Late Tries Some Consolation ?

Despite late tries from Jonathan Sexton and Sean O’Brien, both converted by Ronan O’Gara, Ireland were beaten 26-22 by France at the Aviva Stadium.

It was a victory that the visitors fully deserved after they looked uninterested in the opening quarter and then looked awesome once they decided to take an interest.

Bad news for Ireland was the departure first of Cian Healy in the second half and then Felix Jones who was carted off, looking distressed after picking up a foot injury.

Jonny Sexton kicked them into an early lead with a penalty before Cian Healy burst through Morgan Para's attempted tackle to score in the corner.

However then the French burst into life. Para kicked a penalty, Trinh-Duc landed a massive drop-goal and then Cedric Heymans scored a great try with Para converting.

The French went further ahead at the start of the second half when Para kicked a penalty and then Trinh-Duc picked off an attempted pass from Tomas O'Leary to score a crucial try.

The French looked more than comfortable in their skins and the late tries they conceded came at a stage when the outcome had already been decided.