Jonathan Sexton returns with a bang as Ireland hold off France

Fly half Johnny Sexton connected on all five of his penalty attempts to help Ireland hold off France at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Sunday in Round 2 of the Six Nations. Franck Fife / AFP

Agence France-Presse

DUBLIN // Fly-half Jonathan Sexton produced a man-of-the-match performance on his return after a 12-week absence to inspire defending Six Nations champions Ireland to an 18-11 victory over France at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Sexton, 29 – who was stood down after he had four concussions last year – kicked 15 points against a France side that only really sparked into gear in the final 10 minutes, when they scored the only try of the game through Romain Taofifenua.

It took Ireland’s winning streak to nine Tests – their second-best run – but that will be sorely tested by England in two weeks in Dublin.

“Delighted to get the win again, back-to-back wins over the French are rare,” Sexton said.

“We had to dig deep but we came away with the points. We have a lot to improve on. We have a big match in front of us in a fortnight.”

Sexton slotted a penalty over to give the hosts a 3-0 lead in the 14th minute, but the French drew level three minutes later as Camille Lopez converted a penalty after Rob Kearney failed to release the ball.

The penalty ping pong continued and it was 12-6 at half-time.

The Irish fans had to hold their breath five minutes into the second-half as Mathieu Bastareaud’s head clashed with Sexton’s and both emerged bloodied, though the Irishman looked groggier than his French opponent. Both went off for blood bin treatment.

Sexton’s replacement, Ian Madigan, carried on from where his predecessor had left off and added a penalty in the 51st minute for 15-6.

The French were hit as Pascal Pape was sin-binned in the 53rd minute for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in the back, although he was fortunate not to receive a red.

Ireland wasted chances to put the game beyond the visitors reach, Sexton sending a poor pass into Jared Payne’s face when the try line was beckoning, and the game tilted when Rory Best was sin-binned.

Lopez, though, missed the penalty and, despite still being a man down, Sexton, swollen eye and all, added a penalty with 12 minutes remaining to make it 18-6.

Just as the sin bin was to finish for Best, France finally crossed the try line with Vincent Debaty passing to the giant replacement lock Taofifenua, who spun over – Lopez missed the conversion to leave them a converted try away from a draw.

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