Ireland vs France live: Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton combine to seal 19-9 victory over Les Bleus
Follow the latest from the Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Ireland secured back-to-back victories in this year's Six Nations after beating France 19-9 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, condemning France to their second loss of the championship and ending their title hopes in the process. Re-live the action here.
- Ireland beat France 19-9
- Conor Murray try ensures Ireland's Six Nations title hopes remain alive
- 14 points from Jonathan Sexton announces his return from injury in style
- France suffer second defeat in three matches to end their hopes
- Camille Lopez kicks three penalties for the French
- Teams:
- Ireland: R Kearney; K Earls, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, T Furlong, D Ryan, D Toner, CJ Stander, S O'Brien, J Healsip. Replacements: N Scannell, C Healy, J Ryan, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, K Marmion, P Jackson, A Trimble.
- France: S Spedding; Y Huget, R Lamerat, G Fickou, N Nakaitaci; C Lopez, B Serin; C Baille, G Guirado, R Slimani, S Vahaamahina, Y Maestri, B Le Roux, K Gourdon, L Picamoles. Replacements: C Tolofua, U Atonio, X Chiocci, J Le Devedec, C Ollivon, M Machenaud, H Chavancy, D Camara.
Follow the live action below...
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Preview...
Both Ireland and France lost their opening games of the championship as the Irish suffered a narrow 27-22 loss to Scotland, while France suffered an agonising 19-16 defeat by England at Twickenham. However they bounced back two weeks ago, with Ireland crushing Italy 63-10 in Rome and France beating Scotland 22-16 in Paris.
Today’s match is Ireland’s first home game in this year’s Six Nations, and they go into the game with renewed hopes of winning back the title given that England still need to cross the Irish Sea on the final weekend of the tournament.
What time does it start...
Ireland vs France kicks off at 16:50.
Where can I watch it...
The match will be shown live on ITV from 16:15. You can also follow it with The Independent’s live blog here.
It’s a big game for...
Jonathan Sexton: The fly-half missed the first two rounds of the championship through injury, but he’s been given the green light to return for the crunch match in Dublin. Given that Paddy Jackson had played very well in his absence, it’s a big call from Joe Schmidt, but Sexton can go a long way to proving why he is the choice No 10 for the British and Irish Lions this summer.
Player to look out for...
Gael Fickou: The inside centre has been one of the star players of the tournament so far, and after getting his name on the scoresheet against Scotland, he is quickly proving the player that he was billed to become when he broke onto the scene five years ago. He’ll give Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose plenty of problems in defence.
Past three meetings...
France 10 Ireland 9, Six Nations, February 2016.
Ireland 24 France 9, 2015 Rugby World Cup, October 2015.
Ireland 18 France 11, Six Nations, February 2015.
Form...
Ireland: WLWLWW
France: WLLLWW
Odds...
Ireland to win: 6/25
France to win: 29/10
Draw: 1/2 odds
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
34 mins: Good work from O'Brien wins a penalty for Ireland as he's taken out by a French clearer from the side. Sexton send the ball into touch inside French territory, and Ireland are looking mauch more settled now as half-time approaches.
36 mins: Ireland are putting together impressive work with each play to get over the gainline, and the French concede a number of penalties that sees Owens dish out a warning when he finally awards one advantage. Ireland tap and go quickly and they sense another try, and when the ball goes into touch, France concede yet another penalty for the defender going off their feet. Sexton goes to touch on the 5m line.
37 mins: Yet another penalty as the lineout maul collapses as Ireland are heading to the line. Owens calls Guirado over, and says the next one is going to the sin-bin. Rightly so. Sexton goes to the corner again.
38 mins: Ferocious French defence! Vahaahamina get his arms on Best, the ball carrier, and when the counter drive comes, the maul goes to ground and France win the penalty for holding on. That's a massive chance gone for Ireland.
40 mins: Ireland do a good job of disrupting the French pick and go, and the ball spills into touch. Ireland will get one more chance to attack before the half is over.
40 mins: Sexton loops again and gets the ball back off Henshaw, before offloading in the tackle to Ringrose to take Ireland up to the 22. Stander has a charge and takes Slimani with him, and Ireland are well within scoring range again here. Murray makes a break! He's just scragged, but Ireland are on the 5m line. They come left, but there's a knock on and the half ends with the players looking knackered already!
Ireland lead 7-6 at the break.
Half-time: France are left waiting for quite some time before Ireland return to the field, but eventually they come back out and we're ready to go.
43 mins: Good early pressure from Ireland sees Sexton put a high ball up and Picamoles knock it forwards. It gives Ireland a free play, but Stander's kick is a perfect display of why forwards don't kick the ball often. France concede a penalty in the scrum though as Serin pulls Murray back as Picamoles breaks away, and this will give Sexton a simple shot at goal.
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