One of the best 6 Nations games in recent years. This was an excellent game and a thrilling contest throughout. It's not often that two equally matched teams play to their potential and produce a real International Test match. At least not in Northern Hemisphere rugby. I went into this game having given up watching the England v Italy game after 60 minutes. That game in Twickenham was real bad. No structure at all to England's play and they kicked away much to much ball.
The two teams at Croke Park were playing rugby of a different standard. Their intent was to ran the ball and play an expansive game. France scored the first of the game's five tries after some cohesive play between the forwards and backs led to Harinordoquy touching down in the corner. Not to be outdone Ireland soon hit back with a great team try of their own. Line-out ball was secured in their own half and Kearny and Bowe were involved in some good back play that tore through the France defence. The ball found it's way to Jamie Heaslip and he headed towards the line and managed a sidestep to glide past the covering player for a classy try.
Early in the second half BOD announced his return to top form with a classic centre break that saw him score under the posts. France came back in determined fashioned and Medard latched onto a cross field kick to score a good wingers try. The game was in the balance at 20-18 with twenty minutes to go. The home side played a blinder in the last quarter as they controlled the game superbly. The turning point of the game was D'Arcy's third try that gave Ireland a clear lead. I was hoping for a dramatic late come back from France but Ireland held firm.
High quality rugby throughout and a very enjoybale game to watch.
My man of the match: Heaslip.
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