France dismantle Ireland as title race takes shock twist

France overcame the injury loss of Antoine Dupont to blow open the Six Nations title race by extinguishing Ireland’s grand slam dream with a crushing 42-27 win in Dublin.

- ED ELLIOT

Les Bleus captain Dupont – arguably the world’s best player – limped from the field in the 29th minute of an engrossing showdown at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s early try helped the French into an 8-6 half-time lead before Dan Sheehan’s score shifted the momentum in Ireland’s favour just after the restart. But the hosts were blitzed during a breathtaking second half as Fabien Galthie’s side ruthlessly wrestled top spot in the championship table going into next wee’s final round.

Bielle-Biarrey, the tournament’s top try scorer, took his tally to seven with a sensational finish before Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou and the diving Damian Penaud completed the demolition job, adding to 17 points from full-back Thomas Ramos. Late scores for Cian Healy and Jack Conan, plus two penalties and three conversions from Sam Prendergast, was scant consolation for Simon Easterby’s side, who slipped two points behind their opponents on the back of a shambolic second-half display.