Ireland Falls Short After Great Recovery In Paris

France 26 Ireland 21

By Dermot Kavanagh

Having being out played for the opening 50 minutes, Ireland made a remarkable recovery that just fell a little short and were thus denied what would have been a remarkable win at Paris on Saturday.

Those opening 50 minutes were in fact a real horror show for Ireland.

In that period they looked leaderless and managed to lose several crucial lineouts.

Over-elaboration, bad decision-making when in possession and faulty handling by Ireland allowed France to put their mark on proceedings and make them look unbeatable.

And, of course, Ireland managed to cough up tries to France, all of which could and should have been prevented.

The only area of play where Ireland were comfortable was in the scrums where the front row of Horan, Jackman and Hayes held their own with their French counterparts.

That France led at the break by 19 - 6 was no surprise. At that time Ireland's plight was serious and by the 50th minute it got worse when a lucky bounce allowed Heymans in for a fourth French try.

With 30 minutes remaining Ireland looked odds on for a humiliating defeat but somehow, over the next ten minutes, Ireland seemed to realise that France had expended themselves.

Two incidents greatly helped Ireland's cause.

First, France, sensing that the game was effectively over replaced two of the front row and one from the second - a move that completely backfired.

Second, Ireland were awarded a dubious penalty try in the 60th minute which O'Gara duly converted.

With the score then standing at 26-13 the momentum of the game went Ireland's way and France were not to threaten to score again for the remaining twenty minutes.

In that time Ireland dominated the game and, scoring a try and a penalty, had reduced the lead by five points (26 - 21) with five minutes remaining.

Ireland exerted ferocious presence on the French for the final minutes but fell just short of crossing the line on two occasions.

In the final phase of play Gordon Murphy foolishly kicked ahead when holding possession might have been a better option, as the kick was held and cleared by the French full back, following which the referee called time.

Ireland will be relatively satisfied with their reluctance to captitulate when the game appeared gone from them.

With a little luck they might have snatched it at the end. However, they will not have happy memories of the opening 50 minutes when they looked shapeless, leaderless and very mediocre in the five points of the game.

Ireland's next game is in two weeks (February 23rd) when they take on Scotland at Croke Park.

For that game changes will be inevitable. After Saturday's performance it is difficult to see Murphy and Dempsey restarting their places.

If Paul O'Connell is declared fit he will return, possibly to the exclusion of O'Kelly.