France 35-27 IrelandAntoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack impress for runners-upNo miracles in
Paris, but
France were almost more impressive in winning by less than the 31-point margin that would have brought them the title. They were happy to let that gong head to
England, because winning with authority against a more experienced side with a far more realistic directive seemed of greater priority to them than chasing an unlikely dream.
France claimed the bonus-point win they needed, but the eight-point margin of victory was well shy of that required. Still, the consistency of brilliance of their young half-backs, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, in particular, is starting to impress. Couple that with a resolute defence, now marshalled by Shaun Edwards, the master thereof, and France look serious.