Clerc scores hat-trick in French win over Ireland

By James Mackenzie

PARIS (Reuters) - Three tries from wing Vincent Clerc were just enough to allow France to cling on for a 26-21 victory after a late fightback from Ireland in their Six Nations match at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Clerc, left out of the original starting lineup after scoring twice against Scotland last weekend, scored his hat-trick in the first half, putting France 19-6 ahead at the break.

Fullback Cedric Heymans burst through for a fourth try shortly after the restart, apparently leaving the home side cruising to victory.

Ireland, kept in touch by the boot of flyhalf Ronan O'Gara, came out with fresh determination and forced a penalty try that their number 10 converted.

They followed up with a try by flanker David Wallace and kept up sustained pressure on the French line.

France coach Marc Lievremont had announced a reshuffled team after last week's 27-6 win over Scotland at Murrayfield but stuck to the same attacking philosophy he has been trying to instil after France's disappointing World Cup.

After a bright 15 minute opening, in which both sides threw the ball wide and came close to the opposition line, Clerc opened the scoring, chasing down a kick by scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissade after France won a turnover.

Ireland responded two minutes later with a penalty from O'Gara, only for Clerc to strike again immediately from almost the same spot as his first try, this time picking up a short pass from flyhalf David Skrela to touch down unopposed near the corner flag.