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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
44 mins: Italy 5-17 England
Italy are up in arms when Bellini is taken late by Curry as he kicks the ball away, though it looks much more dramatic as the Italian wing puts everything into the kick that launches him into the air on contact. The penalty gives Italy good field position, but they lose the lineout and England are able to disrupt possession and force the ball into touch.
41 mins: Italy 5-15 England
Hill gets an early chargedown on Violi … TRY FOR ENGLAND!
41 mins: Italy 5-10 England
England kick off and the second half is under way!
HALF-TIME
England return to the field, and eventually Italy return to prepare for the second half.
HALF-TIME
England looked to be cruising in those first 10 minutes, but did they get complacent? Either way the game has been turned on its head and those subsequent 30 minutes were a ball of nerves, poor execution and ill-temper that has really knocked England off their game. Had England scored right at the end of the half their, the game would probably be going one way in the second, but this really is anyone’s game right now and that Six Nations title looks very distant indeed!
HALF-TIME
Before we crack on with assessing that disjointed half of rugby, here’s how Italy got themselves back in the match:
40 mins: Italy 5-10 England
The ball breaks loose and it’s hacked downfield and it’s a footrace between Mori and Earl. Earl slaps it back but only over the try line, and suddenly it’s Furbank and Mori going for it. Mori claims he’s grounded it, but the TMO reveals neither has and May’s recovery effort ensures England escape that one.
That brings half-time, but that was NOT the half of rugby that England expected, I can tell you that!
39 mins: Italy 5-10 England
Italy diffuse the maul, wrap up the ball and win the turnover, and the celebrations this time from the men in blue infuriates Billy Vunipola, who trusts his head into Negri’s chest and gets a telling off from referee Pascal Gauzere. That was truly wasteful from England.
38 mins: Italy 5-10 England
England set up a strong maul and it’s motoring, and Polledri comes in at the side to stop George from going over that sees the penalty given and the No 8 sent to the sin-bin. Having survived their own reduction, now England have the advantage. Can they convert? Farrell goes to the corner again.
37 mins: Italy 5-10 England
England again try to up the tempo, with Youngs rushing Garbisi and then Furbank chasing a Farrell kick well, and it forces Bigi off his feet in sealing the ruck that gifts England a penalty. Farrell turns down the shot to go for the corner…
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments