France displayed some furious defence in their clash with Ireland.
France and Ireland competed in a titanic Six Nations battle at the Stade de France last Saturday. Many fans believed that this game would or could potentially decide the championship.
Going to Paris was never going to be an easy task for Ireland. World Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont scored the opening try of the game which was converted by full back Melvyn Jaminet. Jaminet then added another penalty a few minutes later to give France an early 10-0 lead. Ireland needed a response and that is exactly what was delivered. Off the subsequent kickoff following the Jaminet penalty, Mack Hansen scored. Joey Carbery put the kickoff deep inside the french half, but not far enough that Ireland couldn’t contest. Hansen at full tilt, wins the ball and doesn’t break stride. Hansen was completely uncontested in the air by fullback Jaminet and Hansen scored in the corner for his first international try. Carbery converted from out wide to get Ireland back in it leaving the score at 10-7 only 8 minutes into the game.
France built themselves into a half time lead of 19-7 However, Ireland clawed their way back with a valiant second half comeback. The game finished 30-24 in favour of the home side with Ireland coming away with a losing bonus point.
Defence
France’s defence was brilliant throughout the game. It is clear that the French squad are really buying into former Wales and British and Irish Lions coach Shaun Edwards defence system. Many occasions when Ireland had the ball in decent attacking opportunities, were they turned over by courageous French defenders trying to win the ball back.
Thought France were brilliant and deserved the win. Ireland played a nice brand of rugby under severe pressure from the French defence. Wouldnt run ireland into the ground over the result
— Tbyrnie1 (@tbyrnie1) February 15, 2022
The video below shows just how ferocious this french defence was. Although Ireland didn’t lose the ball on the occasion showed in the video, however their attack was subsequently put under massive pressure. This one instance of counter rucking from the french, made the gain-line win on the next phase much more difficult from Ireland having been driven backwards. The play for France unfortunately ended in a penalty to Ireland but you have to admire the beautiful counter rucking from France.
One comment on the video said “French defensive attitude is phenomenal. They want to win the ball back at every opportunity and don’t give the attacking side a chance to set up an attacking ruck.” This perfectly sums up the French defensive strategy they employed versus Ireland.
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