France demolished Ireland 36-14 to kick off the 2026 Six Nations in style and lay down an early marker in their title defence.
These two have split last four titles between them and entered the clash with aspirations of lifting the trophy once more but surely only France can realistically still harbour that ambition after racing into a 29-0 lead and scoring five tries in a comprehensive thrashing.
With Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Dupont back after a year’s absence, the half-back pair orchestrated France’s attacking rhythm with authority and precision, guiding Fabien Galthie’s side through a near-flawless opening hour.
Les Bleus scored tries through the electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey (2), Jalibert, Charles Ollivon and Theo Attissogbe, with the rest of the points coming from the boot of the ever-reliable Thomas Ramos. After being held scoreless in the first half, Ireland responded with a couple of quick tries by Nick Timoney and Michael Milne but this was a chastening evening.
Relive the clash with our live blog below:
France vs Ireland live
- France thrash Ireland in Paris to kick off their Six Nations title defence in style
- REPORT: France make Six Nations statement as Dupont and Jalibert unlock new dimension
- 80' - TRY! Attissogbe finishes in style for the reigning champions (FRA 36-14 IRE)
- 62' - TRY! Milne bundles over for second Ireland try in quick succession (FRA 29-14 IRE)
- 59'- TRY! Timoney rumbles over after Prendergast and McCloskey passes (FRA 29-7 IRE)
- 48' - TRY! Bielle-Biarrey in for his second after Ramos's perfect volley (FRA 29-0 IRE)
- 34' - TRY! Guillard offload sends Ollivon over the line for a third try (FRA 22-0 IRE)
- 23' - TRY! Jalibert barrels over on crash ball from a scrum (FRA 12-0 IRE)
- 14' - TRY! Bielle-Biarrey brilliance sees him score opening try (FRA 7-0 IRE)
Andy Farrell not impressed by Ireland performance
22:52 , Luke BakerA slightly shell-shocked Andy Farrell spoke to ITV after that defeat and wasn’t pleased with his side’s lack of intent in the first half.
Shaun Edwards: 'Louis Bielle-Biarrey is just getting better'
22:24 , Luke BakerFrance defence coach Shaun Edwards was understandably ecstatic with his team’s performance and, worryingly for opponents, suggested Louis Bielle-Biarrey is still getting better...
“I’m very happy,” he said. “Our attack in the first half was fantastic, we dominated possession and territory, which is unusual against a team like Ireland.
“When we are on it in attack, it is joy to watch. You want to watch it in training! Our rucks were great, especially in the first half. Ireland did well to come back in the second half and it shows they are a good team.
“Our supporters deserved that try at the end. He [Louis Bielle-Biarrey] is getting better and that is because he wants to get better. He is a world-class superstar.”
Caelan Doris laments passivity in defence
22:19 , Luke BakerIreland captain Caelan Doris was understandably downbeat after that defeat - lamenting his side’s passivity in defence
Doris told ITV: “We left ourselves too tall a mountain to climb in the first half. We were too passive defensively, there were 19 missed tackles which allowed them to flourish with keeping the ball alive and their attacking game.
“The first 30 minutes we couldn’t find our feet, we allowed them to get phases and score off the back. The bench made a good impact when they came on got us back into the game a bit and got our energy going so there was a bit of grit and determination in the second half. Very disappointing way to start the campaign.
“It all starts with defence, we needed a strong defence and we didn't have it. Quite a few lessons learned and we are going to need to be better at home next week.”
WATCH: Best of France tries
22:11 , Luke BakerAn impressive performance form Les Bleus. Here’s the best of their tries
France make Six Nations statement as Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert unlock new dimension
22:01 , Luke BakerAnd they said that Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibeart couldn’t play together; consider that notion most definitively dismissed.
On a night of real Gallic charm, France laid down a Six Nations marker with a display of ambition and attacking skill to rival any that they have produced during the recent restoration of the French monarchy in this competition.
Led by their half-backs, the defending champions looked down on a fellow contender and perhaps exiled them for good, leaving Ireland confronting the grim realities of what feels a sharp decline.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Paris:
Antoine Dupont and France unlock a new dimension to make Six Nations statement
FULL-TIME! France 36-14 Ireland
21:59 , Luke BakerIt’s all over in Paris. A completely dominant first half from France, where they took the game away from Ireland.
Once they went 29-0 behind, the Irish started to play and gave their hosts a slight scare but they had way too much to do and a last-gasp try was the cherry on top.
