France scored a historic victory over Ireland in the Rugby League triangular tournament international at a cold but warmly attended Tolka Park last night. It was the first such international played on Irish soil but whether it will be remembered as the occasion that the league code took a grip on the Irish sporting public remains to be seen.
With the outcome of the game still in the balance right up to the final minute, there was certainly plenty of interest in both the strategy of play and the level of commitment from the Irish side, even if the names were about as unfamiliar as the French.
The crowd of just over 1,500 was no more than the promoters had expected and for the most part they were provided with an entertaining if not unusual spectacle.
France provided the first excitement when they claimed the opening try after six minutes. Gilles Gironella kicked forward on the last of six possessions and the ball bounced back to Jean Marc Garcia who dived over.
It took nearly 15 minutes for Ireland to respond when Shaun Edwards revealed why he is one of the most decorated players in rugby league history. The former British international took a sweeping pass from Richard Smith and created a huge gap for himself to run over the four points. Tommy Martyn converted but minutes later France were six up again from the hands of Gael Tallec and the boot of Banquet.
Smith brought Ireland back to 14-10 at the break before Edwards pulled off the most memorable move of the game with a textbook solo effort that left Ireland 16-14 in front.
The flow of play became somewhat monotonous at this stage as France made great efforts to move forward, then unwittingly surrendered possession to allow Ireland apply the pressure at the other end.
It was Martin Crompton who broke the deadlock and looked to have sealed it for Ireland with a superb solo try on 65 minutes, converted admirably by Martyn.
Unfortunately for the home side, full-back Banquet broke free for a corner try right on the final hooter. His own conversion ensured the two-point victory and left an air of silent disappointed over Tolka Park.
"It is obviously a great disappointment to loose in the last minute but I don't think anybody could argue with the level of play out there," said Irish coach Steve O'Neill.
Ireland: S Prescott, B Carney, M Forster, T Martyn (3 cons), L Child, R Smith (try), S Edwards (2 tries), N Harmon, J Lawless, B McDermott, M Cassidy, I Pickavance, M Crompton (try). Inter-change subs: I Grey, C Eccles, S Cleary, A Burgess.
France: F Banquet (try, 3 cons, pen), P Benausse, E Vergniol, A Dulac, G Gironella, JM Garcia (try), F Devecchi, J Sands, V Wulf, J Guisset, R Sort, G Tallec (try), P Jampy. Inter- change subs: C Sirvent (try), V Bloomfield, A Elkhalouki, F Teixido.
