Rampant France beat Ireland to take control of title race

Men's Six Nations

Ireland (6) 27

Tries: Sheehan, Healy, Conan Cons: Prendergast 3 Pens: Prendergast 2

France (8) 42

Tries: Bielle-Biarrey 2, Boudehent, Jegou, Penaud Cons: Ramos 4 Pens: Ramos 3

Rampant France took power of the Six Nations rubric contention arsenic they scored 34 unanswered points to bushed Ireland successful Dublin and extremity the location side's Grand Slam hopes.

Despite losing skipper Antoine Dupont to wounded aft 30 minutes, France scored 3 second-half tries to determination 2 points wide of Ireland astatine the apical and avenge past year's decision successful Marseille.

Tournament apical scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed doubly for Les Bleus portion Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou and Damian Penaud each crossed successful a stunning bonus-point triumph.

Dan Sheehan's aboriginal second-half effort enactment Ireland - who temporarily mislaid Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash to yellowish cards successful either fractional - 13-8 up but France's effect was emphatic arsenic they enactment themselves successful rod presumption earlier hosting Scotland successful their last game.

Ireland: Keenan; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Osborne; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham, McCarthy, Beirne, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Herring, Healy, Clarkson, Ryan, Conan, Baird, Murray, Crowley.

Sin-bin: McCarthy (20), Nash (47)

France: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio, Flament, Guillard, Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Meafou, Auradou, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)