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)
60 mins: Replacements on for Ireland as Cian Healy and Iain Henderson come on in place of McGrath and Ryan, while Le Roux and Lamerat departs with Ollivon and Chavancy on for France.
62 mins: After an Irish penalty as Gourdon faisl to roll away, Murray chips the ball inch-perfect into the corner flag, and crucially it rolls into touch on the right side for a lineout. France try to maul upfield and create space, but Ireland counter and shove them into touch. Criminal from France and they're asking for trouble.
64 mins: France get the turnover thanks to strong work from replacement hooker Tolofua, and they break quickly through Nakaitaci. They get a penalty advantage from what looked like a tip tackle, but use the advantage to reach the halfway line and beyond. Lopez dummies Earls to dash out of the line, but his offload goes into the hands of Sexton. Zebo kicks away but it's a poor effort and France counter, with Spedding taking a lovely offload before being tackle. France comes left - this is frantic stuff - and Fickou tries to kick his way past the defence only for Best to grab him. Owens brings it all to a standstill when the TMO calls a neck-roll clear-out on Atonio as he rips O'Brien out of the ruck by his head. It's a penalty only, which looks a good call to me.
68 mins: A great position again from Chiocci wins a penalty for France for holding on by O'Brien, and that's his final act as he leaves the field with Peter O'Mahony coming on in his place, though we're told it's for an HIA. Best leaves the field too, with Niall Scannell on at hooker.
69 mins: Off goes Sexton to a massive round of applause, and he really has been the star man today. Paddy Jackson comes on in his place, and Ireland have to clear their lines as Murray kicks to touch from inside his 22.
73 mins: Persistent running from the French draws a penalty out of O'Mahony, and Lopez will kick at goal to reduce the lead to one score and - crucially - put France in losing bonus point territory.
74 mins: Lopez gets the simple kick and the lead is down to 16-9.
74 mins: Replacement scrum-half Machenaud fires the ball into touch and Ireland will have the lineout just outside the 22.
75 mins: Ill-discipline from Picamoles sees the No 8 use his feet while at the bottom of a ruck to dislodge the ball from Irish hands, and Owens spots it to award a penalty that will undo all the hard work the French just did. Jackson to go for goal.
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