ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Sunday Feb 15, 2015

Ireland hang on against France to stay on track for title defence

Ireland are well placed overall following their 18-11 Six Nations win over France in Dublin on Saturday. Their ninth successive Test victory is their second tournament win, placing them in good stead for a Championship defence.

Jonathan Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip all made returns to Test rugby after injury layoffs, with flyhalf Sexton himself coming back after a 12-week absence due to multiple concussions in recent times.

Unfortunately he ended up taking another big knock, clashing heads with Mathieu Bastareaud. 

Bloodied, Sexton left the field but returned and ended up being Ireland’s top points scorer, Man of the Match with 15 of the 18 points coming from his boot. There were concerns over his condition but he has said it wasn’t anything to worry about.

“It was just a glancing blow. I just needed a couple of stitches but I felt fine after it,” he said.

France scored a try through Romain Taofifenua with ten minutes left in the match, but the Ireland defence held firm, and kept out impressive scrumhalf replacement Morgan Parra too.

“That’s a very good French team,” said Sexton of their late effort. “We made it hard for ourselves as usual and we dug deep at the end.

“We’re delighted [with the win]. We’ve got a lot to improve on and we’ve got a big match here in two weeks against England.” 

England and Ireland are one and two overall with the same points ahead of their meeting in Dublin on March 1st. England have a slightly better points difference so occupy the number one spot.



View more Six Nations highlights and clips in the Video Hub

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    Courtney Lawes lays into another unsuspecting...

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    England and France's Twickenham thriller...

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland thump Scotland to set up second Championship...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 64 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All