French open their account in ominous fashion

THE resumption of matches between Ireland and France at this level, after a lapse of 21 years, did not prove to be a happy or auspicious occasion for Ireland they were defeated 44-23 by the French at Donnybrook yesterday.

Ireland's problems started as early as the third minute when French flanker Olivier Magne got a try after Ireland had failed to protect the ball from their own scrum and Magne had capitalised on the error. Out half David Aucagne converted and Ireland trailed by seven points.

Giving the French such an advantage, at so early a stage of the match, was something Ireland could not afford against a more inventive and adventurous side which was quicker of foot, as well as more alert.

The French revealed, yet again, their capacity to capitalise on mistakes - let the Ireland senior side take due note - and Ireland made too many of them for their own welfare. Indeed, three of the six tries France scored came from Irish errors.

The French had flair and pace that Ireland struggled to contain. In reality, Ireland never really recovered from that poor start and the support play of the French side was in contrast to the more pedestrian nature of Ireland's attempts to break down the defence. Ireland did not use their possession as effectively as the French. Out half Alan McGowan did not mark his return to this scene with a performance of any depth, and the Ireland three quarter line lacked the flair and creative skills of their opponents.

Ireland did reasonably well in the line, where Brian Cusack and Eddie Halvey were the main providers. Halvey was, by some way, Ireland's best forward, but the French rucked and mauled with greater authority and created gaps that they were able to exploit.

Circumstances were such that only four of the Ireland A team which defeated South Africa A so well in November played yesterday, and it showed.

Ireland coach Dave Haslett readily conceded that the French were a much better side. They had, he said, "greater pace and skill, and we certainly did not help ourselves by making mistakes that cost three tries."

There can be no argument with that accurate assessment, nor with his comment that: "We never really recovered from a bad start. I will say that, despite the fact that we were trailing from the outset, the side did not give up. But France did play very well".

And so they did. Support was always available to the ball carrier, with options on either side. In sharp contrast, on the occasions when an Ireland player made a break, there was no one in attendance to carry it on.

The French were not averse to conceding penalties to stop the impetus when Ireland got into their "25", and this tactic was particularly prevalent once France had established a commanding lead.

They had a fine half back pairing in Aucagne and Jerome Cazalbou, who directed operations with authority. Cazalbou got a level of protection that Ireland's young scrum half, Brian O'Meara, did not enjoy.

While Killian Keane cut France's seven point lead with a penalty after nine minutes, France had established a 22-3 lead by the 21st minute. A penalty from Aucagne was followed by tries from centre Eric Artiguste and second row Thierry Cleda. Aucagne converted Clada's try, which came from an effective maul. Ireland's only in road was a second penalty from Keane, in the 23rd minute.

Despite trailing 22-6, Ireland, in many respects, had their best spell in the 15 minutes before the interval, but failed to capitalise on opportunity.

After Aucagne and Keane exchanged penalties early in the second half, France scored two further tries, through wings Hugo Mola and Phillipe Bernat Salles. Aucagne converted one to leave his side leading 37-9.

A try from Richard Wallace, converted by Keane, cut the deficit to 37-16. Then Cazalbou got France's sixth try after a blind side break following a scrum and Aucagne converted.

Ireland got a consolation try in injury time when Ciaran Clarke scored after a tapped penalty and Keane converted. This was something of a fight back by Ireland, but had it not been for two excellent try saving tackles by Denis Hickie the French would have topped the 50 points mark.