France 36-14 Ireland: Hosts secure commanding win in Six Nations debut
Ireland faced a challenging evening in Paris as the defending champions France began their Six Nations title defense with a commanding 36-14 bonus-point win.
Andy Farrell’s squad entered the tournament opener at a rainy Stade de France as underdogs, grappling with a transitional phase complicated by numerous injuries.
The undermanned visitors were clearly outperformed as Antoine Dupont, in his first international appearance since tearing knee ligaments in Dublin 11 months prior, guided Les Bleus to a decisive victory.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey continued his impressive form, which earned him the title of player of the championship in 2025, scoring two tries, alongside touchdowns from Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon.
Ireland eventually responded with quick consolation tries from substitutes Nick Timoney and Michael Milne, both converted by Sam Prendergast.
However, despite a strong contribution from the Irish bench, France sealed the match with a try from wing Theo Attissogbe, while full-back Thomas Ramos added a penalty and four conversions.
Sections of traveling supporters mingled with a predominantly home crowd as Ireland returned to the French capital for the first time since their heartbreaking quarter-final exit to New Zealand at the 2023 World Cup.
The away team was nearly breached within two minutes, but French lock Ollivon knocked on just short of the tryline after Bielle-Biarrey’s chipped pass.
Ireland initially responded positively, but 11 minutes later, they faced another setback.
Amid claims of a forward pass in the buildup, the dynamic wing Bielle-Biarrey evaded three defenders to score on the left after fly-half Prendergast volleyed the ball back into play instead of kicking for touch.
Ireland faltered again nine minutes later.
Wing Tommy O’Brien was forced to ground the ball behind his own line after a pressured pass from Prendergast, and from the ensuing five-meter scrum, Dupont set up half-back partner Jalibert for an easy score.
In the first championship opener held on a Thursday to avoid a conflict with Friday’s opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the one-sided match continued.
Ramos successfully converted a penalty before Ollivon capped off a well-executed team try, leaving France with a commanding 22-0 lead at halftime.
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Fabien Galthie’s team secured the bonus point within seven minutes of the second half, thanks to the speedy Bielle-Biarrey once again breaking free down the left.
As the match neared the hour mark, Ireland seemed at risk of suffering the embarrassment of being shut out.
Flanker Timoney scored after Stuart McCloskey broke through the defense, averting that outcome, followed by prop Milne powering over three minutes later to ignite faint hopes of a comeback with his first international try.
Ireland dominated significant portions of the final quarter.
Yet they could not add to their score and ultimately fell to defeat in their opening Six Nations match for the first time since 2021, after French wing Attissogbe scored in the closing moments.
