France took charge of the Six Nations title race in sensational style as they produced an outstanding performance to dash Ireland’s grand slam dreams with a 42-27 thrashing.
The hosts’ hopes of an historic championship three-peat were left in tatters by a damaging defeat in Dublin, with Les Bleus surging clear in the second half despite losing star scrum half, and captain, Antoine Dupont to injury. The rapid Louis Bielle-Biarrey starred with a couple of scores while the impact of a bench full of behemoths proved decisive for Fabien Galthie’s side as they turned the screw in a remarkable victory.
