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Video length: 12 min
Day 1: France – Ireland summary
. – (France TV)
Against Ireland, the XV of France lost heavily (17-38) for its entry into the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, Friday.
Fireworks at the Vélodrome. At the opening of the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, the French XV hosted Ireland in Marseille, Friday 2 FEBRUARY. But the Blues stumbled from the start against the dominating Irish, and in numerical superiority from the half-hour mark. Fabien Galthié’s men had the merit of hanging on, scoring two tries. But that was not enough against the five Irish achievements of the evening.
16th minute: Gibson-Park rewards Ireland
While the Blues have been outnumbered for seven minutes, the pressure put on by the Irish ends up paying off. On the right wing, the XV du Trèfle opens up spaces thanks to Bundee Aki and James Lowe. With the ball in hand, the center resists two tackles and serves Jamison Gibson-Park. The latter dodges Matthieu Jalibert and goes to flatten between the posts. Jack Crowley transforms and Ireland distances itself (0-10).
Day 1: Ireland scores the first try through their scrum-half Gibson-Park
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30th minute: Beirne pierces the Blues
The Blues are again fifteen against fifteen, but that is not enough to calm the Irish fury. All powerful, Ireland attacks the French defense, until Tadhg Beirne is served in a mouse hole, full axis. The second line can go and flatten between the posts, too, and knock out the XV of France. Jack Crowley converts easily and Ireland flies away (17-3).
Day 1: Ireland takes the break with a second try scored by Beirne
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40th minute: Penaud restarts the match
Reduced again to 14, but this time definitively after the direct red card received by Paul Willemse, the Blues raised their heads at the very end of the first period. Peato Mauvaka quickly plays a penalty in the Irish 22 meters and rushes to the goal line. The French camped there before putting Damian Penaud into orbit. The winger flattens, Thomas Ramos transforms and France returns to seven points at the break (10-17), a small miracle.
Day 1: the test of hope by the inevitable Damian Penaud
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46th minute: Ireland regains its ease
Installed within 22 meters of the Blues, the Irish pounded the French rearguard. Caelan Doris gains ten meters, stands up to Matthieu Jalibert, then shifts Calvin Nash to the wing. The latter flattens at the end of the line. Jack Crowley continues his performance at the foot, and Ireland regains a 14-point lead (10-24).
Day 1: the Irish drive home the point with a 3rd try for Nash
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53rd minute: Gabrillagues in confusion
Double blow for the Blues! After a long intervention by the video referee, Paul Gabrillagues’ try is awarded. Despite the slow motion, it is difficult to say whether the second French line has good control of the ball when touching the line after a ruck on the goal line. But the try is awarded, transformed and Ireland reduced to 14 for ten minutes because Peter O’Mahony takes a yellow card (17-24).
Day 1: the Gabrillagues test validated by the video!
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62nd minute: Ireland recovers
Even before the return of Peter O’Mahony, Ireland tamed the tricolor awakening. On a touchline, the Irish throw a carried ball against which the French defense proves powerless. Dan Sheehan took the opportunity to rush into the goal, and restore a significant lead to the XV du Trèfle, as well as the offensive bonus point (17-31).
Day 1: Ireland’s bonus try flattened by Dan Sheehan
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78th minute: Kelleher hits the nail on the head
The little suspense that remained at the end of the game was quickly swept away by the Irish. Ireland used the same ingredients as the previous try to score a fifth : a touch, a ruck and a ball carried powerfully into the goal, this time by Ronan Kelleher.
Day 1: insatiable Irish with a 5th and final try for Kelleher
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