Ireland demolished Italy while France edged Scotland by two points on Saturday to leave the Six Nations title still up for grabs before the two sides meet next weekend in Paris.

Two tries by Jonny Sexton helped Ireland to a comprehensive 46-7 victory at the Aviva stadium in Dublin to maintain their challenge for a first Six Nations crown since 2009.

Ireland’s other tries came from Andrew Trimble, Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Fergus McFadden and Jack McGrath.

A first-half breakaway try by Leonardo Sarto, converted by Lucian Orquera, was all Italy had to show for their efforts.

France sit level with Ireland on six points at the top of the championship table after a late Marc Doussain penalty secured a 19-17 victory over Scotland.

Defending champions Wales and England both have four points and remain in contention ahead of their clash on Sunday at Twickenham.

Brian O’Driscoll, who set a world record of 140 Test appearances in his final home game for Ireland, was instrumental in three of their tries and was given a standing ovation when he was finally replaced by McFadden on the hour mark.

“I feel humbled by the reaction today. I have loved my time playing in this jersey, it has to come to an end at some stage and I am happy to go out with a big win,” said O’Driscoll, who was named man of the match.

Ireland’s points difference is such that a victory against France in their final game should secure the championship.

Two Maxime Machenaud penalties gave France the early initiative at Murrayfield but Scotland moved ahead on 12 minutes with a try by Stuart Hogg, which was converted by Greig Laidlaw, after Yoann Huget failed to take the full back’s high ball.

Another Machenaud penalty put Les Bleus back in front before Tommy Seymour scored the home side’s second try of the game although Alex Dunbar did look to have illegally blocked Jules Plisson.

Laidlaw converted to give the Scots a 14-9 lead at the break.

Scotland should have extended their lead further when fly-half Duncan Weir looked take advantage of an overlap but instead his pass was intercepted by Huget, who ran the length of the field to score under the posts.

Machenaud put France two points in front with the conversion and while Weir briefly gave Scotland hope of victory with a long-range penalty, Doussain broke the home side’s hearts with a late penalty of his own after Scotland failed to release.