Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Ireland’s mammoth Six Nations meeting with France at the Aviva Stadium.
We’re just under half an hour away from kick-off in Dublin, where the back-to-back champions will meet Antoine Dupont and co. in a potential title decider.
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland are unbeaten so far in this year’s championship but France are surely the most dangerous team in the competition despite their bizarrely profligate defeat to England.
Fabien Galthié’s side have won just one title during his six-year reign. Ireland are pursuing an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ to use the American parlance.
Lowe suffered a back spasm in the warm-up and misses out.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
All of which may contribute towards your official prediction:
Poll Results:
Ireland (144)
France (75)
8 Mar 2025
2:05PM
Ireland are led onto the field by Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray, for each of whom this will be their final Ireland game at the Aviva Stadium.
Big intake of breath by Healy as he’s met by a wall of noise.
First time the crowd has sounded Irish, to be honest! The Aviva has otherwise sounded like it’s filled with French fans, just as was the case in 2023.
8 Mar 2025
2:09PM
Antoine Dupont just leading his fellow president Michael D. Higgins across the French line now.
I won’t lie — I’m still a bit rocked by the late withdrawal of Lowe myself! Those Irish players will almost relish it, which is one of the thousands of reasons why they’re on the field and I’m sat behind my laptop.
1′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Buckle up, mesdames and messieurs. Australian referee Angus Garnder sounds his whistle and France out-half Romain Ntamack gets us underway at the Aviva!
8 Mar 2025
2:21PM
1′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Sensational take in the air by Calvin Nash, reefing one out of Ntamack’s hands and setting up an Irish attack!
It eventually ends with a French knock-on in a tackle, and Mauvaka is pulled back as he streams upfield.
Irish scrum just inside the French half.
8 Mar 2025
2:24PM
5′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland earn a free-kick for the early shove by France, so we haven’t learned much about the scrum yet.
It leads to a penalty advantage in a wider position, however, as France play the ball on the ground.
Ireland then win a second pen advantage and, from a kickable position — albeit a tight angle — Prendergast drives Ireland deep into the French 22′.
8 Mar 2025
2:26PM
6′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: France just about deny the Irish maul, and then Dan Sheehan off the back of it, but they’re offside.
Ireland go quickly from the tap and after Sheehan is stopped again, Doris crosses the line — but France hold him up!
Superb defence by the visitors. That’s a huge save by them!
8 Mar 2025
2:28PM
9′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland come straight back and build phases in the French 22′ but Les Bleus turn them over on the ground, winning the jackal penalty.
The away fans go nuts.
Really positive start by Ireland but nothing to show for it so far, unfortunately.
8 Mar 2025
2:29PM
9′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Doris wins a superb poach penalty in return.
Central position, about 40 metres from goal. Ireland will look for three points.
And Prendergast pulls it slightly, clipping the left-hand post! Another let-off for the French.
8 Mar 2025
2:31PM
12′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland win yet another penalty — is that their fifth? — as France infringe twice from the same Irish lineout attack.
Left-hand touchline, so Prendergast this time opts for the line and brings Ireland back into the French 22′.
8 Mar 2025
2:34PM
14′ – IRE 0-0 FRA:Another Irish attack is thwarted — incredible defence by France — and the visitors have a breakaway try from a spillage in the tackle area.
It’s Dupont who finishes it but this will surely be pulled backwards for a clear knock-on by a French hand in the tackle.
And it is ruled out! So, it’ll be a scrum to Ireland on the French 22′.
8 Mar 2025
2:37PM
16′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland lock out the French scrum and bring it up to the French 5′ but Les Bleus hold out again and Sam Prendergast makes a poor knock-on in contact.
To be fair to Prendergast, the move had broken down to almost a standstill.
8 Mar 2025
2:39PM
18′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: France launch their first attack but Ireland turn the tables, holding them out until Doris makes another huge steal on the ground.
21′ – TRYYYYYYYY FOR FRANCE! Louis Bielle-Biarray!
The Irish maul buckles without McCarthy and Dupont swings left, putting Bielle-Biarray over in the left-hand corner.
Ramos’ conversion sails wide right from the far touchline.
8 Mar 2025
2:46PM
23′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: So, after all of that relentless Irish attack (I think they’ve had 70% possession), it’s France who lead. It’s a massive blow to strike given the context of the game so far.
8 Mar 2025
2:48PM
25′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: France cause Ireland more problems down the left, chipping downfield and forcing Ireland to throw in on their own five, or close enough.
Ireland exit through Gibson-Park but France, on limited possession, look seriously dangerous here — predictably enough!
8 Mar 2025
2:52PM
29′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Goodness me, Antoine Dupont has been injured in a clean-out here and he’s going off. No foul play.
