Eire 27-42 France: Les Bleus brush off harm lack of Antoine Dupont for giant Six Nations win in Dublin

Louis Bielle-Biarrey (two), Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou, Damian Penaud rating tries as France battle from 13-8 behind in second half to beat Eire 42-27, ending hosts’ Six Nations Grand Slam hopes; Antoine Dupont limped off with a knee harm however Les Bleus had been too sturdy anyway

France dismissed the harm lack of talisman Antoine Dupont to place in a efficiency which absolutely displayed their energy and high quality in Dublin, devouring Eire within the second half to win 42-27.

Les Bleus – whose skipper limped off within the first half with a knee grievance – scored 5 tries within the contest by way of sensational wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey (two), flanker Paul Boudehent, substitute back-row Oscar Jegou and wing Damian Penaud, with full-back Thomas Ramos including 4 conversions and three penalties.

Eire, who misplaced second row Joe McCarthy (cynical play) and wing Calvin Nash (excessive sort out) to pricey sin-binnings, briefly led within the second half after a Dan Sheehan strive, however had been completely outplayed thereafter – Cian Healy and Jack Conan tries solely coming as soon as 42-13 behind.

The outcome leaves France as huge favourites to go on and clinch the title resulting from their far superior factors distinction, whereas it kills Eire’s desires of a Grand Slam.

France skipper Antoine Dupont limped off injured within the first half, however Les Bleus fought again to win anyway

Already with out wing Mack Hansen (quad), hooker Ronan Kelleher (neck) and tighthead Tadhg Furlong (calf) by way of harm, Eire then misplaced arguably their high performing again this championship very late within the warm-up when James Lowe limped off.

Eire really dominated the early proceedings as France shipped a flurry of penalties in response to pacy assault. The closest the house aspect bought to a strive was when skipper Caelan Doris was held up over the try-line, although.

Extra relentless Irish attacking stress was quickly ended when hooker Peato Mauvaka gained a breakdown penalty, whereas out-half Sam Prendergast was responsible of a poor penalty kick off the tee on 10 minutes, hanging the submit from straight in entrance.

Sam Prendergast missed an early easy penalty for the lead off the submit

France, wholly towards the run of play, had been then awarded the opening strive by way of Dupont after an Irish assault broke down on the sting of the guests’ 22. What seemed a transparent knock-on from Penaud in reside play, was quickly dominated as such following a TMO evaluate.

Nonetheless, the opening strive alluded Eire as Prendergast knocked on within the 22, with McCarthy then sin-binned for a cynical pull again on Ramos as France attacked down their left.

Joe McCarthy was sin-binned for a cynical pull again on Thomas Ramos off the ball

Referee Angus Gardner confirmed Eire two yellows: one in both half to McCarthy and Calvin Nash

France took instant benefit as a strong rolling maul laid the platform, earlier than Dupont whipped a move out for Bielle-Biarrey to attain within the nook.

Ramos was astray with the conversion, and – both aspect of Dupont’s unlucky departure – Eire rode out the remainder of the French storm to concede no additional factors whereas down a person.

Restored to fifteen, Prendergast was on course together with his subsequent penalty to cut back the France result in 5-3, however his effort was instantly cancelled out by Ramos after Irish blocking on the restart.

Ramos was dependable with the boot as ever for Les Bleus, touchdown 4 conversions and three penalties

There remained simply sufficient first half time for one ultimate scoring sequence, as Prendergast landed an outstanding penalty from midway to maneuver the hosts inside two once more.

Three minutes into the second interval, Eire made stress rely when Sheehan flew over within the nook following a rolling maul.

Dan Sheehan flew over to provide Eire a five-point lead early within the second half

Prendergast transformed for a five-point lead but it surely was one Eire would not maintain onto lengthy as Boudehent bought over regardless of a seemingly clear cleanout past the ruck by Thibaud Flament on Peter O’Mahony.

On evaluate with the TMO, referee Angus Gardner surprisingly caught with the rating, with Nash sin-binned in the identical occasion for a excessive sort out in two massive blows to Eire.

This time, France would rating once more vs 14 as Bielle-Biarrey confirmed off his electrical tempo after a counter-ruck to kick forward and burst spherical Prendergast earlier than grounding.

Bielle-Biarrey confirmed his tempo to attain France’s essential third strive

Bielle-Biarrey celebrates together with his France team-mates after scoring a strive

9 minutes later, as Eire’s lineout safety abandoned them, Jegou picked and sniped for France’s fourth try to with it, the match.

Ramos added an additional penalty to take the France lead past three transformed tries, and simply when Eire seemed to be in for a strive, Prendergast threw a move Ramos intercepted, with Penaud then sprinting 100 metres down the opposite finish so as to add much more gloss to the hefty score-line.

Damian Penaud added late gloss to the score-line when Ramos intercepted a Prendergast move

Healy touched down in his ultimate look in Dublin as Eire completed the Take a look at in possession, whereas Conan additionally scored within the ultimate play, however they had been of little comfort for the defending champions.

What’s subsequent?

Eire full their championship away to Italy on the Stadio Olimpico in Rome subsequent Saturday March 15 (2.15pm kick-off).

France host Scotland of their final sport of the championship as they play the ultimate Take a look at of three on Saturday March 15 (8pm kick-off)

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