Ireland's Victor Costello caught by Xavier Garbajosa

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan admitted that his team had luck on their side as they held on to beat France 15-12 at a rain-drenched Lansdowne Road.

He was left speechless after a nervous finish that set up a possible Grand Slam decider against England at the end of March.

''What a tense game,'' said O'Sullivan. ''It's taking me a bit of time to recover.

Heroic Ireland Edge out France

''I would say that we rode our luck a little out there today, particularly in the final quarter. It was not very pretty, but it sure was exciting."

"Conditions were really dreadful,'' said O'Sullivan.

''Sitting in the stand the wind was blowing one direction and on the field it was blowing the other way.

''Each team made a lot of mistakes, and it was very difficult to get over that try line.

At the end it was grit and determination that saw us come through Brian O'Driscoll Reaction from the France camp

''But we showed a lot of character at the end. We defended superbly once again and the commitment was phenomenal.

''It was always going to be tough against France, and you could see that they never once looked like giving up.

''My finger nails are bitten down to the knuckle.''

Brian O'Driscoll, now undefeated in six outings as captain, praised his side's defence for keeping their unbeaten record.

''Our defence was tremendous today,'' he said.

''It's that sort of performance that wins games - mind you, I was never so glad to hear the final whistle.

Academy: O'Driscoll's rise

''When we defeated Australia in November, we were guilty of asking the referee to end the game far too early.

''This time we kept our mouth's shut, and we held on for that very slender victory.

''But I'm very proud of the boys. They gave everything, as they have done throughout the season.

''We got off to a great start and at the end it was grit and determination that saw us come through.''