| France (19.30) |
| Tries: Baille, Dupont Con: Jaminet Pens: Jaminet 6 |
| Ireland (7) 24 |
| Tries: Hansen, Van der Flier, Gibson-Park Cons: Carbery 3 Pen: Carbery |
France cemented their position in Six Nations favours by defeating Ireland in Paris’s pulsating heavyweight contest.
Ireland led 15 to 15 early in the second period, but they roared back quickly with quickfire tries by Jamison Gibson Park and Josh van der Flier.
Cyril Baille replied for France before Joey Carbery penal reduced the Irish deficit by three.
France won the crucial match thanks to Melvyn Jaminet’s sixth penalty.
This was billed as a meeting between two of the northern hemispheres form sides, and favorites for this year’s title. It was a relentlessly physical spectacle that did not disappoint.
Ireland, which gave a much better account of itself in the second half, after an uncoordinated 40-minute opening, loses their 12-month-old winning streak against the team that last defeated them a year ago.
More information to come.
Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Hansen; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan (c), Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, O’Mahony, Murray, Carty, Henshaw.
France: Jaminet; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos.