France v Ireland Six Nations Rugby

Ireland bring England crashing to

earth.

Jacques Brunel is coming in,

not met with widespread excitement.

A record win for Ireland. Conor

Murray gets the tribe for Ireland.

-- try.

The talent coming out of

French rugby is still frightening.

It is not Strictly Come Dancing.

Of

course Ireland go out as favourites.

There is the weight of expectation

for Ireland to go out and deliver.

Plenty to digester for the French

rugby fans arriving at the start to

France today.

In December, the French Federation

sacked a head coach

for the first time ever -

Guy Noves the man to

suffer the guillotine.

Into the hot seat comes

Jacques Brunel, with just five weeks

to prepare for this match.

And he's taken a big gamble

in his team, bringing in 19-year-old

Matthieu Jalibert at Fly Half

for his first cap.

The Irish, in contrast,

are in fine fettle.

Seven wins in a row and 32 tries

in those matches as well.

They hand Six Nations debuts

to three players as well.

Including young second

row James Ryan.

Welcome to Paris. The first match

for France, freezing, grey skies and

we are all shivering appear in the

studio. But to warm you up with

their comments and receptive

observations Paul O'Connell and the

rest of the team. We are all very

excited. You can feel the excitement

ahead of this Six Nations. It is

like Christmas.

It is an exciting

time of year for everyone, for the

fans and the players. The French

have the possibility of six new

caps. That brings excitement to

French rugby. It reminded me of 2000

when five players got their caps for

England and they had a record win

over Scotland. So hopefully for

Ireland, that will not indicate the

same.

Well we will look at Ireland

in a minute. But let's talk about

France. And French rugby in some

kind of disarray. And the first ever

coach sacked. Jacques Brunel has

come in, not dynamic enough for

many. Is this a new low or a new

dawn?

dawn?

Well diagnosis was picked by

the former president. They were

fighting as we know. And Guy Noves

had too much pressure. So bad that

came the opportunity to get a new

coach, a guy that they trust.

You

know how difficult this job is. You

were in that hot seat with that

weight of expectation and of course

the difficulty is dealing with the

clubs who do not always seek

international rugby as a priority.

Is that the biggest challenge, to

get the clubs onside?

I do not

remember having so much stress!

It

does not look like you are stressed.

It was tough. But during

It was tough. But during the ten

years, we made changes. But we can

see much more French players and

some young players coming in today.

Well it certainly is visible how

much it has been in decline looking

at the winning rates of the coaches

over the past six years. 33%

win right for Guy Noves.

For the

resources they have, the number of

players. It is right up there in

terms of popularity as the game. But

hardly any French players and too

many foreigners and that is

affecting the national side.

Jacques Brunel has some pedigree. He

has been coach at Bordeaux before

coming here. So he has gone

ambitions and he will give these

guys are run at being quality

international.

He has gone with

youth and fitness in the shape of

Jalibert coming through onto the

international stage. He really is

green however.

He is a fantastic

footballer that he started three

months ago with his first game in

the Top 14. So he is talented but it

is a big ask.

is a big ask. The fly-half has not

performed well for ten years and new

players are coming in to have a go.

They're looking take responsibility.

Well I would be excited about today

because this guy, his speed and

acceleration, he is a platinum

attacker. And you want to fly-half

like that who will be ambitions. As

long as there are not many

interceptions.

I think Johnny Sexton

has got to control the game a little

bit more. And in these wet

conditions as well. The kicking game

will have to be really accurate.

Territory will be really important.

And we have seen some bad habits

last year from the French team. That

silly penalty playing the ball on

the ground. Slimani, the French

number three. Grabbing his legs and

that was also a penalty. Conditions

were poor, similar to today. And

Ireland peppered them with some high

kicks. This scrum was in front of

the posts as well. And just that

silly penalty. And that was three

points. Ireland did not create a lot

in the game last year. They only

scored one try. But a big part was

the kicking game, Conor Murray and

Johnny Sexton.

Johnny Sexton.

Is Jacques Brunel the

man well placed to stop those sloppy

mistakes, is he known as a good

disciplinarian?

Yes the atmosphere

is much better. He has given

responsibility to the players. But

we need first a good set piece and

good discipline. And after the

kicking game will be very important.

The back free will need to be spot

on. We've just seen a game where we

thought Scotland would be

comfortable in this open plan but

they were not. But for France with

these inexperienced players they

could bring some surprises for

Ireland.

And that is one big

advantage for Ireland taking away,

the players are good at getting to

know the opposition and doing their

work. So that advantage has been

taken away. Ireland do not really

know how France are going to play

and Jalibert, they have not got a

lot to go on.

Johnny Sexton said

that, it is a bit discombobulatedly

to know so little about your

opposite number. We shall see.

opposite number. We shall see. Now

let's focus on Ireland. Coming off

the back of seven wins in a row and

it all began in March with that

victory over England to deny them

the Grand Slam.

A thunderous start guaranteed. The

Irish, kitchen-sink at the ready.

Johnny Sexton just the kind of man

for a day like this.

Ireland on the

board.

Ireland with the try. A fifth

score for Henderson. Ireland into

double figures. The cleanest of

strikes from Owen Farrell. That is a

monstrous kick from Johnny Sexton.

Keeping England in touch. Ireland

bring England crashing to earth.

Eddie Jones has stirred the pot seen

Ireland are favourites.

Are you

comfortable with that. I'm just

comfortable with the group and how

much hard work to get through. I do

not get distracted by what anyone

says. It does not really influence

what we go out and do. We can only

try to control as many variables as

we can and those are more on the

pitch than off the pitch was a

Johnny Sexton had a torrid time here

a couple of years ago. Do you have

plans to make life uncomfortable for

young Jalibert customer I do not

think we centre on him. Chavancy is

a strong runner. And Thomas comic

you do not let him have too much

space. So not to focus too much on

Jalibert. At the same time we would

not liking to get too comfortable

because he looks like a talented

young player.

You have players

making their debut today for the Six

Nations.

Including Ake. I hope that

he is a huge handful today for

France. And begged that -- backed up

by Stockdale and Ryan. They are

excited about the opportunity, a bit

nervous but that is to be expected.

With the level they expect

themselves to perform at and the

pressure of this first game in the

Six Nations.

So there they are,

seven wins in a row starting with

England, dumping South Africa,

plenty of younger players of course.

But if we are going to be picky

perhaps not the most difficult run

of matches comparing some of the

other games in the autumn tests.

That is probably true, they have not

really been tested since playing

England. But it has given them the

chance to catch a few players as

well and to widen the squad. That

was a problem in the last World Cup,

the depth of the squad but now there

is depth in Irish rugby for the

first time in a long time. That is

produced special considering there

are only for professional teams.

James Ryan is one of the debutants

today. Keeping Devin Toner out of

the sides of the his first Six

Nations cap.

