Sporting Advent Calendar #16: Dramatic thriller in Paris seals Six Nations title

March 15th 2014 – Stade de France, Paris.

The wonder is when not if it will happen. Ireland lead 22-20 as the seconds tick away. Not again. France refuse to believe Ireland can beat them in Paris.

Even the Kiwis fear them, calling it “pass and catch rugby that flows and amazes.” It was only a matter of time before we see it. La Marseillaise reverberates around the stadium, drowning nervy Irish voices.

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Paul O’Connell helps Sebastien Vahaamahina to his feet after the game. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Seventy-seven minutes played and Guilhem Guirado forces a turnover off the exhausting 18th Irish phase. Brice Dulin misses touch, Rob Kearney’s returning garryowen skewers off his boot and lands in the grasp of Mathieu Bastareaud.

Brian O’Driscoll puts in his final tackle for his country, smashing Remi Tales but France are playing from childhood memory. Catch and pass. The gallop of Maxime Mermoz seizes every Irish heart before Maxime Medard reverses play. Catch and pass that flows and amazes.

Jamie Heaslip stops him five metres out.

Not to Ireland, not in Paris. All memory. Jean-Marc Doussain to Dulin who flings a double skip pass to Tales who goes wider still to Yohann Huget. O’Driscoll goes for broke but Huget catches and passes to Debaty. The prop fecks it forward to Damien Chouly who crosses Ireland’s line.

Steve Walsh made a wee mistake at Croke Park in 2007, immediately apologising for not allowing Geordan Murphy sprint the length of the field after a French knock on went to ground. This time the referee takes a solid look at the big screen before awarding an Irish scrum.

72 seconds to go. France knew they would get it back. Not to Ireland, not in Paris. They destroy the green scrum but Iain Henderson envelopes Doussain.

Last play. Sebastien Vahaamahina, the biggest French player, is met by Chris Henry and Devin Toner. They wrap him and stand tall. Of course Paul O'Connell arrives.

“Maul,” says Walsh. No sleep in Paris this night.