Numbers stack up for France and Ireland

EVER since France were unceremoniously dumped from the World Cup at the semi-final stage by England, one sensed that this Six Nations Championship offered a route to redemption.

As a result of their facile victory over Scotland yesterday, they now look odds on for the title and a second Grand Slam in recent years under Bernard Laporte.

For Ireland to lift the Six Nations trophy, not only do they require England to turn over the French in Paris, but they must defeat Scotland by a margin of over 50 points.