He is a former captain

of the Irish under 20s team. The

kind of modern second round. He goes

from a good six to potentially good

second row. He is very tall,

excellent line-out operator. A good

off loader. And getting back to full

fitness after being out with

injuries. That is the only thing

that could hold him back, those

injuries early in his career. But he

has got that fitness now and he is

going to blossom in this

championship. Great to see him

getting a cap with an experienced

side as well.

Is he the Irish Maro Itoje?

He

probably is! And he has the same

attributes, brilliant attitude,

brilliant trainer, they have to pull

him back from training rather than

pushing towards it, which is great.

I think he has great potential.

Just

like you! He loved training.

I was

miles behind where this guy is.

You

are being modest. Let's talk about

Bundee Aki, a man who has been on a

real journey to find his

international career, at 27. He has

travelled.

Yes, he came over as a

young man, he came to England, he

went to Truro college at 16, and he

played at Bath with the skills coach

from Exeter, took under his wing,

talented there, and he went back to

New Zealand because he had a child.

He worked as a bank clerk.

And a

builder.

To look after his family,

which is tremendous. And he was

brought over, you sign up for

Connacht, and from all accounts he

is a real man of the team. When

Connacht won be Pro12, he was

playing that season, so he let by

example. He has come with a New

Zealand work ethic, brought back to

the Irish fold, and when you hear

people like Brian O'Driscoll say

that he is a quality player, they're

on his merit, you know he is good.

He has been embraced by the team in

terms of any international issues,

the rules changing to five years.

There is no ill feeling towards him.

In Ireland, there are four

professional teams, so they probably

had to use that rule a bit more than

most, but they used it well. Guys

like CJ Stander as well, Jared

Payne, injured at the moment, they

made a big sacrifice to come over,

to move their families over and try

something different, so the players

have a lot of respect for them, and

they really look after them and they

are delighted to play with them.

When he went Connacht, it was

probably a gamble for him, playing

for evicting side. And he had a

fantastic season that year, and they

won be Pro12. -- playing for a

fantastic side. He is fantastic.

Let's talk tactics, we expect a

gripping game from Ireland, and why

not, when you got Murray and text

and in the side. This is what France

will have to better with an last

time. -- and Sexton.

For the last

five years, we built a strategy,

kicking, and also all the challenge

on the eyeball.

on the eyeball. I don't think the

Irish ways will help us, because I

think you are the master, also with

your scrum-half and fly half.

It's

not always the most popular thing

with a purist, and it doesn't always

win new fans, does it, that's kind

of tactic, when you employ it all

the time, but if it's a effective,

why not?

Those clips from last year,

I led about six points ahead, they

had two fantastic players in Johnny

Sexton and Connor Murray, and they

kept pinning back France, and with

Andy Farrell in defence, getting

into your face and make you make

defence, so you are chasing the game

and you have to play, but you are

playing in front of this

disciplined, hard defence, which

makes you make defence. Ireland

capitalised and kicked penalties,

and they'd be good at that.

Every

side would wish that they have a

kicking strategy as good as Ireland

do with Johnny Sexton and Connor

Murray. It gives so much momentum,

pure quality.

We have an Irish

legend in the studio, and there's

another one with Sonja McClaughlin,

but slightly speedier than this one.

Somebody would have beaten Paul

O'Connell in a foot race! Given that

you have played on the win, what

have you made Jacob Stockdale?

I'm

excited, along with the rest of the

country. He's a big kid, great for

international rugby, because it's a

physical environment. I'm excited to

see how he does today, he has a

natural finishing side, and he

hasn't four tried in four games.

Impressive strike rate already. He

is tall and quick, even such a young

age, the complete winger already.

It's always nice to be a big guy,

Shane Horgan, guys like that,

because it's so physical. There are

challenges, defensively at times

against this season, he had

challenges. There are a few things

he has to work at, but he's good.

A

neck injury curtailed your career.

Do you wish you were playing today?

I don't know, there are some big

guys! Is something you always miss

and you will treasure for the rest

of your life.

Thank you.

As always, a cracking atmosphere,

and the tenth time that France had

played Ireland at the Stade de

France in the Six Nations. They tend

to be corkers.

A moment of individualism. Iron can

it be the perfect finish for Brian

O'Driscoll in his last game? Ireland

are Six Nations champions.

The pitch

is freezing, the match is off.

He's

got!

By 10-9, France lead Ireland.

They have really been fantastic

encounters, these two here at the

Stade de France over the years. What

it one of your favourite places to

come and play rugby, Paul O'Connell?

I wouldn't say that! I only beat

France once there in 2014, to win

the championship. It's been a tough

place Irish teams over the years. In

recent years, decent enough record,

but historically we've really

struggled. For some of the older

guys like me, you still have a

hang-up about that, so for James

Ryan, the last four or five years,

we've been watching Ireland doing

really well again.

And they have no

historical baggage in that respect.

Although Ireland have been doing

well of late and they are different

contenders, the waveform, only five

defeats in seven, two wins is all,

that's something you got to rectify.

-- the waveform.

I'm not sure, when

you are part of a team, we're not

going to go there. You are thinking

about that game the seasoning, this

afternoon, and how you are going to

impart what you been doing all week.

You don't go back into history. The

Irish team is well drilled. It is

manicured. With the rugby brains of

Murray and Sexton, those two girls

Ali guys taking it on the field,

it's good.

No matter what certain

sense you take over, it's a moment

of intense pride.

With the French

team, what's fantastic, we lost the

last five games, but the atmosphere

today is amazing and fantastic, and

I think this will be a brilliant

contact.

There is a mismatch in

terms of experience between these

sides. The French side, 262 caps,

Ireland, 819. When it comes to

international experience, you'd

fancy Ireland all day long.

And even

the experience together as a group.

Joe Schmidt, his fifth or sixth day

in the championship, so they are

familiar. For a lot of the Leinster

guys, he has been coaching them

longer. When Leinster were coached

by Stuart Lancaster, the same

defensive system as anti-viral, a

lot of continuity in the Irish game

at the moment. -- and the Barrow.

And that continuity counts for a

lot, Jerry.

, It does, because the

depth that Joe Schmidt goes into,

preparing a side, it's incredible.

It's almost information overload.

But he has magic this Irish side

into understanding and accepting it

and also, they put their own spin on

things. When you are out there, you

can't beat that programmes, you have

to act in the moment. When you have

players as skilful as Murray and

Sexton alongside the new players

like Bundee Aki, who isn't used to

the system, you do what comes

naturally. The way the Irish play

today will be direct, because they

are looking at Jalibert, who isn't

big, he isn't strong, but he has

abrasions. -- brains.

I asked if it was a new dawn or a

new low, and you think it was a new

dawn with that reception. What an

atmosphere! The smoke is billowing.

It's wonderful in the stadium right

now. Expectation and excitement. The

French public certainly hoping for

something from this new era. What do

you expect today, a French victory?

I would say my heart says France,

but my brain says no. So France by

one.

It is points. Ireland for me.

Will go to a commentary team, Luke

Fitzgerald, Brian maul and Eddie

Butler. Enjoy these, they are always

rousing.

ANNOUNCEMENT IN FRENCH.

