stephen ferris  France still can't stop Stephen Ferris despite
ripping the shirt off his back  By Claire Glancy  HAVING waited
three weeks to get this game underway, no one playing or
watching on Sunday wanted to hear the final whistle at the Stade
de France – at least not until someone got that decisive last
score. Of course given that Ireland were under the most pressure
and in the final play of the game it was their scramble defence
that saved them from another defeat in Paris, perhaps in
hindsight they will be grateful for the referee’s whistle.
Afterwards both teams talked about the disappointment. For
Ireland to have taken an 11-point lead into the break and then
have a barren second-half, it’s understandable they feel a
golden opportunity went to waste. France were frustrated that
having fought back that they could not finish the job.  The
first half was relatively even in terms of territory and
possession but Ireland, well-structured in attack, executed
their game plan almost perfectly. Buoyed with c