France 17 – 38 Ireland

Ireland produced a great performance in Marseille, securing France’s first Six Nations victory since 2018.

Ireland started the post-Johnny Sexton era in ideal fashion, with a superb performance in the Six Nations earning them a bonus-point 38-17 win over France in Marseille.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, lock Tajig Beirne, winger Calvin Nash, hooker Dan Sheehan and substitute hooker Ronan Kelleher scored tries against the French team at the Stade Velodrome, lock Paul Willemse was shown a red card for two yellows in the first half. – Both are high tackles.

Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley, 24, started nervously but went into the game with growing confidence, converting a penalty kick and five exquisite conversions, as well as an impressive performance that set Beirne’s record for points total. He produced a try assist and helped lead Ireland to victory in France.

Damien Penault and lock Paul Gabriag scored tries for France, who continued to fight hard but never looked completely out of the situation – Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony scored seven points in the second half. – but ultimately had to swallow a point in the home defeat.

Jack Crowley, who wore number 10 for Ireland in place of Johnny Sexton, led the way to victory at the Stade Velodrome.

For many in the sport, France vs. Ireland was a Rugby World Cup final never to be seen again at the Paris show in October, and although the hosts opened up a menacing first attack, Ireland were far ahead. I was able to get used to the situation quickly.

Crawley gave Ireland an early lead with a penalty from close range, and the visitors scored the first try when Willemse earned his first yellow for a high hit on the head of Andrew Porter.

Center bandy Aki did it brilliantly, lunging forward and freeing his hands for Gibson Park to sprint.

Ireland scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park scores his first try thanks to great work from Bundy Aki

Immediately after the French maul, Ireland missed a big try opportunity after Beirne pounced on Antoine Dupont substitute Maxime Luk and won a turnover. Crowley and Aki played narrowly in a situation where a wide ball could have resulted in a try on the left.

Soon Crowley missed his tee shot for a 13-0 chance, and Thomas Ramos scored at the opposite end after a scrum penalty.

Perhaps in something of a display of his mentality, Crowley overcame a tough few minutes and scored Ireland’s second try to Bale with an exquisitely disguised short ball.

Great play from Crawley saw Tadhg Beirne score Ireland’s second try.

Crawley then converted to make it 17-3, and Willemse, who had only recently returned, connected with Caelan Doris’ header on Ireland’s first carry and presented a second yellow, but a bunker review resulted in a straight red. It was upgraded to.

France lock forward Paul Willemse receives a red card for two yellow card violations, which is highly unusual.

However, back-to-back penalties at rucks against Ireland lured the French forward and although Beirne won the lineout, a costly penalty to the head of the scrum ultimately led to Penault diving, leading to a corner kick for France. His persistence paid off and he won the match seconds before the end. break.

Damien Penault hits France back with a try seconds before half-time

After Ramos uncharacteristically dragged a penalty wide, Ireland played wide and then scored through Nash, Robbie Henshaw stepping up, accelerating and offloading brilliantly to seal the championship for Doris. I decided to make my debut.

Calvin Nash scores Ireland’s third try on his Six Nations debut

Crawley converted sensationally from the touchline to make it 24-10, but after a lengthy TMO review Gavrilags was found guilty of cynical attempts to award a try and O’Mahony to deny it. Seven minutes later, France had caught up to one point. .

However, Ireland were poised for a counter-attack at the other end and, after a brave decision to kick into the corner rather than score, Sheehan scored the fourth goal from a maul over the try line.

Dan Sheehan’s try earned them a bonus point and put Ireland firmly on track for victory.

There was time for a final try, but Kelleher controlled the ball behind the rebounding maul, which was almost identical to Sheehan’s.

Fittingly, Crowley’s boot was the final scoring act by the extras.

Farrell: Special win for Ireland | O’Mahony: Proud – young players play a big role

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell tells ITV Sport…

“It’s always a difficult task to start the Six Nations with a win here on Friday night, but I think it’s special to get a bonus point and win.

“I’m proud of this performance because I played the full 80 minutes and got what I deserved in the end.

“When you play with 14 people, you tend to close up shop, but we kept playing.

“These are players who have been on the team for the last few years, so there was no doubt in my mind that they were ready to play.

“There are some players who are certain to participate based on their condition, but this is a 23-man match.”

Ireland captain O’Mahony on ITV Sport…

“It’s hard to say in one word. It was a serious Test match.

“I’m very proud of our players for controlling the game. We were calm, composed and maybe a little flustered in the last 10 minutes when we were down 14 points, but we stuck to our plan the entire time.

“I didn’t get carried away by the positive or negative moments and I thought it was a good start.

“I think a big part of the performance was the young guys, Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Big Joe.” [McCarthy]. Big, big performances from players who got the chance. ”

What’s next?

Ireland will take on Italy in the second round of the Championship next Sunday, February 11th, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (kick-off 3pm GMT).

France will face Scotland in the second leg of the Six Nations next Saturday, February 10th (kick-off 2:15pm AEST) at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

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