Everyone in Irish rugby can at last smile again. It has been a long four months since the agonising defeat in the World Cup quarter-final, but this win was an almost perfect return to French soil to take charge of a Six Nations for which they are now significant favourites.
There was plenty to like from Ireland’s familiar faces in a convincing win over a 14-man France. Bundee Aki was excellent and Caelan Doris too but it was the performance of two newer names that will most please Andy Farrell after a giant stride towards the defence of their grand slam crown. Great faith had been placed by the Ireland head coach in Joe McCarthy and Jack Crowley at lock and fly-half respectively; the pair rewarded Farrell with two fine performances.
For Crowley, this was comfortably the biggest day of his Test career so far, a first Six Nations start arriving on the road under the Friday night lights against the championship favourites, all while stepping into the shoes of an Irish great.
But there was no Johnny Sexton ghost in the Ireland machine, Crowley slotting in seamlessly to keep the engine firing. It will take time for the 24-year-old to exert the same influence as his departed predecessor but there were signs of rich promise here, Ireland controlling the kicking battle and Crowley organising their attack superbly. The key messages from the fly-half may now be delivered with a Limerick lilt rather than in a Dublin drawl but, on this evidence at least, seem to be equally effective.