Field of Anthenry rings around the stadium as Conor Murray puts in at the scrum. Ireland very much in the ascendancy. It should be only a matter of time before they add points to the scoreboard.

Sir Clive Woodward
Former England coach on BBC One

"You get the sense that Ireland's forwards have really upped their physicality since half time and are starting to get the upper hand on their French counterparts."

Image source, AFP

The France scrum is unsteady... Green shirts are rushing forward, sensing an opportunity, but Ireland are caught offside. Possession and territory belongs to the hosts, though, and France are creaking.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"That is feature of the modern game. Tacklers go high nowadays in the attempt to prevent attackers getting the offload away, but it leaves you both open to the possibility of clashing heads."

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

"A big, big collision for Sexton with Bastareaud. A clash of faces. Quite accidental, both players in the wrong position in the collision. Both players going off to get a bit of treatment."

Plenty of fire in Irish bellies at the start of this half. The forwards rumble forward... Jonathan Sexton stopped in his tracks by Mathieu Bastareaud, but the ball is back in Irish hands.

Sexton back on his feet but looks like he's been in a shoot 'em up, blood pouring from his eye. The camera focuses on Bastareaud and the centre also has a bloodied eye. Both players come off the pitch to receive treatment after that nasty head clash.

Jonathan Sexton charged down... Jack McGrath, circling his outside-half, gathers and Sexton is off the hook. Ireland recycling... making their way towards the French half inch by inch. Sexton with a dink over the French defence, but it dribbles over the line and France have a breather.

Image source, AFP

Accenture Rugby:, external The last four times these teams have met, the side leading at half-time has not won the game

First mistake of the match from Jonathan Sexton and he slaps his thigh after watching his kick go out on the full. It was a promising bit of play from the Irish, but instead the French have a line-out near the halfway line.

France have only won three games in 15 away Tests under Philippe Saint-Andre and they are likely to suffer more misery away from home unless they can turn things around in this second half. So far, their big beasts have been unable to punch holes in the Irish defence.

Jonathan Sexton gets the second half under way...

Ireland-France

Tackles made: 39-57

Tackles missed: 5-8

Turnovers won: 5-4

Penalties conceded: 6-9

Carries: 54-38

Offloads: 1-3

Metres made: 149-72

Ian:, external Well that was a bit boring! Ireland lead because of more indiscipline by the French than them.

John Ballard:, external Sexton's showing just what a great player he is. Best fly-half in the world for my money.

We hope you've placed your vote, John?

Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

"Ireland look very focused on what they are doing. They are playing quite naturally but they have an over-arching view on what they should be doing. I don't get the feeling that there is that same gameplan from the French. Philippe Saint-Andre's side have looked quite stilted for me.

"We love the French way of playing - the spontaneous stuff, the flashy stuff - but they look uncertain. And no-one likes to see that from the French."

Eleanor Pender:, external ‏The Tale of the Half, all kicking. No clever moves, no French esprit.

Theresa:, external Sexton is winning this game for Ireland amazing!! xx

Tim Williams:, external ‏Wayne Barnes is going to wear that whistle out.

Thomas Castaignede
Former France international on BBC One

Image source, AFP

"There is nothing really positive to come from that half. I think we are quite passive, waiting for the Ireland attacks to come onto us, and scrum-half Rory Kockott has been slow from the breakdown."

Sir Clive Woodward
Former England coach on BBC One

"I think Ireland will be quite pleased. They have weathered a French storm, but I think they are fitter and I think they have a stronger bench as well. I fancy them to come on strong in the second half."

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"Just at half-time, I'm trying to think what the respective coaches will be saying. From a French perspective he'll be saying we have to take Ireland through more phases and keep our discipline.

"From Joe Schmidt's point of view, he will be most concerned by the number of penalties that Ireland are conceding at the breakdown area."

Adventure from France in the 40th minute, but once again they handle the ball as if it were a slippery bar of soap. Scott Spedding guilty this time of spilling and that's enough of that.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"Turnovers at the breakdown have been a real prominent feature of the game so far with both sides getting four apiece. Mathieu Bastareaud has been to the fore for France and that is something that Ireland will have to talk about at half-time if they want to protect the quick ball that they need."

An easy one for Sexton, in front of the posts, and he could probably have knocked it over with his eyes closed. The outside-half maintains his 100% record.