A glorious beginning to this Six Nations for the reigning champions
TRY! France 36-14 Ireland (Theo Attissogbe, 80 mins)
21:58 , Luke BakerThere’s the final flourish! Serin zooms forward, darting between tacklers and into the 22. Through the phases and eventually there’s an overlap on the right, through the hands, out to Theo Attissogbe who slips through a lunging tackle and acrobatically dots down in the corner.
A nice try and Ramos hammers the conversion between the uprights to add more gloss to the final scoreline.
France 29-14 Ireland, 79 mins
21:54 , Luke BakerCan France finish with a flourish? Jalibert with a probing kick into touch in the 22 and he takes a big hit from Ryan for his troubles. Was that slightly late? The ball was certainly gone...
They deem he was already committed so no foul.
France 29-14 Ireland, 77 mins
21:52 , Luke BakerHere come France again now. The power game has come back. Auradou steals the ball and Meafou barrels forward. Jalibert finds Deporteere who makes more yards.
They surging through the 22 and reach the line but just held up over. Ireland clear the goal-line dropout but Les Bleus are right back to it, flow right, through the hands and it’s deft play by young Kalvin Gourgues but just into touch.
Ireland win the lineout despite the jeers and boot clear
France 29-14 Ireland, 74 mins
21:49 , Luke BakerBrilliant thump clear by Dupont, from his own line, into the Ireland half and into touch. Class, once again. That’s his final act as Baptiste Serin comes on. Big ovation for Antoine.
It looks like they’ll see this out despite Ireland’s late surge.
France 29-14 Ireland, 73 mins
21:47 , Luke BakerDoris on the end of the lineout and Osborne takes them into the 22. A couple of phases and Conan drives them within five metres...
Good, clean rugby so far in these phases by the visitors. They grind to a halt after 17 phases though. And Doris takes contact but knocks on in the tackle.
It gets a bit weird after that and Ireland somehow touch down for a try but we have a TMO check but eventually decide to just have a French scrum for the Doris knock-on
France 29-14 Ireland, 71 mins
21:43 , Luke BakerThe French defence is getting off the line quickly now, forcing Ireland back although they concede a penalty for offside and Prendergast kicks to touch on the 22.
France 29-14 Ireland, 70 mins
21:42 , Luke BakerJelonch with a big hit on Beirne before Meafou and Mauvaka come to join the party. It forces the turnover on their own 22 - better defence by France, who have been under serious pressure.
The problem for Ireland is that time is ticking away. They can ill-afford any mistakes. A reset at the subsequent scrum doesn’t help either before Dupont fizzes a low kick clear, safely into Irish territory.
France 29-14 Ireland, 67 mins
21:39 , Luke BakerDupont errs with his kick, enabling Ireland to come back at France and mistakes are just starting to creep in. Attissogbe has a foot in touch when playing the ball, so Ireland get a lineout near halfway.
They send a bomb into the 22 and Ramos calmly calls the mark but Ringrose was fingertips way from getting there first and scoring. Nerves are jangling slightly...
France 29-14 Ireland, 64 mins
21:37 , Luke BakerFrance need to settle things down after those back-to-back Ireland scores. They come forward but Beirne wins the breakdown turnover and Ireland can clear. Good work from the men in green who are scrabbling a foothold in this clash.
TRY! France 29-14 Ireland (Michael Milne, 62 mins)
21:33 , Luke BakerLineout cleanly taken and Ireland run a couple of phases tight. McCloskey wins the collision. They’re grinding closer to the line...
And replacement prop Michel Milne forces his way over the line!
TMO check to see if Milne knocked on... He didn’t! Easy conversion for Prendergast and suddenly this match has a different complexion. It’s 29-14...
France 29-7 Ireland, 60 mins
21:31 , Luke BakerAntoine Dupont concedes the penalty but gets away without a card. However, a great kick for touch and Ireland will have the five-metre lineout. Is there a shift here?
TRY! France 29-7 Ireland (Nick Timoney, 59 mins)
21:30 , Luke BakerIreland have something to show now! They start on the 22 and it’s a nice score.
Prendergast takes the ball to the line and finds the short pass to McCloskey who then offloads well to Nick Timoney and the replacement rumbles over the line under the posts. They won’t be nilled!
France 29-0 Ireland, 58 mins
21:28 , Luke BakerA rare Irish foray forward and they make it into the 22. A chance here. They concede a free-kick when they’re held up and France take quickly but turn the ball back over.
