FOLLOWING IRELAND’S 17 all draw against France in Paris, Declan Kidney described the result as “a bit disappointing.”
Ireland and their coach looked set to put recent criticism behind them after bursting out of the traps to take a shock 17-6 lead into the half time break.
However, France pegged them back to all square in the third quarter and neither side managed to fashion a score from a nail-biting finish.
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“Tt was a good position at half time. Unfortunately, we didn’t take the few scoring opportunities that came our way in the second half.” Kidney told RTE in his post-match interview.
Two tries from Tommy Bowe had Ireland in control in the opening period and Kidney praised the winger, saying:
“We looked to take the scoring opportunities when they came our way and nobody better than Tommy to pick them off.”
“We put pressure on them in defence in the second half, they were good at taking it around the sides and and they were sealing it off, holding onto the ball for a lot longer.”
With the score 17 apiece, both sides spent prolonged periods in the attacking third of the field. However, while France twice attempted a drop goal, Ireland never ceased running the ball and bad errors from Gordon D’Arcy and Jamie Heaslip halted the momentum.
Plenty of ice
“These lads are great pros they know how to finish off matches,” Kidney added, “but you need a balance as the game goes on and we didn’t have many scoring opportunities in the second half and they’re the ones that we’ll take a look at.”
Ireland’s first draw in Paris since 1985 leaves them in fourth place in the championship and surely extinguishes all hope of silverware as the French eye up the title but not the Grand Slam.
Kidney bemoaned the need to play another fixture in six days time, and that match against Scotland has already grabbed his attention.
“The way the Six Nations is now, we have a Sunday match and a six day turnaround. The boys are inside now and have plenty of ice on them, they’ve put in a big effort today and we’ll just get ourselves ready for next Saturday.”
Reaction: Kidney draws no comfort
FOLLOWING IRELAND’S 17 all draw against France in Paris, Declan Kidney described the result as “a bit disappointing.”
Ireland and their coach looked set to put recent criticism behind them after bursting out of the traps to take a shock 17-6 lead into the half time break.
However, France pegged them back to all square in the third quarter and neither side managed to fashion a score from a nail-biting finish.
“Tt was a good position at half time. Unfortunately, we didn’t take the few scoring opportunities that came our way in the second half.” Kidney told RTE in his post-match interview.
Two tries from Tommy Bowe had Ireland in control in the opening period and Kidney praised the winger, saying:
“We put pressure on them in defence in the second half, they were good at taking it around the sides and and they were sealing it off, holding onto the ball for a lot longer.”
With the score 17 apiece, both sides spent prolonged periods in the attacking third of the field. However, while France twice attempted a drop goal, Ireland never ceased running the ball and bad errors from Gordon D’Arcy and Jamie Heaslip halted the momentum.
Plenty of ice
“These lads are great pros they know how to finish off matches,” Kidney added, “but you need a balance as the game goes on and we didn’t have many scoring opportunities in the second half and they’re the ones that we’ll take a look at.”
Ireland’s first draw in Paris since 1985 leaves them in fourth place in the championship and surely extinguishes all hope of silverware as the French eye up the title but not the Grand Slam.
Kidney bemoaned the need to play another fixture in six days time, and that match against Scotland has already grabbed his attention.
“The way the Six Nations is now, we have a Sunday match and a six day turnaround. The boys are inside now and have plenty of ice on them, they’ve put in a big effort today and we’ll just get ourselves ready for next Saturday.”
As it happened: France v Ireland, Six Nations
‘We left it behind us’ – O’Connell frustrated by missed opportunity
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