• When the French turn it on, only the Springboks or the All Blacks can stop them – and then only maybe.

• ⁠The loss of Antoine Dupont is a tragedy, not only to French rugby but to rugby around the world. 

Before the match, there was as much speculation about the outcome of this match as there ever was in any World Cup match. Would France, who traditionally don’t travel well, come to the party when they took on Ireland in Dublin? Would Ireland play like the world-beaters they are, or would their lack of big-match temperament let them down?

It turned out that France travelled fantastically well. The anticipated wet, cold and windy weather didn’t materialise. It was perfect weather for free-flowing, fast rugby, and the French made full use of it. Even the loss of Antoine Dupont didn’t seem to slow them down.

Ireland held the lead early in the second half. But then the French turned it on – and when they do, it appears only the Springboks or the All Blacks can stop them – and then only maybe. It takes sheer brute force to slow them down and hold them down, and Ireland don’t have that kind of muscle.

In the second half, the French played some of the best rugby seen in the Six Nations so far. This was not supposed to be a runaway victory for France the way they ran away with it against Italy two weeks ago. These were supposed to be the two top teams, but the French simply ran over the Irish.

The two tries Ireland scored in the last minute did not highlight the strength of the Irish – it showed their weakness. Ireland are at their best when they’re playing for pride. The problem is that they play for pride when there’s nothing else to play for.

They scored two tries when it didn’t matter anymore. Wipe those 14 points off the scoreboard, and a French victory by 29 points is a fair reflection of the game.

➤ Wales once again showed that, sadly, Warren Gatland was, as the Bible says, “a millstone around the neck which is a heavy burden to bear”. The young Welsh team seemed dead on their feet when they fought back against a dominant Scottish side. Wales will, in the next rugby year, break their glass ceiling and start winning matches again. They’re on the right track.

Steve Borthwick showed that England have some depth by playing Marcus Smith off the bench. Italy are not easy to beat these days, but England made it look easy. While Italy were not humbled, they were soundly beaten. It was an important day for English rugby.

Ireland (3 tries) 27-42 (5 tries) France

Tries:
Ireland: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Jack Conan
France: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou, Damian Penaud

Scotland (5 tries) 35-29 (4 tries) Wales

Tries:
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn (2), Tom Jordan (2), Darcy Graham
Wales: Blair Murray, Ben Thomas, Teddy Williams, Max Llewellyn

England (7 tries) 47-24 (3 tries) Italy

Tries:
England: Tom Willis, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme (2), Marcus Smith
Italy: Ange Capuozzo, Ross Vintcent, Tommaso Menoncello

Pictured above: France celebrating their victory.

Image source: @FranceRugby