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 12-13 France, 26 minutes
Off goes Ethan Dumortier to allow Falatea to fill the vacant tighthead with Atonio binned. Herring will also depart - he’ll, rightly, have a head injury check, which means a return to Irish green for Ronan Kelleher after injury.
The Ireland scrum is stable enough.
Yellow card! Uini Atonio is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 12-13 France, 26 minutes
This isn’t looking good for Atonio. It’s a forceful shot with shoulder-to-head contact. Red or yellow?...
Yellow card! Wayne Barnes is satisfied that enough of Atonio’s force is through Rob Herring’s chest, which drops the sanction down. Johnny Sexton doesn’t seem sure, but accepts Barnes’ explanation.
Ireland take the scrum from the penalty on the French line, forcing France to bring on Sipili Falatea.
Ireland 12-13 France, 25 minutes
Eek - that’s a tackle that might need an extra look, Uini Atonio pulverizing Rob Herring with two heads in a similar space.
But on Ireland go in the meantime, Johnny Sexton sauntering through a great gaping hole. Advantage coming - and Ireland will take it when a hopeful wide pass is intercepted.
Before then, this Atonio collision does need further inspection. Brendon Pickerill shows Wayne Barnes the angles...
Ireland 12-13 France, 24 minutes
Antoine Dupont has an explore of the spaces around an Irish ruck, but finds himself in the clutches of Caelan Doris soon enough. Dupont somehow wriggles free but Ireland have it soon after.
Ireland 12-13 France, 23 minutes
This has just been a succession of haymakers so far, an opening quarter of relentless force and physicality and no shortage of skill. Tadhg Beirne locks over a breakdown to earn a holding on penalty, but Ireland make a hash of their lineout just inside the France 22.
TRY! IRELAND 12-13 France (James Lowe try, 21 minutes)
It’s given!
Is this living up to the lofty billing or what? Another superlative score, Lowe’s contortions just, just enabling him to plant the ball down with his left hand as his boots brush ever so closely to the turf beyond the touchline.
Oooh - I don’t know. The reverse angle suggested there might have been a blade or two on Lowe’s toes, but Wayne Barnes and Brendon Pickerill are happy the try is good.
Try? Ireland 7-13 France, 20 minutes
This is mighty, mighty tight. It is intelligent from Lowe, getting in the air early as Damian Penaud slams into his ribs. Is there a toe down before Lowe grounds? Is the ball entirely in the field of play?
Try? Ireland 7-13 France, 20 minutes
Again Irish hands get to a French clearance, and that’s spun rather better for Ireland! James Lowe has space to hurry towards the corner and leaps acrobatically - has he grounded before being driven into touch?
TRY! Ireland 7-13 FRANCE (Damian Penaud try, 18 minutes)
Joué, joué! That is sensational from France!
Anything Ireland can do...This is rather less planned than Ireland’s score, all off-the-cuff individual brilliance as the visitors go from coast-to-coast.
A Mack Hansen chip bounces unkindly for Ireland, eluding the chasing wing and falling into French hands. Twice it seems France are set to give Ireland the ball anyway inside their own 22, but space eventually opens in front of Damian Penaud.
He carves inwards, finding Anthony Jelonch, who hurries up to halfway. The flanker gets the call of Penaud, dropping the ball over his right shoulder as Penaud eases up through the gears, shaking away two Irish defenders and putting his foot down to canter over. The conversion is there, too.
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