Ireland took a giant step towards the Six Nations Grand Slam by beating reigning champions France 32-19 in a pulsating clash between the world’s top two sides at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Ireland earned the bonus point winning by four tries, with Andrew Porter scoring one in his 50th cap, for a record 13th consecutive home Test win.
France saw their dream of back-to-back Grand Slam success come to an end as their national record of 14 consecutive Test victories came to an end.
The victory also saw head coach Andy Farrell secure his first win against France since taking over after the 2019 World Cup.
“These are two very good teams with France having an unbeaten record and us going for a home record,” Farrell told ITV.
“At the end of the day it’s a victory in a competition that we want to do well.”
French captain Antoine Dupont admitted his team was saddened by the loss.
“For the moment, obviously it’s a lot of disappointment, we can see the results, they have a bonus point, we don’t have a defensive bonus point,” he said.
“We have to recover and continue this tournament because it’s not over yet. We know that a lot can happen.
France scored first with Thomas Ramos converting a penalty in the fifth minute.
Ireland stormed into the lead with a sublime try when prop Finlay Bealham sold a dummy pass to Conor Murray and fed fullback Hugo Keenan who burst through the French defense to touch down.
Irish captain Johnny Sexton made it 7-3 in the 10th minute.
A reliable boot from Ramos reduced the gap on the quarter hour mark, converting the penalty for 7-6.
France then produced a dream try that started in their own 22 before Anthony Jelonch passed Damian Penaud who dispossessed Murray before going in for the 22nd try. Ramos converted to make it 13-7.
There was an immediate reply from Ireland as they regained possession when Ramos’ free-kick was deflected.
The ball went wide to James Lowe, who still had work to do but somehow managed to touch the ball in the corner with his foot over the touchline but crucially his foot was off the ground.
– Emotional Sexton –
Sexton failed to convert, leaving France 13-12.
The momentum of the engrossing game returned to the Irish after French prop Uini Atonio sin-binned for a high tackle on Rob Herring.
However, the hosts immediately took advantage with Porter burrowing through. Sexton converted for 19-13.
France were on the back foot but luckily for them Ramos was once again on hand to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The fullback converted a long range penalty to make it 19-16.
Ireland completed a superb first half with Sexton slotting a penalty for a 22-16 lead.
Ramos had the first chance of the second period but missed the first time with the boot, a long-range penalty just a little short.
However, just over half an hour to go the hosts lost the talisman.
A clearly upset Sexton trudged off, his head in his hands. He had received treatment for his left leg early in the second period.
Ross Byrne took on the playmaking role and landed a penalty just before the hour mark to extend the lead to 25-16.
Ramos made his final contribution before being substituted by putting in a goal to restore the deficit six Points at 25-19.
However, it was Ireland who turned the pressure and got a deserved reward when man of the match Caelan Doris found Garry Ringrose on the left wing and fended off the French defender to touch down.
Byrne converted to 32-19 leaving France a huge task with only six minutes still remain hopeful of the Grand Slam alive.
It wasn’t like the last French attack and Sexton rose from his chair to celebrate what would be his last. Six nation victory over France.