Ireland is enjoying its longest unbeaten streak over France — four matches — since 1973.
Avoiding defeat in Cardiff on Sunday in the Rugby World Cup would give the Irish their longest unbeaten run against France since 1928.
Ireland's lack of consistent success highlights the confidence France has going into their contests. The Tricolors have won all three previous World Cup matches (1995, 2003, 2007) by at least 22 points.
But lately, their matches have been thrillers, with little separating the teams.
Nine of the last 10 contests have been decided by fewer than 10 points.
Here's five of their best matches in recent times:
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FRANCE 26, IRELAND 21, Dublin, 1989
Ireland jumps to 15-0 on a Brendan Mullin try, with a conversion and three penalties by Michael Kiernan. France wake up with a sweeping 80-meter move featuring Philippe Sella and Serge Blanco and the speed of Jean-Baptiste Lafond. But Ireland turn 18-7 up, and go to 21-10 as the shadows lengthen over Lansdowne Road. France rally with another sweet Blanco-Sella combination finished by Patrice Lagisquet. Lafond adds two penalties and converts Lagisquet's second try to pull off a remarkable Five Nations comeback.
IRELAND 27, FRANCE 25, Paris, 2000
Brian O'Driscoll has been an international player for nine months, and played at the 1999 World Cup, but it's this game in which the budding superstar announces himself to the world. A hat trick of tries leads Ireland to its first win over France in 17 years, and first in Paris in 28. France, with nine injured first-choice players, leads a breathless match 19-7 after halftime. With inspired substitutions, O'Driscoll's second try silences the crowd, Ireland picks up the pace, and O'Driscoll's third try puts them one behind. Replacement David Humphreys' long-range penalty earns the lead, and three minutes later Ireland is celebrating.
IRELAND 15, FRANCE 12, Dublin, 2003
On a wet Lansdowne Road pitch, Geordan Murphy lands an opening-minute dropped goal. Ireland has a strong wind behind it, and David Humphreys kicks three penalties, while Francois Gelez lands one, the wind kills two, and a dropped goal hits the crossbar. In lashing rain, Gelez kicks France to within three and misses a penalty to equalize. Humphreys kicks one against the run of play for 15-9, but Gelez hits straight back with eight minutes left. In the last minutes, Ireland earns a tighthead, Humphreys hits the upright, the Irish foil a quick French lineout, and steal another lineout throw-in. They won't beat the French again for six years.
FRANCE 20, IRELAND 17, Dublin, 2007
Croke Park hosts a test for the first time, and France lead 13-3 after 14 minutes thanks to captain Raphael Ibanez's smashing try. A flattered Ireland close the gap to two by halftime when Ronan O'Gara feigns a dropped goal attempt, launches an attack and finishes it. His third penalty gives Ireland the lead for the first time, and his long-range fourth goal with three minutes to go appears to be the winner. But Vincent Clerc receives a double cut-out pass in midfield, steps off his left and flatfoots three Irish defenders, fends off a fourth, and goes over for the winner.
IRELAND 22, FRANCE 20, Paris, 2014
Tries by Andrew Trimble and Jonathan Sexton put Ireland up 12-6, but France reaches the break up by one after Remi Tales' crosskick is tapped back for Brice Dulin to score. Sexton's second try plus a conversion and penalty put Ireland on top at 22-13. France closes the gap to two, and Sexton is carried off after running into Mathieu Bastareaud. France misses a penalty, and has a try disallowed for a forward pass, takes a tighthead only to concede in a ruck. Time runs out, and Ireland celebrates its first Six Nations title since 2009, and sends Brian O'Driscoll into retirement as a champion.
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