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France vs Ireland LIVE: Six Nations rugby result and final score as Melvyn Jaminet seals thrilling victory

France 30-24 Ireland: Follow latest reaction from Stade de France as Les Blues ended the visitors’ unbeaten run in a Six Nations thriller

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 12 February 2022 18:58 GMT
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France tune-up for Ireland in battle of Six Nations favourites

Follow live reaction as France defeated Ireland in a thrilling Six Nations match in Paris. Antoine Dupont scored the opening try within two minutes as the hosts made a dream start, before Mack Hansen stole the ball from a high kick as Ireland struck back.

Melvyn Jaminet kicked France into a commanding lead at half-time only for Ireland respond thanks to quickfire scores from Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Cyril Baille put France back in control and while Joey Carbery cut the lead to three points thanks to a late penalty, Jaminet sealed the win at the death to end Ireland’s unbeaten run and put the hosts in control of the Six Nations.

It leaves France at the top of the table and with the only unbeaten record after Wales defeated Scotland in Cardiff earlier in the day. England can join Ireland, Wales and Scotland on one win with a victory tomorrow in Rome.

Follow all the reaction from the Stade de France blow:

Team News – Wales

Have been chased out of Dublin with their tail very much lodged between their legs, Wales call for a new quartet to boost their home hopes. Jac Morgan is handed a debut on the openside, necessitating a shift to six for last week’s standout Taine Basham, but ensuring that Wayne Pivac still has two fine fetchers (and much more) at his disposal. Ross Moriarty complements them as another back row insertion.

Behind the scrum, Josh Adams would have been unlikely to start at centre again but a tight calf has ended his chances of featuring on the wing. Owen Watkin takes the 13 shirt; a rejuvenated Alex Cuthbert should add something different wearing 14 in his first Six Nations appearance in five years.

Back on the bench is Jonathan Davies, primed to steady any midfield wobbles, though Willis Halaholo is apparently not quite ready to feature.

Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, Tompkins, Rees-Zammit; Biggar (capt), T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Basham, Morgan, Moriarty.

Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, D Lewis, S Davies, Wainwright, G Davies, Sheedy, J Davies.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 13:17

Names and faces

Kick-off in Cardiff is little more than 60 minutes away, which means it is about time to have a deeper dig through the two sides...

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 13:14

A peek inside the changing room

Not a great deal of detail in this short snippet from Scotland, but a proud day for Grant Gilchrist in the second row as he wins his 50th cap, and Rory Darge, too, readying himself for a deserved debut after an eye-catching season with Glasgow.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 13:11

Back at the Principality Stadium

There are few sights and sounds in sport that can replicate a capacity Cardiff crowd in full voice inside a Principality Stadium, particularly when the roof is closed. Covid necessitates that the players will be exposed to the elements today, but Wales will be looking to turn up the volume after making merely a murmur in Ireland last weekend.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 13:03

Wales vs Scotland: Talking Points

Wales vs Scotland talking points as Gregor Townsend aims for another win

Scotland beat England last week while Wales lost to Ireland.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 12:58

Scotland try to end another streak

Twickenham and Paris last year; Cardiff this? Gregor Townsend’s Scots have developed something of a habit of ending away Six Nations losing runs, and they will perhaps never have a better opportunity to win at the Principality Stadium than this. Of course, much of this side know what beating Wales in Wales feels like - but a behind-closed-doors affair in Llanelli is very different fare to an afternoon in this great rugby cathedral. The bars may shut at half-time, the beer may be weakened and the Welsh side may not find itself in particularly rude health but captain Stuart Hogg knows precisely what awaits his side.

Stuart Hogg relishing challenge as Scotland head into Cardiff cauldron

The Scotland captain regards the Principality Stadium as his favourite venue away from Murrayfield

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 12:55

Jamie Ritchie ruled out of Six Nations as Scotland make five changes

Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie has been ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations with a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old went off in the second half of last weekend’s victory over England and the Scottish Rugby Union confirmed, while announcing the team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, that his campaign is over.

In one of five changes to the side that started the Calcutta Cup match, Ritchie will be replaced by Exeter’s Sam Skinner for this weekend’s trip to the Principality Stadium.

There are three changes to Gregor Townsend’s front row for the match in Cardiff, with Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel starting alongside hooker Stuart McInally.

Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu comes in to make his third Scotland appearance at inside centre.

Scotland team to face Wales

15. Stuart Hogg 14. Darcy Graham 13. Chris Harris 12. Sione Tuipulotu 11. Duhan van der Merwe 10. Finn Russell 9. Ali Price 1. Pierre Schoeman 2. Stuart McInally 3. WP Nel 4. Jonny Gray 5. Grant Gilchrist 6. Sam Skinner 7. Hamish Watson 8. Matt Fagerson

Replacements: 16. George Turner 17. Rory Sutherland 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Magnus Bradbury 20. Rory Darge 21. Ben White 22. Blair Kinghorn 23. Cameron Redpath

Jamie Braidwood12 February 2022 12:50

Kicking off Six Nations Round Two

It’s a big old Six Nations Saturday, with a rather large evening helping of France against Ireland to follow an afternoon hors d’oeuvre at the Principality Stadium. Based on what looks to be a crowded, convivial morning on the Cardiff streets, the Welsh public are relishing the chance to get back amongst things in this competition for the first time in two years as Wayne Pivac’s side look to bounce back from their Irish disappointment.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2022 12:50

Wales makes four changes for Scotland Six Nations clash

Wales boss Wayne Pivac has handed Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan a Test debut in Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Scotland.

Morgan, 22, replaces Ellis Jenkins and lines up at openside flanker in a reshaped back-row that also sees Ross Moriarty start at number eight instead of Aaron Wainwright, with Taine Basham wearing the number six shirt.

Elsewhere, Morgan’s Ospreys colleague – wing Alex Cuthbert – makes a first Six Nations appearance for five years, being preferred to Johnny McNicholl.

But Cuthbert’s fellow wing Josh Adams who started at outside centre in last Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin that Wales lost 29-7, is ruled out because of a tight calf muscle, so Owen Watkin fills the number 13 position.

Pivac has resisted any temptation to make further changes, while captain Dan Biggar makes his 100th Test match appearance for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, becoming the ninth Welshman to achieve that feat.

Wales team to face Scotland

15. Liam Williams 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Owen Watkin 12. Nick Tompkins 11. Louis Rees-Zammit 10. Dan Biggar 9. Tomos Williams 1. Wyn Jones 2. Ryan Elias 3. Tomas Francis 4. Will Rowlands 5. Adam Beard 6. Taine Basham 7. Jac Morgan 8. Ross Moriarty

Replacements: 16. Dewi Lake 17. Gareth Thomas 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Seb Davies 20. Aaron Wainwright 21. Gareth Davies 22. Callum Sheedy 23. Jonathan Davies

Jamie Braidwood12 February 2022 12:49

When is Wales vs Scotland?

The match will kick off at 2:15pm on Saturday 12 February at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

How can I watch it?

It will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage starting from 1:15pm. The match will also be available to watch online on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

It will also be shown live on S4C in Wales, with coverage there starting from 1:45pm.

Is Wales vs Scotland on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and more

Everything you need to know as the second weekend of the Six Nations kicks off with a huge clash in Cardiff

Jamie Braidwood12 February 2022 12:47

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