Ireland hosted France in the Aviva Stadium seeking to make history. Instead a signature achievement has slipped from their grasp for the third time in 17 months.

JAMES LOWE suffered a back injury during the warm-up before Ireland’s crunch clash against France. The Leinster winger was down to start on the left wing, but picked up a back spasm shortly

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby questions the awarding of France's second try while lamenting his side's wasteful display in Saturday's Six Nations defeat in Dublin.

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby insist his side were better than the scoreline suggested in their 42-27 defeat to France at Aviva Stadium.

The French were clinical in taking their chances and the Irish were not, a disappointed Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said after France beat them 42-27 to end his side's hopes of a Six

But the floodgates eventually opened, with tournament top-scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey twice getting over the line in a dominant 27-42 away win. O'Driscoll - a veteran of 15 years in the Ireland international set-up - was brutally honest in his assessment of the match.

Ireland interim head coach Easterby refused to question referee Angus Gardner’s decision to allow Pierre Boudehent’s 45th minute try despite a clear tackle off the ball on Peter O’Mahony. He said they will reflect on the incident and may offer some feedback to Gardner and his team of officials.

"They got a try from something that we thought was potentially penalisable, but it wasn’t and you have to move on…"

Simon Easterby relishing ‘pretty special’ battles when Ireland clash with France - Les Bleus travel to Dublin seeking to snatch top spot in the Six Nations table.

SIMON EASTERBY says that giving Peter O’Mahony an Aviva farewell was one of his easiest decisions ever. O’Mahony, 35, will play his final home game for Ireland in Dublin tomorrow against France.

Simon Easterby sent a key email just two days after Wales were put to the sword by Ireland at the Six Nations.

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby backs fly-half Sam Prendergast to put "a few question marks" around his defending "to bed" against France.