Ireland could not do enough to stop France in their Six Nations clash on Saturday after the home side took an early lead.
Ireland arrived in Paris without the services of injured skipper Johnny Sexton for a crunch Guinness Six Nations clash with pre-tournament favourites France.
Both sides began with bonus-point wins and, while the championship cannot be won at Stade de France, the match could have major ramifications for the title.
Joey Carbery filled in for Sexton at fly-half to make his first Six Nations start in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV following victory over Wales.
Ready for Round 2! 🤝#TeamOfUs | #FRAvIRE pic.twitter.com/HMTLecPsqy
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2022
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Lock James Ryan took on the captaincy, while Lions pair Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw returned to beef up the bench.
For Les Bleus, Yoram Moefana replaced the injured Jonathan Danty at centre, with Francois Cros preferred to Dylan Cretin in the back row.
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, France made a rapid start to the match and raced into a 10-0 lead.
Antoine Dupont collected a pass from Romain Ntamack to touch down the opening try of the evening, with Melvyn Jaminet adding the extras and then kicking a penalty minutes later.
Ireland swiftly reduced the deficit to 10-7 thanks to Mack Hansen’s maiden Test try, which was converted by Carbery.
France then led 19-7 at the break following a further three penalties from full-back Jaminet.
Ireland reduced their deficit to 22-14 in the opening minutes of the second period.
Jaminet’s fifth penalty of the evening initially stretched France’s advantage before Josh Van Der Flier powered over to claim a second try for the Irish, which was converted by Carbery.
A pulsating encounter continued to flow from end to end.
After Van Der Flier’s score, Gibson-Park ghosted through the middle to touch down beneath the posts just five minutes later, with Carbery’s conversion leaving Ireland just a point behind at 22-21.
Sensing a momentum shift, the home crowd raised the noise levels and their side responded as Cyril Baille claimed Les Bleus’ second try of the evening to make it 27-21.
The match was finely poised going to the final seven minutes.
Ireland were three points behind at 27-24 thanks to a Carbery penalty.
The French extended their lead with another score from Jaminet. As the clock ran out Ireland could not find another score, leaving the home side to win 30-24.
