Trailing 19-6 at half-time and then 26-6 after 48 minutes, Ireland somehow dragged themselves back into this game before unluckily losing 26-21
The turnaround in fortune came with the replacements the French made that saw them take off a prop, their impressive hooker and second row while once Eddie O'Sullivan introduced Mick O'Driscoll and Rory Best.
The turnaround in fortune came with the replacements the French made that saw them take off a prop, their impressive hooker and second row while once Eddie O'Sullivan introduced Mick O'Driscoll and Rory Best.
Best and O'Driscoll combined to steady the Irish lineout and give the set scrum a clear edge over the French. A penalty try and and outstretched arm from David Wallace left Ireland trailing 26-18 and when Ronan O'Gara landed a 74th minute penalty Ireland looked set for a remarkable comeback victory.
In the end they simply ran out of time as the game finished with the French vwery much on the ropes.
Ireland: G Dempsey; G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, A Trimble, R Kearney; R O'Gara, E reddan; M Horan, B Jackman (R Best 58 min), J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Kelly (M O'Driscoll 53 min); D Leamy, D Wallace, J Heaslip.