Summary

  • Ireland beat France 26-14 to keep alive Six Nations title hopes

  • Ireland must beat Wales in Cardiff and hope Scotland beat England

  • Captain Best gave Ireland early lead with try in corner

  • Sexton & Conan also scored as hosts led 19-0 at half-time

  • Earls' 30th try secured bonus-point fourth try

  • France score two late consolation tries

  1. Postpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    HT: Ireland 19-0 France

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  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    #bbcrugby

    John: Ireland have shown the intensity is back to 2018 levels but not as clinical as we know we can be

    Andy: Will France 'do a France'? Woeful this half - so they might well turn up in the second half! Who knows?

    Phil: Hope the fans sitting at the end France are attacking brought their telescopes. Not much for them to see during that half!

  3. 'Ireland have France in a vice-like grip'published at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    HT: Ireland 19-0 France

    Tony Ward
    Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    This has been the best 38 minutes by far by Ireland in the championship this year.

    Bar a two-minute spell they've monopolised France in every aspect and the scoreline is a reflection of that.

    Ireland have France in a vice-like grip.

  4. Half-time - Ireland 19-0 Francepublished at 15:52 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    With that French mistake, referee Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) brings play to a halt, after a hugely encouraging 40 minutes for Ireland.

    Jack ConanImage source, Rex Features
  5. 'France do not seem to have a way out'published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 19-0 France

    Cian Murtagh
    BBC Sport NI at Dublin's Aviva Stadium

    It feels as though Ireland have been camped in that corner of the French 22 for the entire game!

    France do not seem to have a way to get themselves out of trouble and their indiscipline is just allowing Ireland to keep them under pressure.

    The crowd are howling at the referee every time he blows for another penalty and Guilhem Guirado has already been warned that his team are close to a yellow card - it seems inevitable unless France can find something new.

  6. Postpublished at 39 mins

    Ireland 19-0 France

    It's taken 39 minutes but France finally enjoy some sustained possession on the half-way line.

    Mathieu Bastareaud rushes forward to collect the long line-out before the ball is thrown through the hands.

    But the visitors go through seven phases without gaining many metres and eventually lose the ball when it spills forward.

    The clock ticks into the red.

  7. try

    Try - Ireland 19-0 Francepublished at 36 mins

    Jack Conan

    Ireland have not been deterred by their disallowed try and this time Jack Conan makes no mistake out wide.

    The replacement back-row powers over from close range as the hosts continue to dominate here.

    Johnny Sexton misses the conversion.

    Jack ConanImage source, Rex Features
  8. 'Ireland well on top'published at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 14-0 France

    Chris Henry
    Former Ireland flanker on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    France have not been able to get out of their 22 and if Ireland can get another try before half-time this game could be finished.

  9. No try - Ireland 14-0 Francepublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    The try is chalked off as the Irish centre appears to lose control as he slides towards the line.

    It's unlucky for the hosts but eagle-eyed by the referee. Good decision.

  10. Postpublished at 31 mins

    Ireland 14-0 France

    Hold on, we're having a review...

  11. try

    Try - Ireland 19-0 Francepublished at 31 mins

    Garry Ringrose

    Ireland's Garry Ringrose collects Johnny Sexton's high ball to scamper through and score under the posts.

    Garry RingroseImage source, Rex Features
  12. 'Humble pie and hats off'published at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 14-0 France

    Tony Ward
    Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Humble pie and hats off to Best and Sexton for having the courage to make the call again and what execution of a pre-rehearsed move.

    The confidence that try will give Sexton given the way his season has gone, it will have an enormous impact.

  13. converted try

    Converted try - Ireland 14-0 Francepublished at 29 mins

    Johnny Sexton (con Sexton)

    The pressure finally tells, although it comes through some innovation from the backs as talisman Johnny Sexton strolls through under the posts.

    The line-out is fed wide to Sexton, who runs a wrap-around with Garry Ringrose before receiving the ball back and scoring his side's second try.

    The fly-half adds the extras.

    Johnny SextonImage source, Rex Features
    Johnny SextonImage source, Rex Features
  14. 'Sit down!'published at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 7-0 France

    Jim Neilly
    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentator

    Our French colleagues are standing up again. I must just tell them.

    'Monsieur! Sit down!'

  15. Postpublished at 28 mins

    Ireland 7-0 France

    Ireland retain the ball and spread it wide, but the blue wall stands firm.

    France concede another penalty and Johnny Sexton repeats the familiar cycle.

    Irish line-out coming up...

  16. Postpublished at 25 mins

    Ireland 7-0 France

    France cannot get out of their own half, and they give possession away once again.

    Ireland throw the ball wide to Keith Earls but his route to the line is blocked by blue shirts.

    Play comes back for a penalty to Ireland on the left-hand side and France captain Guilhem Guirado is spoken to about his team's discipline.

    Johnny Sexton kicks into touch, of course.

    Keith EarlsImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Constant Irish pressure'published at 15:32 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 7-0 France

    Cian Murtagh
    BBC Sport NI at Dublin's Aviva Stadium

    France are really struggling to contain Ireland's forward power in this game and they cannot get out of their own half as a result. Their scrum is under constant pressure and their line-out is not faring much better, while Ireland's maul is a battering ram.

    It's giving Ireland a lot of confidence that they can play to their normal game plan and build pressure and convert that into territory.

  18. Postpublished at 22 mins

    Ireland 7-0 France

    It's thrown long and Johnny Sexton rushes forward to catch the ball, but the Irish number 10 knocks on.

    France clear the ball, but not very far, and Rory Best has another chance with a line-out on the 22.

  19. 'Ireland must get some points'published at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2019

    Ireland 7-0 France

    Tony Ward
    Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Ireland have to come away with something from this period of dominance.

    Ireland have dominated this half - points are essential.

  20. Postpublished at 21 mins

    Ireland 7-0 France

    This time it's Peter O'Mahoney who jumps clear to claim the ball.

    The maul begins to roll towards the French line again, but the visitors are penalised for side entry.

    The ball is kicked to touch and Ireland will have another go.