| France:(10) 17 |
| Attempt: Penod, Gabriag pen: Ramos. Cons: ramos 2 |
| Ireland:(17) 38 |
| Attempt: Gibson Park, Beirne, Nash, Sheehan, Kelleher. pen: Crowley Cons: crowley 5 |
Ireland started their Six Nations title defense on a high note with their biggest-ever away win against 14-man France in Marseille.
Ireland's tries from Jamison Gibson-Park and Tajig Beirne, and the sending off of France's Paul Willemse, gave Ireland the advantage after the half-hour mark.
Damien Penault's try just before half-time gave France a breath of fresh air.
However, despite captain Peter O'Mahony's yellow card, Ireland defeated the hosts to record a victory.
Ireland, who had been in control for much of the first half before Pennault's try, extended their lead to 14 points thanks to a try from Calvin Nash.
However, pre-tournament favorites France hit back with a try from Paul Gavlyag, with O'Mahony sin-binned for bringing down a French maul.
However, the visitors regained control after Dan Sheehan scored Ireland's bonus point, and Ronan Kelleher's late try rounded off a famous night for the Men in Green.
For Ireland, the night of victory in Marseille ushered in the post-Johnny Sexton era with their first away win against France since 2018 and was the perfect tonic to blow away the lingering wounds of their World Cup disappointment. It will be.
But it will be a bitter pill to swallow for France, who will be without their talismanic captain Antoine Dupont as he pursues his Olympic dreams with the Sevens squad, and will be a huge blow to their hopes of reclaiming the Six Nations title.
Crawley impresses as Ireland's new fly-half
Crawley turned heads in his first Six Nations start as Ireland's new playmaker, replacing the legendary Sexton.
And despite some odd wobbles, particularly in the first half when he missed a fairly easy penalty, the 24-year-old took his chances brilliantly here, scoring 13 points to advance his Test career. .
Bundy Aki was at the heart of Gibson Park's opening try, but Crowley showed amazing deft hands as he supplied a goal for Balne to extend Ireland's advantage.
Things got even worse for an increasingly anxious France, who lost second-rower Willemse shortly after Beirne's try.
Willemse, who had already spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a high tackle on Ireland prop Andrew Porter, was sent off after his shoulder collided with the head of Caelan Doris.
Willemse, who missed the World Cup due to injury, was understandably devastated by his dismissal, but France were in no mood for sympathy and pressed on despite the numerical disadvantage.
And although France's first attack on the Irish camp ended in a heavy tackle from Hugo Keenan on Penault, the Bordeaux winger, who scored from a free, was not denied and crossed the line a minute later to win his side's opening game. It rekindled my hope for.
After Ramos missed a penalty early in the second half, Munster winger Nash crossed for Munster winger Nash to make his Six Nations debut in style.
But France refused to be quiet and with O'Mahony receiving a yellow card for trying to block Gavryag's try, it looked like the home side would get Ireland involved.
However, after the toughest period of the night, Ireland felt a second wind and were once again 14 points behind when they finished off a brilliant attack from Sheehan, which started with his own lineout to earn the bonus point. Ta.
In the final stages, Ireland's substitute hooker Kelleher fell and scored against France, whose physical strength was already visibly weakening, and Joe McCarthy, who was making his Six Nations debut in Ireland's second row, played every game as a player. Selected as of the match.
From there, the sounds of 'Fields of Athenry' could be heard from the velodrome stands as the Irish celebrated a famous victory and a perfect start to their Six Nations defense.
But the pressure has only increased for France without Dupont after last year's ill-fated home World Cup.
lineup
France: T. Ramos. D Penault, G Fikkoo, J Danti, Y Moefana. M. Jalibert, M. Luk. C Baile, P Mauvaca, U Atonio. P. Gavrilagues, P. Willemse. F Cross, C Ollivon, G Aldritt (Capt.).
Replacement: J Marchand, R Waldi, D Aldegueri, P Tuilagi, C Woki, P Boudegent, N Le Garrec, L Biel-Bialley.
Sin Bin: Willemse (9)
Sent off: Willemse (32)
Ireland: H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Rowe. J. Crowley, J. Gibson Park. A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong. J. McCarthy, T. Byrne. P. O'Mahony (Captain), J. van der Flier, C. Doris.
Replacement: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, J Ryan, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.
Sin Bin: O'Mahony (53)
Referee: Carl Dixon (English)
Assistant referee: Matthew Curley (UK) & Jordan Way (Australia)
TV match officials: Ben Whitehouse (Wall)
