Ireland have achieved so much under Joe Schmidt in his six years in charge so it is a measure of their performance in Dublin that they reached a level of dominance the coach had never before seen.
The opening 40 minutes against France were outstanding for Ireland, who ran in three tries, played the majority of the game in the French 22 and led 19-0.
Rory Best, Johnny Sexton and Jack Conan all crossed, while Cian Healy and Garry Ringrose had tries chalked off by the TMO in a brilliant display, with Ireland going on to win 26-14.
For Schmidt, in his last home game in the Guinness Six Nations in charge of Ireland, the first 40 minutes could not have gone any better.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen in the last six years a team control 40 minutes like we did in that first half.
“The French were knocked back early and it was hard for them to get back on the front foot, but part of the hardship was that we kept that pressure on.
“To keep that pressure on for the full 40 minutes spoke volumes about the intensity and the energy we brought to our game and the cohesion.
“The energy we brought to our game and the cohesion. I know we missed some opportunities but Rory’s try was fantastic early in the game and for Johnny to score off a nice crisp back play that gives confidence. Then just before half-time for Jack Conan to get around the corner and do what he does well, that is carry in a dynamic fashion, that finished off a really positive first 40 for us.”
Keith Earls’ try just before the hour sealed the bonus point for the Irish, leaving them within striking distance heading into Super Saturday.
They travel to Wales, who are one win away from the Grand Slam, while England are best-placed to take the title if Ireland win in Cardiff.
However if England were to lose to Scotland at Twickenham, Ireland could snatch the title on the final day, and Schmidt was satisfied that his team had done all they could.
He added: “We’re one point behind England, two points behind Wales, one round to go.
“Compared to where we were last time we sat in this room (after defeat to England), it’s taken a while but there was a bit of our rhythm back today.
“We need the confidence and to get back on the front foot, in six days’ time it becomes a whole different equation. Wales in Cardiff, it is always a complicated fixture for us.”
