Ireland 13 France 13: Reddan’s unlucky break adds to Irish misfortune as France rally

Reddan fell awkwardly beneath a tackle in the final minute of a compelling match at the Aviva Stadium and was administered oxygen before being carried off.

Ireland’s injury-depleted ranks were swelled even further by a number of other casualties with lock Donnacha Ryan damaging his shoulder and centre Luke Marshall sustaining concussion.

Both are doubts to face Italy on Saturday, while flanker Peter O’Mahony, scrum-half Conor Murray, centre Brian O’Driscoll and wing Fergus McFadden also picked up a variety of knocks.

Already missing were lock Paul O’Connell, wings Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy, centre Gordon D’Arcy, flanker Stephen Ferris and fly-half Jonathan Sexton.

Head coach Declan Kidney, however, refused to complain about Ireland’s misfortune.

“We took a conscious decision that we wouldn’t complain about things. Other people are worse off than we are, plus it’s such an insult to the lads coming on and having a huge go,” said Kidney.

“We’re frustrated but there are lads coming in who have no experience at this level under their belts and are doing such a good job for us.

“On any given day, Paul O’Connell, Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris and Jonathan Sexton would be in the running for a Lions spot.

“I’ve never experienced an injury run like this but you work your way through and I spoke to (captain) Jamie Heaslip about it and we agreed not complain.”

For the third successive match of the championship Ireland let victory slip from their grasp, this time having led France 13-3 at the interval.

They had delivered a tactical master-class amid dismal conditions for the opening 50 minutes with the impressive Paddy Jackson kicking eight points and Heaslip crossing for a pushover try.

But France struck back in the final 15 minutes through a try from Louis Picamoles, converted by Frederic Michalak, to set up a nerve-shredding finish notable for Vincent Debarty’s controversial nudge on Keith Earls.

Debarty connected with Earls as the Munster wing chased a kick over the line giving Picamoles the chance to touch down.

“The players have taken everything that’s been thrown at them and just got on with it,” added Kidney.

“So to put our foot forward like that and be creating in the way we are doing actually adds to the frustration.

“The players are down, but that’s the measure of how much they push themselves and why I stand by them so much.

“In another time, the team would be so much stronger for what’s happening at the moment.”

Frustrated Heaslip added: “The feeling that this was a match we could have won has been there for the last three games.”