Late magic from Clerc shatters Irish Grand Slam dream

THE first match at Croke Park was supposed to be the celebration of a new era in Irish rugby.

A minute from the end, however, party-pooper Vincent Clerc appeared. The French wing will forever beremembered for ending the prospect of Ireland securing a rare and precious Grand Slam title by scoring a sensational winning try.

Seconds earlier, Ronan O’Gara had conjured up another piece of kicking magic to put Ireland 17-13 in front. To Irish fans that looked enough. It wasn’t. The French won possession from the kick off and streaked down the pitch to give Clerc his chance of glory. Lionel Beauxis conversion sealed an astonishing win for Les Bleus.

On a day when Ireland received no favours from New Zealand referee Steve Walsh, it was hardly surprising the game should end for them in such heartbreaking fashion.

Having had to field without talisman Brian O’Driscoll and Peter Stringer, they met and matched a strong French side that enjoyed a marvellous start. Had they won yesterday and then taken England in a fortnight, there is little doubt that this side would have emulated the team of 1948.

Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan was as shell-shocked as anyone, noting that one bad bounce of the ball cost his side the match. That was from the kick off after O’Gara’s final penalty when France re-gathered possession and launched the all-important final assault from which Clerc scored.

“When that ball broke back the way it did, everyone was out of position; it was cruel and it was harsh, but that’s the nature of a rugby ball, which tends to bounce the wrong way for you at the wrong time,” he said.

O’Sullivan could hardly have been impressed with referee Walsh, but played down the official’s influence on proceedings. Walsh blew early to deny Ireland advantage with Geordan Murphy galloping away for a second half try, and he did nothing to punish two French defenders who clearly took Marcus Horan out of the game as he went in search of another score.

Said the coach: “I think this game was decided by fate; we didn’t get the rub of the green,”

Based on the first-half performance, they hardly deserved such luck, but there was a dramatic improvement in the second spell when the pack finally got on top of France who were forced into making a succession of changes.

Spurred on by the brilliant David Wallace, the Irish pack took control and both Isaac Boss and O’Gara helped keep them moving forward. France played on the back foot and prospered only when Ireland made mistakes by sometimes trying the impossible.

Ireland fell six points behind after just eight minutes by conceding two penalties. David Skrela made the most of both chances to boost a French side that started the game in aggressive and menacing fashion.

Some order was restored on 11 minutes when Denis Hickie’s tackle on David Marty forced a penalty and O’Gara obliged to cut the gap to three points. Seconds later, Ireland found themselves 10 points in arrears.

It came from Raphael Ibanez, and converted by Skrela, and Murphy can be blamed, in part, by missing a last tackle on the hooker. But othersbefore him were culpable and Ireland really had no reason to complain about their tenuous position at that time.

O’Gara kicked a 23rd minutepenalty and they nudged back within reach with a brilliant try in 31 minutes. O’Gara finished off a move he started himself, with Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan and Wallace providing the crucial links.

Skrela had a chance to extend the 13-11 lead but failed with 37th and 40th minute penalties.

Ireland were much better in the second-half, but won’t thank referee Walsh for a succession of dubious decisions. However, O’Gara pushed Ireland into the lead with a penalty after 56 minutes. It was a slim, if deserved advantage but the tension was seeping out of every pore. Ireland had plenty of possession without making full use of it; however, they were unlucky not to stretch their advantage when Marcus Horan was taken out by French full back Clement Poitrenaud after chipping through. Another oversight by Mr Walsh.

Ireland breathed a sigh of relief when substitute Beauxis hit the upright with a drop goal attempt and took advantage by easing 17-13 ahead, courtesy of O’Gara’s trusty right boot.

It all appeared to be going right — until Clerc’s last-gasp intervention sickened all of the Irish in the capacity attendance.

IRELAND: G. Dempsey, G. Murphy, G. Darcy, S. Horgan, D. Hickie, R. O’Gara, I. Boss, M. Horan, R. Best, J. Hayes, D. O’Callaghan, P. O’Connell (captain), S. Easterby, D. Leamy, D. Wallace.

Replacements: A. Trimble for Murphy, J. Flannery for Best (both 61), N. Best for Easterby (64).

FRANCE: C. Poitrenaud, V. Clerc, D. Marty, Y. Jauzion, C. Dominici, D. Skrela, P. Mignoni, S. Marconnet, R. Ibanez (captain), P. De Villiers, L. Nallet, P. Pape, S. Betsen, S. Chabal, I. Harinordoquy.

Replacements: J. Thion for Pape (50), J. Bonnaire for Chabal (53), l. Beauxis for Skrela (57), O. Milloud for De Villiars (60), S. Bruno for Ibanez, C. Haymans for Poitrenaud (both 74)

Referee: S. Walsh (New Zealand).