Clerc goes over for France in Paris

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

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Ireland's brave attempt to avenge their humiliating World Cup exit ended in failure as France made a powerful start to their RBS 6 Nations campaign in Paris on Saturday.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan saw the championship opener - a rematch of the Melbourne quarter-final - as the perfect opportunity for Ireland to redeem themselves following their 43-21 drubbing at the Telstra Dome.

But for all their courage and the occasional touch of brilliance, last year's championship runners-up found themselves chasing the game despite a promising opening spell.

They trailed 11-3 at the interval after Vincent Clerc had crossed for France but appeared to be back in the reckoning three minutes into the second half when Munster number eight Anthony Foley strolled over in the corner.

However, France - who on occasion were at their destructive best - replied with a two-try salvo in the space of four minutes, debutant second row Pascal Pape and towering centre Yannick Jauzion both crossing.

Ireland replied through Tyrone Howe. But Les Bleus always seemed to have too much firepower for the visitors and they underlined their superiority four minutes before the final whistle when scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde scampered over.

Fly-half Frederic Michalak proved his nightmare evening against England in the World Cup semi-finals was a distant memory by slotting 17 points - he missed just two shots at goal - and showing composure as his side's playmaker.

The French midfield was also a source of constant danger as the physical bulk of Damien Traille and Jauzion caused Kevin Maggs and Gordon D'Arcy plenty of problems.

Asked to fill the shoes of hamstring victim Brian O'Driscoll, Leinster centre D'Arcy performed with credit - setting up Howe's try and going close himself in the first half. But it was not to be as Paul O'Connell's first match as captain ended in disappointment.

O'Sullivan said on Friday it was crucial his side make a strong start and he was not disappointed as the French found themselves pinned back deep in their own half for most of the first 15 minutes.

Referee Chris White awarded the Irish an early penalty, and Ronan O'Gara made no mistake from long range as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges with their line-out functioning beautifully.

One catch and drive swept them to within three metres of the French line. They failed to capitalise on the position when the ball was fed wide, although D'Arcy nearly escaped his marker.

Michalak levelled the score after Ireland had strayed offside during Les Bleus' ensuing attack. But O'Sullivan's men wasted little time in pinging the ball back down in the home half and applying further pressure.

They threatened briefly down the left flank. But France snuffed out the danger quickly and launched a raid of their own which ended with Toulouse winger Clerc diving over in right corner.

Traille made the initial inroads after bursting through the Irish midfield - and although he was hauled down by Girvan Dempsey, the ball was recycled swiftly and found the onrushing Clerc via Michalak.

The 21-year-old missed the conversion but stretched his side's lead with his second penalty as France began to click into top gear, using Traille to good effect up the middle of the pitch.

Ireland poured forward after the restart and were soon rewarded in the 44th minute as a piece of magic from O'Gara unlocked a French defence which had looked watertight.

The visitors used their forwards to drive up the right before O'Gara was handed possession. He chipped ahead, caught his own kick and drew Nicolas Brusque before feeding Foley who strolled in.

O'Gara landed the extras to lift the Irish within a point of their opponents, but Les Bleus responded with a magnificent try finished by debutant Pape.

Jauzion burst from deep, beating several tacklers, and found Christophe Dominici in support. He took the ball forward before feeding Serge Betsen, with the big-hitting back then creating the space for Pape to cross.

Ireland's defence was in disarray, and Jauzion took advantage by touching down himself four minutes later - running on to Michalak's pass and strolling in under the posts. Michalak added both conversions and another penalty for good measure.

Ireland probed down the left with a powerful forward drive and were just kept out.

But they met with more success when play was switched right, D'Arcy breaking through and off-loading to Howe who finished the move.

O'Gara converted, but France were not done yet as scrum-half Elissalde scampered home in the 77th minute after finding himself unmarked at the base of a ruck - and Michalak converted to complete the scoring.

Teams

France: Brusque, Clerc, Jauzion, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Elissalde, Marconnet, Servat, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Betsen, Magne, Harinordoqui.

Replacements: Elhorga for Clerc (77), Liebenberg for Traille (64), Yachvili for Elissalde (77), Crenca for Marconnet (68), Bru for Servat (70), Auradou for Pape (61), Lievremont for Magne (68).

Tries: Clerc, Pape, Jauzion, Elissalde.

Cons: Michalak 3.

Pens: Michalak 3.

Ireland: Dempsey, S. Horgan, Maggs, D'arcy, Howe, O'Gara, Stringer, Corrigan, Byrne, Hayes, O'Kelly, O'Connell, S. Easterby, Gleeson, Foley.

Replacements: A. Horgan for Howe (75), Sheahan for Byrne (60), O'Callaghan for O'Kelly (60), Costello for Gleeson (77).

Tries: Foley, Howe.

Cons: O'Gara 2.

Pens: O'Gara.

Not Used: Best, G. Easterby, Humphreys.

Att: 80,000

Ref: Chris White (England).