France show their class and head for title victory
- Updated: 09/03/2025
Ireland’s defeat by France last Saturday was hardly a shock but it now puts the side under pressure when they travel to Rome to take on Italy in the final game of the Guinness Six Nations. Simon Easterby’s side started well in the Aviva and they finished well, but it was the French who bossed the crucial centre piece of the 80 minutes that decided the result. There was much comment coming into the tie regarding the selection of Jamie Osborne on the right wing instead of Calvin Nash but when Lowe cried off at the warm-up, the Young Munster man got his chance to show his talent. For those of us in the stadium last Saturday it was a particularly spectacular experience and the manner in which the French supporters lifted their voices to the roof was quite remarkable. The three results of the week-end sees France on 16 points, England on 15, Ireland 14, Scotland 11, Italy 4 and Wales
By Aidan Corr in the Aviva Stadium
THEY started well and finished well but it was the French who bossed the very important centre piece of this crucial Guinness Six Nations fixture in the Aviva. There are genuine excuses, losing James Lowe in the warm-up and the sheer brilliance of the French, who now look on track to be crowned champions of this fascinating ruby championship. Calvin Nash, who came in for Lowe, had a fine game and shone from the kick-off but after dominating the territory the Irish failed to put a score on the board in the opening 13 minutes. France were patient and they took their chances with Bielle-Biarrey touching down for the opening score. The conversion was missed but after losing Dupont with what looks like a serious injury, the visitors conceded a penalty with Sam Prendergast’s kick putting Ireland 3-5 behind after 33 minutes. France replied with a Ramos penalty but Ireland went in trailing 6-8 when Prendergast split the posts from far out.
Two minutes into the second half Ireland went ahead, a penalty/lineout setting up a maul and Dan Sheahan touched down, Prendergast converting. It was ‘game on’ at that stage but France showed their class with the 13-8 deficit racing up to a 13-42 lead with 74 minutes played. The two late tries from Conan and Healy were only of statistical value to the Irish, who now travel to Rome, with little to play for,
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley
France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Mikael Guillard, Thibaud Flament; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Emmanuel Meafou, Hugo Auradou, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lucu
Referee: Angus Gardner
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