France 29-0 Ireland, 56 mins
21:25 , Luke BakerWinger Attissogbe has been relatively quiet by French standards today but he makes a neat break after plucking an interception out of the air and pulls out a stunning offload at full stretch to Auradou. Eventually the ball goes forward a few phases later though. Shame.
Tough night for Jacob Stockdale
21:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de FranceJacob Stockdale has touched the ball only once for Ireland - it’s been a tough return to the Six Nations for the 2018 player of the tournament. He was, however, granted a reprieve after being told by an arriving Jack Crowley that he was being replaced - it is actually Tommy O’Brien who has been replaced, with Sam Prendergast now stationed at full-back and Jamie Osborne moving out to the right wing.
France 29-0 Ireland, 54 mins
21:23 , Luke BakerIt looked like Jacob Stockdale tried to come off there for Ireland but was told to go back on. Probably not a bad call by the 2018 player of the championship to try and make an escape...
Meanwhile, the new French front row continue to dominate at the scrum as they crunch their opposite numbers
France 29-0 Ireland, 50 mins
21:22 , Luke BakerFrance are marauding now! Ramos gorgeously sidesteps O'Brien, beats Gibson-Park and finds Depoortere. They make a few more metres before knocking on but this is sublime.
Here come the changes with James Ryan, Nick Timoney Jack Conan and Jack Crowley all on for Ireland. Meanwhile, Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Regis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou and Kalvin Gourgues on
TRY! France 29-0 Ireland (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 48 mins)
21:17 , Luke BakerThis is stunning again from France. The ball bounces up and Ramos volleys it perfectly, slicing it into the hands of Louis Bielle-Biarrey just as he gets hammered by a defender.
Ramos can raise a triumphant hand from the floor as he watches Bielle-Biarrey scoot in for his second try. Maybe a bit of luck that the volley went straight to his teammate but unbelievable skill again.
Ramos kicks it straighter off the tee for the conversion, that’s four tries for the rampant hosts
France 22-0 Ireland, 45 mins
21:14 , Luke BakerSheehan scurries to pounce when a French lineout is disrupted. Ireland just starting to get involved at the set-piece now
Mickael Guillard continues to impress
21:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de FranceMickael Guillard was the breakthrough star of the 2025 Six Nations for France, going from fringe figure to a key cog in the pack. Fabien Galthie explored utilising the lock at No 8 on the tour to New Zealand last summer but he’s back in the second row here, and has been just about everywhere. The 25-year-old tops the carry count and marries supple offloading limbs with punchy contacts, which is causing Ireland all sorts of problems.
They do have the giant Emmanuel Meafou to relieve him at some stage, too. France’s supply of bruising tighthead locks really is quite something.
France 22-0 Ireland, 45 mins
21:12 , Luke BakerGood maul defence from McCarthy to hold France up and win the turnover. The lock looks set for a big championship. for Ireland.
Blessed relief for the visitors as they can hack clear from the scrum. In fact, they win a scrum penalty. That should buoy them.
France 22-0 Ireland, 43 mins
21:10 , Luke BakerStunning from France again, Jalibert, Bialle-Biarrey and a pass to Ramos on the wraparound to dance into the 22. They’re loving this. Guillard with another big carry as well - he’s been superb today.
Eventually we come back for an offside penalty
KICK-OFF! France 22-0 Ireland
21:09 , Luke BakerBack underway in Paris. Any way back for Ireland?
WATCH: First-half highlights
20:57 , Luke BakerWell, that was harrowing for Ireland. Here’s the best of France’s dominance
HALF-TIME! France 22-0 Ireland
20:53 , Luke BakerOne final delicious grubber kick through from Jalibert that just bounces into touch deep in Irish territory but the clock has made it to 40 minutes, so that’s half-time!
What a first half for Les Bleus. Completely and utterly dominant. Three tries, through Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert and Ollivon, and Ireland have barely fired a shot.
France 22-0 Ireland, 37 mins
20:50 , Luke BakerCan Ireland get anything on the board before half-time. At the moment, it’s France coming forward and into the Irish half once again.
Good turnover by Caelan Doris though, disrupting the breakdown.
TRY! France 22-0 Ireland (Charles Ollivon, 34 mins)
20:47 , Luke BakerFrance spread the ball left, then casually come back inside and Jelonch runs through contact.
