It was far from pretty. Actually it was quite ugly. Boring you might say. The conditions didn't make things easy, but the million knock-ons and mistakes made it a tough watch.
Ireland should never had lost that game. France are a bad team relying on individuals, and Ireland should have been out of sight by half-time. There were three visits to the 22 in the opening 20 minutes where Ireland got nothing out of it.
It wasn't a great performance by the team, and while there were some individuals that can be pleased, not everyone shone.
Here are the Ireland player ratings v France:
15. Rob Kearney 5.5
Counter-attacked well, mixed kicking. Stark contrast in solidity between Kearney and Zebo, but Kearney never threatened like the Munster flier did.
14. Andrew Trimble 7.5
A very busy performance from Trimble who got a lot more involved than last week. Looked for work, and defended well. Huge hit on Vakatawa was a highlight, and Trimble kept him very quiet.
13. Jared Payne 6.5
Defended extremely well against the bigger French team. It really didn't matter where he played today, Ireland weren't going to pass the ball outside of Sexton very much.
12. Robbie Henshaw 8
Another great game from the Connacht man. Used well in the air, but the conditions and Ireland's game-plan never allowed him any space.
11. Dave Kearney 6
It wasn't a game for wingers, especially when they don't get much ball and only play for 30 minutes. Kearney looked bright in his limited chances, but it's almost not right to rate him based on this.
10. Johnny Sexton 7
No one wanted to win this game more than Sexton. His kicking was good, and he never shirked a tackle when France targeted him. That neck injury is concerning.
9. Conor Murray 5.5
Murray was noticeably slower to the breakdown compared to last week, and had issued getting the ball out. Kicked well, but he's better than he showed today.
1. Jack McGrath 6.5
That's more like it from McGrath. Some of his scrum tactics may not have been legal, but he was given the benefit of the doubt for the most part. Ireland's top tackler while he was on - it was a good shift from McGrath. Well, in the first half anyway. The French front row subs changed the game, and McGrath couldn't cope.
2. Rory Best 6.5
It seems like the captaincy is weighing on him. He's playing well, but he's normally a Denis Irwin type 8/10 figure. His line-out throwing wasn't brilliant, and he needs to learn when to talk to the referee about opposition misdeeds. A solid showing, but we're used to better.
3. Nathan White 7
A much improved outing at the scrum, complimented by a high tackle count. A lot of work from White, and probably his best international game.
4. Devin Toner 7
I bet he can't wait until Henderson is back fit, which seems strange. He owns the lineout, and puts himself about
5. Mike McCarthy 6
Plusses: He got through eight tackles with none missed in his 55 ish minutes. Gave away some bad turnovers, and lost the only lineout he went up for. Ireland need more from their second rows.
6. CJ Stander 6
A much tougher outing in his second international game. There was less bulldozing carries, and more knock-ons. He did well at breakdown time, with one notable rip after half-time.
7. Sean O'Brien 7
That knee injury is very unfortunate as O'Brien was looking sharp. It looks bad, possibly a ligament injury, but hopefully something that's measured in weeks rather than months.
8. Jamie Heaslip 6
One for the Heaslip lovers. He had one big carry, and controlled the ball well at the back of the scrum. Improved in the second half with more tackles. But he seemed more anonymous than usual.
Replacements:
16. Richard Strauss n/a
Not on long enough.
17. James Cronin n/a
Not on long enough.
18. Tadhg Furlong 6
Extremely strong in defence when France were getting ahead of steam. Struggled in the scrum when he came on though, leading to France's try. He's the future, but not yet.
19. Donnacha Ryan 6
More impact from Ryan this time, and judging by McCarthy's head injury and general play should see him start in two weeks.
20. Tommy O'Donnell 7
Another big outing from O'Donnell, 13 tackles in his time on the pitch shows some good work. He'll be remembered for missing the tackle for Medard's try though.
21. Eoin Reddan n/a
Didn't get on.
22. Ian Madigan 5
His first two involvements were a French linebreak for a try, and a kick out on the full.
23. Fergus McFadden 6
That's what McFadden brings. Effort, defence, not many mistakes. He's not in the form that had him in the line-up two years ago. But he'll give it his all.
