Ireland kept alive their Six Nations title hopes with a bonus-point victory over France in Dublin on Sunday.
Ireland's blistering start was rewarded with an early try, captain Rory Best ploughing over after a penalty lineout and Johnny Sexton converting for a 7-0 lead.
But the hosts were frustrated thereafter, failing to turn their dominance into points as the blue wall stood firm for much of the first half.
Eventually all that pressure told, with Sexton ghosting home on a simple midfield wraparound ploy. The Leinster stalwart's conversion doubled Ireland's lead to 14-0 on the half-hour.
Ireland so nearly bagged a quick-fire third, but the outstanding Garry Ringrose just knocked on in the act of sliding for the line after a stunning high-ball field.
Again the relentless Irish pressed, punishing France's slack alignment in the field's central third, and this time Jack Conan stole over on the right.
Keith Earls then secured the bonus point with a clever fourth before two late French tries put the visitors on the board.
Yoann Huget romped in for their first try before Camille Chat capped a driving maul.
Keep up to date with all the Six Nations fixtures, latest results and standings with Standard Sport...
Six Nations table
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | PF | PA | PD | Bonus | PTS |
| 1 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 58 | 31 | 0 | 16 |
| 2 | England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 146 | 63 | 83 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 94 | 75 | 19 | 2 | 14 |
| 4 | Scotland | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 67 | 87 | -20 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | France | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 104 | -36 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Italy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 65 | 142 | -77 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures and results
Matchday one
| France 19-24 Wales | Stade de France | Friday 1 February | 8:00pm GMT |
| Scotland 33-20 Italy | Murrayfield | Saturday 2 February | 2:15pm GMT |
| Ireland 20-32 England | Aviva Stadium | Saturday 2 February | 4:45pm GMT |
Matchday two
| Scotland 13-22 Ireland | Murrayfield | Saturday 9 February | 2:15pm GMT |
| Italy 15-26 Wales | Stadio Olimpico | Saturday 9 February | 4:45pm GMT |
| England 44-8 France | Twickenham | Sunday 10 February | 3:00pm GMT |
Matchday three
| France 27-10 Scotland | Stade de France | Saturday 23 February | 2:15pm GMT |
| Wales 21-13 England | Millennium Stadium | Saturday 23 February | 4:45pm GMT |
| Italy 16-26 Ireland | Stadio Olimpico | Sunday 24 February | 3:00pm GMT |
Matchday four
| Scotland 11-18 Wales | Murrayfield | Saturday 9 March | 2:15pm GMT |
| England 54-17 Italy | Twickenham | Saturday 9 March | 4:45pm GMT |
| Ireland 26-14 France | Aviva Stadium | Sunday 10 March | 3:00pm GMT |
Matchday five
| Italy vs France | Stadio Olimpico | Saturday 16 March | 12:30pm GMT |
| Wales v Ireland | Millennium Stadium | Saturday 16 March | 2:45pm GMT |
| England v Scotland | Twickenham | Saturday 16 March | 17:00pm GMT |
QBE Insurance helps businesses, from start-ups and SMEs to multinationals, to identify, manage and insure their risks. For more information go to qbeeurope.com
