IRELAND 27-42 FRANCE
Ireland had their dreams of a third straight Six Nations title severely damaged after they were comprehensively beaten by France, at Aviva Stadium.
Louis Bielle-Biarray was the best player on the pitch as France ran in five tries to take control of the championship. Ireland scored two late consolation tries but the key part of the game arrived when Paul Boudehent powered over from close range. Angus Gardner reviewed two pieces of play in the build-up, yellow-carding Calvin Nash but ignoring Thibaud Flament clearing out Peter O'Mahony off the ball.
Before we get to our marks out of 10, a quick look at how other outlets rated the men in green. The Irish Independent scored no Irish player higher than 7, while Calvin Nash and Peter O'Mahony got 5s. The42 awarded Caelan Doris 8/10, while Joe McCarthy, Sam Prendergast and Nash got 5s. McCarthy also got 5 in The Mirror.
Looking at international outlets, Ruck handed out 5s to Prendergast, Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, while O'Mahony and Finlay Bealham got 4/10. Planet Rugby doled out 4s to Bundee Aki, Josh van der Flier, McCarthy and Nash, with Prendergast getting 3/10. The Express gave out 5s to Bealham, Nash, Osborne and Hugo Keenan. Rugbypass gave out 5s to O'Mahony, Aki and McCarthy, while Prendergast got 4.5.
Here are our full player ratings after a tough day at the office for Simon Easterby's men:
IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS
Hugo Keenan - 8
First big incision was a lovely line break, beating two Frenchmen. Was the one Ireland back that cut into those brutish blue lines. Won two huge aerial balls in the early stages of the second half. Our best player on a really tough day.
Calvin Nash - 5
Yoinked an aerial ball from Ntamack. Smoked on a carry, after 12 minutes. Gobbled up on the deck by Cros, after another carry. Costly yellow card as the match was almost put to bed when he returned. Got low but not low enough for Gardner.
Robbie Henshaw - 5
Offered little in attack in that first half - made three carries for little reward. Forced an Ntamack spill, in the air. Won a turnover on Ramos, on the deck. Cut inside when he should have gone on the outside of Meafou. Should have scored again, late on, cut was chopped short of the line.
Bundee Aki - 6
Was needed for those crash-ball carries to force France on their heels. Some nice switches of attack with Prendergast.
Jamie Osborne - 5
Some lusty tackles, early on. Penaud got in his face to force a mistake, in the air. Chipped a dolly in the air to give Dupont an easy mark. Bundled out of play on one carry.
Sam Prendergast of Ireland is tackled by Yoram Moefana of France. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)
Sam Prendergast - 3
Sent back to Kildare on one early carry. Pinged a penalty off the posts from 40-metres out, but still right in front. Snatched a kick-through and beat Penaud for a line-break. Foolishly kicked a mark ball straight to Ramos. Then stepped up and nailed a penalty from halfway, and split the posts with a touchline conversion. Spilled the ball forward when he was scragged to the ground. Was getting bounced back on carries, all day. Was picked off by Ramos before that late Penaud try.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 6
Kept an attack alive after Nash was battered back. Fortunate that Sheehan could mop up, after he spilled ball backwards. Charged down by Alldritt on one kick. Passed off Lucu's back to win a penalty - leading to Sheehan's try. One wonky box-kick gave France ball back for a minimal gain.
Andrew Porter - 5
Did the basics well and was needed for the muck and bullets as France brought the fire. Provided little go-forward ball.
Dan Sheehan - 6
Backed himself off a maul, when easier option was to pass to Gibson-Park. Rescued the scrumhalf with a strong carry after he lost possession. Powered over for that early maul try, in the second half. Overthrow a lineout, just as Ireland momentum was growing.
Finlay Bealham - 5
Tidy in the scrum and got through a lot of first half work as Ireland knocked on the door but couldn't crash through.
Tadhg Beirne - 6
Thundered into Ramos to get the crowd going. Made a couple of excellent tackles. Could not prevent Jegou from powering over.
Joe McCarthy - 5
The only forward that was making real ground in the early exchanges. Yellow-carded for a cynical pull on Ramos. Needs to cut out those costly penalties.
Joe McCarthy of Ireland reacts in the sin-bin after being shown a yellow card. (Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile)
Peter O'Mahony - 5
Did well in the lineout but game roared past him on a few occasions. Was taken out before the Boudehent try but Angus Gardner opted to ignore.
Josh van der Flier - 5
A couple of good forward thrusts, and meaty tackles, in the opening 20 minutes. Not the only player repelled back around the breakdown.
Caelan Doris - 7
Held up over the tryline, early on. Won a penalty at the breakdown that Prendergast missed. A breakdown beast in the first half. Unfortunate to knock-on as he tried to poach Penaud. Got little change out of Gardner in the second half - went off with 15 to play. Returned for the late consolation scores.
REPLACEMENTS
Ryan Baird (for O'Mahony '50) - 5
Could not stem the blue tide.
Jack Conan (for van der Flier '50) - 7
Added much-needed grunt. Should have started.
Jack Crowley (for Aki '55) - 5
Was roughed up in his stint as inside centre.
James Ryan (for McCarthy '57) - 6
Won a turnover by holding France up, on the halfway line.
Thomas Clarkson (for Bealham '61) - 5
Had little impact.
Rob Herring (for Sheehan '68) - 5
Couple of decent carries.
Conor Murray (for Gibson-Park '68) - 5
Teed up the late consolation try.
Cian Healy (for Porter '68) - 6
Scored a consolation try in his final home game.
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