Woody: Confidence the key for Ireland

Keith Wood believes self-belief was the key to Ireland's first victory over France at Lansdowne Road for 18 years.

The resurgent pack gained a famous 22-15 success over the French.

The win means the Irish team has won their opening two championship games for the first time since 1983.

"We had a chat among ourselves at the start of the week and said this was a match we could and should win," said the skipper.

"That could be seen as arrogance which doesn't sit well in an Irish context, but to start believing and seeing it come to fruition is a pretty special feeling.

"We're happy to be able to show a level of consistency, not just from the Italy match but from last season and to carry on the good work."

A 47th-minute try from star centre Brian O'Driscoll, allied to six goals by Ronan O'Gara, proved decisive, although the French set up a tense finish by running in two tries in 10 minutes in the final quarter.

Wood added: "There was a certain amount of trepidation. I know how good France are - I have been on the end of a few beatings when they have come back and won - and we were just determined not to let that happen."

And coach Warren Gatland added: "It was a bit scary towards the end but I thought we thoroughly deserved the result.

"We talked all week about confidence and said we expected to win. I was very happy with the performance."

O'Driscoll, the scourge of the French in Paris last March, gained another man-of-the-match award to further enhance his burgeoning reputation and he drew the praise of France coach Bernard Laporte.

"If O'Driscoll had been playing for France today we would have won," said Laporte, who was also impressed with fly-half O'Gara.

"O'Driscoll and O'Gara are the best players in the world in their positions. Ireland have the best midfield in the world."

Tries from skipper Fabien Pelous and winger Philippe Bernat-Salles briefly raised French hopes but in truth they were sadly lacking in creative flair for the second successive match.

Laporte said: "I was very satisfied with our defence but the problem was the attack. Comba, Dourthe and Lamaison were all below-par and we were never dangerous."