The French Defence Forces came out well on top in this encounter at Sydney Parade yesterday with the home side fading in the final 20 minutes.

The fixture, which dates back to 1986, has seen the French prevail in recent years, but the Irish gave them plenty to think about in the early stages.

With five minutes gone, Kevin O'Riordan raced in from the left to touch down under the posts. Out-half Mick Brennan added the two points.

Unfortunately the home side were then given a taste of things to come when Frank Baudry, the French wing, escaped down the flanks and supplied full back Nicoles Nadau, who released Frederic Dubois for the try.

The Irish lost touch at that stage, and although prop Enda Bohan managed to reduce the arrears to five points midway through the second half, there was little they could do to contain the French.

Scorers: Irish Defence Forces: K O'Riordan, E Bohan try each; M Brennan two con. French Defence Forces: R Tuelet pen, 5 cons; JF Dubois, R Detreuil, S Etchegoyen, M Chenavier, J Pinot try each.

Irish Defence Forces: K O'Riordan; A Cawley, R O'Donnell, N O'Meara, C Dunne; M Brennan, W Dunne; N Taylor, G Heaslip, L Toland, D O'Meara, T Casey, K Rowan, P Humphries, E Bohan.

French Defence Forces: N Nadau; F Baudry, J Frederic Dubois, C Michelet, J Pinot; R Teulet, M Lazerges; J Remy Daurat, T Algret, S Prat, F Conilh, R Delttreuil, S Etchegoyen, D Couchan, J Troader. Replacement: M Chenavier (for Pinot).

Referee: T Redmond (ARLB).