Six Nations: Five takeaways from Ireland v France as green giants take huge step towards Grand Slam

James While 11 Feb 2023 7:05 PM

Following a 32-19 victory for Ireland over France in their Six Nations fixture, here’s our five takeaways from the match at the Aviva Stadium.

Apex Test

Dublin saw a Test for the ages as Ireland halted France’s 14-match unbeaten streak with a phenomenal performance defined by accuracy with ball in hand and relentless defence as the hosts ran out bonus-point winners.

The energy both teams showed in a close first half was out of the highest drawer imaginable; Ireland‘s tighthead Finlay Bealham is in danger of having his front-row union card removed from him after his exquisite pass to send Hugo Keenan scooting over for a try. Not to be outdone, a few minutes later Damian Penaud and France’s outstanding forward Anthony Jelonch combined to weave magic for 65 metres to see the man that started it, Penaud take France into the lead.

The Six Nations match continued to see-saw with improbable handling, impossible tackles and insane running lines, but Ireland’s bench impact, a perceived edge in fitness and home advantage combined to take them to victory in a match that will have everyone who saw it talking it about it for years to come.

For Ireland, it’s one step closer to their aim of a Grand Slam; for France there will be some disappointment and frustration over a few aspects of their play – but they’ll recalibrate, possibly tweak a few selection question marks, and emerge better for the wake-up call of the sheer intensity of this Test.

Green giants

Ireland had 23 heroes, but one man in green, Caelan Doris, might just be classed as a superhero as he added to his growing reputation by putting in a performance of world-class standard, gaining him player of the match award. His stats were quite remarkable – 17 carries for 115 metres, 14 tackles, eight divine offloads, a turnover and a try assist. But these barely show his nuisance at ruck time, nor do they amplify the little things, like the speed of ruck ball he delivers whether carrying or clearing. In short the Leinster eight had a stellar game and completely overshadowed his opposite number, the out of form Gregory Alldritt, who was replaced after 53 minutes.

Elsewhere, Ireland had a clear superiority in the 10/12/13 channel where Johnny Sexton reminded everyone that just being 37 doesn’t stop you from being the best fly-half in the world; outside him Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose had storming performances with the outside centre crashing over for Ireland’s bonus-point try after superb work from Doris down the left wing.

With the rest of the packs just about cancelling each other out, a word for Ireland’s full-back and try scorer Keenan – 203 metres ran from 18 thundering carries made a massive difference to the outcome as he outshone Thomas Ramos; his 50/22 came at a crucial moment for Ireland as France pressured in the Irish half only to be booted halfway back down the pitch by the full-back which set up Ireland for a crucial three pointer.

But in all of this turmoil, teamwork matters – and Ireland’s defence and protection of their own ruck ball, especially in the first half, was exceptional, with their system staying wide, strong and agile. Sure, there were some standouts, but this was a 23-man effort, aptly fulfilling their promise to be the #TeamofUs.

Big moments

There were some huge moments in this match and James Lowe’s try was one of them. Despite referee Wayne Barnes and TMO Brendon Pickerill rightly taking an age to assess all the evidence they had in that moment and adjudged Lowe’s trailing foot had not been grounded. Subsequent footage shown by the host broadcaster after the decision showed the foot had clearly hit touch before the ball was placed, and one has to ask the question once more why was the footage discovered post decision not available to the match officials from the host broadcaster?

The Uini Atonio call was also massive, with Barnes rightly identifying contact on shoulder rising to head and correctly calling a yellow card due to lower impact; the Irish crowd may not have liked this, but Barnes was wholly correct based upon current World Rugby Head Contact protocols, and fortunately justice was done.

The talking points continued – nobody at the Aviva will ever forget Antoine Dupont’s tackle and man-handling of Mack Hansen to prevent a score in the right corner – Dupont simply found another gear to stop, contain and drive Hansen away, the diminutive scrum-half showing that as far as powerful little guys go, he packs a punch near the level of Manny Pacquiao.

It was breathless, intense and full of talking points – and a fine advertisement for Test rugby.

A simply mammoth performance from the Ireland number eight. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Khtshw34Nj

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 11, 2023

France work-ons

France have a problem in the midfield. Yet again Romain Ntamack drifted aimlessly sideways to sideways, offering zero go-forward and at times, almost looking disinterested in one of the biggest Tests of his life. But in fairness, the Toulouse pivot is missing the power of Jonathan Danty straightening the attack at 12 – France struggled to get any form of carry momentum from those backs and it was only the tireless carries of the outstanding Thibaud Flament (11), Jelonch (8) and outside centre Gael Fickou (14) that kept France going forward.

Fabien Galthie needs to have a rethink in his backline – Yoram Moefana isn’t giving him the asset he needs at 12, nor is Ntamack playing anything remotely like both of the Irish out-halves who played in this match. It’s time to unleash Matthieu Jalibert at 10 and perhaps rejig 12/13 to get some gainline beating skill and power into this team.

France’s defence was outstanding at times – 242 tackles with only 22 missed is a superb return and Flament (28), Julien Marchand (23) and both Charles Ollivon and Jelonch (22 each) put in huge shifts to stem the Irish tide. But another worry will be the form of star number eight Alldritt, who, quite bluntly, looks absolutely knackered and a shadow of his last three years of excellence. His might just be a form thing, but France will be much more concerned about their midfield combination and his next selection meeting could be quite an interesting one.

Irish work-ons

Are there any?

In something approaching one of their finest performances, it’s churlish to call out any aspect, but at times France dismantled their lineout with Ollivon nicking a couple and Romain Taofifenua also helping himself to a wayward throw. Scrum stability looked fine and all round a lot of boxes will be ticked.

But great sides do not stand still and Ireland will want to work out how to ensure they get more possession, how they spend less time defending their own line and how better to ensure a territory enhancing exit strategy in pressure plays.

These all seem like small things – but the best sides focus on marginal gain and you can bet your bottom dollar the focus from Andy Farrell will be exactly on the points we’ve mentioned. And of course, finding out who served the best pint of Guinness in Rome ahead of their visit there in a fortnight’s time.

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