A great display in many areas but the players will be devastated not to have held on for a win, writes LIAM TOLAND

TWENTY-TWO days after the ‘tip rugby on ice’ they were back in the tunnel. This time there was no interaction or eye contact. As always I searched for patterns and combat indicators to where this fixture was headed.

Fast forward to the French restart after Tommy Bowe’s intercept try. Francois Trinh-Duc went close to afford his blindside winger Julien Malzieu a 50:50 chance of a take and he did just that.

France at home were hurting from an extremely soft try (in their eyes); a backlash awaited and Malzieu getting his hands on the ball was a start. But then the Irish pack regrouped and drove the French backwards limiting the French steel – strange. France at home and Ireland were asking questions; positive thoughts yes but better still, positive actions.

Three minutes later Rob Kearney launched an almighty Garryowen into the heavens and set off in hot pursuit. The quality of fielding on both sides in the conditions was exemplary, especially considering the unforced Irish handling errors later in the match.

As the ball arrived into the French clutches so too did Kearney flanked by his two wingers Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe. A second line arrived within nanoseconds in Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell and Stephen Ferris. All six smashed through the ruck, winning the ball back, but referee Dave Pearson declared a French penalty. First wave numbers 15, 14 11 with the second wave 4, 5 6: sub units in unison.

The work ethic, application and precision from Ireland in the opening half was fantastic, where Ireland’s back three had a 10 per cent increase in metres ran with the ball from last week against Italy – 220 metres ran, away from home and in Paris is an exceptional display considering their French counterparts managed but 102.

There are reasons for this. Recently I questioned the automatic assumption that international players possess superior skill sets that are immune to pressure. In doing so I questioned the Irish defensive methodology, especially against Wales.

The battle of yesterday’s fullbacks is very telling, where Toulouse’s Clement Poitrenaud simply couldn’t connect with his Clermont Auvergne midfield. For France’s second lineout on 12mins 40secs they shortened and went off the top deep in their own half. After some nice pull backs it arrived to Aurelien Rougerie in a pre-planned move to get Poitrenaud outside the Irish defence. He was far too disconnected from Rougerie but crucially the Irish defence had swung hard into the space that afforded Bowe position and a perfect view of the arriving ball to canter over with Poitrenaud rooted to the spot.

Other reasons were less obvious, such as Gordon D’Arcy summoning energy from the depths to counter-ruck on many lost causes, but a major nuisance to the French nonetheless. That the hunger is still there since 1999 tells a lot about his character. Ferris, like D’Arcy, battled from start to finish, blocking Beauxis’s rushed drop goal on 76 minutes. His defence was the beautiful swing between measured, precise (closing the gate) and lunatic as any blindside should be; powerful and random.

Later in the game Rougerie again attempted to bring his fullback in but it was spilled in contact. After that France abandoned structured intervention with Poitrenaud. That said, just like Kearney, Poitrenaud was exceptional in fielding and broken-field play. Two class acts from different sides of the tracks, but Kearney looked much more comfortable in his side; exciting times to come.

On 20 minutes I filled in a Conor Murray report card and there was much to be happy about. It was less about him and more about those around him, where Sexton looked the natural link. He kicked less, and when he did it was far sharper, as was his distribution and he was very selective about his own breaks as he did around the tail on 15 minutes. Such a pity he came off injured, but what a comfort blanket to have Eoin Reddan.

Bowe received man of the match but O’Connell owned Stade de France. Last week Sergio Parisse marauded Dublin but O’Connell was even more influential in Paris. On 35 minutes he tapped back a Sexton 22 kick out. He was on OCallaghan’s shoulder for the spilled popped ball, double-teamed in defence and scavenged on the ground. He pounced on loose balls and on the 47-minute restart from Sexton he smashed the French catching pod single-handedly, causing a spill and Irish turnover. God knows how much energy he expended through the 15 scrums, and when required he got on the ball. It was one of the finest and most influential performances of his career.

So why didn’t Ireland win? Or is this even a fair question, because the Irish players will be asking themselves exactly that. In tough conditions (rain), and with a lead, should we have changed our tune a wee bit?

On 70 minutes Reddan, at the base of a ruck but not in the ideal kicking stance, motioned to Sexton to find the corner. It was an excellent spot by Reddan and a good call but Sexton’s kick wasn’t quiet on the money. Where a torpedo bounce into touch was required, there was too much air affording Beauxis an easy catch and ultimate clearance.

The handling errors were totally understandable but very costly. The lost lineouts were cruel but the first one was sensationally contested by Yoann Maestri. The throw from Rory Best was inch perfect as O’Connell stretched even sinew but Maestri managed to get a finger and divert the ball.

Ireland’s penalty count began to rise where Cian Healy was very lucky not to be binned for his lazy intervention run. Crucially the French are a bloody good Test team and with Servat, Nallet, Picamoles and others arriving in the rain the opportunities were slimming by the second.

Yesterday was a bittersweet result for the players who will be devastated, but I’m sure the management will be much relieved with renewed vim, vigour and confidence for the challenges ahead. They have earned the right to experiment a wee bit on selection for Scotland where Paul O’Connell’s partner should be Donnacha Ryan and his backrow is now Ferris flanked by ... ?