France 30-24 Ireland rugby LIVE RESULT: Baille try sees Les Bleus secure epic win against Irish – Six Nations reaction
FRANCE have beaten Ireland in the Six Nations.
A try from Antoine Dupont and four penalties from Melvin Jaminet gave them a healthy half time lead.
But Josh van der Flier has bagged a try early in the second half to give Ireland hope.
Jameson Gibson-Park then scored another try to reduce the deficit to just a point.
But Cyril Baille crucially crossed the line for Les Bleus to extend their lead to six points.
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Good morning rugby union fans
Wales got back to winning ways in the Six Nations after coming from behind to beat Scotland 20-17.
Following last week's defeat to Ireland, Wales knew they couldn't lose if they wished to win the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Scotland blew a huge chance to make it two victories out of two after beating England.
In Saturday's other match, France emerged victorious in a dramatic game against Ireland.
France won 30-24 at Stade de France to make it back-to-back wins after their victory over Italy.
Following the match, Ireland's head coach Andy Farrell praised France for their performance.
He said: "The result doesn’t lie, congratulations to France.
“I thought they deserved the win because that’s what the scoreline tells us, that’s sport.
“We move onto the next one. Obviously France played a very good game from the start.”
England face Italy at 3pm in Rome.
Martin Johnson praises Wales
Former England captain Martin Johnson heaped praise on Wales for their comeback victory against Scotland.
He told BBC: "Twenty minutes in, you feared for Wales. But they just battled and battled.
"They turned the game into a street fight.
"Scotland didn't back off but they got involved in something they probably didn't want to get involved with."
Hogg speaks of disappointment
Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg has spoke of his disappointment following their defeat to Wales.
He told BBC: "We’re bitterly disappointed. The stuff that we're in control of, when we're on the front foot, we're really dangerous. At times, we weren’t allowed to do that.
"We’re a lot better than what we showed. That’s international rugby – you have to take your chances or you end up on the wrong side of the scoreline.
"[Ill-discipline] was absolutely a factor. One penalty or knock-on is fine, but when we compound error upon error that’s frustrating, because we know we’re better than that.
"Credit to Wales, they were fairly good at times. It’s a horrible feeling right now but that is Test match rugby."
Shee can still do it
Ireland star Dan Sheehan was full of optimism despite his nation's loss to France.
He said after the match: “We’re one step behind now, but the tournament is definitely not out of reach.
"I think it’s about focusing straight onto Italy. We have two weeks leading up to it and we have to take full advantage of that game, make sure we’re firing on all cylinders.”
Too slow blow
Joey Carbery shared his disappointment over Ireland's loss to France and admitted his team's slow start cost them the game.
Speaking to Virgin Media, he said: "I'm absolutely gutted. I feel like we probably didn't start quick enough and let them into the game.
"They kicked their goals, they played really well and they took their chances, so we'll just have to recoup and look back on it."
Farrell praises France
Andy Farrell has praised France for their win over Ireland.
Ireland's head coach said after the game: "The result doesn't lie, congratulations to France.
"I thought they deserved the win because that’s what the scoreline tells us, that’s sport.
"We move onto the next one.
"Obviously France played a very good game from the start."
O'Driscoll's dismay
Brian O’Driscoll expressed his astonishment that Ireland decided against kicking to the corner late on against France.
He told ITV: “Of course it’s not the right call because they haven’t won the game, but it’s easy to look back retrospectively.
“In real time, all of us were discussing and deliberating it here, because they had success from the previous maul and van der Flier scored a try from it. It seemed like the obvious route to go [to the corner].
“They were six behind so they were going to have to score at least another penalty to draw the game, whereas seven points would have put them in the lead if they scored the try and knocked over the conversion.
“I’m just surprised with this team’s mentality. They go to the corner so often, but when it got tight they didn’t back themselves.”
That's entertainment
With only two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations complete, we have been spoiled with so much drama already.
No one is a sure thing for the championship.
Some take a step closer to glory.
FT: France 30 Ireland 24
Les Bleus are now the only team in this season's Guinness Six Nations championship that can still win the Grand Slam.
After next weekend's break, France will travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland.
FT: France 30 Ireland 24
There are a lot of positives for Ireland today.
The performances of Joey Carbery and Mack Hansen were brilliant.
What a player Hansen is, in only his second game for Ireland.
Carbery made people forget about Sexton's injury for the majority of the game, although his leadership skills and tactical awareness were missed dearly.
FT: France 30 Ireland 24
It was a very tightly contested game today.
There isn't much between these two teams and the difference today was probably down to discipline.
Ireland did well to keep a rampant French side in check but gave away too many penalties, ultimately costing them the game.
FT: France 30 Ireland 24
With possession, as soon as the clock strikes the 80 minutes mark they kick the ball into touch.
Big win for Les Bleus.
Penalty: France 30 Ireland 24
78. Very easy kick for Jaminet under the posts.
Glimmer of hope for Ireland as they are within a converted try from victory.
France 27 Ireland 24
77. Big decision their for Andy Farrell's side although a penalty has been awarded to France.
No try
France 32 Ireland 24
77. TMO is having a look at this one.
The referee has awarded no try as feels the ball wasn't grounded.
Try: Jaminet (France)
France 27 Ireland 24
75. France now looking to put some pressure on the Irish.
The best form of defence may be attack for the French in that last five minutes.
Driving phase after phase towards the Irish line.
Penalty: France 27 Ireland 24
72. This game is going to the wire for sure.
Carbery has had a great game today, filling in for Sexton.
France 27 Ireland 21
70. Both sides are trying tactical kicking more often now.
Carbery is still utilising the high kicks looking to get Ireland players pressing the French defensive line.
France 27 Ireland 21
67. Beirne with a fantastic kick into the French corner.
France manage to turn the ball over from the lineout.
Big chance missed there for Ireland.
France 27 Ireland 21
65. We are into the final fifteen minutes here.
With the gap being only six points, this game is wide open.
Both of these teams are capable of creating a try from nothing.
France 27 Ireland 21
62. Ireland are trying hard to get out of their own half with intense French pressure.
Penalty awarded to Ireland, Carbery finds touch.
France 27 Ireland 21
60. Gibson-Park tries a cheeky little chip and run through the French defence.
It is a straight footrace between the players but France are able to cover.
Dupont does brilliantly to get out of trouble.
France 27 Ireland 21
57. Ireland are still in this, within a converted try of the French.
Both teams are looking to have a go at one another and score tries.
Ireland need to be brave so they are not chasing the game.
That is where France thrive and will hit you on the counter.