Ladies and gentlemen, in

Ladies and gentlemen, in honour...

ANNOUNCEMENT ECHOES AROUND STADIUM.

# Come the day and come the hour

Come the power and the glory

# We have come to answer

Our country's call

# From the four proud provinces of

Ireland

# Ireland, Ireland

Together standing tall

# Shoulder to shoulder

We'll answer Ireland's call

# Ireland, Ireland

Together standing tall

# Shoulder to shoulder

We'll answer Ireland's call

# We'll answer Ireland's call. #

ANNOUNCEMENT IN FRENCH.

# Allons enfants de la Patrie

Le jour de gloire est arrive

# Contre nous de la tyrannie

L'etendard sanglant est leve

# L'etendard sanglant est leve

# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes

Mugir ces feroces soldats

# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras

Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes!

# Aux armes, citoyens

Formez vos bataillons

# Marchons, marchons

# Qu'un sang impur

Abreuve nos sillons # !

# Amour sacre de la Patrie

CHEERING

Welcome to the Six Nations in Paris.

Jack Bruno, -- Jacques Brunel,

installed as coach. No try has been

scored by anybody in the second or

back row. All eyes on Matthieu

Jalibert, 19 years, 89 days old.

He'll be up against Johnny Sexton,

and there will be a lot... Geoffrey

Palis is at full-back, a brand-new

start for him in the Six Nations.

James Ryan, into the second row.

Plenty of experience in front of

him. Rory Best, the 106 captaincy

for the hooker, and the captain, CJ

Stander, at number eight, will be

targeting Jalibert. Johnny Sexton

wears number ten. The contrast of

the outside-halves. 69th cap for

Sexton, 14 years Jalibert's senior.

We normally look to the replacements

bench to bring on experience and

power but it is a brand-new bench

for France. So many near the front

row players have not played in the

Six Nations. Of course France are

built to surprise.

They are but how

much they can do it against Ireland

side which so experienced especially

in defence but we will see. I doubt

it.

it.

Aki playing in the Centre for

Ireland. His first game in the Six

Nations. Nigel Owens of Wales the

referee today. The first touch for

Jalibert and were off. Conor Murray,

presumably not the first time

Ireland will put boot to ball.

Gourdon. Camara.

Gourdon. Camara. Ireland forced the

strong flanker out of play.

strong flanker out of play.

We will

see how the battle goes. It will

revolve I would think around the two

number eight. Stander is the more

experienced. He needs to come

inside, that is poor play.

Ball from

Ryan. Aki.

Ryan. Aki. The elusiveness of Keith

earls on the wing.

earls on the wing. Penalty

advantage, Furlong involved.

Machenaud made the tackle. We go

back for the penalty put up and

hello to Luke Fitzgerald in the

penalty box.

Thank you, it was an

interesting start. Good from

Ireland, a few guys getting their

hands on the ball and a nice bit of

defence to get that line-out. So a

solid start.

They got round the

outside of France quite easily.

I

feel that they will target that guy.

I believe France are vulnerable on

the wilder parts of the pitch from

kicking and passing as well.

kicking and passing as well.

Keith

earls back in action. Johnny Sexton

are very familiar sight.

are very familiar sight. Slimani the

French prop.

No problem for Johnny Sexton.

France

will have to be careful in that area

of the game. They averaged over four

times more penalties than Ireland in

their last encounter.

Jalibert to

Conor Murray.

Johnny Sexton the captain.

Keith earls with the follow-up and

Ireland moved smoothly into the

French half.

We see what an easy

exit that was put up that pinpoint

kicking. Ireland, their aerial and

chasing game has been good for many

years.

I'm not surprised, they spent

a huge amount of time in that area

and they try to be as prepared as

possible in that area.

Told to get back onside.

Penalty given for breaking the bind.

With this French team I think they

will be most dangerous in Little

scraps like that. I don't have the

advantage in terms of organisation

but they do pose a threat behind the

scrum.

scrum.

Just checking work Johnny

Sexton has gone. Thomas waiting.

Tackled by Stockdale.

Tackled by Stockdale. Machenaud.

Jalibert with his trademark kick and

chase.

Jonny Sexton, much more effective

into the corner, clever little kick.

That is the difference between them,

Jalibert trying something

spectacular against a very organised

defence. Then Johnny Sexton, superb

kick into the corner to put pressure

on France.

Went straight to Keith

earls.

Henderson, challenge on the

French throne. Good clearance under

pressure, Machenaud.

Ireland are strong in this kind of

positions. They could throw in a lot

of crossfield kicks at the French

back three.

Henderson winning the

line-out. Aki.

line-out. Aki. Cian Healy. Safely

back to Conor Murray. He makes the

mark.

Pallas, a very long kick.

It will be

interesting to see how much fluency

friends can produce after such a

short preparation time with their

new coach.

new coach.

The ball got slowed up a

little bit.

little bit.

Gourdon into the heart

of the midfield.

Chavancy, a first glimpse.

Thomas coming off his wing.

Vakatawa. Victoria. Out wide. France

patiently building. Thomas given a

roaming role today.

roaming role today. Vakatawa has

swapped wings.

Jalibert now. Advantage being

played, the ball went forward.

14

phases for France. Against an Irish

defence which was always

comfortable. They have powerful

runners but if you cannot give the

defenders more questions to answer

and do not have options inside and

outside and runners available, with

a defence like Ireland who are so

well organised, they're going to

come at you.

Just looking at those

phases for France, trying to

maintain width. A lot of the guys

getting drawn towards the ball.

Holding width would give the players

an opportunity to get a one-on-one

and they have fantastic athletes.

But you do not get those

opportunities if you are too tight.

Johnny Sexton. Felt the full force

of Vakatawa coming his way.

Ireland have improved out of all

recognition in this area. The front

five was not seen as a dominant

scrummaging set piece unit but they

are now and they have got that

depth.

Coming under pressure here.

Rory Best. The scrum going down.

France with a slight nudge forward.

Back towards the 22. Cian Healy.

Makes a yard outside the 22. Conor

Murray cannot kick directly to

touch.

touch. He aims instead at Palis who

takes it well.

takes it well. Thomas. Doing well to

stay away from the touchline. France

just getting a bit of width.

Vakatawa, good tackle. Machenaud.

France making no ground at all. The

whistle goes.

After the any penalty it is a bit

flat.

-- early penalty. I would be

happy if I was Ireland. You just

want a settled period in an away

game. Three points up. They have not

had much ball and when they do get

back I think there will be more

creative and threatening than France

have been.

Machenaud prepares to feed the

scrummage. Free kick. Gourdon.

Knocks on. Irish ball.

Knocks on. Irish ball.

Brian made a

fantastic point early on, one of the

strengths of this team is the front

row. It is such a nice thing is back

to know you have that security and

strength in that area. They have

given away a few soft penalties at

the start of the game but normally

this is a strong part of the for

Ireland. -- of the game.

