JUBILANT Andy Farrell pointed to the character of his Ireland side after a famous victory over the defending Six Nations champions at the Aviva Stadium.
The Dublin clash was the first ever meeting of the world's number one and two ranked teams go head to head in the championship.
It certainly didn't disappoint - particularly in a helter-skelter, breathless first half - but only one team deserved to win and Ireland retained their top rank on the back of a four tries to one triumph.
READ MORE: Johnny Sexton pays tribute to 'unbelievable' Conor Murray after emotional week
Ireland's 13th home triumph on the spin makes them hot favourites to win only a fourth Grand Slam - and also puts down a psychological marker against the French as the rivals could meet in the World Cup quarter-finals in October.
Asked later what enabled Ireland to be the dominant force in a pulsating clash, head coach Farrell said: "The character more than anything.
"We talk about the big picture stuff, the fight, the want to cover each others' back.
"To show the togetherness, the spirit that we know we've got - and to show it to everyone else in world rugby, it was there to be seen.
"We could talk for hours in that regard about instances - of people coming back and putting in performances like that when the chips are really down in big games. It shows a lot of character."
France had won a record 14 games on the spin prior to this second round encounter but although Thomas Ramos kicked them ahead with an early penalty, they conceded three first half tries.
Outstanding full-back Hugo Keenan drew first blood off prop Finlay Bealham's mesmerising pass, but Les Bleus responded in typical fashion on the counter.
Johnny Sexton couldn't catch Gregory Alldritt and flying winger Damian Penaud took over to scorem with Ramos adding the extras.
Ireland's response was spectacular as winger James Lowe conjured up the score of the match, somehow touching down in the corner as he was being tackled over the touchline by French winger Damian Penaud.
“It was an incredible finish," gushed skipper Sexton. "To jump at the right time and keep the ball under control, it’s world class.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen James practise them but then lots of things come naturally to him. I love playing with him because he’s a phenomenal player and the energy he brings.”
French prop Uini Atonio was fortunate that Wayne Barnes showed him a yellow rather than a red card for a shoulder to head tackle on Rob Herring that ended the Ireland hooker's involvement.
But Andrew Porter then muscled over for Ireland's third try and a 19-16 half-time lead.
The second half was more of a chess game and, when Sexton had to go off in the 48th minute with a groin injury, his Leinster colleague Ross Byrne had to step up.
The 27-year-old did so successfully and the home side successfully kept France under wraps.
And, in the 72nd minute, man of the match Caelan Doris produced a sublime assist before Garry Ringrose left three defenders in his wake to secure the winning bonus point.
This was a massive win for Ireland in the circumstances - they also lost Tadhg Beirne to injury before Sexton's withdrawal, and were already without first choice players Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan and Robbie Henshaw.
Farrell, however, welcomed the opportunity for other players to seize the opportunity presented and it has worked out after wins against Wales and France with Italy in Rome up next on Sunday week.
He said: "I remember in Portugal (on Ireland's recent warm weather camp), we got up to speed that first week and we had a training session - 15 v 15 - and the team was already picked.
"Johnny got the lads in after the session, said 'You wouldn't know which was the Irish team that was playing at the weekend'.
"That's where we're at. Therefore, the belief is real.
"You actually get to a point when you're pleased that people get the opportunity to see where they're at.
"That's the stage we're at, we're trying to find out about each other.
"There's a few injuries, a few people pulled out but at the same time look at the strength of the bench coming on today.
"It's a mark of where we're at as a group."
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