Maxime Lucu — France’s only sub back — is on in his place. Permanent sub. Wow, wow, wow.
8 Mar 2025
2:54PM
31′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Joe McCarthy back on for Ireland. France have dominated the 10 minutes in which he’s been in the bin.
The loss of Dupont, though, is massive.
Lucu looking sharp off the bench so far, in fairness!
8 Mar 2025
2:59PM
34′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Ireland’s scrum has been rock-solid so far and it leads to a decent attack which yields a penalty in the French half.
Paul Boudehent is pinged for a tackle off the ball — it looked very soft — and Ireland will look to get on the board from the tee.
36′ – IRE 3-8 FRA: Jaysus, Ireland concede a penalty for crossing straight from the restart, but it’s even softer than the French infringement before it.
Damian Penaud buys a pen off Andrew Porter and Ramos splits the posts from the right-hand side.
France lead by five as we approach half-time!
8 Mar 2025
3:07PM
41′ – IRE 3-8 FRA: Ireland win a penalty on halfway with the clock red. Prendergast, who moments earlier had a poor kick from hand that was easily marked by Ramos, will kick for goal from a full-on 50 metres.
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Incredibly impressive strike by Prendergast. Ireland trail by two at the break, but that really roused the crowd as the home side went down the tunnel.
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
It’s been a manic, mad half of rugby. Antoine Dupont is off injured but France lead through the try he supplied for Louis Bielle-Biarray.
Take a breather there. Lord know I need one myself!
8 Mar 2025
3:22PM
Second half
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Right, back to it. Grand Slam chances on the line. Very possibly a championship on the line.
Ireland and France: 40 minutes to decide most of it, if not all of it with respect to England.
Sam Prendergast restarts the action at the Aviva.
8 Mar 2025
3:24PM
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Ireland winning the kicking battle so far and they get a nice platform inside the French half as Ramos doesn’t get much return on his exit after a nice chip into space by Gibson-Park.
8 Mar 2025
3:25PM
43′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Ireland get away with one on the ground as a France jackal attempt isn’t rewarded — and France are then pinged for offside.
Prendergast into the corner. Chance for the hosts!
67′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Easy pen for Ramos. France lead by 22.
Ireland also can’t win a championship from here if France beat Scotland given their lack of bonus point, France’s four-try bonus point, and the points difference.
8 Mar 2025
3:56PM
69′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Cian Healy and Conor Murray on for their final home appearances, alongside Rob Herring.
8 Mar 2025
3:59PM
70′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: France pinged as Boudehent commits a deliberate knock-on inside his own 22′. Prendergast pokes Ireland into the corner.
8 Mar 2025
4:00PM
71′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Murray goes it alone off the lineout but he’s held up over the line.
France have effectively stopped playing here and Conan has bagged a walk-in try. Nice assist by Crowley. Prendergast, who took the quick tap to tee it up, converts.
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Ireland v France, Six Nations
How’s it going, everyone?
Allez…
Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Ireland’s mammoth Six Nations meeting with France at the Aviva Stadium.
We’re just under half an hour away from kick-off in Dublin, where the back-to-back champions will meet Antoine Dupont and co. in a potential title decider.
Ireland are unbeaten so far in this year’s championship but France are surely the most dangerous team in the competition despite their bizarrely profligate defeat to England.
Fabien Galthié’s side have won just one title during his six-year reign. Ireland are pursuing an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ to use the American parlance.
It doesn’t get much better than this.
James Lowe has picked up an injury in the warm-up and he’s gone down the tunnel for treatment.
Potentially a huge blow for Ireland, here, before a ball has even been kicked.
Looked like a hip problem for Lowe at first glance. Calvin Nash has joined the warm-up in his place.
Will bring confirmation of Ireland’s lineup when I have it.
Confirmation that James Lowe has been ruled out with that injury he suffered in the warm-up. Good Lord!
Calvin Nash will come into the starting lineup, presumably on the right wing with Jamie Osborne shifting across to the left.
With respect to Nash, that’s a massive loss for Ireland.
Ireland
Replacements:
France
Replacements:
Lowe suffered a back spasm in the warm-up and misses out.
All of which may contribute towards your official prediction:
Poll Results:
Ireland are led onto the field by Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray, for each of whom this will be their final Ireland game at the Aviva Stadium.
Big intake of breath by Healy as he’s met by a wall of noise.
First time the crowd has sounded Irish, to be honest! The Aviva has otherwise sounded like it’s filled with French fans, just as was the case in 2023.
Antoine Dupont just leading his fellow president Michael D. Higgins across the French line now.
I won’t lie — I’m still a bit rocked by the late withdrawal of Lowe myself! Those Irish players will almost relish it, which is one of the thousands of reasons why they’re on the field and I’m sat behind my laptop.
