Ireland A kicked themselves to a comfortable 15-9 victory at a rainsoaked Donnybrook tonight, in the first A international since 2003.
Ulster's Paddy Wallace took advantage of a lack of French discipline to slot over four penalties, the first after just four minutes. He gave Ireland a 9-0 lead with goals in the 12th and 17th minutes.
The French responded with two penalties of their own on either side of half time to cut the lead to six.
Ireland rode their luck but got away with it - two bad handling errors were the only thing that stopped the French from scoring two trys in the second half.
Early in the second half Kieran Campbell broke but the French defended well and stopped him going in for the touchdown.
Ireland didn't add to their tally until the 74th minute when substitute Paul Burke of Munster slotted over from 23 metres out.
Worryingly for Ulster prop Simon Best limped off at the end of the first half.