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
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:
France 27-21 Ireland, 67 minutes
Is that a 50:22 from Tadhg Beirne? It is! What a kick from the lock, who is now stationed on the flank! France charge down the first kick from Ireland and it skews to Beirne, who pivots just inside his own half and thumps a left-footed kick in behind. He is such a skillful player, but that is a thing of territory-gaining beauty.
But Ireland’s lineout is stolen! France survive and clear.
France 27-21 Ireland, 66 minutes
The volume of the crowd at the Stade de France seems to have dropped just a little, readying themselves for the final fifteen minutes. Ireland force an error from Antoine Dupont at the base to win the ball back on halfway.
France 27-21 Ireland, 63 minutes
France come in at the side of the maul. Penalty to Ireland.
Here come two more of the experienced Irish closers - Robbie Henshaw and Conor Murray replace Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park.
France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes
It isn’t! There is no clear change of line from Beirne, who is turning to chase after the ball as he holds his ground. It’ll just be an Irish lineout.
France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes
The game has begun to open up again. For the first time all day, really, Ireland’s set-piece strike move presents itself perfectly, and Mack Hansen nearly scythes through on the outside.
But France win the ball back, and play to the right. Antoine Dupont chips over the top of Tadhg Beirne and hits the deck after running into Beirne’s rump. Is that a block?
France 27-21 Ireland, 60 minutes
Melvyn Jaminet thumps long and Ireland run the ball back, Garry Ringrose weaving, ducking, weaving some more, but unable to find space.
Andrew Porter is handled decisively, but France knock-on at the breakdown. What can Ireland do with advantage? Plenty! Ringrose skips out of a tackle and offloads to Iain Henderson, who in turn finds Jamison Gibson-Park.
The scrum-half is flattened as he toes ahead, but Josh van der Flier is after it. He pressures Antoine Dupont, but the scrum-half goes past the flanker with typical casual ease and elegance.
France 27-21 Ireland, 58 minutes
Nearly for Ireland! France get themselves in a muddle and an errant pass falls to the Stade de France turf, but James Ryan’s greasy hands can’t grasp the ball cleanly.
Another change for Ireland, who have such experience at their disposal on the bench - Iain Henderson hasn’t played much of late but is now fully fit, and enters the fray ahead of the French scrum.
France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes
Jamison Gibson-Park tries another of those dummies but this time Francois Cros has him squarely in his sights, chopping a great lumberjack’s axe through his midriff to cut him down.
France again counter-ruck well, and Melvyn Jaminet launches a spiral kick. Hugo Keenan covers superbly and returns with good length.
France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes
France have begun to ring the changes - Romain Taofifenua and Thibaud Flament form an all-new second row and were on before that score; in the immediate aftermath they are joined by forward colleagues Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Demba Bamba as Fabien Galthie goes to an all-new tight five.
“Allez Les Bleus” is the cry of the crowd as they pack down for their first scrum. Peter O’Mahony has replaced Jack Conan, with Caelan Doris shifting over to number eight for Ireland.
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