# France

This week

19th March 2023 - 23rd March 2023

# Leader

Mbappe named new France captain ahead of Euro qualifier with Ireland

Lloris had been skipper for more than a decade.

4.2k

Tue 9:52 AM

# back from a bad back

'I’d love a foot race, see how quick I am' - Returning Omobamidele eager for Mbappe test

Andrew Omobamidele has recovered from a lengthy lay-off, and is hoping he gets the chance to face off against France next Monday.

6.4k

Mon 11:00 PM

# no confidence motion

French government narrowly survives no-confidence votes amid anger over pension reform

Emmanuel Macron’s widely disliked campaign pledge to raise the retirement age was passed last week without a vote.

15.2k

Updated

Mon 9:24 PM

# Raymond Domenech

'We see what happened at the World Cup: it would have been better if Ireland qualified'

Ex-France manager Raymond Domenech speaks to The42 about Zidane’s headbutt, Henry’s handball, and how he might have been Ireland boss instead.

12.8k

Sun 8:00 AM

Last week

12th March 2023 - 18th March 2023

# Allez les Bleus

Penaud double helps France beat Wales in Six Nations

A 41-28 win for the home side in Paris.

4.7k

Sat 4:51 PM

# France

French police ban pension protests opposite parliament

Emmanuel Macron’s government this week invoked a controversial executive power to force through the bill by decree.

13.2k

Updated

Sat 1:38 PM

# Protests

Roads blocked and strikes escalated after Macron pushes through pension reform

More than 300 people were arrested following protests overnight.

9.6k

Fri 9:55 AM

# France

Police clash with protesters in Paris as Macron forces through pension reform without vote

The move amounted to an admission that the French government lacked a majority to hike the retirement age from 62 to 64.

16.0k

Updated

Mar 16th 2023, 11:00 PM

# Selections

Atonio makes instant return to French team, Wales make six changes

Fabien Galthie and Warren Gatland have named their respective sides for Saturday’s meeting in Paris.

6.4k

Mar 16th 2023, 11:55 AM

# Absent

Paul Pogba ruled out of Ireland clash with injury

The Juventus midfielder has picked up a muscle injury.

5.3k

Mar 13th 2023, 4:14 PM

# Strikes

French Senate adopts controversial pension bill despite widespread protests

Emmanuel Macron has refused a request by unions to meet with him over the contentious measure.

10.9k

Mar 12th 2023, 7:33 PM

This month

March 2023

# Reality check

Borthwick: France hammering shows how much work England have to do

England fell to their heaviest loss at Twickenham of all time against the magnificent French.

9.9k

Mar 11th 2023, 9:00 PM

# Hammering

Sensational France hand pitiful England heaviest Six Nations home defeat ever

Les Bleus were simply brilliant in an utterly dominant Six Nations win.

27.2k

Mar 11th 2023, 7:33 PM

# France

French citizens again protest against Macron’s planned pension age increase

The French president wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

9.5k

Mar 11th 2023, 6:55 PM

# Hammering

Sensational France hand pitiful England heaviest home defeat ever

Les Bleus were simply brilliant in an utterly dominant Six Nations win.

21.0k

Mar 11th 2023, 6:36 PM

# migrant crossings

French and UK leaders try to overcome Brexit tensions at first high-level summit in five years

Emmanuel Macron and Rishi Sunak met today in Paris to discuss Ukraine and migration.

6.2k

Updated

Mar 10th 2023, 11:44 AM

# Ousted

France women's manager Diacre sacked after player revolt

Captain Wendie Renard announced last month she would no longer play for the team while Diacre remained in charge.

4.9k

Mar 9th 2023, 2:43 PM

# Selection

Owen Farrell dropped for England's clash with France

Marcus Smith will start at 10 with Steve Borthwick making the bombshell decision to start Farrell on the bench.

13.7k

Mar 9th 2023, 1:46 PM

# Paris

Notre Dame is reopening to visitors next year, six years after fire destroyed building's roof

The French cathedral’s spire, which collapsed in the blaze, will gradually start reappearing above the monument this year.

10.9k

Mar 6th 2023, 4:41 PM

# Ligue 1

Mbappe breaks goal record as PSG win ahead of Bayern showdown

Mbappe reached the record in just 247 appearances since signing from Monaco aged 18 in 2017.

