Humphreys is not to blame say players

David Humphreys's expression made words superfluous. Peeping between the fingers, face buried in hands, he shuffled back to await the French re-start, his pain palpable. Supporters groaned in anguish as his injury time penalty stayed marginally outside the right hand upright at the Havelock Square End.

France survived but a nation mourned. Only the most misguided and vindictive would place the blame on Humphreys. The premise that he is not an accomplished goalkicker at international level is not borne out by statistics. His detractors would be better served to watch the video.

Conor McGuinness, by his own lofty standards, did not enjoy one of his better afternoons, his service laboured and looping. Denied time and space and battling a French defence that played the offside margins cleverly, Humphreys performed most capably for majority of the match.

His team-mates were not about to allow him become a sacrificial lamb. "It's not David's fault we lost," said Conor O'Shea. "It was down to other players on the pitch. It's a team game and not a one-man show. People are too quick to point the finger at times."

Paul Wallace claimed: "It was a difficult kick for David into that wind. I don't think people realise just what the conditions out there were like."

Irish rugby has cornered the market in valiant defeats, but Saturday's was perhaps the most crushing. The players had earned victory in a brutal confrontation, rising superbly to the challenge, but ultimately indiscipline would deny them. Ireland manager Donal Lenihan admitted: "One of the most disappointing things is that we stressed when we were in South Africa that discipline was a big thing for us.

"There were one or two incidents that disappointed me. I was unhappy with Peter Clohessy when he gave away good possession after they had kicked the ball into touch on the full. I'll be having a word with him about that as I will with Trevor Brennan who also got involved in things he should not have.

"At the same time we are very proud of the players for the manner in which they played. I thought the defence was outstanding. The players are shattered but we have to move on. We will look at the mistakes on video next week and try and improve, learn the lessons. At the end of the day it is a game we should have won."

Jean Claude Skrela betrayed the haggard expression of a person who had been through the emotional wringer. The French coach could not mask the feeling of relief but equally he was bullish regarding the manner in which the team forsook their traditional values to forge victory.

"First of all, the Irish were very, very good and secondly, the weather made it difficult for us to play in the manner to which we are accustomed. This victory was achieved in very difficult conditions. In terms of enthusiasm we were the equal of the Irish.

"Each time we got the ball in space we did plenty of nice things but what was frustrating was that several times we gave them balls that were ours. We slightly abused the kicking option, particularly in the first half. Our defence gave me great satisfaction because we cut down on the time and space that we gave them.

"The team will mature after a game like this and that is important. The victory was hard won and we are aware that we still have a lot of hard work to do, not only in the rest of the Five Nations Championship, but also with regard to the World Cup later this year.

"I told the players at half-time that they had to keep the ball in hand more often, play strong defence and believe in victory. That was vital. I would like to pay special tribute to the players because this is their victory. I want to especially thank the captain, Ibanez."

Skrela would not be drawn on the punching incident involving Keith Wood. "I would like to see the video replay first. My feeling is that the French player involved was not the first to transgress but I will have to wait and see.

"We would prefer to play when conditions were better but at the same time were aware that the likelihood was that there would be rain. We had to adapt and we did."

Donal O'Leary, the newly appointed coach of the Irish women's team, had a less then enjoyable start at Stradbrook on Saturday with the French women too strong for their opponents on the day, winning 24-0.

There was no holding the well-drilled French outfit who after 15 minutes took the lead when full back Annick Hayraud drew away an Irish player before releasing left wing Annabel Donnadieu for a try on the left hand side.

The Irish went into the break 10 points adrift of the French, whose second score came from centre, Amiel Nathalie.

The second half saw the French run in two further tries from Hayraud and flanker, Anne Alaphillipe, both of which were converted by right wing Estelle Sartini.