France underlined their status as Six Nations favourites but had to hold on for a 30-24 win over Ireland at the Stade de France on Saturday having scored their first try after 70 seconds.
It was a second home win in a row for France, who beat Italy last Sunday, and are now the only side who can complete this season’s Grand Slam.
France scored tries through captain Antoine du Pont and loosehead Cyrille Baille while fullback Melvyn Jaminet kicked six penalties and a conversion.
France secured a thrilling 30-24 victory over Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday at the Stade de France in Paris
Making it two victories from their first two matches, France cemented themselves as Six Nations favourites
Mack Hansen, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park were Ireland’s try scorers with Joey Carberry converting all three and slotting over a late penalty.
The clash was billed as a potential early title decider and had a high tempo with plenty of Gallic flair and a never-say-die attitude from the Irish.
France opened the scoring inside the first two minutes on Saturday afternoon with Antoine du Pont touching down
It looked early on, however, as if France might run away with it. Dupont crashed over in the second minute after halfback Romain Ntamack’s clever half step and inside pass allowed the skipper to get the game off to a fiery start.
Jaminet extended the lead to 10-0 in the seventh minute but from the kick off after his successful first penalty, Irish wing Hansen plucked the ball out of the air to go over for a try that caught the French cold.
Jaminet then kicked over three more penalties for a 19-7 halftime lead and another soon after the break to extend it further.
Ireland began an impressive comeback when Van der Flier went over from a line-out five minutes into the second half and, five minutes later, scrum-half Gibson-Park broke off the loose scrum and darted to the line after spotting a hole in the French defence.
Conversions from Carberry, who was starting his first Six Nations match in place of the injured Johnny Sexton, brought the score back to 22-21.
Ireland’s Jamison Gibson Park broke free from Julien Marchand to score a try for the visitors but it wasn’t enough
Cyril Baille ensured France secured their second victory of the Six Nations with a try in Paris in a scintillating encounter
But France were quick to re-establish a buffer with Uini Atonio’s push to the line setting up a try for his fellow front-rower Baille.
Ireland elected to go for posts with a penalty seven minutes from time to make it 27-24, but they might have been more ambitious and kicked for a line-out and maul opportunity.
France’s victory was confirmed by a late Jaminet penalty, after he had crossed over the line but had his own try ruled out when referee Angus Gardner determined it had been held up.
Melvyn Jaminet’s late penalty ensured Les Bleus took all the points at the Stade de France as they eye the Grand Slam
Ireland gave it their all and looked dejected at the end, but it wasn’t enough as the the hosts ran out worth winners in the end
France are now in the driving seat in the competition as they seek a first title since 2010.
Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Hansen; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan (c), Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, O’Mahony, Murray, Carty, Henshaw.
France: Jaminet; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos.
