Six Nations 2023 - Ireland v France Match Thread, Sat 11th Feb, KO 2:15PM - TV: RTÉ2, ITV, France2

Found it interesting that we continually, purposely chose to keep the ball in play with our clearance kicks. Not the obvious way to play it against those French backs but the team trusted it's defence and by and large it worked and we massively restricted France's time in our 22 as a result.

I think with Ross Byrne, when he plays well for Leinster, we just say "sure anyone would look good behind that pack" and don't give him enough credit. He was excellent today.

I think that is one of the best Ireland performances I've ever seen. Am I getting carried away?

Hopefully that's just a precaution for Beirne

Farrell said it "doesn't look good" for Beirne.

Keenan carried for 203 metres today. That's crazy.

Not great, but I'd prefer to see ankle problems rather than knee. An ACL would be the one to worry about so I'll take that as a glass half full scenario.

Jesus lads ye are starting to sound as conspiratorial as Manchester City.

BBC showed just the scores just before the start of the 2nd half I doubt Gabby Logan knew much more then what was seen I thought they were up to date on the ire of Ireland fans. ITV an English station were also stunned it was not red. Tomorrow they will have there program where they talk about games they don't show

Well talking about Barnes in nothing but distain result in a bans like talking about Saracens (a joke)

So many positives today. Doris outrageously good, James Ryan too. Sexton reeling back the years and a joy to watch in full flight. Ross Byrne slotting in seamlessly. Bealham a colossus. Ringrose playing the rugby of his life. We're a bloody good side.

That was a cracking game of rugby. 2 top quality sides going at each other. Really enjoyable. And I think some of the credit has to go to Barnes. He kept the whistling to a minimum and let them play. And that suited Ireland as they got to keep the tempo up.

On the card, could have been a red but I've seen those given as yellows as well. Porter on Rettallick and Cian Healy against Ulster were very similar and both were yellows.

Just back home relaxing with a cuppa. An incredible day, an incredible match, an incredible atmosphere and an incredible win, in doubt right up to Ringrose try. My 5/6 Nations games are in the hundred plus at this stage, that game was right up there. Great travelling support by French, good few tickets offloaded by clubs, which added to atmosphere. Onwards to Rome……!

Margins at the top level are tiny. We were held up over the line several times. On another day we score one or two of those.

Dupont’s tackle on Hansen was incredible. I’m not sure any other player who would find themselves in that position would stop the score. He must be pound for pound the strongest player in contact in world rugby. Huge moment to keep France in the game.

And the biggest one, how on earth did Atonio avoid red? Rob Herring is 6ft 1. There was no dip from him on the carry. Atonio didn’t dip before the tackle. Stuck a shoulder in and caught him in the head. No wrap. Barnes said there was no high level of danger. Herring not being allowed back onto the pitch would contradict that statement. Puzzling. That’s exactly the type of tackle they were trying to stamp out.

Great game of rugby and delighted we were able to get through that tough patch after halftime and retake control of the game without the experienced heads of POM, Murray and Sexton.