'A' International France 20 Ireland 12: Gallantry doesn't win matches, but that shouldn't deflect from a gutsy and character-laden performance form Ireland A at the Beaublanc Stadium here last night. Pitted against what was in effect, given two or three players, a second-string French side, the Irish rattled them and it was the home side that desperately clamoured for the final whistle.
This young Irish side came within a whisker of snatching this game in the final quarter, stretching the French to breaking point, but just could not muster that try-scoring pass despite numerous line-breaks.
There were several outstanding performances in a fine team effort, not least from captain Mick O'Driscoll, Matt McCullough, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip, Bryan Young and Kieran Lewis.
Outhalf Jeremy Staunton was occasionally hesitant in possession, but he never shirked responsibility and kicked four penalties from as many attempts.
Errors are understandable from a scratch side and Ireland made their fair share, but for the manner in which they applied themselves and the cutting edge they showed behind the scrum, allied to the athleticism of the pack, they deserve every praise.
Neil Best was abrasive in defence, John Hearty ran well, while Brian Blaney made a huge contribution when introduced.
Ireland gradually grew into the game as the initial hesitancy and at times trepidation evaporated as they coursed the French from pillar to post in that finale.
Throughout the first half French outhalf David Skrela exploited the inside channel on a couple of occasions for big yardage, while the 6ft 4in right wing Jean Baptiste Gobelet proved a real handful physically. The Biarritz colossus ran some excellent lines off the shoulders of Skrela and inside centre Guillame Bousses, and once in his stride required a communal tackle to halt his gallop.
It took some excellent scramble defence for Ireland not to concede more than the two tries they did during that period.
Lewis excelled in this respect, making two crucial tackles, and it was the Leinster centre who came closest to crossing for an Irish try in the opening 40 minutes.
From a lineout, rescued by McCullough's quick thinking, O'Driscoll was held up inches short after plunging powerfully from the ensuing ruck. Ireland were awarded a scrum, and Lewis cut through a gap, but when tackled a couple of metres short of the line couldn't get his pass away.
It wasn't all gloom for the visitors, as the scrum was solid and the lineout honours were even, each side nicking one throw. Ireland just could not establish the continuity they craved and spent most of the half chasing Tomás O'Leary's well-judged box kicks.
The French received the perfect start when Imanol Harinordoquy, as is his wont, turned up on the touchline to apply the coup de grace to some neat interplay between backs and forwards.
The second try illustrated the power of the French pack, albeit owing to a smattering of good fortune initially. French scrumhalf Nicolas Durand had a long punt that landed on the touchline in the Irish 22, but instead of calling play back, the touch judge ruled in his favour.
To compound matters, Ireland lost John Fogarty at that moment to injury, and Brian Blaney, coming on cold, had his throw pinched. The French mauled 15 metres, hooker Benjamin Kaysar credited with the touchdown. Skrela converted to put his side 17-6 ahead at the interval.
The second half opened ominously with an Irish turnover allowing Philippe Bidabe to scamper clear, and it took a try-saving tackle from Conor McPhillips to prevent Gregory Lamboley from scoring.
The visitors continued to try to play an expansive game on their meagre diet of possession. Barry Murphy's clever pass after Ireland elected to run ball from inside their 22 sent John Hearty racing clear, and though he was taken late, the Irish were awarded a penalty on the French 22 that Staunton kicked. However, the outhalf was caught offside minutes later and Skrela nudged his side 20-9 in front.
Staunton's fourth penalty was the catalyst for a marvellous closing quarter from Ireland. Buoyed by fresh legs, they ran the French ragged and on three occasions had glorious opportunities only for the final pass not to go to hand.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 8 mins: Skrela pen, 3-0; 13: Harinordoquy try, Skrela con, 10-0; 16: Staunton pen, 10-3; 30: Staunton pen, 10-6; 37: Kayzar try, Skrela con, 17-6 (half-time: 17-6); 50: Staunton pen, 17-9; 55: Skrela pen, 20-9; 65: Staunton pen, 20-12.
FRANCE A: B Thierry (Bayonne); JB Gobelet (Biarritz), P Bidabe (Biarritz), G Bousses (Bourgoin), V Clerc (Toulouse); D Skrela (Stade Français), N Durand (Perpignan); JB Poux (Toulouse), B Kayzar (Stade Français), N Mas (Perpignan); A Marchois (Stade Français), G Lamboley (Toulouse); T Dussautoir (Biarritz), G Lecornec (Perpignan), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz). Replacements: F Faure (Castres) for Harinordoquy (half-time); B Cabello (Bourgoin) for Kayzar; J Peyrelongue (Biarritz) for Bidabe; V Debaty (Perpignan) for Poux (all 55 mins); C Bergez (Bayonne) for Faure (62 mins); A Albouy (Castres) for Durand (69 mins); G Messina (Stade Français) for Skrela; Poux for Debaty (both 75 mins).
IRELAND A: G Duffy (Harlequins); J Hearty (Connacht), K Lewis (Leinster), B Murphy (Munster), C McPhillips (Connacht); J Staunton (Wasps), T O'Leary (Munster); R Hogan (Connacht), J Fogarty (Connacht), B Young (Ulster); M O'Driscoll (Munster, capt), M McCullough (Ulster); N Best (Ulster), S Jennings (Leicester), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: B Blaney (Leinster) for Fogarty (35 mins); R McCormack (Leinster) for Hogan (46 mins); C Keane (Connacht) for O'Leary (58 mins); P Wallace (Ulster) for Staunton (66 mins); L Cullen (Leicester) for McCullough (69 mins); B Cunningham (Ulster) for Murphy (70 mins); R Wilson (Ulster) for Best (73 mins).
Referee: G di Santis (Italy).
