Unsatisfactory. This seems to be the common theme of Ireland’s faltering Six Nations campaign. This was the case yet again at the weekend as Ireland drew with France at the Aviva stadium to make it one win in four in this season’s campaign.
With the Irish leading 13-3 at half time and looking the better side, Irish fans must have been thinking that a much needed win was within their grasp. But as has been the case on numerous occasions this campaign, no points scored in the second half let a poor French team crawl back in to the game and left both sides dejected, craving that crucial win.
In wet and windy conditions, the game was always going to be dominated by the packs and this proved to be the case with some massive performances from France’s no 8 Louis Picamoles and Ireland’s blindside flanker Peter O’Mahony. Throughout the game, Picamoles looked determined to end France’s winless streak and his perseverance paid off with a well taken second half try. O’Mahony on the other hand was his usual rampaging self, putting his body on the line, carrying well and looking like one of the leaders of the team. This can be summed up by his run towards the end of the game which created Keith Earls try scoring opportunity. O’Mahony broke tackle after tackle, showing yet again his courage and dedication to the cause. With the Munster flanker the kind of character that would thrive on a tour, he did his chances no harm of heading down under this summer. But that is for another day.
Ireland knew coming in to this game with the treacherous weather conditions, that their tactics would have to be spot on and they were in the first half with Man of the Match Conor Murray cleverly box kicking to put Ireland in to good attacking positions. No line breaks transpired however, and it was left to Paddy Jackson and the forwards to put points on the board. Jackson, having been criticised for his poor kicking against the Scots, gave a composed performance from flyhalf scoring eight points on only his second appearance for Ireland. Landing two difficult penalties and converting Jamie Heaslip’s try, the Ulster man did also not shy away from the contact area and his O’Gara like dummy to beat a French defender showed his undoubted talent. With Jonathan Sexton as his mentor, Jackson can surely only go from strength to strength as Ireland’s second choice out-half.
Man of the Match Conor Murray gave an assured display from scrum half.
In the second half, France began to look more dangerous and used their maul successfully to cause problems for the Irish forwards. With Picamoles and Dusautoir standing out as key performers. Ireland began to look less dominant and a couple of handling errors let the French come back in to the game. Ireland’s already depleted squad was then tested with the impressive Luke Marshall going off with a concussion after a collision with substitute Mathieu Bastearaud. O’Driscoll soon followed before returning shortly after to a standing ovation, in what could be his final home game of his illustrious Ireland career. Yes, he does not have the pace and broad range of skills he used to in his early years, but he is still a warrior who can change a game in an instant. In contention as a possible Captain for the Lions this summer, few would argue he doesn’t deserve it.
The impressive Picamoles then barged over the Irish line with seven minutes remaining to set up the disappointing Freddie Michalak with a conversion to draw the teams level. He made no mistake. Ireland had a last minute try scoring opportunity when O’Driscoll put a kick through for Earls to chase but he was shouldered in to touch by French replacement Vincent Debaty. Video replays showed that Earls had been pushed off the ball but no penalty was forthcoming and the game ended on a sour note with what looked like a serious injury to scrum-half Eoin Reddan. Ireland surely wondering after how they let that game slip away, having been so dominant in the first half.
It is not all doom and gloom for the Irish however. With a squad continually being depleted by injury, some of the younger players showed that Ireland may have a bright future ahead. Man of the Match Conor Murray (inset) had arguably his greatest game in a green jersey while Ulster centre Luke Marshall defended superbly to put his hand up as a long term replacement for Gordon D’Arcy. Hopefully he will be fit for Italy next weekend. Peter O’Mahony, as I have already mentioned, was a close second for Man of the Match while Paddy Jackson answered his critics with a solid performance from fly half.
France, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have left Dublin with a draw, leaving Head Coach Philippe Saint Andre under a lot of pressure coming in to the last round of games. His preference for Michalak to take the kicks was mind boggling, considering scrum half Morgan Parra is so consistent with the boot. There is no doubting Michalak is a quality player, but he has not proved it on a constant basis at International level. In Picamoles, France have a no 8 of high quality and with such a strong squad, surely this winless streak cannot continue.
Next up for the French is a home game against Scotland where they will look to finish their disappointing Championship on a high with a comprehensive victory. Scotland will have other ideas, however.
As for Ireland, it is a tough trip to face the Italians in Rome. Buoyed by their impressive performance against England last weekend, the Italians will fully believe they can come out on top. Ireland have been handed a major boost with the return of Jonathan Sexton and Craig Gilroy to full fitness, with fingers crossed as to the availability of Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Brian O’Driscoll (concussion) and Luke Marshall (concussion). With conditions expected to be good for the game, Ireland will hope that the backline can use this to their advantage.
In Rome on Saturday, it promises to be a fascinating battle. Can Ireland finish off the series with a win? Can any players make a last ditch bid for inclusion on the Lions tour this summer?
We will find out this St Patrick’s weekend.
SPORT IS EVERYTHING. Dave Gantly.