Ireland book Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina after victory over France
Last Updated: 11/10/15 11:23pm
Ireland set up a World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina with a 24-9 victory over France in Cardiff, finishing top of Group D in the process.
It was far from plain sailing for the men in green, however, as they lost influential captain Paul O'Connell and playmaker Jonny Sexton to first-half injuries.
Flanker Peter O'Mahony also departed on a stretcher, while Keith Earls also hobbled off in a testing match for the Irish.
Rob Kearney and Conor Murray scored two second-half tries in a pulsating contest at the Millennium Stadium, while Ian Madigan kicked eight points and Sexton six.
France's Pascal Pape fell to the ground in a heap in the early stages of the game, after what replays suggested may have been a deliberate punch from Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien.
Frederic Michalak and Scott Spedding both missed penalties for France in the opening 10 minutes, Spedding's effort coming back off the post, but when Ireland's Sexton was handed an opportunity from the tee he made no mistake.
Michalak was more precise in open play, dancing his way through the Irish backline, before Spedding drew France level with a driving kick from halfway.
Ireland, however, were enjoying the ascendancy at the breakdown early on and while Sexton struck the post with a drop-goal attempt, play was brought back for the French failing to roll away, and he slotted the penalty for a 6-3 lead.
A grab round the neck from O'Mahony on French hooker Guilhem Guirado allowed Spedding to restore parity again with a penalty, before Sexton was hit with a thumping tackle from Louis Picamoles.
It was the second hit Sexton had absorbed in quick succession and it proved too much for the influential No 10, who had to replaced by Madigan after 25 minutes.
Sexton's departure dealt a huge blow to Irish hopes but Madigan showed few signs of nerves, slotting home a penalty to put his side back into the lead.
Ireland should have extended their advantage before half-time as Tommy Bowe burst through the French line but as he played what looked like a try-making pass, Earls spilled the ball with the line at his mercy.
France finished the half the stronger and Ireland had another injury concern on the stroke of half-time as O'Connell had to be carried off on a stretcher.
With the players already down the tunnel, O'Connell, after punching the turf in frustration, left the field on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask and to a standing ovation from the Irish fans, who must have wondered if they would see their captain again in this tournament.
Ireland stormed out of the blocks after the restart, however, as Robbie Henshaw raced past Mathieu Bastareaud in midfield before freeing Bowe and then Kearney out wide.
France recovered to force the ball into touch but their resistance was short-lived as Kearney crashed through Michalak from close range to touch down the opening try.
Madigan sent the conversion wide and, as the game approached the hour-mark, O'Mahony was the latest Irish casualty, going off on a stretcher after a robust Pape tackle.
France piled forward in search of a try to level the match but Ireland defended their line resolutely before hitting their opponents with a score of their own in the 72nd minute.
Devin Toner made the initial break and while hooker Rory Best was denied on the line, Murray slammed the ball against the base of the post to put the result beyond doubt.
Madigan added the extras and then kicked a penalty with four minutes to play as Ireland sealed a gutsy win in the face of steepest adversity.
