Ireland vs France LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 score and result as Ireland win Dublin thriller
Ireland 32-19 France: The 2023 Six Nations title could well be heading to Dublin after a brilliant win for Andy Farrell’s Ireland
Ireland underlined their status as the world’s No q team as they overwhelmed defending champions France 32-19 in a fantastic Six Nations match that absolutely lived up to its billing, delivering wonderful tries and relentless skill.
In the first-ever Six Nations clash between the world’s top-two ranked nations, a Hugo Keenan try put Ireland ahead but France hit back with a brilliant counter-attack finished off by Damian Penaud.
Ireland regained the lead with an extraordinarily athletic finish by James Lowe and added a third through prop Andrew Porter. France stayed in touch with three Thomas Ramos penalties but trailed 22-16 at half-time after one of the best 40 minutes the competition has seen for years.
The second half was tighter, but Ireland were disciplined in holding France at bay before Garry Ringrose crossed for the fourth try to cap off a superb display and end a run of three successive defeats by the French.
Relive the action from the Six Nations clash below:
Ireland 25-19 France, 67 minutes
Aki makes an immediate impact, thumping Yoram Moefana as the two inside centres collide. French arms spread wide, appealing the legality of the challenge, but it looked like Aki got his height spot on.
Gael Fickou just about keeps the ball in the field of play but Matthieu Jalibert can’t get to his own chip ahead, and that leaves the backfield slightly exposed.
Ross Byrne prods into the space left vacant by the stand-in French full-back, Damian Penaud lonely in retreat, and grateful for an extra roll and inward hop that allow him to dot down in his own in-goal with Irish pursuers in close attention.
Ireland 25-19 France, 66 minutes
France’s breakdown work has been far cleaner this week than last. Romain Taofifenua provides his support in the tackle, shows a clear release and then levers into position, wrenching at the ball as Ireland hold on. Wayne Barnes rewards him.
Bundee Aki replaces Stuart McCloskey in the Ireland midfield.
Ireland 25-19 France, 65 minutes
Held up! Ireland go close but Josh van der Flier ends up turtled on his back, unable to force the ball to floor.
It may not have mattered - it looked like the ball had been spilled forwards into the openside by a teammate, but France again show good fight to survive after their lineout had hopped into Jack Conan’s hands.
Ireland 25-19 France, 63 minutes
That’s really sharp from Craig Casey. An Irish pass goes through Ross Byrne’s hands to end another movement that appeared to have good flow, and France make a mess of the resulting ruck to put pressure on Casey.
Rather than risk a hurried pass, Casey lifts a left-footed box kick into space in the corner, finding a favourable bounce into touch.
And Ireland pinch the lineout!...
DROP GOAL! Ireland 25-19 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos drop goal, 62 minutes)
France are back within a score! With few options in front of him, Thomas Ramos drops back into the pocket and wobbles one between the uprights.
That’s Ramos’ last act - Matthieu Jalibert replaces him and will go to full back.
Ireland 25-16 France, 61 minutes
As has been the case throughout the encounter, Ireland don’t do a great job of clearing their lines after scoring. France can play from 30 metres out, Antoine Dupont producing some razzle-dazzle with a blind ball out the back to Sekou Macalou.
PENALTY! IRELAND 25-16 France (Ross Byrne penalty, 60 minutes)
Ireland push their lead out to beyond a single score.
Ireland 22-16 France, 58 minutes
Craig Casey injects a bit of zip, the dimunitive scrum half going alone with no forward ready to carry. Ross Byrne then charges hard and straight, but France handle the replacement fly half.
Penalty to Ireland for offside. James Lowe is dragged into touch to end any thought of further capitalisation on the advantage.
Ireland 22-16 France, 57 minutes
50:22! Superb awareness from Hugo Keenan, stepping into the line and spying great open acreage beyond Ethan Dumortier, who had rushed up to combat Ireland’s outside threat. Ireland kick more 50:22s than any other Six Nations side, and Keenan’s is directed perfectly.
Ireland’s lineout.
Ireland 22-16 France, 57 minutes
France will make changes, too. Reda Wardi and Sipili Falatea (who was briefly with us earlier) swap in at prop, with Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio sharing a fatigued slap of shoulders as they take leave.
Ireland remove Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray; enter Craig Casey and Jack Conan.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments