France spraying the ball around, but they remain inside their own half. "Advantage over," screams Steve Walsh so the hosts kick the ball away and Ian Madigan calmly gathers; responds with a touch finder, pinning the home team in their own half.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"Oh what drama. There's a long 10 minutes coming up."

Brian Moore
Former England hooker on BBC One

"When all is said and done, Ireland are still in the lead. The crowd has gone very quiet. It's not that they're not interested, it's that everyone is tense."

Whoever has written this script has made sure it's going to be a blockbuster of a Hollywood ending, with two points separating the two teams as we enter the final eight minutes. This might be an omen, or it might not - but Ireland won by a two-point margin back in 2000, which was, of course, the last time the Irish won in Paris.

A fantastic scrum by the hosts as France's forwards force the Irish on their heels with Vincent Debaty receiving much of the credit. The replacement earns his team a penalty, but Jean Marc Doussain misses! Oof! It's tense.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"Ian Madigan hasn't had a huge amount of game time at this level. It's a big call by Joe Schmidt. One thing going in Madigan's favour is that he is slipping into a Leinster back line."

Mathieu Bastareaud inflicts a knockout blow on Jonny Sexton so Ian Madigan comes on and the replacement outside-half is charged with steering Ireland to victory in what is his first appearance in this year's tournament.

If the scoreline remains as it is Ireland will become the 2014 Six Nations Champions, giving Brian O'Driscoll a fairytale send-off. But it looks as if they will have to play the remaining 12 minutes without Jonny Sexton as the fly-half doesn't seem to know where he is after colliding with Mathieu Bastareaud.

Louis Picamoles has apparently done enough, according to his coach Philippe Saint-Andre so the behemoth that is Sébastien Vahaamahina takes his place. A bloodied nose for Rory Best but he remains on the field. There's a change to the Ireland line-up, too, as Gordon D'arcy makes way for Fergus McFadden.

Tim H:, external This is a game! Wow

Decky:, external What a game. Hopefully Ireland can hold on. My nerves.

Are Ireland about to get their hands on the trophy? Tweet us on #bbcrugby.

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland international on BBC 5 live

"I am not sure the French cameraman will show that again! I think Dimitri Szarzewski knocked that on but nonetheless on we go. Ireland have the edge but they have to score next."

Brian Moore
Former England hooker on BBC One

"That was definitely a knock-on. Although that may not have been awarded as a try, there was a penalty coming. It's a spirited response by France and it's game on again."

Controversy in the Stade de France. Referee Steve Walsh confidently blows his whistle and raises his arm, awarding Dimitri Szarzewski the try as the hooker dives over from about 1m out, but replays show the Frenchman fumbled the ball in the process. Nevertheless, Maxime Machenaud converts and France are in contention once again.

Image source, AFP/GETTY

Mathieu Bastareaud runs through Gordon' D'arcy. Hearts racing... palms sweating... France are close.

The French crowd are hissing and that's because Cian Healy has dived through a ruck head first and made contact with Louis Picamoles' head. It didn't seem deliberate, but the home fans aren't happy.

Deafening roars inside the stadium as the home fans cheer their team on. France inch ever closer to the corner flag. Ireland's defence as tough as teak, though.

Yoann Huget skips by Brian O'Driscoll and momentum is with the home team. Forward the men in blue rumble. A canny inside pass by Remi Tales... the tryline is looming...

The sound of the Field of Athenry ripple around the Stade de France. Irish confidence increasing with every second which ticks by. "Allez les Bleus," respond the French and the home team showing adventure by running from inside their own half.

Brice Dulin bravely gathers a high ball but the full-back is injured in the process. The trainer comes on, dabs some sponge on the Frenchman's knee and that does the trick, though he is still limping.

Can France fight their way back into the match? Can the visitors hold their nerve? Twenty-five minutes or so remaining of this enthralling contest. Conor Murray puts his team on the front foot, snapping and sniping down the blind side from the base of the scrum.