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Publication Date<br />

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04-Feb-2018<br />

Schmidt warns Ireland after victory in France<br />

Yard Barker<br />

Click to open<br />

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt and Jonathan Sexton before the start of the Guinness<br />

Series International match between Ireland and Argentina, Dublin 2017<br />

4:46 PM ET<br />

Joe Schmidt has ordered Ireland not to rely on Johnny Sexton to dig them out of trouble<br />

again in the NatWest 6 Nations.<br />

Head coach Schmidt admitted he will drum home the message that Ireland cannot afford to<br />

let Test matches slip away, after Sexton's last-ditch drop-goal stole a 15-13 win over France<br />

in Paris.<br />

France caught Ireland cold with Teddy Thomas' converted try edging Les Bleus into a late<br />

13-12 lead, only for Sexton's added-time drop-goal to save the day.<br />

Ireland ploughed through close to 40 phases before Sexton dropped the winning goal, and<br />

while Schmidt hailed his talisman's nerves of steel, he conceded his side can ill afford to<br />

leave victories so late in future.<br />

"We can't leave matches in the balance," said Schmidt.<br />

"You've got to make the most of advantages and get the points you need.<br />

"One freakish event, and one freakishly good player in Thomas and his try can undo all that<br />

hard work.<br />

"That's something we're disappointed with and we've got to do something to make sure that<br />

doesn't happen next week, and for the following weeks of the championship.<br />

"When Johnny struck the drop-goal I was just willing it to have enough distance.<br />

"It looked it might, and when it did, as a coaching team we all stood up as one and probably<br />

cheered with the other Irish supporters who were in the stadium.<br />

"Maybe people underestimate how hard it is to come here and win."

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