The China Mail - Dupont wants more after France sparkle and then wobble against Ireland

The defending champions galloped into a 29-0 lead before two tries from the visitors set up a tense final quarter at the Stade de France.

"We know what we can do, but there are periods that can cost us at the end of games," Dupont told France Televisions.

"We managed to get things back on track thanks to the bench.

"It's something we have to look at, but more generally it was positive," he added.

Dupont, 29, was making his first Six Nations appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in last March's win over Ireland.

He partnered in-form Matthieu Jalibert at half-back with usual fly-half Romain Ntamack suffering from a fitness issue.

Jalibert was crucial in attack scoring before the interval and assisting Theo Attissogbe for the winger's touchdown in additional time after 80 minutes.

"Things went well," Dupont said.

"Among the backs we connected well with each other well.

"We didn't have massive overlaps but we managed to exploit them.

"It's a good sign for what's to come."

France travel to Wales on February 15 in the second round of the tournament.

Ireland trailed 22-0 at half-time, the first time they have been scoreless at the break in the Six Nations.

"We left ourselves too tall a mountain to climb in the first half," captain Caelan Doris told ITV.

"We were too passive defensively.

"The first 30 minutes we couldn't find our feet, we allowed them to get phases and score off the back," he added.

The visitors' hopes of a miraculous comeback were sparked thanks to Andy Farrell's four replacements with half an hour to play.

Two substitutes, back-rower Nick Timoney and prop Michael Milne, crossed to cut the hosts' advantage with 18 minutes to go.

Jack Crowley also came on, offering Farrell's side a second playmaker with creative fly-half Sam Prendergast already on the field.

"The bench made a good impact when they came on got us back into the game a bit and got our energy going so there was a bit of grit and determination in the second half," Doris said.

"It's very disappointing way to start the campaign," the No 8 added.

R.Yeung--ThChM