Munster centre JJ Hanrahan kept his nerve to land a 72nd-minute penalty to hand Ireland a nail-biting 13-12 RBS 6 Nations victory but things could have been a lot different had the Test Match Official ruled in France’s favour at the death.

France appeared to bundle the ball over the try-line in the dying stages but the TMO’s view was obscured and as a result, no try was given.

That ensured that all France had to show for their efforts was four penalties from Bayonne’s Clement Otazo while Paddy Jackson’s penalty and Foster Horan’s try were Ireland’s other scorers.

And while Ruddock believes his side earned their own luck to withstand France’s late assault, he believes the match should have been sealed long before.

“I felt we could have wrapped it up long before the finish on Saturday but we weren’t clinical enough and again missed a few kicks,” said Ruddock.

“But you learn from these. I am delighted for the lads, they have made a little bit of history but they know they have a lot of work to do.

“Sometimes the wheels of fortune work for you, other times they go against you. It was a tight call, but the correct decision was made.

“We talk to players about getting that one extra per cent out of everything, about putting in that little bit more. Fair play to the lads they way they got their bodies in there at the death, they manufactured a situation where the TMO decision had to go in their favour.

“The TMO couldn’t see if the ball was grounded so he couldn’t award the try. On another day that decision might go against but you have got to work to give yourself every chance of it going in your favour.”

Ireland’s previous best result in an age-group match in France was a 20-20 draw in February 2004 for the U-21s but Saturday’s victory takes Ruddock’s men to the summit of the RBS 6 Nations table after two wins from two.