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14th February 2021
04:57pm GMT
Garry Ringrose of Ireland is tackled by Julien Marchand (L) and Cyril Baille (R) of France. (Photo by Brian Lawless - Pool/Getty Images)[/caption]
The start of the second half saw Ireland lose Billy Burns, Cian Healy and Iain Henderson to Head Injury Assessments. Healy and Henderson had a horrific head clash but both passed their HIAs and were permitted to return.
By that stage, Damien Penaud had scored in the corner after Lowe was shrugged off too easily and Ireland sub Ronan Kelleher had kept home hopes alive with an opportunistic score, less than a minute after coming off the bench.
Ross Byrne added a penalty with 15 minutes to go and Ireland were a penalty or drop goal from winning it. France responded by hogging the ball for much of the final 10 minutes, though, and their defence held strong at the death.
Here's how we rated Andy Farrell's men in green...
James Lowe - 5
His Test credentials have taken a knock in the past week. Denied a try by smart Gael Fickou defence in the first half. His left boot as a kicking weapon was useful but was exposed in defence for Penaud's try. Kicked out on the full after 66 minutes to give the French a shot in the arm.
Billy Burns - 5
Missed an early penalty from 37 metres out but settled his, and Ireland's, nerves soon after with one from close range. Was on a kicking brief, like his half-back partner, and those tactics rarely paid off.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 6
"He still also possesses the same propensity of box kicking."
That was what Fabien Galthie made of the Leinster scrumhalf, before the match. Has a lot more going for him than that, but Ireland's tactics dictated he kicked ball after ball into the air for his teammates to chase.
Cian Healy - 6
No carries but got through a heap of work in the loose, sticking 13 tackles in his 55 minutes on the pitch before his head collision with Henderson. Returned to make a couple of huge hits as Ireland fought to get back into the tie.
Rob Herring - 5
Early knock-on was hard on him as the pass was intended for Ringrose. Himself and van der Flier were left grasping at air as Marchand left them for dead. Lineout throwing was much improved.
Andrew Porter - 7
Won his side an early scrum penalty and ran his legs into stumps again.
Tadhg Beirne - 6
Did not have the same bite or impact, in attack and defence, as last weekend. Struggles to put two good games together for the national team.
Iain Henderson - 7
Ireland's lineout was looking good, at least, and they disrupted that French set-piece. Henderson was a big part of that. Some hard carries, up the guts, and stuck his tackles.
Rhys Ruddock - 6
Won his side a big breakdown penalty after 16 minutes and was crucial to that French set-piece being disrupted. Kept going until the death.
Josh van der Flier - 6
A couple of decent carries in the first half and was all business at the breakdown. Marchand burst through his tackle in the second half and Ireland were lucky to survive.
CJ Stander - 6
France had his number today. Never stopping putting himself forward for carries and pumping his legs but he was effectively shut out and kept from doing too much damage.
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