Ireland Under-21 13 France Under-21 20: A brave Ireland performance at Thomond Park last evening was undone by a superb second-half display from France as the home side suffered their third consecutive defeat in the Six Nations.
Ireland looked poised at the break to upset the visitors after an invigorating 40 minutes, but two tries from the French punished sloppy home defending.
A powerful performance from Ireland's pack in the opening half established the perfect platform for an ambitious three-quarter line, marshalled superbly by captain Gareth Steenson.
His initiative, inventiveness and calm kicking helped his team subdue a France side lacking spark and imagination.
Ireland's lively backline was quick to crank into action and wonderful skill by Paul McKenzie almost snatched an early try.
Steenson's accurate kicking pinned the opposition inside their own half at every opportunity. And he had a wonderful opportunity of a try in the ninth minute, when, after ghosting past the French midfield, he dived under the posts, but Mathieu Bourrant got a hand in to flick the ball away.
The Ulster outhalf did convert a big penalty in the 11th minute as Ireland continued to dictate matters up front, where Stephen Ferris, Michael Diffley and John Andress impressed.
Steenson converted his second penalty in the 26th minute as Ireland's handling, passing and back movement continuing to cause the French problems.
France's breakthrough try came in the 50th minute when a scorching break from Vincent Roux tore the defence to shreds and his pass to Florian Denos allowed the winger touch down.
Perpignan outhalf Christophe Ruiz converted and notched a penalty to extend the lead. And when fullback Benjamin Dambielle raced in for a second try in the 75th minute, it was curtains for the Irish.
But they conjured up a fine try when Andrew Trimble opened up the defence and Paul McKenzie finished. Steenson's fine touchline conversion added some gloss to a poor second-half performance from the Irish.
IRELAND UNDER-21: M Kettyle (Belfast Harlequins); K Geraghty (London Irish), A Trimble (Ballymena), G Stafford (Lansdowne), Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins); G Steenson (Dungannon, capt), D O'Leary (UCC); M Diffley (Buccaneers), J Merrigan (Corinthians), J Andress (Belfast Harlequins); L Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins), R Caldwell (Dungannon); B McNamee (Northampton), O Hennessy (Dungannon), S Ferris (Dungannon). Replacements: C Henry (Malone) for Hennessy (inj 13 mins); M Melbourne (Garryowen) for Stevenson (inj 60 mins), P Marshall (Ballynahinch) for O'Leary (80 mins).
FRANCE UNDER-21: B Dambielle; F Denos, V Roux, S Mirande, M Bourret; C Ruiz, M Campeggia; P Lafond, F Montagnat, A Bastin; D Drozdz, L Jacquet; G Gambetta, A Diotallevi, F Alexandre. Replacements: J Montes for Diotallevi (28 mins); B Kayser for Montagnat (51 mins); D Fevre for Drozdz, T Lacroix for Roux (68 mins); D Chouly for Campeggia, F Cibray for Jacquet (78 mins).
Referee: M Dordolo (Italy).
