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©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Six Nations 2012

Opinion: A job half done in Paris

Ireland’s blitz defence very nearly delivered a famous win in Paris, but when the chips were down it was the attack which stuttered.

IT WAS, IN the end, a very special day.

A day when Ireland finally showed that lessons have been learned from previous humiliations.

A day when Declan Kidney’s side showed that France could be beaten at home, not just by other teams, but by us.

The third time, in many of our lifetimes, that Ireland have avoided defeat in Paris.

And yet, we come away feeling disheartened, with some great unknowns still hovering over this side as if they had not just poured their heart and soul the game.

Rob Kearney spoke in the build-up about how Ireland did not need to do anything magical to win in Paris, rather stick to their guns and have faith in their ability to do the basics well.

That is probably easier for him to say than most. He of the Superman-like ability to sail through the air and contest for balls that would be out of reach for most mortals. Nonetheless, his point was heeded.

Too often Ireland have entered the Stade de France bullishly, only to be led out like lambs. They would enter the ring bristling with confidence, but go straight for the knockout and quickly find themselves cut under both eyes and seeing stars.

Most often it was a penalty tapped, or shoved into touch when an early three point lead was available. On Sunday, thankfully, no such opportunity arose.

That was because Ireland attacked through their defence. Declan Kidney’s overdue biting of the bullet finally brought forth the blitz.

The shifting defence which had castrated this team in the opening day defeat to Wales was shelved. No longer were attackers allowed to carry right up to the gain-line before any questions were asked.

France were shell-shocked: Aureliene Rougerie and Morgan Parra could be forgiven if they feel a little paranoid this week, crippled with a nagging feeling that Tommy Bowe is stalking their every move.

Bowe’s second try was a thing of beauty: a hand off, a burst of pace, a chip, gather and finish. It was Ireland’s sole flash of creativity.

An 11 point half time lead was the biggest ever shipped by France at home in the Six Nations. We arrived at that point through ferocious defence, not irresistible attack.

17 -6? The gap vanished in 17 minutes.

And that was the other side of the coin. With the ball (Bowe’s brilliance aside) we were disappointing. There was, at least, the desire to hit runners coming from deep, but when the moment arrived to win the game – it was passed over.

Hope

Both defences were marshaled expertly, to avoid giving away a penalty in such a clinch situation is commendable. France read the lay of the land better and attempted two drop-goals to win the game – one of which was brilliantly blocked by Stephen Ferris – at the other end Ireland ran and ran. We were hoping a gap or a penalty would present itself. Instead, the errors arrived.

It was Jonathan Sexton (no appearance in the pocket), it was Jamie Heaslip (a hospital pass to Keith Earls on the touchline), it was Gordon D’Arcy (a woeful attempted pass which slipped forward).

Whatever it was, it amounts to a massive leap forward when Nicolas Sarkozy and the rest of the home supporters are relieved to have nicked a point and our boys depart Charles de Gaulle Paris for the second time a month without being beaten.

A job half done, yes. However, there are sufficient signs of improvement to temper many of the calls for an overhaul of the starting XV.

A very special day suggests that something is going right with this team. All that is left is to come back and finish the job.

Shame we have to wait for 2014.

What do you think?

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