Ireland kept the Six Nations championship alive for at least a few hours with a 26-5 Triple Crown victory over Scotland in Dublin, meaning France must beat England in Paris later on Saturday to win their first championship. in 12 years.
The host's more controlled attacking rugby overshadowed an entertaining first half, with Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan and prop Cian Healy crossing before another front rower, Scotsman Pierre Schoeman, cut the deficit to 14-5.
Wing forward Josh van der Flier stretched the lead to a much more comfortable 16 points in the hour before replacement Conor Murray's last bonus point attempt removed another chance of winning the title from the equation, that of a rare points draw. bonus for the French.
It means just one secured Grand Slam win will be enough for the French favourites, while the Irish forces have at least a first clean sweep of their 'home nation' rivals in four years to celebrate in the meantime.
