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

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:

Six Nations: France vs Ireland

• TRY! Dupont gives France lead inside two minutes: 7-0
• TRY! Ireland hit back through Hansen in fast start: 10-7
• HT: Jaminet extends France’s lead from the tee: 19-7
• TRY! Van der Flier cuts France’s lead: 22-14
• TRY! Gibson-Park crosses for quickfire score: 22-21
• TRY! France hit back through Baille: 27-21
• FULL-TIME: France hold off Ireland fight back: 30-24

[12 February 2022 12:47 · Jamie Braidwood]

Dan Biggar shifts pressure on to Scotland ahead of Wales test

Wales captain Dan Biggar believes that Scotland will not be devoid of pressure in Saturday’s Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium.

Scotland have not won in Cardiff since 2002, losing eight Six Nations Tests, a World Cup warm-up game and an autumn international.

But based on last weekend’s opening Guinness Six Nations exchanges, they are viewed by many as clear favourites after a Calcutta Cup success against England while Wales were demolished by Ireland in Dublin.

“We know they are coming in good form and confident, but there is a bit of pressure on them that they have been talked up and they have to try and win a championship, from what I am hearing,” Biggar said. “Let’s see how they go in the tournament, and we will judge them at the end of it.”

[12 February 2022 12:34 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales vs Scotland

The Six Nations rolls into a second week as Wales relish a home opener in Cardiff against Scotland in need of a win to launch their campaign. Wayne Pivac’s side were depleted last week with Ireland flexing their muscle in a 29-7 win in Dublin. There is no shame in losing to an Irish side on fire and currently on a nine-game win streak, but Scotland will be buoyed by their own form after edging England to lift the Calcutta Cup, hanging on at Murrayfield to clinch a 20-17 victory.

Here we have a fiery atmosphere awaiting the Scots, with Pivac’s side aiming to extend a 15-year run since losing their opening two Six Nations matches and the capacity 74,000 fans will likely lift Wales’ level after a disappointing star. Scotland do not have happy memories of Cardiff, with 20 years of hurt since Brendan Laney and Duncan Hodge kicked injury-time penalties for a famous win, but Stuart Hogg is relishing the opportunity and in Finn Russell, the visitors have a weapon to cause the Welsh havoc, with the fly-half magician one of the most entertaining players in this year’s Six Nations.

The key to this battle may emerge at the breakdown, with Scotland flanker Hamish Watson, last year’s Six Nations player of the tournament, hoping to repeat his record output of 163 tackles without missing one, meaning Wales’ two openside specialists Taine Basham and debutant Jac Morgan must be in top form to give the hosts a chance.