Paris – France launched their Six Nations title defence with a dominant victory over Ireland at the Stade de France, securing a bonus-point win with a final score of 36-14. The reigning champions demonstrated a clear statement of intent, overpowering an injury-hit Irish side in a match that highlighted the hosts’ attacking prowess and Ireland’s struggles in the opening 50 minutes.
The match, played under soggy conditions, saw Louis Bielle-Biarrey emerge as a key performer for France, scoring two tries and continuing the fine form that saw him crowned player of the championship in . Further tries came from Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, and Theo Attissogbe, with Thomas Ramos contributing three conversions and a penalty.
Ireland, hampered by a host of injuries and undergoing a transitional phase, found themselves consistently outclassed. While they rallied in the second half with tries from Nick Timoney and Michael Milne, it wasn’t enough to overcome the substantial first-half deficit. The Irish response, however, was described as “gallant” but not what they aspire to be, needing to “show up from the get-go” according to head coach Andy Farrell.
The opening stages of the match saw France relentlessly attack, with Bielle-Biarrey showcasing exceptional skill to keep the ball alive and create opportunities. He eventually broke through for the opening try in the 13th minute, sliding out of a tackle and rounding the last defender. Jalibert extended the lead in the 22nd minute, while Ollivon added another try before halftime, establishing a commanding 22-0 lead for Les Bleus.
Ramos’s accurate kicking further solidified France’s advantage, converting the tries and adding a penalty to maintain the pressure on the visitors. The French dominance continued into the second half, with Bielle-Biarrey adding his second try shortly after the restart.
Despite the widening gap, Ireland attempted to fight back, but their efforts were often thwarted by a resilient French defence. Timoney’s try in the 59th minute offered a glimmer of hope, quickly followed by Milne’s score, but the damage had already been done. Antoine Dupont, making his return to international rugby after recovering from a knee ligament rupture eleven months prior, played a role in the French attack, though a potential deliberate knock-on went unpunished.
The late try from Attissogbe in the 81st minute sealed the victory for France, securing the bonus point and sending a clear message to their Six Nations rivals. The final scoreline of 36-14 reflected France’s comprehensive performance and Ireland’s struggles to compete.
Farrell acknowledged Ireland’s shortcomings, stating that they needed to “make their own luck” by being ahead in key areas such as high balls, winning the breakdown, and tackling effectively. He emphasized the need for a stronger start in future matches, rather than relying on second-half comebacks.
The match also marked the debut of a Thursday night fixture in the Six Nations, with a light show and enthusiastic crowd creating a vibrant atmosphere at the Stade de France. The event was described as feeling like a Friday night, with the Marseillaise sung with gusto. The success of this inaugural Thursday night game may lead to further experimentation with scheduling in future years.
Dupont’s return to the French lineup was a significant boost for the team, adding experience and leadership to the squad. However, even his presence couldn’t entirely negate the impact of the challenging conditions, with a sodden pitch and slippery ball making play difficult for both sides.
France’s performance will undoubtedly be analyzed by their upcoming opponents, who will need to find ways to counter their attacking threat and disrupt their dominance. Ireland, will need to address their early-game struggles and overcome their injury concerns if they are to recover in the remainder of the tournament. The defeat leaves Ireland with much to ponder as they prepare for their next fixture.
