France held off a resurgent second-half display from Ireland to win their Six Nations match at the Stade de France.

My colleague Nabil Hassan and I watched the game and have combined to put together some player ratings for the two sides.

I rated France, while Nabil ran the rule over Ireland.

Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts.

FRANCE:

Cedric Heymans: Possessed an almost supernatural telepathy with his two wingers in the first half, and his frightening pace and swift sidestep helped Clerc touch down for his third try. Enjoyed a lucky bounce to score his try, but had to rescue his side right on the whistle with a try-saving clearance. 8

Aurelien Rougerie: Made a sensational 60m break after calling a mark on his own tryline with just three minutes gone. Was consistently menacing on the right wing, giving Rob Kearney a proper working over. Was more subdued in the second-half - but which French player wasn't? 8

David Marty: Quietly efficient while all bedlam was unleashed on either side and behind him in the first 40 minutes. Made his fair share of big hits in midfield and ensured Brian O'Driscoll had no spaces to exploit. However, he needlessly gave away a key penalty on 75 minutes for handling on the ground. 6

Damien Traille: Always seemed to be at the shoulder of a team-mate in attacking situations, along with excellent distribution. Was not required to use his behemoth of a right boot, but was on the back foot as Andrew Trimble began to dominate in the second half. 7

Vincent Clerc: Appeared from nowhere to score France's first try, with slick boots and a brilliant finish before doing the same all over again four minutes later. Thoroughly deserved his first-half hat-trick but the Toulouse flyer blotted his performance with a dangerous tackle on Eoin Reddan early in the second half, as well as knocking on a simple pass to the bread-basket. But still, you can't argue with three tries. 9

David Skrela: Slipped a beautiful inside pass to set up Clerc's second score while his kicking from hand in the first half was excellent, eating up vital yards into Ireland territory. But went missing in the latter stages of the second half. 7

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde: Brilliant vision and a pinpoint box-kick found Clerc for the first score. His kicking from the floor wasn't quite as inspirational but still the Toulouse half-back managed to put over his share of conversions. Was on the back foot in the second half as his forwards were bossed all over the Stade de France and was replaced by Morgan Parra on 69 minutes. 7

Nicolas Mas: Endured a torrid tussle with the robust John Hayes and comfortably came out second best. Could not contain his opponent's shove in a five-metre scrum in the 56th minute, which led to Ireland's penalty try. 4

Dimitri Szarzewski: The hooker made two early big hits to dent Ireland's attacking aspirations, the second leading to a turnover which set up Clerc's second score. His alacrity around the fringes give him something extra over his opponents - a new breed of number two. France desperately missed his presence in the second half when he was replaced on 47 minutes. 8

Lionel Faure: Had little to do in the first half and was replaced by Julien Brugnaut within seven minutes of the second, so was not responsible as France's scrum went AWOL in the last half hour. 6

Arnaud Mela: Didn't have too much to do as Clerc, Rougerie and Heymans ran Ireland ragged in the first half. Was replaced by Loic Jacquet on 51 minutes. 6

Lionel Nallet: the France captain looked solid in the line-out but crumbled behind an impotent front row in the second half. 6

Fulgence Ouedraogo: Could not put a foot wrong in the first 40 minutes, but was outplayed by Ireland's resurgent back row in the second. Was replaced by Louis Picamoles on 62 minutes. 6

Thierry Dusautoir: Like his back-row team-mate, the number seven was in total control in the first half, but suddenly went missing when he was needed to burrow and secure possession at the breakdown after the break. 6

Julien Bonnaire: Mobile, menacing and marauding in the first half, subdued and under siege in the second. 7

Replacements:

William Servat: On for Szarzewski early in the second half, but was thoroughly outbossed by opposite numbers Bernard Jackman and Rory Best. 5

Loic Jacquet: On for Mela in the 51st minute. Secured a vital line-out on 68 minutes as Ireland threatened five metres from France's line. 6

Julien Brugnaut: Replaced Faure in the second half. Like front-row team-mate Mas, the Dax prop could not contain Marcus Horan's overpowering presence. Was comprehensively outplayed by his counterpart. 4

Louis Picamoles: Replaced Fulgence Ouedraogo on 62 minute. Was thrown in with his team rattled, hardly ideal conditions to make an impression. 5

Morgan Parra: The 19-year-old replaced Elissalde on 65 minutes with his forwards well and truly rattled. Did enough to ensure his backs were not too overwhelmed. 6

Francois Trinh-Duc: Came on for Skrela in the 79th minute. No time to make an impression. No mark.

IRELAND:

Girvan Dempsey - The French ripped the Ireland back three to shreds in the first half and defensively Dempsey struggled. Also lacked creativity going forward. 6

Geordan Murphy - Missed a crucial tackle leading to France's second try and struggled to keep the French backs quiet. Didn't offer enough in attack. 5

Brian O'Driscoll - Tried to inspire his side but was outshone by the French backs who were scintillating. Passing was erratic but the skipper tackled his heart out. 6

Andrew Trimble - Always looked threatening with the ball in hand but was ultimately well marshalled by Damien Traille. 7

Rob Kearney - A tough afternoon on his first start. A couple of missed tackles led to French tries but the Leinster wing tried to inject some pace when he got his hands on the ball. 6

Ronan O'Gara
Fine early penalty but was caught in possession which led to France's third try. Raised his game in the second half and his kicking put France under pressure. Great late penalty set up a grandstand finish. 7

Eoin Reddan - A mixed game from the Wasps scrum-half. His passing wasn't great but he always looked to take on his opposite number and get Ireland going forward. 6

Marcus Horan - Scrummaged well against the French front-row and set a decent platform for the Irish backs. 8

Bernard Jackman - Line-out throwing was inconsistent but he was brilliant in the scrum and that pressure eventually saw a penalty try awarded. Went off on the hour. 6

John Hayes - Was part of a solid Ireland scrum that destroyed France and can take credit for Ireland's penalty try. 8

Donncha O'Callaghan - A couple decent charges from the Munster lock who was Ireland's best forward by a fraction. He never stopped tackling and always looked to break the gain line. 8

Malcolm O'Kelly - Not the best display from O'Kelly, who struggled to secure line-out possession for his side. However, he put in an honest performance. 6

Denis Leamy - Some good charges and tackled well. Dangerous with the ball in hand. 7

David Wallace - Carried the ball well for Ireland and always a willing runner. His try got Ireland back in the game and it was no more than he deserved. 8

Jamie Heaslip - Heaslip made a couple of decent early charges and was a dangerous weapon for Ireland off the back of the scrum. A good performance. 8


Replacements:

Rory Best - On for Jackman on the hour and the line-out immediately improved. 7

Tony Buckley - On for John Hayes with minutes remaining and continued the front-row dominance. 6

Mick O'Driscoll - Replaced Malcolm O'Kelly after 53 minutes and helped Ireland get back into the game. 7