At half-time, France led 20-14, Ireland 20-12, so it was still France, by virtue of their +4 points advantage before the game, in the driving seat.

However, by the 63rd minute, France were leading by 18 (32-14), but Ireland's margin had stretched to 34 (46-12) thanks to three quick tries. On 70 minutes, things were a little closer with France's margin of 25 points (3914) not far behind Ireland's, which remained at 34. In the 80th minute, it was a similar situation with tries from Scotland and Italy giving France a 20point and Ireland a 29-point lead.

With France's +4 points difference taken into account, that meant Ireland were ahead by five. And in the 84th minute, when Denis Hickie scored, that would have increased to 10. One minute later in Paris, however, Elvis Vermeulen was credited with a try that left France with a winning margin of 27. The final whistle then went in Paris. At that point, Ireland were 34 points ahead of Italy (three ahead of France) and you can only presume word would have filtered through from the touchline the title was theirs, that there was no need to take any more risks. Therefore, when they were awarded that penalty in the 87th minute (with the game in Paris over by a good 90 seconds), Denis Leamy would have handed the ball to Ronan O'Gara and the out-half would have booted to touch. Six Nations victory to Ireland. Tough luck lads.