Ireland held on grimly in a nail-biting finish to beat France 22-20 and win its first Six Nations since 2009, giving centre Brian O’Driscoll the perfect send off in his last test today.
With just over a minute remaining, O’Driscoll’s heart sank when France No. 8 Damien Chouly scored in the right corner, but the try was disallowed for a forward pass from captain Pascal Pape.
Ireland first-five Jonathan Sexton did most of the damage, scoring two tries to steal the limelight in O’Driscoll’s world record 141st and final test. Right winger Andrew Trimble got Ireland’s other try.
“There is where it all began and to finish with a medal around my neck 15 years later is incredible,” O’Driscoll said.
He was referring to Ireland’s last win in Paris, in 2000, when O’Driscoll, nine months into his great career, scored a hat trick of tries and made his name.
Ireland’s title was only its second in 29 years, and relegated England to second for a third straight year.
England beat Italy 52-11 in Rome earlier, forcing Ireland and France, a long shot for the title, to win or miss out.
France, after an indifferent campaign, came to the party with all guns loaded and produced the game’s highlight moment, its first try to fullback Brice Dulin. There was a controversial second try from hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, who knocked on before scoring against the post.
With 10 minutes left, France missed a chance to take the lead when replacement scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussain’s penalty drifted wide.
This was to be O’Driscoll’s moment, and he kissed the Six Nations trophy before his captain Paul O’Connell raised it aloft as Ireland’s delirious supporters went wild, and the France crowd applauded.
Early momentum, especially from centre Mathieu Bastaread, was with France for a 6-0 lead.
After France collapsed a scrum, Ireland enjoyed a long spell of possession and O’Driscoll contributed with two powerful runs before the ball was moved wide to the right and Sexton found a gap to dart over for an unconverted try.
The sloppy French were punished again moments later when scrumhalf Conor Murray gained ground and his quick pass released Trimble for a try under the crossbar. Sexton’s extras made it 12-6.
The two conceded tries stung France back into action, and the pack took control. With blood pouring from a cut under his right eye, Szarzewski gained ground on the left touch, and Tales lofted a pin-point cross-kick to the right corner, where winger Yoann Huget brilliantly palmed it down to Dulin, who scored. It was France’s best move of the tournament.
Ireland was awarded a penalty right at the end of the first half and Sexton kicked to touch, giving the visitors a lineout near the France 22. The French, careless once again, went offside, giving Sexton a straightforward kick. He took ages to compose himself and it didn’t work, as he skewed his kick wide.
France went into the interval 13-12 ahead but without prop Nicolas Mas, who trudged off with his right arm in a sling.
Huget’s careless knock on ended a bright restart by France. Ireland regained possession and moments later Trimble went on a superb run down the right, passing over his right shoulder to O’Driscoll, who was held up near the line. Ireland recycled, and Murray sent Sexton over for a converted try.
Another penalty from a ruck gave a shot for Sexton, who made it 22-13.
France roared back but two moves broke down because of poor handling.
Just after the hour mark, Szarzewski knocked on as he picked the ball up near the line and then dropped it before he grounded it for France’s second try to cut the gap to two.
Ireland lost Sexton with a little more than 10 minutes to play, as he was knocked over by Bastareaud’s stray elbow.
With their fans’ nerves shredded, the Irish resisted the final French onslaught to send O’Driscoll into a happy international retirement.
- AP
Article source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/383917/connacht-lead-irish-provinces-in-rugby-union-european-cup-wins
Rugby: Ireland win Six Nations in thriller
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