I must say, the turf here at the

Stade de France is in such good

condition, compared with a ploughed

field it has sometimes been in the

past. Connor Murray drills its down

to the corner. Palis keeps it on the

park. Sexton looks infield and goes

high. Under pressure, Thomas.

Ireland reclaim possession. A

chance, options on both sides.

Penalty advantage to France, though.

There is none. Nigel Owens goes

back. Chavancy, wearing 12 for

France. Sebastien Vahaamahina, the

giant.

giant.

Disappointing, from a really

good regather from Connor Murray.

Ireland find themselves with the

lowest penalty points on average in

every game. A few loose ones to

start, and I think they'll look to

tighten it up in the next few

minutes.

Palis the line-out, taking

Thomas. -- Teddy Thomas rises high,

but there was just a chance here.

but there was just a chance here. A

bit of nostalgia for you, Brian.

Just

Just to say, those are French

pictures, which is why you are

getting the after slow motion

nonsense.

Chavancy, stopped in his

tracks. Machenaud. Jalibert. In open

play.

play.

Well, the French crowd were

temporarily excited, and yet, in

reality, Ireland simply guided

France towards the touchline. They

were never really in danger, two men

covered.

Nice to see some creativity

all the time. I like the move, I

like that they are trying to

manipulate and condense that Ireland

defence, and go outside to the pace,

of which they have in abundance out

wide.

France putting something on the

maul. Vakatawa.

maul. Vakatawa. Infield, then trying

to straighten it. It's Robbie

Henshaw who can't get away. He's

been penalised. Jalibert. Free play

for France now. Rob Kearney comes

forward, takes it well, but back to

the penalty.

the penalty.

Back to your point

about giving penalties.

Yeah, an

unusual start for them, and I think

there will be messages coming from

the sidelines that they need to

tighten up. It's OK for France to

have the ball, Ireland have looked

comfortable so far. They need to get

it under control, it was easy

pressure for France, and they will

get heart from that and I think

they'll grow.

they'll grow.

Palis again, towards

this near touchline.

this near touchline. He had a few

weeks, had to serve a little

sentence for a few discussions...

Well stolen by Ireland. But they

didn't do their sums right. CJ

Stander just hangs onto the ball,

just to delay things.

Nigel Owens

making the point numbers three times

there. I have to say, very

surprising.

REFEREE: The decision is made, the

scrum is here, the numbers.

You are too late getting out. The

scrummage, Brian. I suppose it was a

free kick, wasn't it?

Well, given

that France have had problems on

their line-out so far, not surprised

they've taken this option. All

depends on whether they can get a

good striking clean ball, give them

back -- give their backs some

options, or whether they will try

and put the Irish under pressure and

try and force a penalty.

A free kick for not straight.

However, Cian Healy was a terrible

angle. -- was at a terrible angle.

I

think they were lucky he called it

back after the kick. Johnny Sexton

missed touch, so a few fortunate

events in a row.

Only a free kick, Sexton kicks it in

play. Palis can't take it. Lauret

was by his side to clear up the

possession. Vahaamahina.

possession. Vahaamahina. Tadhg

Furlong involved in the tackle.

Connor Murray is back, and rises

well.

Cian Healy. Sexton. Van der Flier

come out among the backs. -- Van der

Flier, out among the backs. James

Ryan, nearly to the halfway line.

Good hands from the prop. CJ

Stander, Stockdale. Picked up by

Vahaamahina.

Stockdale did very well to get to

it. A very messy and slow run, but

considering he was up against three

or four French players and Ireland

have come at a -- come away with it,

it's worked. Earls.

it's worked. Earls. Back to the 22

metre line, just in front of Ireland

as they come, through second row,

Ryan. The other one, Iain Henderson.

Penalty advantage, free play for

Johnny Sexton. It will be a penalty.

Drop goal misses.

Drop goal misses. Penalty against

Yacouba Camara.

A lovely bit of play

from Ireland. Something there has

been a renewed focus on the island

is being more expensive, and a big

part of a renewed game plan is the

board. Sean O'Brien is missing

today, so can Josh van der Flier

fill that void for Ireland?

The

hands by Cian Healy. And you also

saw the ball back inside just before

the breakdown, which gave the

penalty. That's what I'm talking

about, posing different questions

for defenders. If you get a straight

one out, it doesn't matter if you

have got width or you defence it --

condense it. International players

are too well organised and they will

stop pupils vary the point, give

them so much doubt as to where they

can target it, and you are likely to

get just beyond the gain line and

everything else becomes a lot

easier.

Johnny Sexton, in front of the

posts.

Ireland doubled their lead.

CJ Stander, tackled by Camara.

Conor Murray. Hasn't gone very far.

Thomas. Knocking it on. Advantage

being played. Murray. Stander.

Sexton. Gourdon is back. Palis.

Murray, again covering it. A free

opportunity, nobody on the Irish

side but anywhere near it. Carbery

comes away with advantage over.

Again, it's all too easily pushed

out of play. The flag is up.

out of play. The flag is up. Nigel

Owens being advised about the height

of the tackle.

Lets wait for the

decision. It's not going to be high.

Play on, he slipped over his back,

and over his head.

REFEREE:

REFEREE:

Play on.

Perhaps what was missed was the fact

that Conor Murray found himself in a

situation where he thought, if I'd

played this ball, I might impede the

running player, so he decided not to

go anywhere near it, clever play.

Peter O'Mahoney won the line-out.

Dumped to the ground. But here comes

Bundee Aki. Does well to get into

the French half. Iain Henderson, on

halfway.

Josh van der Flier. There is the

halfway line.

Henderson. Johnny Sexton, Bundee

Aki, good strength under pressure.

James Ryan. That familiar line. Made

a mess of it. Jalibert in hot

pursuit. Rob Kearney goes back. Did

he get back to his feet? Real

pressure from France. Now Ireland,

instead of attacking the halfway

line, are on their own goal line.

Very calm presence of Conor Murray,

in charge of the defensive

operation. Teddy Thomas.

Such a

strain for Ireland, having -- a

strength for Ireland, having Conor

Murray in that position. A lot of

encouraging signs for France,

defensively solid and I like their

shape in the back field, not giving

Ireland easy opportunities to the

ball in behind them.

Rabah Slimani.

Rob Kearney under pressure. Camara

build another French attack with the

line-out.

Scrum down, Irish ball.

Technically,

anything from the line-out with that

is offside. The referee has let them

get away with one drive. If you

detach from the original setup and

go round the corner, like the French

state, then it seems that the

players in front are obstructing. --

like the French did. When you go

round the side here, that is when

they will penalised you, or they'll

give obstruction against you.

Ireland comfortable at the moment.

But just being held back by a bit of

ill discipline and small

inaccuracies. Things will get a lot

better when they tidied those up.

I

think they look solid but just

struggling to get a bit of momentum.

The few times they have it has come

from a pass. There should be passing

more forward to Ford, change the

point of direction.

Such a different game from the

opener in Cardiff.

It is but the

opener in Cardiff had no structure

from one team and then Wales played

very well.

