D'Arcy is mobbed by his team mates after scoring a crucial try against France at Croke Park © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Gordon D'Arcy

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: Ireland

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy was delighted to be able to draw a line under a difficult year with a try in his side's 30-21 Six Nations victory over France

D'Arcy made a headline-grabbing return to the international stage in Ireland's Six Nations opener after battling back from a broken arm suffered in the opening match of last year's Championship. The Leinster stalwart's playing comeback was delayed by complications but he announced his return by grabbing the decisive score at Croke Park before being mobbed by his team mates.

"There was absolute elation when I scored," said the Lions midfielder, who started the match on the bench. When you have had a period that has not gone your way then when you do get a break and things do start happening for you, you have to embrace them and enjoy them as well."

D'Arcy came on as a blood replacement for inside centre Paddy Wallace in the first half and then emerged as a permanent substitution in the 63rd minute. Three minutes later he scored.

"(Coach) Declan Kidney put a lot on the line by selecting me because I've not played much rugby," said D'Arcy. "Rugby is all about chances and need to take them when you get them because they can pass you by.

"Look at Rob Kearney - he took his chance last year and look what a player he is now. I can only take the chances that are in front of me. There are no guarantees. Paddy played absolutely fantastically until he got a knock on the head. So whatever happens I'm happy with my progress from a long injury.

"I'm not taking anything for granted and just enjoying every game as it comes."

D'Arcy jinked his way over from eight yards out for the score that ultimately ended France's fightback.

"We had done a bit of homework on them and in their 22 we wanted to suck them in," he said. "I managed to get a one on one with a forward and I think the big thing is that we converted the try because we had about six or seven phases before that.

"That's the kind of stuff in the last 18 months that we have not put away. I don't get many tries. I've not scored that many in the last two years so it was nice to get."

The victory has significantly shortened Ireland's odds of winning the Six Nations but D'Arcy refuses to get carried away. "It was great to win against France but there is still a lot to go in the performance factor," he said.