France got their Six Nations campaign off to a perfect start with a comfortable 36-14 over Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris on Thursday night.
It was a brutal night for Andy Farrell’s men who were blown away by a lethal French side, who threw down a marker that they are gunning for back-to-back silverware.
Although the visitors enjoyed a mini revival in the third quarter of the fixture, the damage was done and France eventually wrapped up a five-try home win.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon and Theo Attissogbe scored for Les Bleus while Thomas Ramos kicked 11 points in a Six Nations masterclass.
Nick Timoney and Michael Milne were Ireland’s try-scorers in the second half with Sam Prendergast converting both crossings but it papered over a dismal evening.
2026’s opener took place on Thursday due to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics being scheduled for Friday and the Test certainly lived up to its billing.
Right from the off, Bielle-Biarrey got the crowd on to their feet as he went close with a chip and chase that was ultimately spilled forwards by Ollivon five metres out.
Ireland weathered that wobble though and established a foothold in the ensuing minutes, as Prendergast gained confidence on an important night for the number 10.
However, Bielle-Biarrey would strike on 14 minutes with an incredible finish as he took the pass from Yoram Moefana and set off for the line down the left wing for 7-0.
France sensed blood and they pressed hard for a second try that arrived on 22 minutes via a scrum five metres out that saw Antoine Dupont feed Jalibert for the score.
Ireland seemed rattled and a lack of discipline then crept into their game, typified by Joe McCarthy entering a ruck from the side, which gave Ramos an easy three points.
That 15-point lead was further extended on 34 minutes when slick interplay led to Ollivon sliding over on the right wing, with Ramos adding the kick to move it to 22-0.
Ireland desperately needed the half-time break as they looked a side completely shot of confidence and ideas, with France, in contrast, on the verge of breaking records.
Previously, the largest winning margin for them over Ireland was 39 points and from the resumption it seemed Les Bleus were determined to make this a special evening.
Indeed, the buffer grew seven minutes after the resumption when a delicious, flat Dupont box-kick led to Ramos hacking it on for the gleeful Bielle-Biarrey to dive over.
That was enough for Ireland head coach Farrell to look to his bench as James Ryan, Jack Conan, Timoney and Jack Crowley all emerged, the latter for Tommy O’Brien. France too called for fresh legs as wholesale alterations were made – six in total – on 50 minutes as they set about turning the screw with the result already beyond doubt.
Thankfully for Ireland, the bench would have the desired effect as they got on the board nearing the hour mark when Timoney ran a support line off Stuart McCloskey.
That gave Ireland a shot in the arm and they were over again moments later when another replacement, Milne, barged over from close range to make it a 29-14 scoreline.
But France would fittingly have the final say in Saint-Denis as Attissogbe finished well on the right wing, with Ramos adding the gloss from the touchline for a fine win.
Scores
France (22) 36
Tries: Bielle-Biarrey 2, Jalibert, Ollivon, Attissogbe Cons: Ramos 4 Pen: Ramos
Ireland (0) 14
Tries: Timoney, Milne Cons: Prendergast 2
