Dominant France Overwhelms Ireland in Six Nations Kickoff

In a commanding display, France showcased their prowess against Ireland in the opening match of the Six Nations, securing a bonus-point victory at a lively Stade de France. The French team, buoyed by the return of captain Antoine Dupont, delivered a masterclass that left the reigning champions reeling.

After a heart-wrenching defeat to France in Dublin last year, the hosts wasted no time in establishing dominance, racing to a 22-0 lead by halftime. The first half was not only one-sided but also marred by controversy, particularly around the initial try scored by the electrifying Louis Bielle-Biarrey, which appeared to involve a forward pass in its buildup.

The first half saw additional tries from Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon, with Bielle-Biarrey adding his second try just seven minutes into the second half, securing the bonus point for France. This put the French side on track to potentially eclipse the 42 points they had previously scored against Ireland.

However, Ireland showed resilience, responding with tries from substitutes Nick Timoney and Michael Milne to narrow the scoreline. Despite their efforts, France had the last say when Theo Attissogbe rounded off a satisfying evening for the hosts with a try in the corner.

With injuries depleting their squad, Ireland faced a significant challenge against a formidable French team. Missing key players like Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen, Ireland’s coach Andy Farrell had a tough task ahead, returning to the site of their painful World Cup quarter-final exit.

While there were moments when Ireland felt aggrieved by certain refereeing decisions, it was clear that they were outclassed by a dynamic French team, which thrived on the energy of a jubilant home crowd. Even with a promising start, Ireland’s first-half performance marked the first time since 2020 that they failed to score any points.

Bielle-Biarrey’s second try came after a clever chip from Dupont and a remarkable volley from Thomas Ramos, leaving Ireland in danger of suffering one of their heaviest defeats. Nevertheless, a spirited second-half performance reminiscent of their chaotic loss to South Africa in November saw them secure a couple of tries, providing some consolation.

Timoney’s try followed a break made by his Ulster teammate Stuart McCloskey, while Milne celebrated his Six Nations debut by powering over for another score. The possibility of a third Irish try loomed, but despite mounting pressure, France’s defense held firm, culminating in Attissogbe’s late score.

The match highlighted France’s potential even in the absence of seasoned players like Uini Atonio and Gregory Alldritt. As for Ireland, they are left to regroup after this setback, following their recent autumn defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, facing another challenging encounter against a top-tier nation.

Match Summary

France:Ramos; Attissogbe, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements:Mauvaka, Neti, Montagne, Auradou, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Gourgues.

Ireland:Osborne; O’Brien, Ringrose, McCloskey, Stockdale; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Beirne, C Prendergast, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements:Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Crowley.

Referee:Karl Dickson (Eng)
Assistant Referees:Angus Gardner (Aus) & Jordan Way (Aus)
Television match official:Ian Tempest (Eng)
Foul play review officer:Richard Kelly (NZ)