The 2018 Six Nations is only one day old but its hard to imagine there could be any greater drama than what unfolded in the final minutes of a gripping encounter in Paris.
France held an unlikely lead thanks to a stunning solo try from Teddy Thomas on 71 minutes and it seemed that Ireland’s well credential Six Nations hopes could be dissipating in the fine Stade de France drizzle.
Indeed France replacement Anthony Belleau had a chance to put it out of Ireland’s reach with a well earned scrum penalty on 76 minutes but his shot from a very kickable position faded just to the left.
From the 22 restart Ireland needed to play two minutes of perfect rugby and they did just that. Sexton kicked to the left and it was well taken by Peter O’Mahony who set up the first ruck.
Teddy Thomas scores what looked like the match winning try.
45 phases and three minutes later, after Ireland had slowly worked their way down into the France half, Sexton dropped back for a 48-metre drop goal which floated just over the cross bar to give the Irish a famous victory.
The French players looked around in dis-belief, stunned that they had lost a match which they had done so much to win – and was taken away in the cruelest of fashions.
The most telling moment in the final drive came after 20 phases when Sexton, audaciously kicked cross field to winger Keith Earls.
Time was up on the clock, the margin for error was high, but Sexton had the courage to pick out the Munster man who flew high to safely secure the ball then set up the momentum to get the flyhalf into the drop goal zone.
It was still a long way out for Sexton but the Leinster playmaker piloted it home with his right boot.
Sexton is mobbed by teammates after his winning drop goal.
After a most extraordinary finish Ireland leave Paris with the points but France got a much needed confidence boost after their heart breaking loss to the Six Nations co-favourites.
After the debacle that was the Guy Noves era France showed spirit and no little organisation in a match they so easily could have won.
There was much to like about France with their scrum performing well against a formidable Ireland pack and their defence and work at the breakdown far more committed than in recent seasons.
Its clear Jacques Brunel has got them playing with some Gallic passion – at last.
