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France made it two wins from two this afternoon after they managed to beat Ireland 10-9 at the Stade De France.
The match wasn’t much of a spectacle and Maxime Medard scored the only try of the match, following a neat move that came from French dominance at the scrum.
Ireland, on the other hand, couldn’t manage to breach the French defence, with all their points coming from the boot of Jonathan Sexton. Joe Schmidt’s side are still yet to win a match in this year’s tournament and face the tricky test of England at Twickenham in the next round.
To see how the players fared, have a look through the gallery below.
Show all 30 1 /30France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings <b> France: <b/> Maxime Medard: 8 out of 10 The fullback got the crucial try that won the game and did so with class, picking a great line and getting over the line for a try that looked easier than it was. As well as that, Medard was solid in defence and his kicking game helped keep France on the front foot.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Teddy Thomas: 5 out of 10 Failed to make an impact on the game. The winger rarely had the ball in his hands but was safe in defence and under the high ball.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Maxime Mermoz: 6 out of 10 The centre got through a lot of work, carrying the ball to the line well and staying firm in defence – making four tackles and one turnover.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jonathan Danty: 6 out of 10 After impressing last week, Danty struggled to have a real impact on this game. The youngster shows so much promise, but needs to have the ball in his hands with space more often.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Virimi Vakatawa: 5 out of 10 Another player who stood out last week but struggled to live up to the hype this time around. The weather may have played a role, but apart from one half break the speedster couldn’t get himself into the game.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jules Plisson: 7 out of 10 Another impressive performance from Plisson who orchestrated his backline well and attacked the line with intent. Missed one kick at goal which could have made life a whole lot easier for his team-mates but overall it was another impressive outing for the young playmaker.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Sebastien Bezy: 5 out of 10 Never came alive in this match and the French backline looked more alive when he was replaced by Maxime Machenaud – who assisted Medard for their only try.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jefferson Poirot: 5 out of 10 The prop made good use of himself in open play, making 10 tackles, but struggled initially in the scrum and when replaced by Rabah Slimani the France scrum pushed itself up a gear.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Guilhelm Guirado: 7 out of 10 Another impressive performance for France’s captain, despite a challenge on Dave Kearney that could get him in trouble with the citing officer. Guirado made 10 tackles and carried the ball seven times, a real captains performance.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Uini Atonio: 4 out of 10 A bad day at the office for Atonio. The prop gave away three separate penalties and, like Poirot, the French scrum looked stronger with him on the bench.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Alexandre Flanquart: 7 out of 10 The lock seemed to be everywhere this afternoon, making 11 carries and 12 tackles. A real workhorse and an integral part of the French pack in today's victory.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Yoann Maestri: 6 out of 10 A solid performance by Maestri, but he was outshone by his partner in the second row. The second row has become an experienced member of the French pack and is also a vital part of Guy Noves plans going forward.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Wenceslas Lauret: 6 out of 10 Another player who put in a lot of work but didn’t exactly set the world alight. The flanker carried the ball nine times and was always an option for a slow ball.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Yacouba Camara: 7 out of 10 Made 20 metres when carrying the ball and contributed heavily in defence, got the feeling this was his kind of game by the way he threw himself around the breakdown.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Damien Chouly: 7 out of 10 It’s tough to fill in for a player such as Louis Picamoles, but Chouly came in and did an admirable job. The no. 8 was France’s go to ball carrier, leading the team in yards made, and made a nuisance of himself around Conor Murray, allowing the scrum half no time on the ball whatsoever.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings <b> Ireland: <b/> Rob Kearney: 7 out of 10 Didn’t have many chances to create attacks from the back, but offers much more reassurance at the back than Simon Zebo – safe as always under the high ball.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Andrew Trimble: 7 out of 10 Like last week, Trimble struggled to get involved in an attacking sense – but had several key moments in defence. The winger made tackle after tackle and prevented a certain try when he intercepted Plisson’s attempted pass to Bonneval, another impressive week for the winger.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jared Payne: 6 out of 10 Was very consistent and was Ireland’s main ball carrier in the midfield. The centre led the team in tackles, making 15, and had a solid if not spectacular day at the office.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Robbie Henshaw: 5 out of 10 As always Henshaw’s work rate was impressive, but a lot of simple mistakes crept into the centre’s game. He lept out of the defensive line for the French try and didn’t offer enough going forward to make up for the mistakes he had made.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Dave Kearney: 6 out of 10 Despite not lasting the first half, Kearney showed his pace by beating Medard on the outside and was generally solid in the time he was on the field.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jonathan Sexton: 7 out of 10 Sexton had another impressive game and showed off his full array of attributes, kicking very well in the opening half. The flyhalf was pulling the strings of the Irish backline but will feel that the weather didn’t help him or his colleagues.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Conor Murray: 6 out of 10 His box kicking was brilliant at times but he suffered when France began to get the upper hand at the breakdown. A typical performance from the scrum half who can be happy with his efforts overall.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jack McGrath: 6 out of 10 Like last week, McGrath got through a lot of work in the loose despite being a front row forward. However Joe Schmidt should have replaced the prop, as when Slimani and Ben Arous were introduced to the fold France began to dominate at scrum time.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Not the captain’s finest afternoon of action. He couldn’t find his man with a crucial lineout throw and was part of a front row that was at times decimated by their counter parts in the second half.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Nathan White: 6 out of 10 Like McGrath, White had a impressive first half of action but couldn’t match his impact in the second half. Made 10 tackles and showed himself to be a menace in the loose.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Devin Toner: 5 out of 10 He’s such a key part of Ireland’s lineout but today was marked by a number of errors that usually aren’t a part of his game.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Mike McCarthy: 7 out of 10 McCarthy was removed from action early due to a nasty head injury, but in the time he was on the second row was arguably Ireland’s best player. Constantly harassing ball carriers and ensuring that France had no easy ball at the breakdown.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Sean O’Brien: 5 out of 10 O’Brien also carried well while he was on the field but was removed early on due to another injury. Ireland will hope it’s not serious but it remains to be seen if he will feature again in this year’s tournament.
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France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings CJ Stander: 7 out of 10 Another impressive performance by Ireland’s newest flanker who carried well and was constantly working in defence. He always chooses such good running lines and has good pace for a man of such size and power.
France 10 Ireland 9 player ratings Jamie Heaslip: 6 out of 10 Heaslip was at the back of a pack that was more often than not on the backfoot. A typically hard working performance from the no. 8 but couldn’t get the ball in his hands very often and will look to improve on this for the next round.
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