France vs Ireland LIVE result: England win Six Nations as Irish come up short in Paris
Follow the latest updates from the Stade de France with the Championship on the line as France, Ireland and England all hope fate falls on their side in title decider
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates from the Six Nations clash between France and Ireland in the Championship decider at the Stade de France.
After 14 games, four rounds and the longest Six Nations championship in history, the final round is set to be completed in Paris as both France and Ireland go for the title. England will be watching on hopefully following their final match against Italy in Rome, with Eddie Jones’s side the other team with title hopes well and truly alive - though they depend on the result of this match.
Ireland will win the Championship by one one three ways: by claiming a bonus-point victory, by beating France by seven points or more, or by beating France by six points as long as they score a try. If Ireland beat France by six points without a try, the title will be shared with England, while a five-point win or worse will hand England the spoils. The Rugby World Cup finalists will also win the Six Nations if France win, unless Les Bleus can claim an unlikely 31-point win with a bonus point to boot. Follow the live updates below.
FRANCE V IRELAND
Once more, we pause for a minute’s silence, with the players remembering those lost in the coronavirus crisis as well as the recent terror attacks across France, which has been brought up in the build-up to this match among the home side as reason to give the country something to be proud of.
Time for the anthems.
FRANCE VS IRELAND
Here come the players! Ireland are led out by Cian Healy, who collects his 100th cap for his country in what has been quite a day for landmark accolades.
FRANCE VS IRELAND
It’s an early blow delivered by France - they’ve won the toss.
Les Bleus will kick-off inside the empty Stade de France after Charles Ollivon selected Ireland to receive possession.
FRANCE VS IRELAND TEAM NEWS
With kick-off about 15 minutes away, here’s how the teams line up for tonight’s encounter:
France: Anthony Bouthier; Vincent Rattez, Virimi Vakatawa, Arthur Vincent, Gael Fickou; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille; Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas; Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Serin, Arthur Retiere, Thomas Ramos.
Ireland: Jacob Stockdale; Andrew Conway, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Hugo Keenan; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Caelan Doris, Will Connors, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Peter O'Mahony, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Chris Farrell.
SIX NATIONS SUPER SUNDAY
Well, I wish we could say we’re straight into the final game of the championship, but we’ve got a long old wait on our hands now as France vs Italy doesn’t kick off until 8:05pm GMT.
So settle down, grab some dinner, make sure the beers are chilled and stock up the snacks. We’re going the distance here as the champion of the 2020 Six Nations will now be known until around 10pm tonight.
SIX NATIONS PERMUTATIONS
So who will win the Six Nations?
Right now, it’s anyone’s guess, but that victory has put England in the box seat albeit in one that is looking pretty unstable.
We’ve broken down all the different ways the Six Nations title will be decided.
Six Nations: What do England need to win the Championship?
England have set the bar for France and Ireland in the battle for the Six Nations title
FULL-TIME
Bonus-point victory puts England in pole position to win Six Nations
Italy 5-34 England: Ireland set target of a seven-point victory or a bonus-point win to claim Six Nations title
80 mins: Italy 5-34 England
It’s another penalty to England, but it’s overturned as Stuart is judged to have committed a neck-roll. That will be it!
England defeat Italy 34-5 and go top of the Six Nations table!
80 mins: Italy 5-34 England
England win a penalty as Bellini comes in from the side, and Slade kicks to touch inside the 22. Final play. Can England score one more?
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