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 19-16 France, 39 minutes
Uini Atonio is back with us for the scrum, but too long-legged in his set up. Ireland free kick. After a committee meeting, Johnny Sexton actions a quick tap, with the front row leading the first charge...
Ireland 19-16 France, 39 minutes
But France nearly give a try away from the lineout! Anthony Jelonch is unaware of a pass coming his way, grasping it at the first attempt but losing it soon after as he braces for contact.
Conor Murray picks up the scraps and is held up over the line! Ireland’s scrum due to the knock on.
Ireland 19-16 France, 38 minutes
A world-class defensive intervention from Antoine Dupont! Romain Ntamack overplays his hand with an offload that isn’t on, Mack Hansen snatching the apple from the tree as Ntamack looks ambitiously for a teammate. Hugo Keenan collects from his back three colleague.
Keenan kicks beyond Thomas Ramos, who cleverly bumps the full back off stride - just enough to prevent him having clear pursuit of the ball. It still tumbles kindly for Ireland, with Hansen collecting with line in sight, but the wing is somehow, someway hauled back by Antoine Dupont, like a sailor hauling his ship to shore and clasping tightly around the ropes.
Hansen has his hands on the ball again three phases later, but Peter O’Mahony fails to read an offload, which bounces harmlessly into touch.
Ireland 19-16 France, 36 minutes
Atonio will be permitted to return at the next break in play but for now France go on with 14. THey nearly create a fissure, Thomas Ramos providing an injection of pace in a wide channel after Romain Ntamack had spread the ball nicely.
Ireland nick it, though, and kick into the French 22. But that’s an irresistably smooth escape from Damian Penaud, allowing France to clear.
Ireland 19-16 France, 35 minutes
Howls from the home crowd as Antoine Dupont hovers over a ball at the base of a breakdown, taking the seconds on offer with Atonio due back amongst things in a minute.
France kick long and James Lowe returns, his punt sailing out on halfway from the safe embrace of his own 22.
PENALTY! Ireland 19-16 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos penalty, 33 minutes)
It isn’t the easiest for Thomas Ramos, wide on the left and probably close to 50 metres on the angle. But he’s looked very, very confident striding up to the tee so far - another healthy strike, another three points.
Ireland 19-13 France, 32 minutes
Still the game continues at breakneck speed. France play intelligently and tight, resourcing their rucks well as the timer on Uini Atonio’s yellow ticks away. Conor Murray is trapped on the wrong side after felling Sipili Falatea - a soft concession of a kickable penalty and Thomas Ramos will go for goal.
Ireland 19-13 France, 30 minutes
And away go Ireland! An overlap on the left and they find it, Johnny Sexton (!) the wide man and showing he’s still got a fair bit of toe as he gallops up the touchline.
Caelan Doris provides infield support and suddenly Ireland are on the hunt for a bonus points. Over the top to the right, but Thomas Ramos gets over the ball superbly. France penalty.
Sexton rubs his head gingerly - Damian Penaud gave him a slightly late, but probably rightly unpunished buffeting over the touchline after that merry cavort.
Ireland 19-13 France, 28 minutes
Ireland make a mess of their clearance and France have a lineout inside the Irish 22.
But Yoram Moefana is rocked by a firm shoulder and Antoine Dupont throws a pass to no-one, allowing Ireland to grab the loose ball.
TRY! IRELAND 19-13 France (Andrew Porter try, 27 minutes)
Denied earlier, but not now - Andrew Porter has Ireland’s third try!
The low man wins! France spread wide to compensate for their absent man, but Porter keeps things close, burrowing low beneath Gregory Alldritt, who is powerless to block Porter’s bore.
Johnny Sexton converts.
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