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:
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 60 minutes
Off goes George Turner to warm applause after an effective evening, yellow card aside. Fraser Brown rejoins affairs permanently, while Alex Cuthbert is on to the wing for Wales.
TRY! SCOTLAND 25-7 Wales (Kyle Steyn try, 58 minutes)
The Finn Russell-Kyle Steyn connection works in Scotland’s favour again!
Another wise exploitation of space from the fly half. The maul sucks in Welsh bodies, with Liam Williams’ absence leaving the visitors severely short of bodies to then fill the wide open spaces to the right.
Russell drops ball to boot, lifting precisely out to his wing, who steadies himself in the outfield and takes securely. Rio Dyer tries his best to get to Steyn, but it’s a simple finish for the former sevens star.
Scotland 20-7 Wales, 57 minutes
A switch of half-backs for Wales as they prepare for a lineout - on come Rhys Webb and Rhys Patchell for Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar.
YELLOW CARD! Liam Williams is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 20-7 Wales, 56 minutes
Wales’ problems grow. Duhan van der Merwe had cut them open again from Scotland’s set-piece strike move and Wales never regathered thereafter, Liam Williams diving cynically off his feet to kill the ball.
Two weeks, two yellows for Williams.
Scotland 20-7 Wales, 54 minutes
Wales need an answer soon, you’d think, and Warren Gatland looks to his bench - Taulupe Faletau on in the back row for Jac Morgan, with Rhys Carre on at loosehead, too.
What’s George Turner doing there? Expert sweeping from the hooker in behind the line, like the sharpest of scrum halves to cover the space and leap to take the Welsh chip. He reverts more to type with a bruising carry into Ken Owens and Scotland soon have a penalty for offside.
TRY! SCOTLAND 20-7 Wales (Kyle Steyn try, 52 minutes)
Brilliant from the fly half and Kyle Steyn profits!
It’s a combination of smarts and skill from Finn Russell. He attacks blind, spotting Ken Owens in the line and recognising he can ease to the outside. A dummy pump holds Tomos Williams, who pushes outside and thus can’t aid Owens overly with the tackle.
Russell could probably reach for the score himself but instead adds some extra elan, flicking powerfully and perfectly up for an arriving Steyn, who actually does rather well to cling on and flop over.
Russell’s conversion is a good’un, too.
Scotland 13-7 Wales, 51 minutes
Front ball, well defended by Wales, detonating the heart of the drive and preventing it getting momentum.
But where is Finn Russell going?...
Scotland 13-7 Wales, 50 minutes
Another penalty to the hosts. Daffyd Jenkins came in at the side to stall the maul just as it looked to be starting to chug towards a point-scoring destination. Ken Owens is warned that Wales’ discipline must improve.
Back to the corner.
Scotland 13-7 Wales, 48 minutes
Murrayfield lifts as Duhan van der Merwe sets off in full pyroclastic flow, those great thighs pumping as he rampages up the left. Christ Tshiunza remarkably stays with the wing, making a superb cover tackle, but Wales are soon penalised as they scramble back.
Jamie Ritchie points to the corner; Finn Russell obliges.
Scotland 13-7 Wales, 46 minutes
George Turner fumbles as he tumbles to the line! It looked like it was going to be the hooker’s second score, Scottish forwards thumping around the corner and moving ever close. Turner is cut low by a tackler but isn’t held, just losing control as he reaches for the line.
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