A spark from Jalibert as he dinks over the top of his man and gets hands on the ball. It bounces backwards and Les Bleus can go left, Guillard plays heads-up rugby, draws a man, flips back inside to Charles Ollivon and he powers through would-be tacklers to dive over the line. Sublime!
Ramos adds the extras and Ireland are shell-shocked, just being torn to shreds by a superior opponent.
France 15-0 Ireland, 33 mins
20:44 , Luke BakerA rare moment where Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey don’t quite connect! Dupont marshals a rolling maul on halfway then darts left, tries to offload to his explosive winger but Gibson-Park has read it and the ball spills into touch.
The Irish scrum-half’s reading of the game has saved them on a couple of occasions already.
France 15-0 Ireland, 31 mins
20:43 , Luke BakerA bit better by Prendergast, who has struggled at fly half for Ireland so far today. He’s alert to a loose ball, twice kicks ahead but can’t quite get the dot down, as France scramble back.
WATCH: France take control with two first-half fans
20:41 , Luke BakerPretty average defence from Ireland for both of France’s tries but the first one in particular was sheer brilliance by Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Here’s both of them:
PENALTY! France 15-0 Ireland (Thomas Ramos, 27 mins)
20:40 , Luke BakerFrance are in complete control here and duly win a penalty as McCarthy is pinged. They point to the posts, Thomas Ramos fancies moving this lead beyond two scores.
Not an issue at all for the full-back, who slots it.
France 12-0 Ireland, 25 mins
20:37 , Luke BakerIreland look to have a great chance straight from kick-off but Van der Flier’s burst is called back for a knock-on.
Jalibert then steps and dances around halfway to give Les Bleus front-foot ball. From there, Dupont directs traffic on he right and France up to the 22.
Sam Prendergast struggling
20:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de FranceSam Prendergast has the look of a deer in the headlights at the moment. Ireland just have not been able to impart any kind of calm or structure on to this game – even the fly half’s sublime bit of skill to save a 50:22 inadvertently created that magnificent Louis Bielle-Biarrey score. This felt like a night where the young 10 could seize that shirt, but he’s not managing it yet.
TRY! France 12-0 Ireland (Matthieu Jalibert, 23 mins)
20:34 , Luke BakerToo easy! First-phase ball from the scrum, Matthieu Jalibert on the crash ball on the left from Dupont’s pass, bursts through a couple of half-hearted arms tackles and he’s over the line.
A big moment for the French No 10, who struggles to hold down a place in the side when Ntamack is fit. Ramos’s conversion surprisingly drifts wide but France in complete control.
France 7-0 Ireland, 21 mins
20:32 , Luke BakerMoefana bursts into the 22 before Jegou barrels for a few more yards post-contact. Dupont marshalling things, quick ball goes to the backs, slower ball stays tight.
Ramos has space on the left, his offload is caught by a retreating Prendergast, who then panics slightly and runs the ball behind his own line, passes to O’Brien in the in-goal area and he’s swamped. Five-metre scrum to France...
France 7-0 Ireland, 20 mins
20:30 , Luke BakerClassic scrum reset before France win it cleanly second time and go right. Superb scramble across by Gibson-Park to smotherJalibert and the ball bounces loose.
It’s hacked around a bit and eventually Jegou is bundled into touch but it’s off an Irishman last, so a French lineout. Good, high-tempo Irish defence though.
France 7-0 Ireland, 17 mins
20:28 , Luke BakerThat’s an early blow that Ireland probably didn’t deserve, given how they’d started but Bielle-Biarrey is on a different level.
France come forward again and this time the forwards do the grunt work, with some tight carries. Dupont with a dart, then Jegou does likewise. Both sides compete for a ball and Ireland knock on. France scrum on the 22
TRY! France 7-0 Ireland (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 14 mins)
20:25 , Luke BakerOh my word! This is ridiculous from Louis Bielle-Biarrey. He has no room out wide on the left, yet he beats Gibson-Park in a phone box, charges down the flank and gets tap tackled from behind.
But he gets back to his feet, out-sprints the covering defender and slides over for the opening try. Just ludicrous.
Was there a forward pass in the build-up? Maybe but the TMO seems happy, Ramos adds the conversion and France lead 7-0
France 0-0 Ireland, 12 mins
20:22 , Luke BakerThe Sheehan lineout has been good so far and he finds Beirne with ease there.
Anoth high bomb from Gibson-Park but the French back three are doing their aerial duty so far. Vindicating the dropping of the more suspect Penaud?
