Ireland have beaten France 32-19 in a pulsating encounter as the Six Nations clash between the two top-ranked nations in the world more than lived up to the billing.
The two nations traded scores in a breath-taking first half that saw France's Uini Atonio sinbinned as well as France's Damian Penaud and Ireland's James Lowe scoring sublime tries, with Ireland going in at the break 22-16 up. With the pace of the game starting to take its toll in the second half - as Ireland lost Tadhg Beirne and captain Johnny Sexton to injury - the level of scoring slowed down. Considering how the opening half had played out that felt inevitable.
But the volume inside the Aviva Stadium ramped up again as Gary Ringrose secured a bonus point try within the final 10 minutes to ensure Ireland's Grand Slam hopes were well and truly on. Their impressive victory secured their 13th win in a row at home - their best run ever - and they ended France's own 14-game unbeaten run in the process.
