France are chasing the Grand Slam and revenge against an Irish outfit that have beaten them back-to-back.

Gerald Merceron’s first kick to touch was not a good one, but the bounce was unkind to Anthony Foley, dribbling into touch when the Munster number eight might have had a chance to run.

France though defended the line-out, then headed down to the other end of the field and scored the opening try.

Referee Paddy O’Brien was playing advantage in favour of the home side when Merceron collected his own grubber kick and sidestepped his way towards the line.

The stand-off was held up short, as was Magne in the right corner, but when Galthie spread the ball across the pitch France had a three-man overlap and Serge Betsen exploited the space to touchdown under pressure from David Humphreys.

Merceron converted and just two minutes into the game, the title looked secure.

Nicolas Brusque was penalised for not releasing after he collected another long Merceron pass and Ireland fought their way back.

Typically, it was inspirational skipper Keith Wood, making his first appearance in the competition after a calf problem, who led the Irish revival.

Magne’s timely intervention had already cost the visitors one attacking chance, and veteran prop Peter Clohessy on his final outing in an Irish shirt drove low for the line to suck the French defenders in.

Scrum-half Peter Stringer spotted his captain on the charge and Wood had enough strength to crash over from five metres.

Humphreys missed the conversion and almost immediately Merceron made him pay with a 40-metre penalty shot.

Stringer’s high tackle on David Bory gave the French fly-half another chance from a similar position just two minutes later, but this time the kick clattered back off the right upright.

Merceron was on target with another penalty kick and the French firmly grasped the initiative.

Moments later, France break through in midfield before the ball is switched left and Nicolas Brusque ran down the touchline before stepping inside tackles to score France's second try.

O'Driscoll made a break but the ball was turned over and Galthie attacked down the blindside, feeding Rougerie who scorched in for another French try.

Merceron adds the conversion and France took the commanding lead.

France took play deep into Irish territory after being awarded a penalty and then gained another as the Irish pull down a French drive.

Predictably, Merceron signalled his intent to kick for goal and the out half hit the target, making it 28-5 at the end of the first half.