Ireland have been kicking contestably, whereas France have been going long, in general.
Antoine Dupont watch
20:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de FranceIt is the flashy stuff that Antoine Dupont pulls off that tends to draw the attention, but his basics are so, so good, too. He is one of a handful of scrum halves around the world with the genuine capability to clear off both feet, thumping one there some 45 metres upfield with his weaker left. It’s great to see him back.
France 0-0 Ireland, 9 mins
20:20 , Luke BakerThis is a good start from the underdogs Ireland. A glorious cross-field kick from Prendergast finds Tommy O’Brien on the right and he kicks ahead. Only scrambling defence from Depoortere stopped the Ireland winger collecting that.
Classy box-kick clear from Dupont, this time off his left boot. Superb pressure reliever up to halfway. Just an incredible all-round player
France 0-0 Ireland, 6 mins
20:17 , Luke BakerOh, Jamie Osborne! That is superb! Forget a 50:22, that’s almost a 22:22! He thumps the ball miles from inside his own half, it bounces perfectly and into touch.
Irish lineout in the French 22 is good, Prendergast takes contact, tries to offload but it goes forward off Van der Flier’s hands. Probably tried to force it there
France 0-0 Ireland, 5 mins
20:16 , Luke BakerA reset for the first scrum of the evening. Second time is fine and Ireland remain firm. The Irish scrum had some worries coming in but that’s an ok start. Gibson-Park thumps clear.
Depoortere runs hard with the ball, skips past a man and makes good yards
France 0-0 Ireland, 3 mins
20:14 , Luke BakerFirst touch for livewire Bielle-Biarrey and it’s almost a try! Moefana offload, Ramos involved, out to Bielle-Biarrey. He grubbers ahead then kicks on.
The ball goes inside and Ollivon tries to dive on it but it squirts forward of his hands and goes dead. Close! Ireland have a five-metre scrum to deal with...
France 0-0 Ireland, 2 mins
20:12 , Luke BakerFirst lineout for Ireland is clean. Gibson-Park sticks up a bomb and France claim well outside their own 22.
Dupont also goes contestable and France reclaim. They can attack from here.
KICK-OFF! France v Ireland
20:11 , Luke BakerUnderway in Paris as Prendergast kicks long. France run a phase and Dupont box-kicks into touch. Welcome back Antoine
Anthems and light show illuminate Stade de France
20:09 , Luke BakerChills... The darkness, the light show, the Stade de France almost physically rocking as the anthems ring out.
It’s spectacular and it means one thing. The Six Nations is back! Yes please!
Look who's back...
20:06 , Luke BakerThe best rugby player in the world ready to return. Do you think he might want revenge over Ireland after suffering his injury against them last year...?
Andy Farrell: 'It doesn't get any bigger than this'
20:01 , Luke BakerIreland coach Andy Farrell is ready to get the Six Nations underway
Match officials
19:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Jordan Way (Aus)
Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
France vs Ireland referee: Who is Six Nations official Karl Dickson?
Sam Prendergast backed to shine
19:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland captain Caelan Doris insisted fly-half Sam Prendergast is making progress on his defensive deficiencies as he backed him to shine during the Six Nations.
Prendergast begins the 2026 championship as his country's first-choice number 10 after being selected ahead of Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne for the Paris showdown with defending champions France.
The Leinster playmaker, 22, emerged as the frontrunner to become the long-term successor to Johnny Sexton in the autumn of 2024 but was criticised for missed tackles as he and Crowley interchanged last November.
Back-rower Doris, who plays alongside Prendergast for club and country, said: "There's great competition amongst the 10s, which is what we need.
"They're all relatively young and have good heads on them and are driving each other in the right direction, which is great for the group.
"Sam's been great. Obviously, his defence has caught quite a bit of flack, but it's an area that...I'm in the same club as him in Leinster and I see day-to-day the work he puts in. Same here in camp.
"So that side of his game is improving. In terms of his attack, the ceiling is so high for him.
"He can do things that not many people can do at all, and he's getting more and more confident at leading the week and being another voice, especially guiding our attack. I've got a lot of faith in him and I'm looking forward to seeing him lead us around tomorrow."
Scrum battle could be key
19:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleBoth France and Ireland have dealt with some prop problems ahead of the tournament, with the visitors particularly impacted. It’s a big opportunity for Thomas Clarkson on the tighthead with Tadhg Furlong a week or two away from fitness, while Jeremy Loughman will hope to impress on the other side - the 30-year-old Munster loosehead has plenty of experience at club level, though just the five caps internationally.
