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France v Ireland LIVE: Titans collide in blockbuster Six Nations opener

Six Nations / Regular
Orange Vélodrome / 02.02.2024
Completed
17
38
2
Tries
5
2
Conversions
5
1
Penalties
1
0
Drops
0
Live
Live Updates
Andrew Wright

Updated 02/02/2024 at 22:20 GMT


22:19
THANKS FOR JOINING US
That's all from us. We'll be back tomorrow to bring you more Six Nations action, as England take on Italy in Rome before Wales welcome Scotland.
Until then, goodbye!
22:15
O'MAHONEY HAILS YOUNGSTERS
"Hard to sum up. A serious test match. The way we controlled the game - cool, composed, a bit frantic in the last 10 minutes, but we didn't get carried away. We stuck to the plan and overall it was a good performance," O'Mahoney told ITV Sport.
"There were some big performances from the young guys getting their opportunities: Jack [Crowley], Calvin [Nash], Joe [McCarthy].
"You have to take your chances against France and more often than not we took ours."
22:07
'IT WAS FANTASTIC'
Speaking to ITV Sport, Ireland's player of the match Joe McCarthy said: "Yeah, we're very happy. It's never easy to win away in France. We didn't probably expect to get such a high score but we're really happy. The atmosphere was absolutely mental, so everyone dug in and it was a fantastic team performance.
"Our set piece went well and we won our lineout ball. We were in sync as a team and everyone played their part. It was fantastic."
21:55
FT: FRANCE 17-38 IRELAND
That's it! Ireland have thumped France to begin their Six Nations defence in style.
It was billed as a titanic clash but in the end it was a one-sided drubbing.
What a performance from Andy Farrell's side, who will take some beating on the strength of that.
77'
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TRY - FRANCE 17-38 IRELAND (KELLEHER)
Fickou concedes a penalty and Ireland are going for the corner. Talk about confidence.
The lineout is secured and the drive eventually gets going and over the line, with Kelleher touching down for a fifth Ireland try.
Confident. Clinical. Game Over
75'
IRELAND SEEING THE GAME OUT
All Jalibert can do is kick the ball into touch deep in France's 22 after a superb kick through.
They need to be at the other end of the pitch!
74'
A DREAM DEBUT
Here's Nash's try on his Six Nations debut...
73'
TUILAGI POWER
There's a first glimpse of the devastating power of Tuilagi as he bulldozes Jack Conan. Beirne is his next victim as France move forward.
But, as has been the theme, Ireland hold firm and earn the turnover.
70'
FRANCE STILL IN IT
From deep in their half, France launch an attack. Bielle-Biarry charges up the left flank and makes good metres.
It comes right and Penaud gets the hosts into the Irish half but the attack is eventually thwarted as Ireland clear.
65'
UNCHARACTERISTIC ERRORS
Bielle-Biarrey, who has just come on, can't gather a fizzed Jalibert pass and knocks on. It just hasn't been vintage France here tonight.
62'
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TRY - FRANCE 17-31 IRELAND (SHEEHAN)
Ireland go for the corner and win the lineout before decimating the France maul to crash over the line for the bonus point.
Crowley pings another brilliant conversion from a tight angle.
62'
FRANCE HANGING ON
Aki is hit so hard the ball is knocked out of his hands, not something you see every day.
But Ireland recover and recompose to come again.
France's defence holds firm and the play is brought back for an Ireland penalty.
59'
PENAUD'S TRY
In case you missed it, here's Penaud's try on the stroke of half-time that gave France a lifeline.
57'
WHAT A GAME
A Gibson-Park kick from the halfway line goes straight out. The crowd has found their voice and this game has come to life.
France win the lineout but Ireland's rush defence is excellent and they win the turnover. Huge!
54'
GALTHIE RINGS THE CHANGES
Galthie has made four changes in the forwards. Among them, on comes Posolo Tuilagi.
The nephew of Manu, he weighs 150kg. Can he make an impact?
53'
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TRY - FRANCE 17-24 IRELAND (GABRILLAGUES)
The footage is far from decisive so Karl Dickson's on-field decision stands. It's a try for France AND a yellow card for O'Mahoney.
Ramos slots the extras and it's game on - again!
53'
POTENTIAL FRANCE TRY
Ireland win a penalty and kick for the corner but it's then reversed after Crowley brought down Fickou in the air.
France come forward and win another penalty.
They go back to the corner and the referee thinks the ball has been grounded but it's going to be checked.
There could also be a yellow card incoming for O'Mahoney...
45'
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TRY - FRANCE 10-24 IRELAND (NASH)
Nash has a try on his SIx Nations debut!
Porter is awarded a penalty and Crowley kicks for the corner.
Henshaw almost gets over before Doris feeds Nash to tap down in the corner.
Crowley slots a brilliant conversion to make it a two-score game once more.
43'
RAMOS MISS
France win a penalty and the signal is for the posts.
Usually so reliable, Ramos's effort drifts just past the right-hand post. Could be a huge miss!
41'
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SECOND HALF
We're back under way at the Orange Velodrome for a huge 40 minutes of rugby.