Ireland to meet Argentina after historic France win
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Updated 12/10/2015 at 09:37 GMT
World Cup, Pool D, Millennium Stadium – France 9 (Pens: Spedding 2, Parra) Ireland 24 (Tries: R Kearney, Murray Con: Madigan Pens: Sexton 2, Madigan 2)
Rob Kearney scores the first try for Ireland
Image credit: Reuters
Ireland recovered from the huge setback of losing Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell and Peter O'Mahony to injury to record an historic first World Cup victory over France.
Sexton had twice booted Ireland ahead but with the scores tied at 6-6, the influential fly-half limped off to be replaced by Ian Madigan.
And when talismanic skipper O’Connell was stretchered off at half-time with a tournament-ending injury, Ireland looked to be up against it despite leading 9-6 at the break.
But the injury setbacks only served to galvanise Joe Schmidt’s team and roared on by a partisan crowd in Cardiff, tries from Rob Kearney and Conor Murray and the boot of Madigan gave Ireland a famous victory.
It all means that Ireland march on to face Argentina next weekend in Cardiff whilst France face the All Blacks.
But Ireland may have to do so not only without Sexton and O’Connell but also Peter O’Mahony, who was also stretchered off, and man of the match Sean O'Brien who is sure to be cited for an early punch on Pascal Pape.
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Ireland's lock and captain Paul O'Connell (L) is stretchered off the field with an injury during the Pool D match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between France and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on October 11, 2015
Image credit: AFP
TALKING POINT
That was a heroic effort from Ireland but they have lost some key players. Ireland reacted magnificently but if they have lost both captain Paul O’Connell and playmaker Johnny Sexton then those losses could ultimately prove fatal to Ireland’s hopes of really going deep in the tournament.
MATCH IN A TWEET
KEY MOMENTS
25’ – SEXTON OFF: It looks like a groin injury and the influential fly-half can’t carry on,
31’ – CHANCE EARLS! It looks a certain try as Tommy Bowe draws his man and puts in the winger turned centre but somehow Earls fumbles and the try goes begging.
40’ – O’CONNELL INJURED: Looks like a hamstring tear and that could be his World Cup over.
50’ – FRANCE 6-14 IRELAND – TRY: Kearney is over in the corner after an intense spell of pressure.
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Ireland's full-back Rob Kearney (C) scores his team's first try during a Pool D match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between France and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on October 11, 2015
Image credit: AFP
55’ – O’MAHONEY OFF INJURED: Another player stretchered off and it looks like another serious one.
72’ – FRANCE 6-21 IRELAND – TRY: Conor Murray places the ball against the base of the post after Rory Best is stopped just short. Madigan converts.
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