by Ireland produced a near-complete display against a French side that lacked their usual panache even before Paul Willemse was shown a second yellow card.
Here, Telegraph Sport runs the rule over the performances in Marseille
France
15. Tomás Ramos
He is as reliable as ever at the back but will be frustrated by the lack of space created for him. He started his goals. 6/10
14. Damian Penaud
A few minutes shaky under high balls that Ireland took advantage of but he scored a neat try. 6/10
13. Gael Fickou
Fickou is not often part of the inferior midfield combination but the center was in Marseille. Leaky. 5/10
12. Jonathan Danty
Aki neutralized the wrecking ball and looked all over the sea. 4/10
11. Irom Moefana
He hasn’t had much to do but is clearly well-respected as he moves to the front late on and is being chased by Danty the man. 6/10
10. Mathieu Jalibert
A brilliant early run was undoubtedly the highlight but Jalibert struggled to impose and control as authoritatively as Crowley. 5/10
9. Mr. Lucu
The biggest boots to fill, with Dupont missing. Lucu’s kicking was handy but he was fouled and was fumbling around the rim. 4/10
1. Cyril Baille
The trademark dynamic behavior was causing problems in France and Furlong was toast at the scrum. 7/10
2. Peato Mauvaka
One of the World Cup stars had a quieter night. The French team had trouble – albeit a short lock – and Marchand may return next week. 6/10
3. Uini Atonio
The leading light of France. Some of the defensive shots were thunderous – and legal – and his scrummaging was faultless. 8/10
4. Paul Gabriellagues
His first appearance of the Galthié era. He didn’t put a wrong foot but barely overcame it, either. 6/10
5. Paul Willemse
The first strike was silly enough but he committed the same offense six minutes after returning to the pitch, having been given a get out of jail free card, bordering on insanity. The hope of French victory disappeared with him. 1/10
6. François Cross
Was the nuts and bolts as ever but France needed him to stand up after Willemse’s departure and he was on a muzzle. 5/10
7. Charles Ollivon
Nothing could be done to stop the ailing French line in the first half but he managed to fight his socks off defensively for good reason. 7/10
8. Gregory Alldritt (captain)
The work rate is huge but the massive Alldritt struggled with efficiency, especially compared to the other number Doris. 7/10
Replacements
Posolo Tuilagi was, at first, great. So, too, the front row was reserve and Bielle-Biarrey a handful out wide. 8/10
Ireland
15. Hugo Keenan
The most accurate goal in world rugby. Some of his attacking touches were outstanding but it is the way he reads the game that affects him the most. 9/10
14. Calvin Nash
The Six Nations forward looked completely at ease with the rigors of international rugby and performed with ease. 7/10
13. Robbie Henshaw
There was said to be an Irish weakness at outside center with Garry Ringrose missing. Henshaw proved that those fears were foolish. 8/10
12. Bundee Aki
He wore the most glorious download for the opening effort and looked every bit the player who rose to World XV status at last year’s show. 9/10
11. James Low
His left peg increases its value to this side tenfold. But it’s not just that; it is the will and aggression, too, to match the skill. 8/10
10. Jack Crowley
Another big shoes to fill. The passes that most delayed Beirne’s first try were eliminated. Immaculate kick except, too. 8/10
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Fizded around the base and ordered his troops with certainty as usual. The only glaring error was a box kick straight out. 7/10
1. Andrew Porter
The effort could not be faulted and he is certainly still one of the best in the world but Atonio, then Aldegheri, troubled him. 6/10
2. Dan Sheehan
It was the ace’s try that put the result beyond doubt and his arrows were at the top of the line all afternoon. 7/10
3. Tadhg Furlong
Silky touch was shown in the attack but both Baille and Wardi put a lot of pressure on him at the scrummage. With France at 15 players it could be messy. 6/10
4. Joseph MacCarthy
Enthusiastic and loud at the start of the Six Nations. A locked man with a great future ahead of us. One careless fell to pass the one blot. 9/10
5. Tadhg Beirne
He ran the cutest line for his effort in the first half and is maturing in the force of nature, especially at the line-out. Could be a great time. 8/10
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
Rightly yellow carded for digging into France’s menacing chest but other than that O’Mahony’s tackle was superb. 8/10
7. Josh van der Flier
The flanker is not at his best in 2022 but the Irish backline was extremely fair and his bite played its part. 7/10
8. Caelan Doris
Alldritt doesn’t outplay much, especially on home turf, but Doris did. A big man but even then he punches above his weight – with swagger too. 9/10
Replacements
The cavalry took over where the starters left off, but against 14 players their positions were mostly routine. You still needed to send France away, mind you. 7/10
