Ireland’s fall
Before the match some had questioned this French team’s commitment to victory, but the sight of the entire squad doing a lap of honour at the conclusion of the game said it all. The fact that their magnificent captain Fabien Pelous was winning his 100th cap provided the cause the French so badly needed. He was carried from the field on the shoulders of his team-mates.
This defeat will come as a bitter blow to the Irish players. From the outset of this tournament, it was widely acknowledged that this was our best opportunity in years to capture the coveted Grand Slam. Wales are the only side to retain ambitions on that front. Right now, to win the championship outright, Ireland must beat Wales by 13 points and hope France doesn’t beat Italy by more than 42 points. Given that the French game will be played before the Cardiff clash, both Wales and Ireland will know exactly what is required to secure the trophy.
The foundation for France’s victory on Saturday can be traced back to Bernard Laporte’s video analysis of Ireland’s game against England. The English forwards had monopolised possession and asked serious questions of the Irish forward unit. The French noted Irish vulnerability.
From the kick-off, the inspirational Pelous won possession and France mauled Ireland 15 metres. When they released the ball, their backs immediately looked to attack Ireland out wide. From the opening sequence we were presented with concrete evidence of the capabilities of this French team. Not only did it set the pattern for the game, it also demonstrated that France had come to play. In contrast, Ireland seemed almost frozen by the significance of the occasion.
Despite losing to Wales, French confidence seemed unhindered. This point was reinforced when Pelous took the brave decision to play against a very strong wind in the opening half. It was a decision that ultimately paid rich dividends. When France reached half-time with a nine-point lead, Ireland were in serious trouble.
Over the years, in times of adversity, France has the ability of discovering fresh young talent when their need is most. In Toulouse centre Benoit Baby they have uncovered another gem.
Two years ago I saw him play for France U21’s in Cork and he was magnificent. A cruciate ligament injury kept him on the sidelines for a year since then, and on Saturday he only played because of injuries to Damien Traille and Ludovic Valbon. On the occasion of his first cap, his pace and distribution skills lit up Lansdowne Road. What a pity that one dreadful moment of petulance against Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll could lead to a citing.
As a consequence of playing into the wind, France was forced to keep the ball in hand. With their highly impressive maul creating havoc, Ireland, despite the aid of the elements, spent much of the opening period on the back foot. Against England, when the forwards were under similar pressure, Ireland’s defence came up trumps. However, in terms of an attacking force France are in a different league to their English counterparts. This was demonstrated most forcibly with the superb line taken by Cedric Heymans coming from the blindside wing in setting up Cristophe Dominici’s opening try. Before Ireland could recover from that hammer blow, Baby scored his magnificent solo effort. The Ireland defence was in tatters.
Ireland’s cause wasn’t helped by a number of unforced errors and poor passing. In this respect both Geordan Murphy and Denis Hickie were decidedly off-colour. Even Ireland’s lineout, so consistent over the past two seasons, was put under severe pressure. Because of the strength of the French on the ground, Ireland were wary of competing in the air. The French lineout prospered as a result.
While sprinting to the dressing room at half-time, the Irish players looked almost shell-shocked. It was as if the force of the French challenge had caught them by surprise.
If Ireland looked for solace at the restart, the sight of Peter De Villiers being introduced to supplement the French forward unit didn’t help. Throughout the second half, France committed very few players to the ruck which enabled them to clutter the midfield area. Time and again, two players tackled O’Driscoll with space at a premium. At this stage it was crying out for the Irish pack to change to a pick-and-drive game at the breakdown in order to suck in the French forwards.
On a day when Ireland’s decision-making was poor, the option not to opt for a penalty kick on 65 minutes to reduce the deficit to six points was a massive call. When O’Driscoll presented a glimmer of hope with another inspirational try five minutes later, that penalty decision seemed even more costly.
With France dominating up front and more creative behind the scrum, there was no question that the better side won. The weight of expectation on this Ireland team finally looked too big a burden to carry.
Yet in six days time there is a Triple Crown and a championship to be won. It is vital therefore that Ireland pick themselves up immediately and go for broke.
On the evidence of yesterday’s game in Murrayfield, despite their margin of victory, Wales were less than convincing at times. As a contest, this game was over after 14 minutes when the Welsh raced into a 21-point lead. Scotland were dreadful in that first half period.
Yet when the Scots pressurised Wales in the second half, they looked vulnerable. It may be that, from half-time onwards, the Welsh players had one eye on their Grand Slam decider next week and lost concentration. Either way, when the Irish players sit down and review that game, they will see that the opportunity for redemption is very much in their own hands.
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