in front, but close to the line you need to be deep for

2:40:46 > 2:40:57the drop goal. You're dominating 70% of the game. And I agree with you.

2:40:57 > 2:41:02It is a tough place to win in the Stade de France and also in these

2:41:02 > 2:41:07conditions.And with the new coach, always that feeling in a squad to

2:41:07 > 2:41:12want to impress the new coach. Especially with the French debutants

2:41:12 > 2:41:17today but alas not to be. Let's take a look at the table. Just two

2:41:17 > 2:41:22matches played. Wales leading the way after their emphatic victory

2:41:22 > 2:41:27over Scotland. 34-7 with a bonus point as well. Ireland with four

2:41:27 > 2:41:33points from that victory. France with the one point there. And of

2:41:33 > 2:41:39course England up against Italy tomorrow. Final thoughts from you,

2:41:39 > 2:41:44feeling a bit more positive about French rugby?Exactly, a lot of new

2:41:44 > 2:41:49players.

2:41:50 > 2:41:54players. And keeping that discipline, strong in the back area.

2:41:54 > 2:42:01You understand why Johnny Sexton is a world-class player.In some ways

2:42:01 > 2:42:05for Ireland better than playing really well, to come through a test

2:42:05 > 2:42:09like that. And to produce what they did at the end of the game to win a

2:42:09 > 2:42:13tight game is fantastic for their confidence and self belief.Thank

2:42:13 > 2:42:18you so much. I'm afraid after that match all that we can do is talk

2:42:18 > 2:42:26about Johnny Sexton. Good night.

2:42:26 > 2:42:39We are off at the Stade de France.

2:42:39 > 2:42:54The kick is good.Ireland 9-3 ahead. Ireland lead 12-3. It is good.

2:42:54 > 2:43:04Suddenly we have pace. Thomas is going to score! Ireland have stolen

2:43:04 > 2:43:05the game!