Sean Farrell reports from the Aviva Stadium
IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt uttered with a touch of pride “that was what we needed” after a dominant win over France in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.
After stuttering through wins over Scotland and Italy after the opening day loss to England, Ireland ensured their defence of the Championship would go on into the final weekend thanks to a 26-14 bonus-point win and tries from Rory Best, Johnny Sexton, Jack Conan and Keith Earls.
The result was built on intense first-half pressure as Ireland racked up an incredible 90% territory as they opened up a 19-0 lead at the halfway stage.
“I don’t think I’ve seen, in the last six years (since he took charge) a team control a game like we did that first half,” said the Kiwi.
“The French got knocked back early and it was hard for them to get back on the front foot. But part of (their) hardship was that we kept the pressure on.
To keep that pressure on in the first 40 minutes spoke volumes about the intensity and energy in our game.
“Also the cohesion, I know we missed some opportunities… for Johnny to score off a nice crisp back play, that lifts confidence.”
Schmidt added: “Getting the four tries, getting the bonus point, that was what we needed.
“From where we were last time we sat in this room (after losing to England), it’s taken a while, but there was a bit of our rhythm back today.”
As Schmidt alluded to, the win was not without its frustrations. Supporters in the Aviva Stadium were left somewhat cold as France scored two late tries to reel Ireland back from the brink of a record winning margin to a 12-point victory at the full-time whistle.
The head coach agreed the bout of sustained pressure could have been broken up if try-scoring opportunities had been taken. However, as he looks on towards next week’s clash with Wales and even towards the World Cup, Schmidt was pleased to see his side return to the peak of their powers while putting the match beyond France.
“I know there’s been some frustration externally, it’s been internal as well.
We started the Championship on a really flat note. It’s been a great reminder that you get nothing back in a Test match. You get one window and you can’t just open it a little bit to let the breeze in. You’ve got to get right through it.”
On the injury front, a calf problem kept Rob Kearney from starting at the Aviva Stadium today, but Schmidt hopes the fullback will pull through to face Wales in Cardiff next weekend. Robbie Henshaw looks set to remain sidelined, but the head coach would not rule Josh van der Flier out of the tournament finale despite being forced off with a knee injury during the first-half.
Good to see some deciding to give earls a pass so he can show his finishing. He is under used in these situations. You could be critical of stockdale today, be he wasn’t given a chance. Ringrose had a great game for his for day back. CJ and POM are a great pairing, James ryan put in a big shift and Murray and Sexton needed a game like that. Bring on the welsh, let’s go spoil the party.
We are a much better team with Larmour at fullback. Hi attack play today added to our overall performance.
@Locojoe: we’re way more suspect at the back tho. His positioning was off on a few occasions.
@Locojoe: Larmour certainly played well, but Ringrose makes the backline tick. We’re less potent in attack & defence without him. Hopefully Tom Farrell sees game time in the warm ups, he’d be a great back up if Ringrose is injured during the RWC.
Joe looks like the NZ coach in that interview, argh nightmare senario!
@Anthony:
France never attacked more than 2 or 3 times. Total
@Locojoe: I disagree. Larmour could be sensational but he needs to learn that less is more when it comes to jinking.
At club level you’ll be able to sidestep easily around everyone and run it in (and against Italy B team in Chicago) but other times its just about backing yourself for pace and putting it one really amazing side step if needed.
Top class international rugby defences are way too tight for that.
@Anthony: it doesn’t matter if larmour is out of position, because when Kearney is in position he won’t make a tackle anyway, but wales are going to kick a lot more than France so Kearney will probably come back in
Murray looked a lot sharper… quicker to rucks, quicker at ruck, sharper passes. Makes it easier on Sexton who also looked sharper. Bodes well for next week. Selection in pack will interesting – hard to see much changing unless VDF unfit. Might seem changes on the bench though
If Wales beat us but not with a bonus point and England beat Scotland with a bonus point do England win the championship and Wales get the grand slam with no championship?
@eoin carroll: you get extra points for winning a grand slam
@eoin carroll: nope! Grandslam champs are guaranteed the championship- extra BP’s for winning slam make it impossible to lose C’ship
Wasn’t there a regular poster on here on Friday saying Keith Earls is too slow to score against Tier 1 opposition?
He’ll probably say France are no longer tier 1
Thats a photo for the grandchildren