Ireland put their World Cup disappointment firmly behind them as they kicked off their Grand Slam defence in style with a 38-17 win against France in Marseille. The defending Guinness Six Nations champions looked right back to their best as they pulled the French apart on home soil, with the bonus-point win just Ireland's fourth victory away to the French in 40 years. The visitors led from start to finish against the hosts, who came off second best in every department except the scrum. Joe McCarthy announced himself to Test rugby. The 22-year-old was Player of the Match on his Six Nations debut as he brought a new level of physicality to the Irish pack, while Jack Crowley kicked six out of seven off the tee in a bold performance, albeit one that was slightly rough around the edges. Ireland had a man advantage for the majority of the game after a 32nd minute red card for French lock Paul Willemse. The second row picked up two yellow cards for head-high hits on Andrew Porter and then Caelan Doris. Having been lucky to see his first yellow remain so after a TMO Bunker referral, there was no saving him the second time around, and France paid a heavy price for that indiscipline. Tries for Jamison Gibson Park and Tadhg Beirne sent Ireland into a commanding 17-3 lead at the Orange Velodrome, but when Damian Penaud hit back for France just before half time it brought Fabien Galthie's side back within seven, and well within touching distance. Every time France came back, Ireland had answers though, as Calvin Nash scored his first Irish try on his Six Nations debut, and Dan Sheehan dived over for the bonus-point either side of Paul Gabrillagues getting one back for France. While France had their moments, and did a job on the Irish scrum, the never really looked like winning, and Rónan Kelleher’s late try put the gloss on a stunning Irish win.