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Irish eyes are smiling O'Driscoll scores three tries in upset win
Posted: Sunday March 19, 2000 03:43 PM
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) -- Brian O'Driscoll scored three tries as Ireland stormed to its first win on French soil for 28 years with a 27-25 victory on Sunday. Warren Gatland's team scored ten unanswered points in the last six minutes to keep its slim Six Nations title hopes alive and condemn the injury-hit French to a confidence-shattering defeat. With just six minutes to play, France held a 25-17 lead thanks to 20 points from the boot of Gerald Merceron and a clever try from Christophe Laussucq. But replacement David Humphreys converted O'Driscoll's third try in the 74th minute, and two minutes from time kicked a 40-yard (meter) penalty to seal a famous win. Ireland's victory means that it can still win the Six Nations competition if it beats Wales by a huge score in its final match and England loses against struggling Scotland. "The first 20 minutes were the fastest we have ever played in, but we fought till the end," said Irish captain Keith Wood. "For years people have been looking to the Irish pack, but today it was the backs, especially Brian O'Driscoll, that won it." Center O'Driscoll had crossed the line in the 24h and 56th minutes to keep Ireland in the hunt. Gatland, Ireland's Kiwi coach, said that he was confident Ireland could overpower France in the final stages. "The French looked like they were out on their feet near the end," Gatland said. "We just told ourselves to keep attacking, to keep the ball in hand." France was ravaged by injury and coach Bernard Laporte was forced into eight changes from the team that beat Scotland 28-16 two weeks ago. Backs Thomas Lombard, Thomas Castaignede, Richard Dourthe, Fabien Galthie, Christophe Lamaison and Christophe Dominici were all injured. Among the forwards Sebastien Chabal and Hugues Miorin were injured and Olivier Magne suspended. But the World Cup finalist began in sparkling form. In the first minute debutante David Bory crossed the line after some fine creative play from the recalled Philippe Bernat-Salles, but was adjudged to have received a forward pass in the build up. Flyhalf Merceron kicked penalties in the fifth and eleventh minutes to give Laporte's team a 6-0 lead. Ireland, boosted by big wins against Scotland and Italy in its last two matches, held firm against some fluid French passing and after Ronan Ogara missed a 21st minute penalty took the lead in the 24th minute. After some good Irish rucking on the left Mick Galwey passed to O'Driscoll, who crossed the line between the posts. O'Gara converted to give Ireland a 7-6 lead. But France was back ahead within six minutes, when Laussucq scored a fine opportunist try, taking a quick penalty and nipping over the line with while Ireland was still preparing its defense. Ireland, looking for its first victory against France since 1983 and its first win on French soil since 1972, looked to exploit a French team left weak in defense because of injury. The visitors broke through the French left flank in the 35th minute and a try looked certain before a brilliant saving tackle from Olivier Brouzet on Simon Easterby less than a yard (meter) from the line. France led 13-7 at halftime and Merceron added another three points with an impressive 35-yard (meter) penalty from wide on the left three minutes into the second period. But O'Driscoll scored his second try in the 56th minute and O'Gara converted to make it 19-14 to France. Irish substitute Paddy Johns was sin-binned in the 62nd minute allowing Merceron to kick his fifth penalty, but Humphreys, who also came on as a replacement, quickly replied with another penalty to make it 22-17. Even with 14 players, Ireland looked dangerous and the French were grateful for a 78th-minute penalty from Merceron to restore a nine-point advantage. But Ireland stormed forward in the last ten minutes. O'Driscoll ran 30 yards (meters) through a beleaguered-looking French defense to score his third try and as the tension mounted Humphreys held his nerve to kick the Irish to victory.
FranceEmil Ntamack, Philippe Bernat-Salles, Cedric Desbrosse, Stephane Glas, David Bory, Gerald Merceron, Christophe Laussucq; Thomas Lievremont, Abdelatif Benazzi, Arnaud Costes, Olivier Brouzet, Fabien Pelous (captain), Franck Tournaire, Marc Dal Maso, Christian Califano.
IrelandGirvan Dempsey, Kevin Maggs, Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Henderson, Dennis Hickey, Ronan Ogara, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, Simon Easterby, Keith Dawson, Mick Galwey, Malcolm O'Kelly, Peter Clohessy, Keith Wood, John Hayes. Referee: Paul Honnis, New Zealand.
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