After last weeks performance it was clear that the Irish squad had to sort out their mindset going into a game with tougher opponents and on foreign soil and for the better part of the game it looked like they had come to terms with some of the problems facing the team.
Some followers were nearly hoping that we would go down in flames, just to draw attention to the fact that Eddie’s tenure should be at an end.
When they took to the pitch they looked shakey and it seemed that some of the old mistakes we had seen in Croke Park were creeping back. Sloppy play, too many forward passes and missed tackles but we didn’t let the French get too far away on points thanks to the boot of O’Gara.
The second hal, Ireland came out a new team, they looked like they were all playing from the same book. Even though the French dominated the scoreboard Ireland played good rugby and for the first time in a long time it was enjoyable to watch. When the French went to sleep in the last 15 minutes it looked like Ireland could capture a try that would see them pip the French at the post for the first time on their soil since 2000. But it wasn’t to be, if there had been a matter of minutes i believe we would’ve gone over the line but we were left with a feeling of what could’ve been.
Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, it was one of the more exciting games of rugby I’ve seen in a long time. If the Irish team can produce a game like this against any other competition in the Six Nations there should be no stopping us, BRING ON THE SCOTS!
France 26-21 Ireland
