Ireland Handed World Cup Boost With Win Over Hosts
It was billed as the battle of the heavyweights and the match certainly did not disappoint as Ireland secured a memorable Six Nations win over reigning champions France in Dublin.
With the World Cup on French soil later this year, the win over Les Blues will have given head coach Andy Farrell and his side a huge boost in confidence ahead of the major tournament in September.
Ireland Put French To The Sword
It was a Six Nations classic that went down at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, as Ireland showed they can be the top dogs in the northern hemisphere with a 32-19 victory over France. Ireland showed composure and intent in attack and defence throughout the contest to secure the win. This has resulted in them being priced at odds of 1/5 in the outright markets, for those betting on Six Nations, to win the tournament this year.
Having already earned a 34-10 victory in Wales in the opening week of the competition, after the win over France, Ireland is available at odds of 8/13 here to secure the Grand Slam. With two bonus-point wins in the bag in the first two rounds of the tournament, it was the perfect start for Farrell and his side.
It was not just the result but the manner of the performance against France that will have had the wider world of international rugby taking note. Les Bleus were expected to bring their physical edge to the contest and their flair out in the wide channels. While there was the flair at times, it was Ireland’s ability to handle, and at many times dominate, the collisions that were so impressive. With the World Cup fast approaching, it was a real statement performance from Ireland ahead of the biggest challenge to come on French soil.
Experience Key For World Cup Success
There is growing excitement about what Ireland might be able to achieve at this World Cup, with the men in green set to kick-start their tournament in Pool B against Romania in Bordeaux on September 9. Ireland has been talked up in the past but time and time again they have fallen short of getting past the quarter-finals.
Something does feel different about Ireland going into this tournament, however. A series win down in New Zealand last summer was a seismic achievement, which was followed by a positive Autumn Series with wins over South Africa and Australia. Ireland has shown over the last year they are capable of beating any side on their day and the victory over France in Dublin was further proof of that.
Ireland doesn’t have an easy path to the later stages of the World Cup, as they will likely face New Zealand or France if they do finish in the top two in Pool B. However, there is growing confidence in the Ireland camp and one that has solid foundations in the results they have produced on the field. If the momentum continues, the anticipation will grow on what Ireland can achieve in France later this year.
