After a breath-taking forty minutes of Guinness Six Nations action, Ireland lead France 22 – 16 in Dublin.

Billed as the clash to decide the tournament, the game’s top two sides have put on a clinic of how the game should be played.

Starting with the visitors who scored one of the tries of the season courtesy of winger Damian Penaud who finished off a play that started deep in the French 22. 

Les Bleus have at times been feeding off scraps but have shown their clinical nature by pouncing on the few opportunities they have been given.

Showing their full array of attacking potential, Les Bleus finished off a score worth of consideration for try of the year as winger Damian Penaud tore through the Irish defence.

Unbelievable from @FranceRugby!

This game is well and truly living up to the hype?#GuinnessSixNations #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/unLiNJUCpg

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 11, 2023

Once again proving why many believe he is the best in the game, Antoine Dupont has been instrumental in the French remaining in the contest. 

Dupont has been close to playable at times in the first half by sniping around rucks, box-kicking well and defending like a trojan. 

Dupont’s Toulouse teammate Tomas Ramos has been metronomic from the kicking tee landing several long-distance penalties and difficult conversions.

Ireland on the other hand have been nothing short of sublime. In defence, their pace off the line has by and large negated the big French ball carriers whilst in attack the varied wide game that dismissed the All Blacks in July is back in full force.

To the fore has been the halfback pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton who appear to have turned back the clock to 2018. 

Both men have had some great running opportunities with Sexton’s two major breaks both coming up just short of being finished off. 

Other key performers have been centre Garry Ringrose and winger James Lowe who combined for one of the most outlandish finishes ever seen on a Rugby pitch.

One of the greatest finishes you will ever see ✨

Courtesy of @IrishRugby's James Lowe.#IREvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/67lnUi1XOI

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 11, 2023

Outside of the tries, key moments in the game thus far have been the yellow card shown to 330lbs prop Uini Antonio who ever so slightly mistimed his huge hit on Ireland Hooker Rob Herring.

Whilst Tadhg Beirne’s huge turnover in the 22^nd minute and Dupont’s try-saving tackle in the 37^th minute stand out. 

With kick-off for the second half just around the corner, stay tuned for the final match report.

Written by Philip Bendon