People were sweating buckets at half-time as they contemplated Ireland's slender lead and the near disastrous injuries suffered by two of Ireland's most important players.
First, having been softened up in the few minutes beforehand, Johnny Sexton was dumped out of the game following a hit from Louis Picamoles.
We then had to witness the heartbreaking spectacle of one of the greatest Irish players of all time being stretchered off at half time.
But then came the second half. Ireland wiped out France in the second half, most strikingly at the breakdown, where Sean O'Brien was especially impressive.
Here's how it looked from twitter.
Johnny Sexton's game is over already. Subbed off with injury. #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/HuFGUyLF4M
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 11, 2015
Oh my god Keith Earls will be having nightmares about that ? #IREvFRA — Anne-Marie Flynn (@thecailinrua) October 11, 2015
Stadium on their feet as Paul O'Connell leaves #heartbreaking — Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) October 11, 2015
Seán O'Brien must have been watching @TheNotoriousMMA vs. Chad Mendes https://t.co/4eR3lStDXn — SevereMMA Podcast (@SevereMMAPod) October 11, 2015
Hope the IRFU aren't too proud to call Frank Murphy or the lads who got Connolly,Keegan and McCann off #RWC2015 #seanobrien #IREvFRA — Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) October 11, 2015
Rob Kearney went mental celebrating his try pic.twitter.com/8cBJ9Uqjxp — Robín (@Gerrardesque) October 11, 2015
Sean o brien has carried more than DHL today #tank #beastmode #IREvFRA — Diarmuid O'Sullivan (@dsully3) October 11, 2015
Heard this wknd my art teacher was pregnant with Robbie Henshaw when she taught us. Must be my teenage still life stuff that influenced him — Eleanor Tiernan (@eleanortiernan) October 11, 2015
There is a special, warm place in my heart for base of the post tries. Bravo Conor Murray
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 11, 2015
This says it all. #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/Y24qS5riYs — RTÉ 2fm (@RTE2fm) October 11, 2015
OMG! Absolute heroes! I've never followed a team like them. Bursting with pride. #IREvFRA — Céimin Burke (@CeiminUTV) October 11, 2015
Ireland's greatest ever win? I think so. Epic. Needs to be celebrated properly b4 stressing abt injuries and citings #RWC2015 #Ireland — Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) October 11, 2015
The last French move of the game was an apt precis of their enitre performance.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 11, 2015
The most heroic Irish effort in HISTORY #IREvFRA — Gavin Sheridan (@gavinsblog) October 11, 2015
I'm still crying that performance was unbelievable. I thought we were down and out after losing all our leaders but no. Ireland I love you — Shane Long legend (@Gazzalfc1997) October 11, 2015
Madigan crying just brought me to my knees #IREvFRA lets go 2 for 2 tonight pleeeeease — Ciara Judge (@CiaraFudgyJudgy) October 11, 2015
Well. This is emotional. No I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying! ? #RWC2015 #Ireland #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvFRA — Chloe Moloney (@Nursefancypants) October 11, 2015
