Having missed a brace of gilt-edged try opportunities in the first half, the Irish had to wait until the 78th minute to bag their only touch down of night as impressive Belfast Harlequins wing Paul McKenzie crossed.

Two penalties on 11 and 23 minutes had set up the Irish - losers to both Scotland and England in their last outings - for a 6-0 half-time lead.

France had started slowly and lost prop Alexandre Bastin to the sin-bin, but the visitors emerged with renewed heart in the second half.

They waited just ten minutes until wing Mathieu Bourret slalomed over.

Christophe Ruiz converted for the lead and while adding penalties on 57 and 67 minutes, the Perpignan fly-half also tagged on the extras to centre Vincent Roux's try with five minutes remaining.

McKenzie's effort proved scant consolation and Haslett's men must rally themselves as they travel to Neath in seven days time - with Wales attempting a historic Grand Slam.

IRELAND U-21: Mark Kettyle; Kieran Geraghty, Andrew Trimble, Greg Stafford, Paul McKenzie; Gareth Steenson (Capt), David O'Leary; Michael Diffley, Joseph Merrigan, John Andress, Lewis Stevenson, Ryan Caldwell, Brett McNamee, Oisin Hennessy, Stephen Ferris.

Replacements: Eamonn Bracken, Robert Quinn, Mark Melbourne, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Barry Keeshan, Denis Hurley.

FRANCE U-21: Bejamin Dambielle; Mathieu Bourret, Vincent Roux, Sylvain Mirande, Florian Denos; Christophe Ruiz, Mickael Campeggia; Pierre Lafond, Frédéric Montagnat, Alexandre Bastin, Denys Drozdz, Loïc Jacquet, Gérald Gambetta (Capt), Fabien Alexandre, Aurélien Diotallevi.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Yohan Montès, Damien Fèvre, Damien Chouly, Fabien Cibray, Thibault Lacroix, Adrien Figueiredo.

HT: Ireland 6 France 0

Scorers:

Ireland U-21: Try: Paul McKenzie; Con: Gareth Steenson; Pens: Steenson 2

France U-21: Tries: Mathieu Bourret, Vincent Roux; Cons: Christophe Ruiz 2; Pens: Ruiz 2.

Referee: Mauro Dordolo (Italy).