Stander, and Ireland have the

penalty.

penalty. The crowd in Paris again

not happy.

There are no rules changes in

advance of two years from World Cup.

But one or two directives. One to

make sure there's no movement in the

scrum and the other to stop comments

from players. Slammy, I think his

words, perhaps discussing Donald

Trump, I do not know!

Trump, I do not know!

Interested to

see what Ireland have prepared in

the week. They have been practising

to try to pull apart this French

defence.

Aki. Low centre of gravity.

Left Jalibert on the floor. Here is

Stockdale. Jalibert still down.

Stockdale. Jalibert still down. Play

on from James Ryan. A good run by

the second row. Sexton.

Ryan again. Two players down. The

ball goes behind the first.

Aki on Jalibert and the young

Frenchman is down. And so is Aki.

He

might be built more for that

collision than Jalibert. James Ryan

has had a strong start to the game.

We have not spoken about him a huge

amount coming into the game. But

he's only just in the team ahead of

Devin Toner. He has had a fantastic

start. He is surviving really well

at this level.

at this level.

Belleau of Toulon.

And it looks like a knee injury for

Jalibert.

It is his knee.

Jalibert, the youngest ever

outside-half, going off. Belleau

coming on.

That is very unfortunate for

Jalibert. He had a few nice touches,

nothing too expensive but doing the

simple things right so that is

unfortunate. Hopefully we will see

him back on the pitch.

Nigel Owens laying down the law.

People say you should not warn both

props until you're sure you have

seen one of them doing wrong. But

for me it is sort it out or get off.

On the 22, space on both sides.

Robbie Henshaw and Aki a long way

apart.

apart. CJ Stander protected from

Conor Murphy. -- Conor Murray. Iain

Henderson, CJ Stander on his

shoulder. Tight furlong. Peter

O'Mahony with good support.

O'Mahony with good support. Sexton

back in his guiding position. Sexton

a little dummy. Gourdon reading it,

covered, tackles. Stander.

Cian Healy.

Cian Healy. Ten metres to go for

Ireland. Van der Flier.

What will Sexton try. Ireland in

front of the posts. CJ Stander, the

French defence good.

Conor Murray waives the forwards,

Cian Healy obeys the instruction.

France think they have turned it

over. Ireland narrow for the

majority, Palis clearing the line.

Excellent defence from France. It is

the easiest place on the pitch to

attack but that physical commitment

was fantastic. Slowing down the

Ireland ball consistently. Momentum

is key. It makes all your decisions

a lot easier if you're going

forward. And a lot more difficult

defensively if the other team has

momentum.

Conor Murray delivers the ball going

backwards. Play on. Rory Best.

backwards. Play on. Rory Best. Into

the French 22. Vakatawa cannot

control it.

We thought Jalibert walking past

limping, clearly he hurt his knee in

collision with Aki but we're told by

touchline officials that he has gone

off

off for an HIA to check if he has

concussion. So that means that

France have additional time to check

over, worked on him and getting back

onto the pitch.

A head injury assessment for the

young outside-half.

young outside-half. Keith earls

plays outside-half position.

plays outside-half position. Furlong

fights for a few feet of space.

Gourdon Terrace is out on the French

side. Rob Kearney turned and got

back in time. Chased down by

Chavancy. Booker winning the tackle.

-- the hooker.

In front of the posts.

In front of the posts.

Another

excellent French defence of said

putting huge pressure on Ireland at

the breakdown. Great success slowing

down the ball against Ireland. For

me Ireland need to be war creative.

Give themselves half a second extra

on the ball to maybe get an

opportunity to do something else.

Those kind of things would make it

more difficult for France to put on

the kind of pressure that they are.

The scrum-half Machenaud will be

taking the kick at goal.

Lamerat limping around the field.

Nigel Owens having a word with

Poirot. Standing and applauding and

the kick is good. France have three,

Ireland six.

Johnny Sexton. To Belleau.

France have been very good

challenging at the breakdown.

Furlong.

I no real forward momentum so far.

Another charge by James Ryan. Van

der Flier.

Van der Flier got hit.

That will have hurt.

That furlong carry is a perfect

example, that ball needs to go just

one more. They need to give each

other space out there, to get one on

one opportunities to get that

freedom for Conor Murray and Johnny

Sexton to run the game plan.

His

head came into contact,

head came into contact, Guirado

injuring his hip or five. With

defence when they are so well

organised, unless, there are one of

two players like Vinnie -- Billy

Vunipola, they can make yards after

the initial contact, you have to

find a way to make defenders move

out of their set standards. So they

cannot get a full hit on you. By

doing that, just moving it then you

have the chance to do that.

Ireland

forced to make a change. Van der

Flier, his day is done. And of

replacement already on, Dan Leavy.

He is the guy who has had a really

good underage career. This year and

last year he has established himself

with Sean O'Brien being out injured.

He is a huge part of what made

Leinster so competitive this year in

the league and in the cup.

Again and

inviting position for Ireland. A few

set scrums in the middle of the

field. And they have split their

centres. Split their three quarters.

Conor Murray.

Conor Murray. To Aki. Little dart by

the inside centre. Peter O'Mahony

goes to scrum-half position. Conor

Murray back there now. The first

touch for Dan Leavy.

touch for Dan Leavy. Johnny Sexton,

Penshaw, on the good angle.

Penshaw, on the good angle. The

switch of direction by Johnny

Sexton. CJ Stander delivers.

Aki.

James Ryan. France have to be

careful not to pick up the player

beyond the horizontal.

Penalty against Sebastien

Vahaamahina.

REFEREE:

You want to come in and

play the ball, no problem. Don't

come in and play the man without the

ball.

He also doesn't come in from a

sideways angle.

A bit lucky not to

have that look that a bit closer.

Not sure there were too many arms in

that. Thankfully Conor Murray is

able to continue. Better from

Ireland, they changed the point of

attack better, they looked like they

were trying to be expensive, but

France look good defensively to me

so far.

You are right, Luke.

Yeah.

So one wondering left arm, perhaps.

Irrespective of the technicalities,

the fact is it a goal penalty

giveaway in front of your posts to

let Ireland though undoubtedly 9-3

up, instead of 6-3.

REFEREE:

County Down ten seconds.

One minutes to go until half-time.

-- count me down. Johnny Sexton puts

Ireland 9-3 ahead.

There is a lot of dampness in the

air. The rain falls. Dan Leavy.

Wenceslas Lauret.

Wenceslas Lauret. Belleau. Will it

go the ten metres? Ireland played it

anyway. That's a good league by

Leavy. -- a good leap.

The last minute, Conor Murray keeps

aerial game going. A test for Palis.

Good pressure from Keith Earls.

Belleau, the replacement.

Guirado.

Iturria with the drive. Palis says,

I think we'd better go and have a

chat in the changing room, see what

we can do to swing this game our

way. Ireland lead in Paris by 9-3.

Incomplete performance from Ireland,

they will be concerned they haven't

got enough momentum, yet they have

looked comfortable in defence, and

I'd expect a huge improvement in the

second half.