4.7k

Mar 4th 2023, 11:14 PM

# Exit

Farrell set for move to France after Munster confirm release

The 29-year-old stepped back from playing duties in September.

39.3k

Mar 2nd 2023, 4:57 PM

# RIP

World Cup finals record goal-scorer Just Fontaine dies aged 89

The former France player and manager scored 13 goals at the 1958 finals in Sweden.

5.1k

Mar 1st 2023, 10:35 AM

Last month

February 2023

# Treatment Table

Knee op rules France flanker out, Italy's Capuozzo hit with shoulder injury

The Six Nations resumes on 11 March.

9.2k

Feb 28th 2023, 6:38 PM

# French connection

Scandal-hit chief quits amidst storm of controversy in French football

Noel Le Graet has resigned following accusations of sexual and psychological harassment.

4.7k

Feb 28th 2023, 2:42 PM

# Dates For Diary

Ireland to begin 2024 Six Nations with Friday night away trip in France

The fixture details have been released for next year’s tournament.

21.7k

Updated

Feb 28th 2023, 12:02 PM

# record kylian

Mbappe hits landmark goal but French defensive problems grow ahead of Ireland clash

Presnel Kimpembe was stretchered off with an injury that will keep him out of the visit to Dublin next month.

6.2k

Feb 27th 2023, 10:35 AM

# Allez les Bleus

Ramos grabs 17 points as Scotland's Grand Slam hopes dashed by France

Scotland lost for the first time in the Championship this season after a 33-21 defeat to France.

15.9k

Feb 26th 2023, 5:12 PM

# Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Student arrested after fatally stabbing teacher in the middle of lesson at French school

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “extremely upset” by the attack.

41.9k

Feb 22nd 2023, 7:56 PM

# Ukraine

France promises to send Kyiv light tanks within a week

French President Emmanuel Macron promised in early January that France would send AMX-10s, after months of hesitation.

11.5k

Feb 19th 2023, 12:02 PM

# Setback

Six Nations over for Beirne but Sexton, Herring, and Sheehan recovering well

The Munster lock faces up to three months on the sidelines after ankle surgery.

17.3k

Feb 16th 2023, 12:50 PM

# High praise

'We are behind them' - England coach hails 'phenomenal' Ireland and France

Steve Borthwick was impressed by Saturday’s Six Nations clash.

13.5k

Feb 14th 2023, 10:08 AM

# next man up

Beirne injury is a blow but Ireland have shown their ability to adapt

Andy Farrell’s squad depth has been tested, with positive results.

32.3k

Feb 14th 2023, 8:00 AM

# foul play

France prop Atonio cited for his high tackle on Ireland's Herring

Referee Wayne Barnes decided the challenge was a yellow card during the game.

21.0k

Feb 13th 2023, 12:06 PM

# Italian Job

'Continuity is important' - Farrell warns that Ireland face tough task in Rome

Robbie Henshaw rejoined the Ireland squad last week as his recovery continued.

10.0k

Feb 13th 2023, 6:00 AM

# Analysis

Bealham's classy touch, Schmidt's classic loop, and Ireland's inspiration

Andy Farrell’s men scored a brilliant try off a goal-line drop-out against France.

47.9k

Feb 12th 2023, 8:00 AM

# Number One

Sublime Ireland notch bonus-point win after Six Nations epic against France

Andy Farrell’s men scored four tries in another brilliant performance.

55.1k

111

Feb 11th 2023, 4:11 PM

# Jouez

The world's two best teams battle for Six Nations supremacy in Dublin today

Ireland and France are both missing key players for what should be an epic encounter.

23.2k

Feb 11th 2023, 7:00 AM

# Ukraine

Russia unleashes missile and drone strikes in eastern and southern Ukraine

Russian forces launched 71 cruise missiles, 35 S-300 missiles and seven Shahed drones since last night.

18.3k

Updated

Feb 10th 2023, 4:42 PM

# Team news

France keep faith with starting side for Ireland Six Nations trip

France defeated Italy in their opener last weekend.

9.9k

Feb 9th 2023, 11:25 AM

# Le Capitaine

'I went in all guns blazing... I should have tried to make friends first'

Johnny Sexton believes his two-year stint in France made him a better player in the long run.

43.4k

Updated

Feb 9th 2023, 8:20 AM