John O'Sullivan witnessed Ireland's battling Six Nations victory over France at Croke Park and was impressed by what he saw. Read his thoughts in the Irish Times.
"Ireland’s patterns were initially ponderous, over subscribing to the box kicking of Tomas O’Leary – the ball was travelling too far with little hope of contesting it in the air - and also too slow in taking ball around the fringes. It allowed France to reclaim possession in comfort and launch their counter-attacking game.
"The French also profited from quickly taken throws-in, a lucrative platform which they exploited with customary flair. The Irish line speed chasing those kicks contained too many doglegs and the home side were lucky not to concede more than one try in the opening 40 minutes. France were able to run back 60 or 70 metres and it took some thumping goal-line defence – Jerry Flannery’s tackle early-on saved a certain try – as Ireland extricated themselves from potentially calamitous situations."
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