Watch Ireland Vs France highlights as Les Bleus won in Dublin to take control of the Six Nations title race heading into the final weekend.
France took a massive step towards this year’s Six Nations as they took apart Ireland at the Aviva Stadium to end any chance of an Irish Grand Slam.
Fabien Galthie’s side were under immense pressure early on, and lost superstar captain Antoine Dupont to a season-ending knee injury in the first half.
But four French tries after the break secured a bonus-point win for the visitors and moved them two points ahead of Ireland in the table.
Electric winger Louis Biella-Biarrey scored another two tries to equal the Six Nations record for a single tournament – with one game still to go.
Paul Boudehent and Oscar Jegou also got on the scoresheet before Damian Penaud raced away following an interception from Thomas Ramos on the French line.
Penaude’s try means he is now level with Serge Blanco’s all-time record of 38 tries for France, with the 28-year-old still in the prime of his career and likely to set a huge tally.
With 17 tries in 18 caps, Bielle-Biarrey could well catch Penaud too if the 21-year-old keeps up his incredible form.
Ireland did have their say in Saturday’s match, though. Dan Sheehan had put them 13-8 up just after half time, but yellow cards for Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash gave the French a numerical advantage.
And an emphatic second-half display from Les Bleus meant they go into the final round of fixtures knowing a win against Scotland will almost certainly guarantee them the title.
Watch: Ireland Vs France Highlights
Elsewhere, England beat Italy 47-24 to leapfrog Ireland into second place.
As a result of France’s vastly superior points difference, any French win against Scotland should be enough for the title.
But if France fail to beat Scotland, an English win against Wales in Cardiff could see the trophy head to Twickenham.
For Ireland, they can still win a record third straight Six Nations crown, but would need to beat Italy with a bonus point and hope both France and England lose on Super Saturday.
