Ireland are under severe pressure here as the attack closes in on their five-metre line.
10 mins ago
8:31PM
19 mins: France 7-0 Ireland
Great tackle from Gibson-Park as Ireland are being stretched across the line. It’s a France lineout and then a penalty. There could be more danger here.
15 mins ago
8:27PM
14 mins: France 7-0 Ireland
Well, that’s not what we wanted.
It started with a volley from Prendergast which stayed in play. France went on the attack and Bielle-Biarrey slipped through an attempted challenge from Gibson-Park, Prendergast and Stockdale to run in for the first try of the 2026 Six Nations.
TRY! France 7-0 Ireland (Louis Bielle-Biarrey ’12)
19 mins ago
8:22PM
11 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Free-kick awarded to France for a Bielle-Biarrey mark. Ireland go back into the house for the lineout, and it’s another clean throw from Dan Sheehan.
Park puts it up for Stockdale who gets up for the contest but France retain possession.
20 mins ago
8:21PM
9 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Prendergast with a superb cross-field kick to O’Brien in space. He tries to chase his own kick but credit to Thomas Ramos, who races across to snuff out the attack.
22 mins ago
8:20PM
8 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Scrum holds up well as Dupont releases the ball to Matthieu Jalibert for the clearance kick.
Gibson-Park puts it up high for Jacob Stockdale to chase but France deal with the danger and send it back to Osborne.
24 mins ago
8:18PM
6 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland complete the line-out successfully but Josh van der Flier knocks it on and France will put in for the scrum.
Lively starts from both sides.
24 mins ago
8:17PM
5 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland 50:22. Jamie Osborne with a perfect kick there.
25 mins ago
8:16PM
4 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland get the ball out from the scrum and Jamison Gibson-Park boots it away. France attack again but Ireland manage to turn it over and Prendergast sends off an attempt at a 50:22 that doesn’t quite come off.
27 mins ago
8:15PM
3 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
CLOSE CALL!
France looked so dangerous there. And it’s the usual suspect Louis Bielle-Biarrey creates the chance with a lovely dink kick to create the space. There’s a scramble of bodies rushing toward the ball which spills out over the end line due to a knock-on from Charles Ollivon.
That’s a huge let off for Ireland.
29 mins ago
8:12PM
1 min: France 0-0 Ireland
Sam Prendergast gets us off the mark and Antoine Dupont kicks the ball the into touch for Ireland’s first go at the set-piece.
We’re in the Stade de France this evening as Andy Farrell’s side get their championship underway against the reigning champions. As well as chasing a win this evening, this is also an opportunity to earn some redemption after a dismal display against the French at the Aviva Stadium last year.
In case you’re still wondering why this is on a Thursday evening, it’s due to the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics happening tomorrow. Competition organisers and broadcasters felt a change was needed to give this fixture maximum exposure.
Both sides have been hit with injuries and have made their adjustments to prepare for this competition opener. We’ll be bringing you through it all this evening, with live updates here. We also have our usual crew of Ciarán Kennedy and Murray Kinsella on the ground for us in Paris. They have been providing some excellent coverage in the build-up to this one, and will be bringing you all the post-match content you need for the debrief.
Kick-off is at 8.10pm. Team line-ups coming shortly so do stay with us.
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LIVE: France v Ireland, Six Nations
19 mins: France 7-0 Ireland
Ireland are under severe pressure here as the attack closes in on their five-metre line.
19 mins: France 7-0 Ireland
Great tackle from Gibson-Park as Ireland are being stretched across the line. It’s a France lineout and then a penalty. There could be more danger here.
14 mins: France 7-0 Ireland
Well, that’s not what we wanted.
It started with a volley from Prendergast which stayed in play. France went on the attack and Bielle-Biarrey slipped through an attempted challenge from Gibson-Park, Prendergast and Stockdale to run in for the first try of the 2026 Six Nations.
Ramos adds the conversion.
TRY! France 7-0 Ireland (Louis Bielle-Biarrey ’12)
11 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Free-kick awarded to France for a Bielle-Biarrey mark. Ireland go back into the house for the lineout, and it’s another clean throw from Dan Sheehan.
Park puts it up for Stockdale who gets up for the contest but France retain possession.
9 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Prendergast with a superb cross-field kick to O’Brien in space. He tries to chase his own kick but credit to Thomas Ramos, who races across to snuff out the attack.
8 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Scrum holds up well as Dupont releases the ball to Matthieu Jalibert for the clearance kick.
Gibson-Park puts it up high for Jacob Stockdale to chase but France deal with the danger and send it back to Osborne.
6 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland complete the line-out successfully but Josh van der Flier knocks it on and France will put in for the scrum.
Lively starts from both sides.
5 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland 50:22. Jamie Osborne with a perfect kick there.
4 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland get the ball out from the scrum and Jamison Gibson-Park boots it away. France attack again but Ireland manage to turn it over and Prendergast sends off an attempt at a 50:22 that doesn’t quite come off.
3 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
CLOSE CALL!
France looked so dangerous there. And it’s the usual suspect Louis Bielle-Biarrey creates the chance with a lovely dink kick to create the space. There’s a scramble of bodies rushing toward the ball which spills out over the end line due to a knock-on from Charles Ollivon.
That’s a huge let off for Ireland.
1 min: France 0-0 Ireland
Sam Prendergast gets us off the mark and Antoine Dupont kicks the ball the into touch for Ireland’s first go at the set-piece.
Kick-Off! France v Ireland
That was a powerful rendition of Ireland’s Call!
The teams are getting ready to head out to the pitch now. The stadium looks amazing.
Warming Up
How do you see this one going this evening?
Poll Results:
We have a STACKED list of pre-match reading here for you. Here’s a flavour of what’s been on The42 over the last few days
And here’s the France team
Replacements:
Here’s how Ireland have been named to line out
Replacements:
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2026 six nations 90s ireland rugby players Six Nations Minute-by-Minute Rugby France