'It is a beautiful victory': France bask in victory as Six Nations 'slightly' in their favour

France coach Fabien Galthie said he is not thinking about winning the Six Nations despite Saturday’s impressive 30-24 victory over Ireland.

Les Bleus went three points clear at the top of the table after backing up last weekend’s success over Italy.

They next face Scotland in Edinburgh on February 26, a city where they’ve won just once since 2014.

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

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RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

“Firstly we want to take time and enjoy this victory,” Galthie told reporters.

“We have a little break of two weeks before going to Scotland.

“We appreciated the victory over Italy, but this one does a lot of good for us, the players and rewards their and the coaches’ efforts,” he added.

“That was tough, we had a tough as teak adversary even if that does not surprise us,” he said.

“It is a beautiful victory which we went after with all we had in the locker.

“Even if we lacked maturity in our replacements, we had a moment when we were treading water, but the replacements brought the energy in what we required.

“We received the Irish well, we welcomed them well now we are going to recuperate and have to go away twice.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said France are now the leading contenders for tournament, which they last won in 2010.

“The competition is slightly in France’s favour,” said Farrell.

“The competition’s just getting going. We’ll lick our wounds from a fighting, spirited performance and learn the lessons.”