|  Wys³any: 2019-07-23 03:44:06 Temat postu: giving centre Brian ODriscoll the perfect send-off in his
PARIS -- Ireland held on grimly in a nail-biting finish to beat France 22-20 and win its first Six Nations since 2009, giving centre Brian ODriscoll the perfect send-off in his last test on Saturday. With just over a minute remaining, ODriscolls and Irish hearts sank when France No. 8 Damien Chouly scored in the right corner, but the try was disallowed for a forward pass from captain Pascal Pape. "Im over the moon, very happy for the lads and obviously very happy for Brian in his last international," Ireland captain Paul OConnell said. "Historically, this is always our toughest Six Nations with England away from home and France away from home, so to win the championship with these two fixtures is a great success." Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton scored two tries among a personal 17 points to steal the limelight in ODriscolls world-record 141st and final test. Right winger Andrew Trimble got Irelands other try. "There is where it all began and to finish with a medal around my neck 15 years later is incredible," said ODriscoll, who was still in his jersey at the news conference. "Its been a fantastic Six Nations for us. Ive enjoyed every second. I dont really want to take this jersey off yet." Irelands last win in Paris was in 2000, when ODriscoll, nine months into his great career, scored a hat trick of tries and made his name. "I dont think anybody will step into Brians shoes," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. "Theyre rather big, but hopefully they can grow into them." Irelands title was only its second in 29 years, and relegated England to second for a third straight year. England beat Italy 52-11 in Rome earlier, forcing Ireland and France, a long shot for the title, to win or miss out. France finished fourth, Wales rising to third with a 51-3 defeat of Scotland. France, after an indifferent campaign, came to the party with all guns loaded and produced the games highlight moment, its first try to fullback Brice Dulin. There was a controversial second try from hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, who knocked on before scoring against the post. "Of course its frustrating to finish fourth," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said. "You cant say our players cant play rugby and that they dont have any desire. We showed enormous ambition to play good rugby. The highest level is very cruel and you have to congratulate Ireland and ODriscoll." France missed chances in the last 10 minutes to take the lead, when replacement scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussains penalty drifted wide and the disallowed try. "I would have liked to have closed it out a lot better than we did," OConnell said. "Ive been coming to Paris since I was 22, its a very tough place to win. Ive never won here before. In my year as captain, at 34 and in Brians last cap, it really is an incredible feeling." ODriscoll kissed the Six Nations trophy before OConnell raised it aloft, sending Irelands large contingent of fans into delirium again. "I tried to channel the emotions into the performance. You cant allow the occasion to get the better of you," ODriscoll said. "You have to try and make sure youre a cog in the wheel of the team. The emotions come after and they did, and Im sure therell be a few tears later on with multiple beers on board. But its a wonderful way to finish." Early momentum, especially from centre Mathieu Bastareaud, was with France for a 6-0 lead. Sextons first try cut the lead to one, and soon after, scrumhalf Conor Murrays clever footwork and pass released Trimble for a try and 12-6. Stung back into action, the French pack took control. With blood pouring from a cut under his right eye, Szarzewski gained ground and flyhalf Remi Tales lofted a pin-point cross-kick to the right corner, where winger Yoann Huget brilliantly palmed it down to Dulin, who scored. It was Frances best move of the tournament. Sexton missed a penalty, the last act of the half, to allow France to go into the interval 13-12 ahead but without prop Nicolas Mas, who trudged off with his right arm in a sling. In the second half, Trimbles superb run down the right almost earned the supporting ODriscoll a try. Ireland recycled, and Murray sent Sexton over for the seven-pointer. Another penalty from Sexton made it 22-13. But France wasnt finished. Just after the hour mark, Szarzewskis try that really wasnt cut the margin to two. The Irish resisted the final French onslaught to send ODriscoll into a happy international retirement "Not many people get to finish their career on their own terms and with high emotions," ODriscoll said. 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With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line. Odell Beckham Jr Womens Jersey . - Loosening up for their first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins high-stepped sideways up and down the field while House of Pains song "Jump Around" blared on the loudspeakers.Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Johnny Gaudreau scored the deciding goal as the Calgary Flames used three third-period tallies to fuel a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday. Sean Monahan and Gaudreau each tallied a goal and an assist, while TJ Brodie and Jiri Hudler also scored for the Flames, who rebounded from a 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal on Tuesday. Tonight was a great job by our guys. Its about momentum, Flames head coach Bob Hartley said. Whenever you can control the puck, that is the best defense. You make plays, youre creative. We encourage everyone on the team to play like this. Jonas Hiller turned aside 28 shots in the win. James Neal led the Predators with two goals, Craig Smith also lit the lamp and Pekka Rinne stopped 26-of-30 shots in defeat. Calgary came out strong, they capitalized on a couple plays, said Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette. Johnny Gaudreau was good during the third period. He was dangerous with the puck making things happen. Less than three minutes into the final stanza, Hudler tied the game at 2-2 after taking a slick pass down low from Markus Granlund and depositing the puck into an empty net. After Mattias Ekholm went off for tripping, Monahan sent a cross-ice pass to Brodie, who fired a low shot off Shea Webers skate and past Rinne for a 3-2 lead at 4:233.dddddddddddd Gaudreau drove down the left side and fired a shot off Ryan Ellis to beat Rinne short side just over two minutes later. Neal skated into the right circle, found a lane, and beat Hiller with a wrister on the power play to get the Predators within a goal with just over nine minutes to play. Nashville pulled Rinne late, but were unable to force an extra session. Roman Josis laser from the left point hit the crossbar and stayed out 3:40 into the second period. Colin Wilson went off for goaltender interference on the play. The Flames took advantage of the penalty and made it a 1-0 game less than a minute later. Dennis Wideman drilled a shot from the top of the right circle and Monahan was at the doorstep to knock in the rebound. Ellis fired a low shot from the point and Smith hammered home a rebound of his own for a tie game 1:07 later. Neals wrister off the draw found twine to give Nashville a 2-1 lead with 8:51 remaining in the stanza. Game Notes Flames forward Michael Ferland made his NHL debut, but left after taking a hit up high from Anton Volchenkov late in the second period ... Hiller is 4-0-1 in his last five starts ... Calgary also defeated Nashville on Oct. 14 by a 3-2 score in the shootout ... The Predators edged the Flames in shots, 31-30. ' ' ' |
giving centre Brian ODriscoll the perfect send-off in his
