Manager David Haslett hailed it as his side's "best performance of the season" but his Ireland U-21s were still undone 20-13 tonight by their French counterparts.
Having missed a brace of gilt-edged try opportunities in the first half, the Irish had to wait until the 78th minute to net their only touch down of a chilly Thomond Park night as impressive Belfast Harlequins wing Paul McKenzie crossed.
Two penalties on 11 and 23 minutes had set the Irish - losers to both Scotland and England in their last outings - up for a 6-0 half-time lead.
France had started slowly and lost prop Alexandre Bastin to the sin-bin but the visitors emerged with renewed heart in the second half. They waited just ten minutes until wing Mathieu Bourret slalomed over.
Christophe Ruiz converted for the lead and while adding penalties on 57 and 67 minutes, the Perpignan fly-half also tagged on the extras to centre Vincent Roux's try with five minutes remaining.
McKenzie's effort proved scant consolation and Haslett's men must rally themselves as they travel to Neath in seven days time - with Wales attempting a historic Grand Slam.
