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Ireland's Grand Slam dreams are over, blown to smithereens by a ruthless and emphatic France, who now look destined to win the Guinness Six Nations title.

Not even the loss of Antoine Dupont on 26 minutes could stop Fabien Galthie’s side, who destroyed Ireland in the third quarter with 24 points in the space of 16 minutes, and eventually sauntered to a 42-27 win.

The France scrum-half was carried from the pitch just over a quarter into the game with what looked like a potentially serious knee injury, and a potentially game-changing moment, particularly with France’s risky 7:1 bench split.

But while Ireland briefly wrested control of the game with a pair of Sam Prendergast penalties and a try just after half-time by Dan Sheehan, the home side had no match for the pace and skill of Louis Bielle-Biarray – who crossed for two tries, as well as the sheer physicality of France’s ball-carriers.

While Ireland lost James Lowe in the warm-up to a back spasm, that single change couldn't have made up the difference between these sides, which was summed up in the final 10 minutes as Thomas Ramos intercepted a Sam Prendergast pass to play in Damian Penaud for his side’s fifth and final try.

TRY FRANCE
76mins IRE 13-42 FRA
France go the length of the pitch as Damian Penaud goes over for his side's fifth try of the game to complete a dominant victory.