What a day for Calvin Nash, by the way.
Left out of the matchday squad and now catapulted in to face France from the start.
Go on, kid!
Singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot, from my own parish of Passage West in Co. Cork, belting out the anthems here.
Cian’s half-French, so he’s taking on all three songs.
Again — go on, kid!
1′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Buckle up, mesdames and messieurs. Australian referee Angus Garnder sounds his whistle and France out-half Romain Ntamack gets us underway at the Aviva!
1′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Sensational take in the air by Calvin Nash, reefing one out of Ntamack’s hands and setting up an Irish attack!
It eventually ends with a French knock-on in a tackle, and Mauvaka is pulled back as he streams upfield.
Irish scrum just inside the French half.
5′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland earn a free-kick for the early shove by France, so we haven’t learned much about the scrum yet.
It leads to a penalty advantage in a wider position, however, as France play the ball on the ground.
Ireland then win a second pen advantage and, from a kickable position — albeit a tight angle — Prendergast drives Ireland deep into the French 22′.
6′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: France just about deny the Irish maul, and then Dan Sheehan off the back of it, but they’re offside.
Ireland go quickly from the tap and after Sheehan is stopped again, Doris crosses the line — but France hold him up!
Superb defence by the visitors. That’s a huge save by them!
9′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland come straight back and build phases in the French 22′ but Les Bleus turn them over on the ground, winning the jackal penalty.
The away fans go nuts.
Really positive start by Ireland but nothing to show for it so far, unfortunately.
9′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Doris wins a superb poach penalty in return.
Central position, about 40 metres from goal. Ireland will look for three points.
And Prendergast pulls it slightly, clipping the left-hand post! Another let-off for the French.
12′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland win yet another penalty — is that their fifth? — as France infringe twice from the same Irish lineout attack.
Left-hand touchline, so Prendergast this time opts for the line and brings Ireland back into the French 22′.
14′ – IRE 0-0 FRA:Another Irish attack is thwarted — incredible defence by France — and the visitors have a breakaway try from a spillage in the tackle area.
It’s Dupont who finishes it but this will surely be pulled backwards for a clear knock-on by a French hand in the tackle.
And it is ruled out! So, it’ll be a scrum to Ireland on the French 22′.
16′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Ireland lock out the French scrum and bring it up to the French 5′ but Les Bleus hold out again and Sam Prendergast makes a poor knock-on in contact.
To be fair to Prendergast, the move had broken down to almost a standstill.
18′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: France launch their first attack but Ireland turn the tables, holding them out until Doris makes another huge steal on the ground.
Breathless stuff here!
20′ – IRE 0-0 FRA: Louis Bielle-Biarray burns Ireland down the left and, during his chip and chase, Joe McCarthy drags down support runner Ramos.
Deserved yellow card for McCarthy. France will kick to the corner with a one-man advantage.
21′ – TRYYYYYYYY FOR FRANCE! Louis Bielle-Biarray!
The Irish maul buckles without McCarthy and Dupont swings left, putting Bielle-Biarray over in the left-hand corner.
Ramos’ conversion sails wide right from the far touchline.
23′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: So, after all of that relentless Irish attack (I think they’ve had 70% possession), it’s France who lead. It’s a massive blow to strike given the context of the game so far.
25′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: France cause Ireland more problems down the left, chipping downfield and forcing Ireland to throw in on their own five, or close enough.
Ireland exit through Gibson-Park but France, on limited possession, look seriously dangerous here — predictably enough!
29′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Goodness me, Antoine Dupont has been injured in a clean-out here and he’s going off. No foul play.
Maxime Lucu — France’s only sub back — is on in his place. Permanent sub. Wow, wow, wow.
31′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Joe McCarthy back on for Ireland. France have dominated the 10 minutes in which he’s been in the bin.
The loss of Dupont, though, is massive.
Lucu looking sharp off the bench so far, in fairness!
34′ – IRE 0-5 FRA: Ireland’s scrum has been rock-solid so far and it leads to a decent attack which yields a penalty in the French half.
Paul Boudehent is pinged for a tackle off the ball — it looked very soft — and Ireland will look to get on the board from the tee.
35′ – IRE 3-5 FRA: Prendergast gets Ireland off the mark with a fairly simple kick.
36′ – IRE 3-8 FRA: Jaysus, Ireland concede a penalty for crossing straight from the restart, but it’s even softer than the French infringement before it.
Damian Penaud buys a pen off Andrew Porter and Ramos splits the posts from the right-hand side.
France lead by five as we approach half-time!
