- France 35-27 Ireland
- Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack impress for runners-up
No miracles in Paris, but France were almost more impressive in winning by a more modest margin than the 31 points that would have brought them the title. They were happy to let that gong head to London, because winning with authority against a more experienced opponent seemed more important than chasing a 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.
