Six Nations: Evaluations of France players following decisive victory against Ireland
PARIS — France made a significant impression in their opening match of the Six Nations, securing a 36-14 victory against Ireland in Paris on Thursday.
The home team pulled ahead and appeared to dominate at times, with several players shining, while Ireland will need to confront some challenging questions.
How did France perform? And who are the true stars for Les Bleus?
Here are ESPN’s player ratings.
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros 7.5
Achieved notable success at scrum time against a diminished Ireland front-row.
2. Julien Marchand – 7.5
Facilitated France’s lineout effectiveness. Another solid display from a highly reliable player.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – 7.5
Stepped up in the absence of Uini Aitonio, who has regrettably had to retire. Worked diligently and will continue to find his rhythm throughout the tournament.
4. Charles Ollivon – 8
Scored a well-executed try that nearly sealed the match. A genuine leader in the pack and someone France can consistently depend on to deliver.
5. Mickaël Guillard – 9
Produced some impressive runs that earned him the player of the match accolade. At just 25 years old, France is fortunate to have such a dynamic player in the center of their pack.
6. François Cros – 7
Not as influential as he might have hoped — others around him had more standout moments — but he will have his opportunity.
7. Oscar Jégou – 7.5
Seemed to cover nearly every inch of the field, often serving as a secondary option and pursuing the ball.
8. Anthony Jelonch – 8
A commanding physical presence, he fulfilled his role and more, completing a significant amount of work. That’s his purpose, and he consistently aids his team in gaining momentum.
9. Antoine Dupont – 8.5
Is it ever anything less? Despite being absent from the Test arena since March 2025 due to an ACL injury, Dupont was immediately in his element. He is an exceptional athlete, in addition to being a remarkable rugby player.
10. Matthieu Jalibert – 8
There were some uncertainties regarding his partnership with Dupont and how he would integrate with the star scrum-half, but Jalibert simply plays his own game, at his own tempo. He didn’t overexert himself but was crucial for his team.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 9
Magic appears to follow him whenever he has the ball. His ability to stumble, regain his footing, and still score was a remarkable sight.
12. Yoram Moefana – 8
Of course, there were raised eyebrows when Gael Fickou was omitted from the squad, but the Moefana, Depoortère combination proved effective against Ireland.
13. Nicolas Depoortère – 7.5
You wouldn’t guess he had only a few Test caps to his name. Collaborated well with Bielle-Biarrey. Still has some rough edges to refine but made a strong start to his Test career.
14. Théo Attissogbe – 7.5
Did not see much of the ball in the first half but contributed nicely to Ollivon’s try. With a backline like that, it’s essential to make the most of the opportunities you get, and he did. Scored a nice try at the end to cap it off.
15. Thomas Ramos – 8
Has established himself as a dependable presence at the back for France. Extremely reliable, and of course, his kicking ability is invaluable.
