France got off to the perfect start when Bayonne fly-half Clement Otazo kicked the hosts into a 3-0 lead in the second minute and just six minutes later he was at it again to double his side's advantage.

Irish counterpart Paddy Jackson hit back midway through the first half and that was how it stayed until the interval, France taking a 6-3 half-time lead with them into the dressing room.

Mike Ruddock clearly wasn't impressed with what he had seen and he rung the changes - and it had an immediate impact, replacement centre Foster Horan touching down with the only try of the game on 42 minutes, Jackson adding the extras.

Otazo booted his side back in front however with penalties on 47 and 53 minutes and that was how it stayed until Hanrahan, who assumed kicking duties when Jackson was replaced, had the final say with eight minutes left on the clock.