Ireland in all sync after winning over France, says Schmidt

Ireland got a bit of their rhythm back in Sunday's dominant win over France and will push to finish as well as they can after putting some of the frustration of a flat Six Nations start behind them, coach Joe Schmidt said.

Ireland outclassed a poor French side with a 26-14 scoreline that flattered the visitors ahead of a final trip to Cardiff next weekend where they could upset Wales' grand slam hopes and even win the title if results go their way. While two last-gasp consolation tries saved France from a record defeat at the hands of Ireland, Schmidt revealed in particular at a first half where his side controlled 90 per cent of the territory and could have easily scored more than the three tries that put them well out of sight.

"Where we were last time we sat in this room, I think it's taken a while but there was a bit of our rhythm back today," Schmidt told a news conference, referring to their opening home defeat by England five weeks ago. "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. To keep that pressure on for the full 40 minutes really spoke volumes about the intensity and energy we brought to our game.

"It's always important to do that because we need the points with where we are but we need the confidence as well to get back on the front foot, but in six days times it becomes a whole different equation." Ireland must hand Wales a first defeat in 14 games and hope Scotland then avoid defeat by England at Twickenham to secure an unlikely back-to-back title but Schmidt said it was more about finishing well, than what it will mean for the standings.

Wales are top with 16 points after their perfect start ahead of England on 15 and Ireland with 14. Captain Rory Best suggested Ireland would attack from the off again next Saturday.

"We've been as frustrated as anyone with some of the stuff from the first three games," said Best, who opened the scoring in what was his last home Six Nations. "We just wanted to go out and attack today, whether we had the ball or not. We're at our best whenever we go and attack and we have definitely played within ourselves so it was nice to see us take a big step towards what we expect from each other."