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:
TRY! FRANCE 27-21 Ireland (Cyril Baille try, 54 minutes)
A trademark French counter-ruck and the home side capitalise!
It’s a tactic that France have employed to such effect in the last year or so, piling bodies into the breakdown to jar the ball free, and pouncing as it does. Uini Atonio is the widest man on the French line and draws three defenders to him, smuggling the ball back.
Propping partner Cyril Baille is readied next, and as referee Angus Gardner goes tumbling away the French loosehead reaches a long arm out for the line.
France 22-21 Ireland, 53 minutes
Now it is France’s chance to show their skill in attack. Yoram Moefana’s shimmy is snazzy; Gabin Villiere’s carry off the offload punchy. Damian Penaud beats Hugo Keenan in a phone booth and only some scrambling Irish defence prevents a teammate collecting his infield pass and scoring.
France 22-21 Ireland, 52 minutes
Dan Sheehan has been really, really good off the bench so far. He’s such a talented carrier, a supreme athlete with real intelligence with his angles.
Jamison Gibson-Park slices his latest box kick more up than onwards, and Ireland knock-on. France scrum.
TRY! France 22-21 IRELAND (Jamison Gibson-Park try, 49 minutes)
The big lead is almost entirely wiped out! It’s a tale of two steps as Dan Sheehan first makes a half-break with a jiving jab off the left foot, before Jamison Gibson-Park follows his teammates lead, adding in the flourish of a dummy to further full the close-in French defenders.
A great gaping space opens alongside the upright and Gibson-Park hurries through it. Joey Carbery’s conversion is simpler this time, and Ireland trail by just one.
France 22-14 Ireland, 47 minutes
That has energised Ireland. A typically deft display of handling at the line from Tadhg Furlong allows Hugo Keenan a canter in open pasture, and the full-back nearly releases Josh van der Flier for a clear run beneath the posts. Keenan can’t quite free the arms.
Gabin Villiere is pinged for going off his feet at the ruck. Ireland kick back into the French 22.
TRY! France 22-14 IRELAND (Josh van der Flier try, 45 minutes)
And Ireland score! They take the lineout and drive firmly, with Josh van der Flier emerging from the middle of it to cross.
France question the role of Caelan Doris in front of his back-row colleague, blocking as he is like an NFL offensive lineman, but the officials are content it is all part of the original maul and the try stands.
Joey Carbery converts. Quite the riposte from Ireland just as the game seemed to be slowly slipping out of reach.
France 22-7 Ireland, 44 minutes
Another fine restart from Joey Carbery, with Ireland able to chase in good number, including Andrew Porter, who tackles and jackals, and wins a holding on penalty.
Ireland poke it into the corner.
PENALTY! FRANCE 22-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 43 minutes)
On the left, 45 metres out, but no trouble for Jaminet. What a find he has been in the last nine months or so - he was playing second-tier rugby until last July.
France 19-7 Ireland, 42 minutes
France’s line speed has been so impressive so far, and incredibly accurate. I don’t think they have yet been called to have strayed offside but they are consistently in Irish faces, limiting their ability to work those intricate interchanges.
Andrew Conway is offside, however, as Jamison Gibson-Park just delays his box kick slightly. Melvyn Jaminet will go for goal - this is his toughest so far but he’s been impeccable...
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