Player ratings for the men in green.
15 Rob Kearney: A very solid effort from the Leinster stalwart that was only cut short by a potential groin injury 7/10
14 Keith Earls: The Munster flyer produced a teak-tough defensive showing and almost cut loose on several occasions 7
13 Garry Ringrose: The young centre’s neat footwork so nearly bisected France on a host of occasions – a constant danger 7
12 Robbie Henshaw: His bullocking drive set up Ireland’s try, scything over the advantage line to open the door for Murray to snipe in 7
IRTV: @SimonZebo post match interview #IREvFRA #TeamOfUs https://t.co/0TLsc4im0a
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 25, 2017
11 Simon Zebo: Continues to threaten when he cuts in off his wing but Ireland are still not playing with a great amount of width 7
10 Johnny Sexton: The talismanic playmaker was back in his match-winning groove with no delay after his month out through calf trouble 9
9 Conor Murray: Another sumptuous display from the inch-perfect Munster scrum-half, who looks nailed-on at present for the British and Irish Lions’ nine shirt 9
Mandatory Credit. INPHO/Dan Sheridan
1 Jack McGrath: Struggled early on in the scrummage but built steadily as Ireland improved through the course of the match. Solid overall 7
2 Rory Best (capt): Rock-solid in the lineout and upped the ante at the scrum after a poor start. The captain delivered again 8
Rory Best looking forward to a date with Wales after hard fought third round win at the Aviva https://t.co/GpifiawGVZ pic.twitter.com/y0MWKOQ223
— Today's Irish News (@todaysirlnews) February 25, 2017
3 Tadhg Furlong: Copped a nasty shoulder to the face but battled on regardless for another impressive turn on the tighthead 8
4 Donnacha Ryan: Slightly below-par by his own lofty standards but still got through a mountain of work in the tight exchanges 7
5 Devin Toner: Bossed the lineout for Ireland in a critical area to deny France plenty of platforms. Tidy day’s work overall 7
6 CJ Stander: The Munster battering ram just does not know how to produce a poor showing in a Test shirt for Ireland. Terrorised France all day 8
Take two: CJ Stander made 23 CARRIES. Garry Ringrose 17, Simon Zebo 16. Highest French player was Gael Fickou with 13.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) February 25, 2017
7 Sean O’Brien: His burgeoning partnership with Stander bore yet more fruit here, with France unsure how to shut the twin ball-carriers down 8
3. The amount of work Jamie Heaslip puts in is phenomenal. And some still think he should be dropped? #IREvFRA
— Andrew Lowth (@AndrewLowth1) February 25, 2017
8 Jamie Heaslip: Binding the graft of Stander and O’Brien together with some style at present – the ideal scenario for Joe Schmidt 7
Replacements: Ireland emptied the whole bench barring tighthead John Ryan, with Andrew Trimble offering a solid half-hour shift in replacing Rob Kearney. Niall Scannell kept his calm in a late cameo replacing Rory Best, while Peter O’Mahony also put himself about: 7.
