Dupont wants more after France sparkle and then wobble against Ireland / Photo: Julie SEBADELHA - AFP/File
-
Belgium Signs Contract for 20 Rheinmetall Skyranger Air Defence Systems
-
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Signs Pacts With London and Ottawa Institutions at CIIE
-
RBI Data Reveals Divergence in Credit Card Spending and Debit Card Cash Withdrawals
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
-
Sweet As app launches restaurant discovery platform
-
Two more arrested in Carrie Mullane suspected murder investigation
-
Phoenix Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner to Go for Pickup
-
MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road
-
Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism
-
Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks
-
Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring
-
Canadian soldier Aidan Goulding remembered at Vancouver funeral
-
Second major storm brings destructive winds and outages to British Columbia
-
Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka
-
Godzilla Minus Zero leads North American box office with $31.6m
-
Robert Trujillo discusses literacy and social justice children’s books
-
Advocate calls for coordinated support for children facing trafficking
-
Civil rights advocate William Bill Tucker dies aged 98
-
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Review Your Coverage Options
-
Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections
-
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
-
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
-
Nvidia CEO Controversy Sparks Fears of Tighter U.S. AI Chip Curbs for Samsung and SK hynix
-
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
-
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
-
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
-
Nottinghamshire launches specialist rural crime policing team
-
Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme
-
China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit
-
Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth
-
Rail journey offers a slower route to a Berlin city break
-
Energy bill plan could use HMRC income data to target support
-
Arsenal control title race as Manchester United fall into bottom three
-
Business owner earning £6,000 a month tackles £70,000 debt
-
Suspected Krakow gunman dies after attack that killed six
-
Nvidia chief faces inquiry after disclosing affair with suspected Chinese agent
-
Carrick backs Dalot after hostile reception from Manchester United fans
-
Comet returns as online electrical marketplace 14 years after collapse
-
Aston Villa Defy History With Rare Victory at Old Trafford
-
Brussels Education Unions Schedule Major November Protest Over Funding and Reforms
Dupont wants more after France sparkle and then wobble against Ireland
France captain Antoine Dupont rued a second-half stutter but said that Thursday's often brilliant 36-14 Six Nations win over Ireland in Paris was "a good sign for what's to come".
The defending champions galloped into a 29-0 lead before two tries from the visitors set up a tense final quarter at the Stade de France.
"We know what we can do, but there are periods that can cost us at the end of games," Dupont told France Televisions.
"We managed to get things back on track thanks to the bench.
"It's something we have to look at, but more generally it was positive," he added.
Dupont, 29, was making his first Six Nations appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in last March's win over Ireland.
He partnered in-form Matthieu Jalibert at half-back with usual fly-half Romain Ntamack suffering from a fitness issue.
Jalibert was crucial in attack scoring before the interval and assisting Theo Attissogbe for the winger's touchdown in additional time after 80 minutes.
"Things went well," Dupont said.
"Among the backs we connected well with each other well.
"We didn't have massive overlaps but we managed to exploit them.
"It's a good sign for what's to come."
France travel to Wales on February 15 in the second round of the tournament.
Ireland trailed 22-0 at half-time, the first time they have been scoreless at the break in the Six Nations.
"We left ourselves too tall a mountain to climb in the first half," captain Caelan Doris told ITV.
"We were too passive defensively.
"The first 30 minutes we couldn't find our feet, we allowed them to get phases and score off the back," he added.
The visitors' hopes of a miraculous comeback were sparked thanks to Andy Farrell's four replacements with half an hour to play.
Two substitutes, back-rower Nick Timoney and prop Michael Milne, crossed to cut the hosts' advantage with 18 minutes to go.
Jack Crowley also came on, offering Farrell's side a second playmaker with creative fly-half Sam Prendergast already on the field.
"The bench made a good impact when they came on got us back into the game a bit and got our energy going so there was a bit of grit and determination in the second half," Doris said.
"It's very disappointing way to start the campaign," the No 8 added.
M.Thompson--AMWN