Gutsy Irish put French to the test

France A 20 Ireland A 12

The visitors paraded a team brimful of youthful promise and, though they were forced to man the trenches for long spells, they were never out of touch and were in no way flattered by the end margin.

Much was made of Les Bleus’ vast arsenal of talent in midweek when Bernard Laporte recommissioned old warhorses like Olivier Magne and Serge Betsen and their enviable supplies were in further evidence here with the likes of Biarritz’s Imanol Harinordoquy and Bourgoin’s Guillaume Bousses taking the paddock.