Ireland's bid to claim their first Grand Slam since 1948 came to a disappointing end as France recorded a 26-19 victory in Dublin.
France bounced back from the heartbreaking defeat to Wales and are still in with a shout of winning the championship themselves.
Here BBC Sport analyses the key battles that decided Saturday's match at Lansdowne Road.
PAUL O'CONNELL V FABIEN PELOUS
O'Connell and his fellow forwards struggled in the first half as France threatened to run riot up front.
The Irish line-out was under immense pressure before the break but O'Connell helped gain some parity in the second half and he also made his presence felt in the loose.
Pelous was the centre of attention for what was his 100th cap but he rose to the occasion and was an immense figure for the French.
His inspirational leadership was a vital factor and maybe it was just coincidence that Brian O'Driscoll crossed over just after Pelous was replaced with eight minutes to go.
JOHN HAYES V SYLVAIN MARCONNET
Ireland tight-head Hayes is tall for a prop at 6ft 4in, but failed to make his mark in the first half as the French forwards took the battle to the Irish.
However Hayes is nothing but a determined battler and refused to buckle under pressure in the scrum and, by the end, was giving as good as he got.
Marconnet is known as one of the most destructive scrummagers in the world and he did not disappoint as Ireland were placed on the back foot early on.
The Stade Francais loose-head faded as the game went on, but he played an important part in the French forward effort.
BRIAN O'DRISCOLL V YANNICK JAUZION
O'Driscoll, so often the talisman for Ireland, was restricted from working his magic in the first half as France suffocated the Irish midfield.
But he only needs a moment to turn a game and he showed his class when he weaved his way through the French defence to leave Frederic Michalak and Cedric Heymans in his wake - however, it was too little too late.
Jauzion was somewhat overshadowed by a man-of-the-match performance by fellow centre Benoit Baby but he played an important part in France's all-round performance.
The rangy Toulouse back was impressive in defence and he helped turn over the ball in the closing seconds to help Christophe Dominici score the crucial try which sealed victory.
GEORDAN MURPHY V JULIEN LAHARRAGUE
Ireland were looking to Murphy to provide a lot of their creative play in the absence of Gordon D'Arcy but he found it difficult to make the clean breaks his side needed.
The Leicester full-back showed some neat footwork to try and get Ireland going but spent a lot of his time moping up at the back.
Laharrague had a lot to live up to following his superb performance in his debut against Wales.
He was always looking to come into the line as France dominated the first half and was involved in Dominici's opening try. Although he had less ball after the break, he has surely done enough to keep the number 15 jersey.