Six Nations: Gutsy Sexton is too much for France

Ireland's skipper Jared Payne is held up by Morgan Parra and Thierry Dusautoir. Photo / Getty Images

Jonathan Sexton dusted off the cobwebs and another concussion scare to prove Ireland's match-winner against France again.

On his return from an enforced 12-week break due to repeated concussions, Ireland's gutsy first five-eighth kicked 15 points in a man-of-the-match display which set up a mouth-watering clash against England here in Dublin on March 1 between the two unbeaten sides in the Six Nations.

Yet the spectre of head injuries again loomed in the Championship following a series of blows here, not least to Sexton. His face was smeared with blood and he was clearly unsteady on his feet after a gruesome clash of heads with France centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

Both were forced off for assessment for concussion and returned 10 minutes later, with Sexton, sporting stitches, kicking a further penalty that kept Ireland out of reach despite France lock Romain Taofifenua scoring the game's only try.

When France unleashed their 120kg wrecking ball Bastareaud at No10, Ireland knew it was coming and after Sexton bore the brunt, Tommy Bowe and Robbie Henshaw were in close support to drive the Frenchman on to his heels and win a scrum. It set the tone for the rest of the game.

Thierry Dusautoir saw his "try" ruled out for obstruction from a line-out on 29 minutes. It was the closest either side came to a try in the first half in which Sexton out-kicked Lopez 12 points to 6.

It took just five minutes of the second half for Sexton and Bastareaud to come face to face, literally, again. Sexton's kick and catch sparked a promising Irish attack as Jared Payne, Best and Heaslip tore forward. Conor Murray looked wide, where Sexton was clattered by the French centre. The clash of heads made all 54,500 inside the Aviva Stadium wince, and left both players' faces badly cut. Ireland's players took objection, but there was no malice in the collision.

Ian Madigan took over while Sexton underwent treatment, and nudged Ireland further ahead with a penalty before France lock Pascal Pape was binned for striking Heaslip in the back with his knee.

Philippe Saint-Andre cancelled out Ireland's advantage in the scrum by changing his entire front row to survive the 10-minute spell unscathed and with a numerical advantage after Best was shown a yellow card for tripping.

Ireland 18
France 11

- Independent