STUDIO: Around this point, we

normally show you a key moment of

the half, but we couldn't think of

anything that would grace the screen

and believe that key moment. I guess

these that tell a certain amount of

the story, a low scoreline just

through penalties, and so far

Ireland have taken advantage of

those kickable penalties.

Possession, Ireland, 69%, and they

haven't found many gaps. Potentially

quite a good French defence, that

would say. Thoughts on the first

half, Philippe, from a French

perspective? Improvement in terms of

defence and not making silly stakes?

Yes, it's a tough and physical game.

I feel that the French team are good

in defence, but they tackle a lot,

110 tackles. I thought we had the

same problem, we are not very good

on drives, too many mistakes, and

around the line-out we lost so many

balls.

The opening salvo suggested

Ireland would play expensively and

there was excitement, in conditions

like this, but France have snuffed

that out effectively.

Possession is

75 and 30 and so is territory in

Ireland's favour, so France have

under pressure but defended well. I

think they have managed to keep

numbers out of their defensive

rucks, but the way that Ireland

started, Jerry and I were confident

for Ireland, but France have snuffed

them out. They have had some big

modes and -- the moment to moment

themselves.

At the kick-off, France

get it, and you think, we are going

to tear this up. And then you think,

actually, no. We get here, a pretty

good shape, and Camara needs to go

inwards, dust to keep possession,

get yourself into the game early.

But a schoolboy error, running

straight into touch. From the

line-out, this is the way Ireland

have been practising, the way the

scrum has got them going, and they

know the way France are going to

defend, so they look at that space

and attack it. It's precise,

position rugby, well executed, and

at this stage, they got well over

the gain line, look how upset they

are, ready to go again. They are

calling the tune and they know the

space will probably be out wide, and

as slow as the ball is, they are

still in an attacking shape. Look at

these paid out wide. If they were

more they could make inroads there

and opened it up. -- look at the

space out wide. As it happens,

nothing much brilliant, they got a

penalty to go back, and Sexton

knocked over the three points.

France wised up quickly to the way

Ireland were playing and, if

anything, the momentum was changing

throughout the match. Let's focus

first, because he didn't last long

and we gave him a big time in the

field -- the build-up, Matthieu

Jalibert, that lack of experience

showed out there in that 29 minutes.

Exactly, it's tough, but also the

conditions are very difficult. First

ball on the eyeball, very important

to catch it, he drops the ball, the

Irish go for 60, 70 metres. This is

a piece of experience in a small

kick, a bit too long, and gives it

to the Irish team. I think he will

learn a lot about this.

learn a lot about this.

He's got

experience inside of Machenaud,

Chavancy on the outside, not many

caps.

We keep the ball in the face,

but we don't do the right thing to

move, and we used too many guys in

the ruck, and the Irish team are

organising in defence. They are more

in defence than in attack, so it's

difficult for a young fly half. It's

a shame he's injured after that 30

minutes.

minutes.

30% possession, mainly in

your own half, so probably not the

type of game for him.

Let's look at

the French attack, which you could

describe as fairly blunt, because it

barely came to much. Perhaps you

have explained in a way why that is,

too many men committed to the

breakdown, and it's too laboured

after that.

It's not a quick ball,

it's very slow. We don't arrive to

go for out. Good presentation of the

ball. We don't stay on the pitch,

the window... When you have the

French team is starting to go

forward, we need to stay on the

pitch.

You can see the difference in

a side that's been together and been

coached by the same guy for a long

time for the smart rugby players at

half-back controlling the game. You

look at the French side and you

think, you have only been together

for a few weeks. In no real

commanders. They haven't had

possession and territory but at some

stage you have to make your mark on

the game. They are looking around

and there isn't that player in the

French side that has gone, right,

follow me, lads.

We organise in

defence. They were quite good

contest. We won some turnovers.

Ireland are normally well after the

ball, but the conditions... It's a

big advantage for us, because I

think it's a bit slippery, and it's

difficult for the Irish to play

without width.

Let's look at the

kicking game, normally a potent

weapon for Ireland, but it hasn't

come off as often as normally.

Percentages haven't been working.

I

think they have been doing a bit

more. This came after Jalibert's

pour kick ahead. This is the kind of

pressure that Ireland normally put

on teams. They have a good defensive

line-out. Gourdon the back,

following this kick. Big pressure,

fantastic, and Luke Fitzgerald

mentioned it, fantastic kick from

Conor Murray, and it takes the

pressure off the Irish. They

probably kicked loosely once or

twice. The chase has been excellent.

It's something they practice, Irish

teams, chasing and catching with the

high ball.

As good as the French

defence has been, you get the sense

that it will crack at some stage,

because they are not renowned for

their fitness, it's a new side. Look

at the possession, the territory,

with only three penalties...

And a

much more powerful bench.

Yes, but

it's building and building to get

that airtight bubble of keeping the

ball and controlling the game. There

was a slight difference at the end

of that first half.

I agree, and I

know Jacques Brunel, and he'd say,

guys, just six points behind, we

scored a try, we took the lead on

interception. The key for the French

side is that the Irish don't score

twice more. We need to play more and

then it can be a point.

Was a good

signs for France for 30 minutes, a

turnover, big moments and a penalty.

You felt the momentum switch.

Ireland attacking the French line

vet, hoping for three points, maybe

a try themselves. France got the

turnover, straight after that,

Gourdon gets the ball. They kicked

this to rob Kearney, and a good

chase, and Guirado, the French

hooker has been excellent. Guilhem

Guirado, the blue number two, gets

on the ball. Three points. That's

what you have to do in international

rugby to get scores, you accumulate

moment after moment that put them

together, you can get three, five,

seven points.

seven points. Something we

highlighted earlier. Unfortunately,

they gave it back and not long after

with a clumsy penalty from

Vahaamahina.

Exchanged quickly. One

said it looked like a couple more

phases and you could restore a try.

Moments of brilliance. Gourdon

ripping the ball, one tackle, again,

a jackal, three points, or in 20

seconds.

Perhaps it's a lack of

experience that France need more of

an injection of.

an injection of.

The fresh co,

Guirado, has been fantastic, he is

very fit. He is in very good shape,

very fit player. He has had some big

impact.

We didn't see any tries in

the first half, and we are here,

making history, with the joint

lowest scoring half between Ireland

and France in the nation 's history,

so tell that to your grandchildren!

However, plenty of tries and drama

and action in the first match of

this year's Six Nations at the

Principality Stadium, so let's look

at the match between Wales and

Scotland.

Jonny Gray into play scrum-half,

using the referee as a decoy run

out. And Price at scrum-half. Can

anybody catch the scrum-half? Davies

for the corner. A try for Wales?

Wales punching forward again. Now

there's a gap out wide. Leigh

Halfpenny, and he is in! Two tries

in 12 minutes for Wales! What a

start for the home side. Now Rhys

Patchell going himself, not quite

there yet. Wales with a couple of

metres advantage, penalty coming,

try coming. Two tries. Well and

truly over for Leigh Halfpenny, and

Wales are roaring towards victory.

