Despite a much improved second half performance Ireland's hopes of a Grand Slam ended in Lansdowne Road today (Sat) when France defeated them 26-19. And it was accepted by players and management afterwards that France fully deserved their victory.

The home side got within a score of the eventual winners when Brian O'Driscoll once again proved that he is the outstanding back currently breathing on this planet, when he burned replacement Michalack on the outside to score under the posts with about ten minutes to go.

However, France held their composure and ended with a try from Christophe Dominici - albeit following an iffy decision from referee Tony Spreadbury who alowed Serge Betsen drive in from the side - to claim a victory they richly deserved.

Despite playing against the wind in the opening half, France owned the ball. They scored two tries trough Dominici and new cap Benoit Baby and with a little more rub of the green and without the boot of Ronan O'Gara, they would have been out of sight by the interval.