Michael Cantillon
Sports Journalist
France got their Six Nations title defence off to the ideal start, running out 36-14 winners over Ireland at the Stade de France.
Les Bleus scored five tries — Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon and Theo Attissogbe — with full-back Thomas Ramos adding three conversions and a penalty. Ireland replied with second-half tries from replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne. Antoine Dupont returned to Test action and avoided a sin‑bin for a deliberate knock-on during Ireland’s fightback.
Scoring summary
– France — Tries: Bielle-Biarrey (13, 47), Jalibert (22), Ollivon (34), Attissogbe (80+1). Cons: Ramos (14, 35, 48, 80+1). Pens: Ramos (28).
– Ireland — Tries: Timoney (59), Milne (62). Cons: Sam Prendergast (59, 62).
Match report
France threatened early, with Bielle-Biarrey nearly scoring inside two minutes before Ollivon knocked on on the greasy turf. Ireland had a bright moment when Jamie Osborne won a 50:22, but handling errors from Sam Prendergast and others blunted their pressure.
On 13 minutes Bielle-Biarrey finished down the left, Ramos converting. France’s second arrived after sustained pressure when a Nicolas Depoortere pass was intercepted and carried back over his own line, leading to a five-metre scrum; when it wheeled right, Jalibert dived over. A penalty from Ramos stretched the lead to 15-0, and Ollivon’s score after strong work from Jalibert and Jean-Baptiste Gros made it 22-0 at half-time.
Early in the second half Dupont and Ramos combined to set up Bielle-Biarrey’s second and France’s fourth, making it 29-0. Ireland finally got on the board when Timoney sped through off a Stuart McCloskey offload in the 59th minute. Dupont was fortunate to avoid yellow for a deliberate knock-on soon after, and Milne added Ireland’s second from close range to reduce the deficit to 29-14.
Ireland thought they had another score late through Ronan Kelleher, but TMO intervention ruled it out for a Caelan Doris knock-on on the ground. France finished the game with a late break and Jalibert’s play creating space for substitute Attissogbe to ground the ball in stoppage time.
Reactions
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: “There’s a lot going through our minds. We’re very disappointed… The lack of intensity in the first half, the missed tackles, not winning the scraps on the floor or the contests in the air…you’re not going to win an international game with that approach. This result isn’t a good one for us, but it has to stand for something.”
Ireland captain Caelan Doris: “We left ourselves with too tall a mountain to climb. We were passive defensively — 19 missed tackles — which allowed their attacking game to flourish. The bench made a good impact but overall it was a very disappointing way to start.”
France defence coach Shaun Edwards on Bielle-Biarrey: “He is getting better. He wants to get better. His attitude is fantastic, he’s got all the talent in the world. He’s a world-class superstar. When we’re on attack, it’s a joy to watch.”
What’s next
Ireland face Italy in Round 2 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday February 14 (2.10pm). France travel to Wales for their next match at the Principality Stadium on Sunday February 15 (3.10pm).