Galthie lauds France’s attacking display

Coach Fabien Galthie has praised his team’s attacking prowess, as France registered an impressive victory over Ireland to kickstart their Six Nations campaign.

The Paris crowd were treated to some dazzling rugby on Thursday night, as France ran in five tries to record a 36-14 win over Andy Farrell’s charges.

A brace of tries from winger Louis Bielley-Biarrey and one from mercurial flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert helped France storm into a 29-0 lead before taking their foot off the gas and allowing Ireland back into the match, before winger Theo Attissogbe put some gloss on the victory late on.

“In an attacking sense, with the ball, the team played with great accuracy,” Galthie said. “It was one of the most accurate attacking performances in a long time despite the weather conditions.

“The variety between kicking and keeping the ball in hand was remarkable.”

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Playing together for only the second time since the 2023 World Cup, halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Jalibert made light of the rain to continuously probe Ireland for weaknesses.

With the game all but won on 50 minutes with France leading 29-0, Galthie changed five forwards in one fell swoop and France started to lose their way.

Replacement forwards Nick Timoney and Michael Milne both crossed to raise concerns among the home fans that Ireland could rumble up a head of steam and make a fist of things.

But France steadied the ship and Attissogbe’s try clinched a commanding victory.

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Farrell was scathing about his team and their passive start to the game.

“There’s a lot going through our minds at this moment in time,” he said. “We’re very disappointed, through something I never thought I’d say about this Ireland team: a lack of intensity in the first half,” Farrell told British television network ITV.

“Missed tackles, missing the scraps on the ground and the ball in the air. It’s just intention and if that is lacking, you are not going to win any international game, never mind one in Paris.”

France travel to Wales in the second round of the tournament while Ireland host Italy.

FRANCE – Tries: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, Theo Attissogbe. Conversions: Ramos (4). Penalty: Ramos.
IRELAND – Tries: Nick Timoney, Michael Milne. Conversions: Sam Predergast (2).

– AFP

Photo: Benoit Tessier/Reuters