ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland hang on against France to stay on track for title defence

BY Grant Constable  ·  Sunday Feb 15, 2015

Ireland are well placed overall following their 18-11 Six Nations win over France in Dublin on Saturday. Their ninth successive Test victory is their second tournament win, placing them in good stead for a Championship defence.

Jonathan Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip all made returns to Test rugby after injury layoffs, with flyhalf Sexton himself coming back after a 12-week absence due to multiple concussions in recent times.

Unfortunately he ended up taking another big knock, clashing heads with Mathieu Bastareaud. 

Bloodied, Sexton left the field but returned and ended up being Ireland’s top points scorer, Man of the Match with 15 of the 18 points coming from his boot. There were concerns over his condition but he has said it wasn’t anything to worry about.

“It was just a glancing blow. I just needed a couple of stitches but I felt fine after it,” he said.

France scored a try through Romain Taofifenua with ten minutes left in the match, but the Ireland defence held firm, and kept out impressive scrumhalf replacement Morgan Parra too.

“That’s a very good French team,” said Sexton of their late effort. “We made it hard for ourselves as usual and we dug deep at the end.

“We’re delighted [with the win]. We’ve got a lot to improve on and we’ve got a big match here in two weeks against England.” 

England and Ireland are one and two overall with the same points ahead of their meeting in Dublin on March 1st. England have a slightly better points difference so occupy the number one spot.



View more Six Nations highlights and clips in the Video Hub

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 521 WEEKS AGO

    Courtney Lawes lays into another unsuspecting...

  • 521 WEEKS AGO

    England and France's Twickenham thriller...

  • 521 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland thump Scotland to set up second Championship...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 113 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 114 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 137 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All