Despite ending a run of three home defeats and gaining their first win in this year’s RBS 6 Nations, Kidney admits the scoreline flattered the hosts and there are still a number of things to work on before they turn out in the Stade de France.

Ireland ran in five tries, including two from wing Tommy Bowe, but Kidney believes there is more to come throughout the rest of the tournament.

He said: "Some of the things we didn't get right last time we got a bit better, while other things need continual work, but every team is a work in progress.

"We were a bit better than against Wales but the margins are quite small. We took the opportunities that came our way. Against Wales, we didn't take as many of them.

“You can't let yourself get carried away with the scoreboard. Some days you could lose by five but be absolutely hammered, and other days you put up a good scoreline at the end, but after 70 minutes today it was only 30-10.

"We can't run away thinking we're great just because we stole a couple of tries in the last few minutes.

"It was a good day and now we're back in Paris which is always a singularly huge challenge.

"If we look beyond that, we'd already be half-beaten. We need to go there and give it a really good go. It will be another great occasion."