DUBLIN — Ireland took a major step toward retaining its Six Nations title with a pulsating 19-9 victory over England Sunday to become the only side to win its opening three games. With both sides unbeaten going into a game billed as a potential title decider, Johnny Sexton kicked the host into a first half lead before an acrobatic Robbie Henshaw try sent Ireland travelling to Cardiff dreaming of a grand slam. Ireland, which equaled its longest ever winning stretch with a 10th successive victory, plays Wales in Cardiff March 14 before facing Scotland at Murrayfield a week later. “They're two huge games starting off with Wales in two weeks time,” the 21-year-old Henshaw said after scoring his first international try. Ireland bossed the game from the start and a turnover on George Ford within 30 seconds of kick off set the tone. Sexton kicked two early penalties and Ireland was unlucky not to come away with more when Rory Best was held up on the line. On Saturday, an awful France suffered its second defeat in three in this season's Six Nations as Wales rekindled its title hopes with a 20-13 win in Paris Saturday. The host, which still has to travel to Italy and England, lies fourth in the table behind third-placed Wales, which next hosts champion Ireland on March 14. “We were written off by a lot of people (after a 21-16 home defeat against England), and now we're back in contention,” Wales coach Warren Gatland told a news conference. “In terms of performance we were tough at the breakdown, we made things difficult for them. The better team deserved to win.” The visitors scored through Leigh Halfpenny's boot and Dan Biggar's try, while France's points came from Brice Dulin's try and the kicking of Camille Lopez, who otherwise struggled. “When your kicking success rate is 50 percent in an international game, it's tough to win,” said France coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who was testing his 15th starting halfback pairing since taking charge after the 2011 World Cup, lining up Morgan Parra alongside Lopez. In a game featuring two teams which have been struggling to play with width, the kickers took center stage. Wales lost its home opener to England but having edged out Scotland and now beaten France, it is back in the title battle with top two Ireland and England — both also on four points — meeting in Dublin Sunday. France though is surely out of contention on two. — Agencies
