And so it begins..

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As Mick said earlier, “L’Instant de la vérité arrive…” Fingers, and everything else, crossed then. Have to say, though, the French team win the pre-match singing contest.. Allez les verts! Le crunch game begins. Half-time France 12 – 3 Ireland, four penalties for France and a drop goal by O’Gara. Tense isn’t the word, and mistakes on both sides, but the ill-disciplined play by Ireland has been the main difference so far. Full-Time France 25 – 3 Ireland. Really, what is there to say. A touch of brilliance from Michalak brought the first French try in the 59th minute and the sin-binning of O’Connell, deservedly so, in the 62nd sealed it. In truth, France deserved the win. Only the Argentinians to go.. and Ireland need to get a bonus point there, and hold out the Pumas, for a game in the next round.. against New Zealand. I’m going outside.. I may be some time..

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