Ireland played some scintillating rugby at times during their Six Nations victory over France this afternoon.
It was a quality game between two top class teams, one that showed why this pair are widely regarded as the best sides in world rugby. There was some brilliant attacking phases, which were often matched by some ferocious defending.
While France would score a stunning try of their own, the score of the game arguably came from Hugo Keenan.
It came inside the opening ten minutes, with Andy Farrell's side perfectly executing what looked like a preplanned move. Conor Murray gave the ball to Finlay Bealham at the breakdown, who faked a return pass to the scrum-half before picking out a marauding Keenan who made the most of the gap through the centre.
You can watch the try below.
Ireland encounter French resistance, but only momentarily, with Hugo Keenan dashing over the line to give Ireland the lead. #SixNations #IREvFRA
Updates: https://t.co/pvpNDPfniT
📺 Watch - https://t.co/pQa1Q0IHHs
📻 Listen - https://t.co/wUq1XxicU5 pic.twitter.com/YUPGz1GSK7— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 11, 2023
It was a statement of intent from Ireland early on, one that they very much followed up on.
Finlay Bealham opens up on Huge Keenan try
The finish from Hugo Keenan was top class, but the buildup play from Finlay Bealham was arguably even more impressive. It's not often you see a prop produce a pass such as that one.
Speaking after the game, the Connacht man revealed that while this was a play they had planned ahead of time, he was relieved to see it come off having made a mess of it in training earlier in the week.
"We practiced it a few times in training and I absolutely threw the pass to the floor!
"Every session since then I've been repping with Hugo, thankfully we got it right today."
Finlay Bealham speaking about 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 offload to @TommyMartinVM.#IREvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/xEniPhn2N1— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 11, 2023
We practiced it in training a few times and I absolutely threw the ball to the floor in training.
I think every session since then I've been repping it with Hugo, thankfully we got it right today.
It was great to see Hugo run in. He's a specimen of a man, so fair play to him for scoring it.
Bealham was hugely impressive once again this afternoon. Deputising for the injured Tadhg Furlong, who is widely regarded as the best tighthead prop in world rugby, he did not miss a beat against an imposing French pack.
His emergence as a quality test player is testament to the depth Ireland have at the moment.
The 31-year old thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even if he did find the going tough at times.
It was an incredibly tough game. I was blowing a lot in that game.
I'm just really impressed with the lads and the crowd here as well, they got us there in the end. We got a bonus point, I'm over the moon...
It was a massive day, but I suppose it was play the game and not the occasion. We were aware that it was a really big occasion, but we stuck to our process and really backed ourselves.
We knew how we wanted to play and we had a good understanding.
Bealham is sure to play a sizeable role over the remainder of Ireland's Six Nations campaign, even when Furlong does eventually return from injury.
Here's hoping that he will end the campaign with a winner's medal and potential Grand Slam.
SEE ALSO: Brian O'Driscoll Dumbfounded By Wayne Barnes Refusal To Award France Red Card
