France moved into pole place for the Six Nations title on Saturday, withstanding an early Antoine Dupont damage to thrash Eire 42-27 with a blistering second half that dealt a possible deadly blow to the hosts’ hopes of a report third title in a row.
France’s hopes in a must-win recreation seemed in bother when Dupont hobbled off after 27 minutes and Eire led early within the second half however three tries in 12 minutes from Paul Boudehent, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Oscar Jegou left the ill-disciplined Irish surprised and with their Grand Slam desires in tatters.
Damian Penaud put the icing on the cake, equalling Serge Blanco’s French report of 38 tries earlier than two late Irish tries flattered a scoreboard that contained extra French factors in Dublin than ever earlier than in a recreation most had predicted could be determined by far fewer.
The bonus-point victory strikes France two factors forward of Eire and 6 away from England, that means any type of win over Scotland subsequent week will virtually definitely safe their second title since 2010, given their far superior factors distinction.
Whereas they are going to probably have to complete the job with out Dupont whom coach Fabian Galthie suspected suffered a severe knee damage, France took immense pleasure that their excessive danger, excessive reward name to pack the bench with seven forwards and only one again for the second recreation in a row paid off.
“We had plenty of confidence within the bench. We knew the contract was to play for 50 minutes and go away all the things on the pitch and they’re going to end the job,” quantity eight Gregory Alldritt instructed a press convention.
Lengthy billed because the probably title decider for successfully the fourth 12 months in a row, it was a predictably breathless opening with Eire bossing the breakdown, set piece and forcing early penalties however unable to make the stress depend.
The sport took its first huge swing after 20 minutes when Eire lock Joe McCarthy was yellow carded for needlessly pulling again Thomas Ramos off the ball. It took France lower than a minute to take benefit with a attempt for flying Bielle-Biarrey.
If Eire had felt onerous performed by when James Lowe — one in every of their gamers of the match — limped off injured within the warm-up, France suffered a nightmare blow shortly after the attempt with Dupont’s damage.
A Sam Prendergast penalty lower the deficit earlier than one other sloppy Irish error allowed Ramos to strike proper again. The Irish flyhalf, who struggled with kicks from hand, struck one other from useless on midway to make the rating 8-6 to France on the break.
It was the third time Eire had trailed at half-time in 4 video games however it didn’t really feel prefer it as they introduced the momentum into the second interval and hooker Dan Sheehan went over within the nook inside three minutes to place them forward.
However the subsequent topsy-turvy flip was minutes away as Boudehent put France again in entrance in controversial style — with Peter O’Mahony deemed to have been cleared out legally — and Eire wing Calvin Nash sin-binned for a foul within the build-up that meant flanker Jegou changing centre Pierre-Louis Barassi.
That was the cue for France to actually flip it on and man of the match Bielle-Biarrey’s eleventh attempt in his final seven video games was a stunner as he grubber-kicked round Prendergast and received the goal-line dash.
It was a dream situation for the sensible French, operating riot in opposition to a ragged, drained and completely overwhelmed defence as they deployed their forward-heavy bench with makeshift centre Jegou securing the bonus level earlier than the hour mark.
Penaud added his record-equalling attempt 5 minutes from time earlier than Cian Healy marked his ultimate Eire dwelling recreation and Jack Conan his fiftieth cap with comfort tries that did little to ease a crushing defeat, Eire’s second at dwelling in 25 video games.
“They seem to be a onerous group to cease after they get momentum,” stated Eire interim coach Simon Easterby, ruing lacking early alternatives earlier than conceding too simply.
“It is most likely a big half all the way down to among the collisions that we weren’t in a position to put in place ourselves, but in addition credit score to the way in which they attempt to play the sport.”
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Sexton wins it on the demise for Eire
Relive three traditional Six Nations video games between Eire and France forward of their essential match in Dublin this weekend.
– Six Nations grades: England present progress; Wales get F
– Lions watch: Is Sam Prendergast pushing Finn Russell at No. 10?
– Who may exchange Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ traditional video games
– Six Nations and Girls’s Six Nations: Full fixture checklist
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures
