If it was France’s attack that showed most prominently in their canter to victory in Rome last week, this was a win built on their defence. Workhorses like Paul Willemse (19 tackles) and captain Charles Ollivon (17) prevented Ireland making consistent inside metres, and the centres and Antoine Dupont led the blitz defence well, forcing quick decisions in the outside channels.

Ireland defended well, too, and the high totals under the metres kicked column on both sides of the stat-sheet reflect a game where both sides were keen to use the boot. France took two of their chances well to Ireland’s one, and take victory.

A first win in Dublin since 2011 for this French side, and a further underlining of their status as Six Nations favourites as they move back to the top of the table. They will play far, far better than today, but that’s a tough win secured on the road to edge out Ireland.

Another disappointingly tight defeat for Andy Farrell’s side having remained right in the game throughout. He’ll have been impressed with how his side stood up to the French challenge without four key leaders, but victory again proved elusive. Even with just two points in it in the final ten minutes, it was France doing most of the attacking and creating the opportunities.

Ireland begin to tire and Hugo Keenan is forced inside by the French outside blitz. There are no supporting players with him, and Antoine Dupont gets over the ball...

Out on the French side! Dupont wins the final turnover, France kick it into touch and seal a crucial away victory!

Left and right Ireland go, seeking a fissure they can crack open and find the opening they require. A penalty would be enough, of course, but France keep their discipline and defend in unison, choosing not to compete for fear of conceding that penalty.

France have possession, then, as time continues to tick away. But Dylan Cretin is over-zealous in trying to remove an Irish body from his path as he chases after an Antoine Dupont box kick - a penalty against France even as they regather Teddy Thomas’ tap-back. Ireland kick into the French half for their last chance.

Kolingar can’t find any joy against Tadhg Furlong, and Ireland clear. France kick high, but Ireland claim well.

Jamison Gibson-Park goes to the air, too, and Teddy Thomas is up spectacularly above James Lowe to claim.

Gibson-Park takes superbly himself as France send up another up-and-under, somehow staying in-field on two occasions to exchange passes with Lowe. Ireland make about 30 metres all down a metre channel butting up against the left touchline, but Gibson-Park is eventually bundled in to touch.

Brilliant from Will Connors! The scrum goes down which means he is able to lift his head slightly and ready himself to leap off the side of the scrum. He does precisely that as Antoine Dupont removes the ball from his number eight’s feet, and forces a loose pass from France’s scrum-half. Superb work from Connors. If France had scored a try there, the game was just about done. Ireland scrum.

Hassane Kolingar replaces Cyril Baille on the French loosehead to try and put the pressure on.

A powerful French maul and Julien Marchand spots a gap from the back of it, just about held in a tackle but getting the ball away to Antoine Dupont. Dupont hands off the much bigger Tadhg Furlong, the tighthead forced back by the might of the littler man’s fend, and skips around Jamison Gibson-Park, nearly going past the last defender, too, but just about pulled to floor.

France swing the ball out to the left, but a fumble on the ground at a ruck off a hand from each side ends the attack. It will be their scrum, though, with fine attacking ball to use.

Off the post! How crucial might that be? Jalibert strikes his penalty nicely and it appears to be flighted nicely, but a late draw on the ball as it catches a left-to-right breeze sends it cannoning against the upright. Ireland clear to their own ten-metre line. The gap remains two points.