Another chance for Wales to go

hunting for try number four, and

Aaron Shingler taken down by Grant

Gilchrist, and on through the house

of Watkin onto Hadleigh Parkes, and

he steps in! There it is for Wales.

They have try number four. They Sale

past 30 points.

Ryan Wilson now. Peter Horne through

the middle and he is in for the try.

Scotland have something from this

match. What a start for Wales.

They are up and running. Incredible

start to the campaign for Wales. No

one saw that scoreline coming. But

this is the most unpredictable and

wide open Six Nations in many a

year. The women got off to their

start last night with Wales women

beating Scotland in Colwyn Bay for

that you can catch up with all the

action from the opening weekend in

this.

# Welcome to your life

# There's no turning back

# Even while we sleep

# We will find you

# Acting on your best

behaviour

# Turn your back on mother nature

# Everybody wants to rule the world.

That is tomorrow night and on the

iPlayer. Before that live commentary

on the England beat Italy game and

highlights of Rugby special tomorrow

evening. And the Rugby union weekly

podcast is out on Monday night.

Plenty to talk about.

We are off.

No problem for Johnny

Sexton.

Ireland's double their lead.

The kick is good.

Ireland 9-3 ahead. Well a tale of

penalties in the first half. We hope

for something a bit more exciting in

the second. But plenty of excitement

certainly in Cardiff. That Welsh

performance, a Scarlets performance

in many ways. I will turn a wind for

Wales. -- a real turnaround.

Yes

they have had injury and ten

Scarlets players in the side. It was

brilliant to see, fantastic to

watch. But unfortunately for

Scotland, they did not change. They

do not have the precision of the

Welsh and that showed. They could

not direct the game. Wales worked

incredibly hard. Brilliant to watch.

A good bit of Scarlets in the pro 14

this year. You just cannot turn the

ball over and give them half a

chance, the Welsh. There are similar

to New Zealand, incredible at

finishing off a line break. I do not

think anyone expected that result

today. Certainly not Scotland and

probably not Wales either.

The

Scotland we saw playing against

Australia and New Zealand, scoring

record amounts of tries last year at

Murrayfield, they will be

disappointed. But on whether the

action here and heading into the

second half. It is Ireland 9-3 and

certainly we hope Ireland and France

as well, that someone finds some

gaps to get themselves over the

white line. Your commentary team,

Luke Fitzgerald, Brian Moore and

Eddie Butler.

Bellows still on the field. Looks as

if Jalibert, his debut did not last

for long. Machenaud waiting. Ireland

to kick off in this second half.

Johnny Sexton has not had to move

out of third gear. Ireland have been

very contained and full of calm

authority.

I would be interested to

ask what might have been said at

half-time.

We are off, Johnny Sexton

sending a low scuttle towards

Machenaud. What are the team talks

like a tough time?

Usually very calm

and concise, the days of roaring are

probably gone. People just want to

get technical information. In a game

that is very tight. And he is

normally very good at that.

Rory

Best throws and finds CJ Stander.

Aki helping it on its way. The Irish

replacement Dan Leavy on for Van der

Flier.

Flier. Dan Leavy again. The strength

of the back row. Here is CJ Stander.

And the second row, Iain Henderson.

Henshaw out to Rob Kearney.

Henshaw out to Rob Kearney. James

Ryan who was a major ball-carrier in

the first half. Johnny Sexton. Aki.

Conor Murray switches it. Furlong.

That has gone forward.

That has gone forward.

Johnny Sexton

not too happy. A few of his

team-mates would say he's never

happy on the pitch to be honest. But

that was a good opportunity in a

game where they have been few and

far between. Ireland seemed to not

give France too much time to go up

the middle. Interesting to see if

they will continue to pursue that.

Well you mentioned the first threat

that we have really seen from Conor

Murray. He needs to do it a bit more

to make sure that defenders cannot

drift off.

drift off. So they're not cluttering

out the midfield.

That is the

halfway line. Spending a lot of time

in this game between the ten metre

line. Pressure from Ireland on the

French scrummage. Belleau on the

front foot. Vakatawa. Henshaw now.

Machenaud.

Machenaud. Tackled by Peter Armani.

Lamerat delivers for Machenaud.

Vahaamahina again.

Vahaamahina again. Gourdon. CJ

Stander with the tackle.

Lauret.

Iturria, the second row.

Iturria, the second row. Ireland

have turned the ball over.

have turned the ball over. And

Poirot is offside.

That might have been smart play in

hindsight.

hindsight. Again a lot of penalties

starting to build up against France.

Coming from Poirot!

Not right in

front of Nigel Owens! Good position

now for Ireland. Nigel Owens having

a word with Poirot. There is the

turnover. Iain Henderson involved.

Interesting position to attack from.

You do not often have to defend a

kick. You can often use your

wingers.

wingers.

Good take by James Ryan.

Good counter drive from France. Just

now the question of spot the ball.

Ireland scrambling it back on their

way. Sexton has a go on his own.

Conor Murray. Henderson. Good drive

by the second row. France offside.

Two of them.

Two of them.

Vahaamahina again.

Managed to get away from the initial

contact but then loitered in and

around. For all the French forwards

did, it was a tremendous counter

drive. Given away by a moment of ill

discipline.

Good skills by James

Ryan. And here is the other second

row, Henderson.

A couple of dynamic

players. Henderson just seems to

slip ahead of a lot of tackles, you

see that all the time for Ulster. A

big talisman for them. I think he

will be a big talisman and a big

part of this Irish team going into

the World Cup.

Johnny Sexton, took his time. Just

to make sure. Ireland now leading

12-3.

You can see with the

conditions, not readily apparent.

But it is very greasy up there and

difficult to handle. Johnny Sexton

can be relied upon to kick those

easy goals. He did not miss one last

year in the entire Six Nations.

For

penalties to one. Conor Murray very

deliberate as always. Rob Kearney so

good. Catching those high balls.

Pure concentration as he delivers.

Cian Healy Drive setup. -- drives it

up. Illegal again, he should get a

warning.

warning. The read they will show

he's clearly offside. -- the replay.

Clear as the nose on your face.

Really poor from Vahaamahina. He

really needs to sort that out

because he is putting pressure on

this French team.

You have a lot of

penalties now. You were never back

onside when you play them all. You

were never behind in the first

place.

These are the ones of the coaches

hate.

hate. You are under pressure. These

are the sort of things when you talk

about discipline, not about punching

people but doing silly things like

that when you know you're never

behind the back foot. I would like

to see Ireland catch this and drive

it. Put pressure on.

Conor Murray, from the set piece.

Henshaw, Belleau at pace into the

French 22. He came in and was sent

back again, Rory Best. Cian Healy.

Restarts the operation of being in

the French 22. Bundee Aki. Still

there.

Back again. Jacob Stockdale on the

left wing.

Dan Leavy. He always manages to get

that extra half a yard. Sexton, the

inside ball to CJ Stander.