41′ – IRE 3-8 FRA: Ireland win a penalty on halfway with the clock red. Prendergast, who moments earlier had a poor kick from hand that was easily marked by Ramos, will kick for goal from a full-on 50 metres.
It’s in his range, alright. Let’s see.
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Incredibly impressive strike by Prendergast. Ireland trail by two at the break, but that really roused the crowd as the home side went down the tunnel.
It’s been a manic, mad half of rugby. Antoine Dupont is off injured but France lead through the try he supplied for Louis Bielle-Biarray.
Take a breather there. Lord know I need one myself!
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Right, back to it. Grand Slam chances on the line. Very possibly a championship on the line.
Ireland and France: 40 minutes to decide most of it, if not all of it with respect to England.
Sam Prendergast restarts the action at the Aviva.
41′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Ireland winning the kicking battle so far and they get a nice platform inside the French half as Ramos doesn’t get much return on his exit after a nice chip into space by Gibson-Park.
43′ – IRE 6-8 FRA: Ireland get away with one on the ground as a France jackal attempt isn’t rewarded — and France are then pinged for offside.
Prendergast into the corner. Chance for the hosts!
43′ – TRYYYYYYY FOR IRELAND! DAN SHEEHAN!
A brilliant maul setup, Ireland roll France to the blindside, and Sheehan plants the ball over in the corner!
Prendergast, from the very right-hand touchline, splits the posts and Ireland lead by five!
46′ – TRRRYYYYY FOR FRANCE! What a response! Boudehent crosses after an excellent team move.
Peter O’Mahony was cleared beyond the ball but Angus Gardner doesn’t see foul play after a TMO check — bizarre.
And to make matters worse for Ireland, Calvin Nash is binned for a high hit in the lead-up. That’ll go to a referral.
An enormous swing towards the French here. Incredible.
49′ – IRE 13-15 FRA: Ryan Baird and Jack Conan on for Ireland.
Deafening reception for Peter O’Mahony as he bows out at the Aviva.
51′ – TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! LOUIS BIELLE-BIARRAY!
SENSATIONAL SCORE BY THE FRENCH WING!
France blow Ireland off their own ball and Bielle-Biarray chips and chases down the wing where Calvin Nash would have been had he not been binned.
He dots it down and Ramos converts.
Huge hole now for Ireland.
53′ – IRE 13-22 FRA: Nash’s yellow will stay a yellow but Ireland are on the ropes here bigtime.
France attacking on the Irish five.
54′ – IRE 13-22 FRA: France’s attack is denied but they win the penalty just shy of the Irish five.
Ramos is going to take three points, which will stretch France’s lead to 12. Ireland hanging on by a thread.
55′ – IRE 13-25 FRA: Ramos does the business.
France’s bench already making a massive impact.
Jack Crowley is on for Ireland, replacing Bundee Aki?
Aki must have gotten a knock.
57′ – IRE 13-25 FRA: Nash back on. France have scored, I think, 15 of their points against 14 men in this game.
James Ryan on for Joe McCarthy.
59′ – TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! OSCAR JEGOU! GAME, SET AND MATCH!
France just obliterating Ireland in contact. Jegou finishes from close range.
Ramos converts. That’s all she wrote — and with 20 minutes still to go.
65′ – IRE 13-22 FRA: Skipper Doris, Ireland’s best player by far, off for a HIA now.
67′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Easy pen for Ramos. France lead by 22.
Ireland also can’t win a championship from here if France beat Scotland given their lack of bonus point, France’s four-try bonus point, and the points difference.
69′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Cian Healy and Conor Murray on for their final home appearances, alongside Rob Herring.
70′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: France pinged as Boudehent commits a deliberate knock-on inside his own 22′. Prendergast pokes Ireland into the corner.
71′ – IRE 13-35 FRA: Murray goes it alone off the lineout but he’s held up over the line.
France clear with the goal-line drop-out.
Constant infringements, Cros in the bin. Ireland penalty on the French 5′.
74′ – TRYYYYYYY! Damian Penaud matches Serge Blanco’s all-time record with his 38th French try!
Sam Prendergast is intercepted under the French sticks by Ramos, he carries it to halfway, and then pops it to Penaud to do the rest.
Ramos converts.
France, without Antoine Dupont, have obliterated Ireland here.
78′ – TRYYYYY FOR CIAN HEALY!
A nice moment as Ireland’s most capped player dives over from close range on his final ever home appearance for Ireland.
Prendergast converts.
81′ – TRY! Jack Conan!
France have effectively stopped playing here and Conan has bagged a walk-in try. Nice assist by Crowley. Prendergast, who took the quick tap to tee it up, converts.
Magnifique. Congratulations to France, who blew Ireland out of the water in the second half.
Keep an eye on The 42 for a full report and reaction if you can stomach it.
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