Image: Rugby Union – France v Ireland – IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – 11/10/15Ireland players celebrate at the end of the matchReuters / Rebecca Naden
By Nick Mulvenney
CARDIFF (Reuters) – Ireland survived the loss of captain Paul O’Connell and flyhalf Johnny Sexton to run out 24-9 winners over France and set up a Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina after a brutal Pool D decider on Sunday.
Second-half tries from fullback Rob Kearney and scrumhalf Conor Murray gave the Six Nations champions a victory they fully deserved and sent the French into a last eight clash with reigning champions New Zealand back in Cardiff next weekend.
The Irish will also return to the Welsh capital to face the Pumas next Sunday but could be without O’Connell and Sexton, who both left the pitch through injury before halftime, as well as flanker Peter O’Mahony, who was injured after the break.
“I’m incredibly proud of the performance,” said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who conceded that O’Connell’s World Cup is probably over.
“It was a battle that was attritional but a battle that showed a fair bit of character in the side. The challenge grew in complication when we lost Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony.”
France, with skipper Thierry Dusautoir and number eight Louis Picamoles leading from the front, tackled like demons but were almost devoid of any creativity in the backs and never looked like crossing the Irish line.
“They more than deserved victory,” France coach Philippe Saint-Andre told reporters.
“As for us, we will have to recover, analyse, knowing that we’re still in the World Cup, and get ready for a great game on Saturday night against the All Blacks.”
The roof of the Millennium Stadium was closed but the green-clad fans in the crowd of 72,163 nearly took it off with a passionate rendition of “Ireland’s Call” and the Irish players responded by tearing into the early exchanges.
SEXTON BLOW
Twice Sexton kicked Ireland ahead but twice France fullback Scott Spedding levelled the scores from long range, the second penalty from a metre or two inside his own half.
In the 24th minute, though, Sexton pulled up gingerly after a tackle and had treatment on his groin. A minute later his game was over after Picamoles smashed into his ribs.
Sexton’s replacement Ian Madigan put Ireland 9-6 ahead with his first attempt at goal and almost set up the first try of the match when his pass sent winger Tommy Bowe through a gap in the defensive line.
Bowe charged 40 metres towards the remaining French defender and got his pass away to Keith Earls, only for the outside centre to spill the ball with the line at his mercy.
The first half looked set to come to a close without further incident when lock O’Connell failed to get back to his feet after a ruck and had to be carried from the pitch on a stretcher with a hamstring injury that looks like ending his World Cup.
The Irish moved further ahead in the 50th minute when, after a scything break from centre Robbie Henshaw had taken Ireland to the French line, Kearney crashed through one tackler and touched down in the embrace of another.
The Irish celebration was deafening but subsided into supportive applause only a few minutes later when O’Mahony caught his studs in the turf and twisted his leg, becoming the second Irishman to need the stretcher.
French replacement Morgan Parra cut the deficit with their third penalty but Ireland then pulled further ahead when the pack forced their way to the France line and Murray touched down on the padding of the post.
Madigan added the extras and slotted another penalty three minutes from time to seal the victory.
Flanker Sean O’Brien, later named man of the match, could also be lost to Ireland for the Argentina match after striking France’s Pascal Pape in the stomach early in the match, which is almost certain to bring a citing.
(Editing by David Goodman)
Copyright 2015 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.