Still quite narrow, they haven't got

any width. I have now. Key players

spreading out to the touchlines.

Meanwhile, the captain, Rory Best.

Conor Murray has another little look

himself. The tackle is good by

Iturria.

Cian Healy. Pics, and doesn't go

very far. Vakatawa is buried in the

ruck. Tadhg Furlong, outside Conor

Murray. Iain Henderson has to get

his legs out of the way first. Here

is Furlong. Great strength by the

prop.

prop. Wonderful play by Jefferson

Poirot. Support from Stockdale, but

Stockdale has support from Robbie

Henshaw. Good interplay, Keith Earls

back involved. Stockdale runs it out

of play, but suddenly the game is

going and protect end and suddenly

we have pace. Gourdon delivers, but

there is a new frenzy out there, and

the crowd come to life as well.

Lauret. Palis, the full-back.

Vahaamahina, with ball in hand

legitimately.

Machenaud, the change of tactic.

Stockdale does very well. Good

catch, and avoided the dangerous

pass. Palis is down, needs to get

out of there. He's hurt.

Tadhg Furlong drives it a little

further away from the 22. Leavy.

That's Vahaamahina.

A disappointing passage from an

Irish perspective. Some excellent

rich defence, and a great kick from

Machenaud, two lovely kicks but

Ireland under pressure. We saw Palis

trying to put one up on Johnny

Sexton, which I'm sure Johnny will

not thank him for, but excellent

French defence and poor from an

Irish perspective. I feel like Conor

Murray was looking for somebody to

chase his kick. Rob Kearney had got

into position, he probably should

have gone one phase earlier, but

excellent defence from France.

Ireland getting back all right, but

giving a way a rare penalty. Maxime

Machenaud.

Looks good. France 6, Ireland 12.

Still all penalties.

Do you sense a little breakdown in

rigid structures, Brian?

I don't

want to overstate this, but we can

probably see on the cameras when you

are watching -- what you can't see

is that the rain is coming down

quite heavily, and I feel we have to

give some credit to the players,

because it's difficult to handle in

this sort of weather.

A very fine

drizzle here in Saint-Denis, just

north of Paris.

Machenaud. Happy to put it out of

play.

I think, if it's going to be a game

dictated by the conditions, the

half-backs for Ireland have more

control and experience and are

likely to win that sort of battle.

Interesting setup for Ireland, with

Dan Leavy standing outside rob

Kearney at full-back and CJ Stander

standing outside Johnny Sexton. I

wonder if Joe Schmidt, ending up in

a white pattern, I would be

surprised if that stayed with CJ

Stander in the middle, but it looks

like that is what they are trying to

cook up.

A change of props for

France, Danny Priso coming on. And

Cedate Gomes Sa. Rory Best. He is

always a model of calm. Finding

Peter O'Mahoney. Dan Leavy gets the

pass way, a good little off-load to

Carbery. Ireland have with this way.

Sexton, Stockdale. Sexton has a

little show and go past the 22. Iain

Henderson approaches it, can't quite

make it. Cian Healy. Footwork from

the prop.

the prop. Stockdale, who is off his

wing. Keith Earls is still very much

on his, as CJ Stander again

approaches the 22. Rory Best. He

can't get to it.

can't get to it. Healy.

Sexton to Henshaw. It's broken down.

Turnover possession, Iturria, the

second row, picking it up and

feeding Vahaamahina.

Gomes Sa, his first charge. Slow

ball for Machenaud.

Rob Kearney, who is normally so good

on the highball, drops one. A

surprise, Luke?

Rob Kearney is

usually incredibly accurate under

the highball, and we've seen a few

examples today. 18 need somebody

like him to get the momentum high

kicks, get back into the game. -- a

team need somebody like him for the

wave after wave against this very

sharp French defence, and there

hasn't been much creativity. That

might be governed by the weather,

which is poor. I'm surprised they

haven't tried many crossfield kicks

or a real ones to put balls up for

people like Jacob Stockdale.

From an

Irish perspective, when you saw the

two or three moves that were set off

that lie out, and the way they could

get the runners at different angles,

even the dummy runners, they made

significant ground, but when the

first to what we have been set when

you are off-the-cuff, it's breaking

down and reverting to type, going in

one on one, and they need to get

more options when they are out of

the set plays and the players do it

off-the-cuff.

Yes, and the target as

well... They haven't kicked in an

attacking sense. I can run on the

one that Johnny Sexton won early in

the game and, if I was a winger

against that, you can hedge and you

don't have to defend Hicks, because

expect them. Just change it up

slightly, give France an opportunity

to have indecision in their

defensive line.

It's a collapsed scrum against the

background noise of La Marseillaise

at full volume. We are a bit bogged

down still.

REFEREE:

No, I can't check it on TV.

No, you can't, and you don't ask

either, thank you.

either, thank you. You come this

side, I'm going to go this side, OK?

Wayne Barnes has moved into position

and touch judge, to look down the

tunnel.

You can see a division of

labour. Paul Williams has moved to

the sideline now.

In it goes from

Machenaud. Gourdon gets it away, but

it's very scrappy possession.

Guirado, 24 tackles, the hooker

housemaid. -- has made. CJ Stander,

over the ball, and these are the

many triumphs in a tight game that

are all-important.

Also a mini

triumph for the Irish scrum, very

clever in slowly putting France

under pressure. The width means that

you Paul, Trevor Rees always catch

that, it's obvious. It still ruins

your position.

your position. -- -- that means that

you pull, and referees always catch

that.

A change on the Irish side,

Jack McGrath coming on.

For the

first time in a while, Ireland have

decent field position.

A quick word

from Paul O'Connell in the studio.

With the conditions, it would be

great to see Ireland driving a bit

more, and offered a short line-out

as well, whereby France have to be

very disciplined. I think Ireland

have used it effectively in the

past, and they are doing it here

now, a six plus one line-out and a

drive, though hopefully some of

this. Good defence by France.

France did well to sack that

straightaway.

Good catch by Peter

O'Mahoney. Now Ireland are inside

that area of maximum pressure, the

22. Carbery looks up and find

Sexton. Robbie Henshaw. Tadhg

Furlong. Now Sexton goes in. He's

out of... Oh, penalty advantage to

Ireland. They've stolen it through

Danny Priso. But a penalty against

the French.

REFEREE:

First offence, two blue.

I

think Jacques Brunel and his staff

will be disappointed. Needless. It's

not necessarily a bad thing to be

stuck down there if you have lots of

numbers ready to defend, was if you

get a turnover the other team is

exposed, and Machenaud is exposed a

few times. They need to not panic,

and they are in their 22 defending,

it's OK.

it's OK.

Guirado princess had up to

say, there is a man lying on top of

me. -- Iturria puts his hand up. If

you give an opposition player a

chance to hold you in, which they

will do, I'm afraid you will pay the

penalty.

Good point, think that's

something the referees have got

sharper on. Lots of people often

times in that scenario, they talk as