Les Bleuets were trailing 14-10 late in the first half as Fintan Gunne and John Devine crossed for Ireland, but a Mathis Ferté score and Hugo Reus’ boot had kept France in touch and they led at the break through Lino Julien.
Paddy McCarthy’s yellow card just before halftime proved to be decisive as France added 14 more points in the early stages of the second-half as Pierre Jouvin and Nicolas Depoortère went over to open up a 17-point lead.
France added three tries in the final ten minutes as Ferté got a second, skipper Lenni Nouchi scored from long range and Léo Drouet crossed at the death before Reus' boot ensured France reached the half-century.
“All credit to the French,” said Ireland captain Gus McCarthy. “They put us in places we haven’t been before, we really struggled defensively. But I’m really proud of the boys, we stuck in there and gave it our all. We can keep our heads held high, we’ve fought hard in this tournament.
“We stuck together no matter what, and we’ll still stick together now. We would’ve liked a better performance today but unfortunately things just didn’t work out.”
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