'Honeymoon is over': Clive Woodward sends warning to Eddie Jones

Although it was a light session some players charged into the team-mates with tackle bags

Although it was a light session some players charged into the team-mates with tackle bags

England's 22-16 defeat in Paris meant Ireland's celebrations could begin, although Joe Schmidt's side will go to Twickenham next weekend with only their third ever grand slam tantalisingly within reach.

Daly laid on a try for fellow wing May with six minutes remaining, but it was too little, too late for England, whose day was summed up by the concession of yet another penalty late on, kicked by replacement Lionel Beauxis.

Ireland had earlier thrashed Scotland in a four-try 28-8 victory in Dublin.

France, who narrowly lost their first two matches against Ireland and Scotland, defended furiously throughout and it became obvious that England, who needed a bonus-point win to keep their title hopes alive, would not score the four tries they needed at Stade de France in Paris.

England's attack simply didn't match France's and that showed in the breakdown.

An achievement of that scale for just the third time in Irish rugby history would be lauded by a far, far wider audience than the diehards and more casual fans who have followed Schmidt's successes at Leinster and with Ireland in recent years.

But, after upsetting some of the Scottish blazers by turning up to the official function after the game at Murrayfield in an open neck shirt and jumper, England's head coach was noticeably dressed in a jacket and tie for the French dinner. With an very bad record away from home, the Scots' own championship bid was nearly inevitably squashed by an Irish side which owns the visitors in Dublin, where Scotland has won only once in 20 years. "We came close against Ireland, (and) this time things turned out well for us".

Jones revealed that number eight Nathan Hughes is "unlikely" to be available for the climax to the Six Nations against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

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"We're going to have to save the best for last, and that's what it's going to take to win everything next week", Ireland captain Rory Best said.

"We need to make sure that when we have these experiences that are tough, it goes into our work to improve".

That would raise huge questions over their chances of becoming world champions in 18 months' time.

But we know that the biggest challenge is ahead still (against England). "We defended well and we always went forward". Jacques Brunel called it out as a clear weakness, an area France had made a decision to target, just as Scotland did two weeks ago.

"They will be extra motivated and knowing many from the Lions tour they are a great bunch and will be gunning for us".

If France were disappointed not to add to their lead with their opponents down to 14, they soon shrugged off that disappointment, Machenaud slotting his fourth penalty after their rivals had once again transgressed.

"(Coach) Declan Kidney said I was just as much a part of it as everyone else back in 2009 when I was in the bibs.

But take players of the quality of Paul O'Connell, Johnny Sexton, Sean O'Brien, Jared Payne and Peter O'Mahony out of any team and they will be rocked.

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