After a promising opening half for Ireland in Paris, hopes of a Six Nations title faded badly after the break.
France turned on the style, winning 35-27.
Here's how we rated the Irish performances.
Ireland player ratings vs France
Jacob Stockdale: 5
Knocked on in his own 22 which led to a chaotic moment in defence and a penalty try for France in the 30th minute. There had been a similar moment shortly before that which the officials missed. A dangerous player but prone to errors. Got a consolation try late in the game.
Andrew Conway: 5.5
Got very little chance to show what he can do with ball in hand. Made eight tackles.
Robbie Henshaw: 6.5
Aggressive in defence, making 11 tackles. Carried eight times for 89 metres. Scored a superb individual try in the 60th minute.
Bundee Aki: 6
Carried aggressively, nine times for 62 metres. Broke more tackles than any other Irish player apart from Robbie Henshaw.
Joined the Irish scrum when Doris was in the bin during the first half.
Replaced by Chris Farrell after 52 minutes.
Hugo Keenan: 5.5
Got on the end of a Johnny Sexton grubber early on, a move in which Ireland should have been awarded a penalty try for Anthony Bouthier deliberately knocking the ball out of play with his hand. Carried seven times for 56 metres.
Jonathan Sexton: 6
His grubber kick for Keenan after 10 minutes was a nice variation in play. Resulted in Bouthier being sent to the bin.
Aggressive in decision-making as captain in the first half. Initially, that made sense but less so as the half wore on. Should have taken the points rather than going to the corner late in the opening 40 minutes.
Combined well with Robbie Henshaw for his try.
Replaced by Ross Byrne with 12 mintues to play and did not look happy with that decision.
Conor Murray: 6
An average performance from the Munster man. Kicking was fine.
Replaced by Jamison Gibson-Park with 15 minutes to play.
Cian Healy: 6
Marked his 100th cap with a try, powering over in the 19th minute as Ireland took advantage of France having a player in the sin bin. Left the action for a HIA after 25 minutes but did return.
Part of a solid Irish scrum.
Rob Herring: 6
Lineout throws were reliable, for the most part. Lost one with Ireland in a good position and was replaced shortly after in the 57th minute. Not involved enough in open play. Only carried twice and made just three tackles.
Andrew Porter: 5.5
Part of a solid Irish scrum. Carried six times for 20 metres and made five tackles.
Found himself out wide for France's first try when he got burned by Gael Fickou.
Tadhg Beirne: 6
Carried 11 times for 41 metres. Didn't make the turnovers we've come to expect from him.
Replaced by Ultan Dillane on the hour mark.
James Ryan: 7.5
One of Ireland's top performers, especially in the first half. Carried 13 times for 46 metres. Ireland's top tackler with 13.
Caelan Doris: 5.5
Won a good turnover early in the game but didn't influence it as he'd like.
Sent to the sin bin for tackling Francois Cros without the ball after half an hour. Resulted in a penalty try for France. It was an awful decision by Doris.
😫😫😫
Bad mistake from Jacob Stockdale.
Caelan Doris with the foul.
Penalty try for France.#FRAvIRE | #GuinnessSixNations | #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/qnM6pXJ3gx— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 31, 2020
Carried five times for 28 metres.
Will Connors: 6
Carried five times for 19 metres and made eight tackles.
Replaced by Peter O'Mahony after 52 minutes.
CJ Stander: 7
Ireland's best player along with James Ryan. Carried valiantly, 13 times for 33 metres and made nine tackles. Continued to fight hard when the game was starting to get away from Ireland. Won some big turnovers which Ireland failed to capitalise on.
Replacements:
Dave Heffernan: 5.5
Came on for Rob Herring in the 57th minute. With Ireland in some good attacking lineout positions, he failed to find his man. Not entirely his fault.
Ed Byrne: 5.5
Played 10 minutes in the first half when Cian Healy left the game for a HIA. Replaced Healy against with 20 minutes to play.
Finlay Bealham: N/A
Played 13 minutes after replacing Andrew Porter.
Ultan Dillane: N/A
Replaced Tadhg Beirne on the hour mark.
Peter O’Mahony: 6
Came on as a replacement for Will Connors after 52 minutes. Won a turnover and made five tackles.
Jamison Gibson-Park: N/A
Replaced Conor Murray with 15 minutes left.
Ross Byrne: N/A
Came on for an unhappy Johnny Sexton with 12 minutes left.
Chris Farrell: 5.5
Entered the action as a replacement for Bundee Aki after 52 minutes. Carried three times for 18 metres.
Photo by Sportsfile
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