He’ll be up against a solid scrummager in Dorian Aldegheri. Regis Montagne feels the coming force on that side of the scrum for France but Fabien Galthie has held him in reserve, trusting Aldegheri - it feels like the Toulouse front rower has been around forever but this is only his second Six Nations start.
If you are wondering where loosehead Cyrill Baille is, he has been short of his best over the last 12 months and lost his place in the Toulouse team. He’s still in Galthie’s group but appears a little down the pecking order.
Andy Farrell explains Jacob Stockdale recall for Six Nations opener: ‘He’s back to being himself’
19:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland boss Andy Farrell has backed Jacob Stockdale to make the most of his first Six Nations appearance in five years.
The in-form Ulster player received a major vote of confidence from Farrell after being selected on the left wing ahead of James Lowe for this evening's tournament opener away to France.
Stockdale, 29, was named player of the championship in 2018 but has been a peripheral figure for most of the Farrell era.
"He's back to being himself this year, that's for sure," the head coach said of Stockdale.
"I think if you speak to him, he'd be delighted that he's just simplified things and got down to what he's good at, and that's beating people.
Farrell explains Stockdale recall for Six Nations: ‘He’s back to being himself’
Team news - Ireland
19:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleFor Ireland, The Prendergast brothers start a Test together for the first time, with younger brother Sam earning first crack in the No 10 shirt and elder brother Cian rewarded for good form for club Connacht and country this season in the back row. Tadhg Furlong has lost his race to be fit, leaving Thomas Clarkson to start on the tighthead, while Jeremy Loughman will face a tough test on the opposite side following a raft of loosehead injuries.
Jacob Stockdale, back to his best of late at Ulster, displaces James Lowe on the left wing as part of a back three that also includes Tommy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne. Andy Farrell matches Fabien Galthie with a six/two split among his replacements.
Ireland XV: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Thomas Clarkson; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Tommy O’Brien; 15 Jamie Osborne.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick Timoney; 22 Craig Casey, 23 Jack Crowley.
Our first line up of the Championship. pic.twitter.com/W8qh8YX6Ta
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 3, 2026
Team news - France
19:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAntoine Dupont returns to international action for the first time since tearing his ACL in this fixture last year, with the scrum half paired with Matthieu Jalibert in the absence of Romain Ntamack. Jalibert is one of four Bordeaux Begles backs selected, with Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere trusted in midfield.
Up front, Dorian Aldegheri is stationed at tighthead following the sad retirement of Uini Atonio, while it is a sizeable French back five even with Emmanuel Meafou withheld as part of a six forwards to two backs bench split.
France XV: 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickael Guillard; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 14 Theo Attissogbe; 15 Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Kalvin Gourgues.
📋🔥 La 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤 est là !
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 3, 2026
Place au premier grand rendez-vous du Tournoi !
Vos Bleus défient l’Irlande ce jeudi au @stadedefrance 🍀
#XVdeFrance #FRAIRL pic.twitter.com/4H9lDmikif
France vs Ireland
19:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s warmed up in Paris over the last couple of days, although a relatively persistent drizzle today has rather dampened things. I went for a stroll past Notre-Dame (which is a bit of a mess due to the ongoing repair works) and down into the Latin Quarter earlier, and saw plenty of Irish green shirts, as well as a few Connacht hats. Those of an Irish persuasion that I’ve spoken to aren’t that optimistic about tonight, feeling that the injuries have made a tall task perhaps insurmountable.
Stade de France ready to kick off the Six Nations
18:55 , Luke BakerOne of the great stadiums in world sport, let alone rugby, the Stade de France will be rocking this evening
Six new(ish) faces to watch in the 2026 Six Nations
18:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Six Nations campaign dawns with Europe’s best and brightest vying for supremacy in the annual championship.
France defend a title won narrowly last year, and welcome Ireland and England to Paris in potentially pivotal opening and closing fixtures to the tournament.
Scotland, meanwhile, will hope to rebound from a difficult November to finally mount a challenge, while Wales will hope to banish off-field turmoil and secure a first competition win in two years. And what threat might an improving Italy pose?
With the schedule slightly condensed due to the removal of one fallow week, squad management and injury fortune might be all the more important.
Here are five new faces, and one old one, to look out for over the next couple of months.
France star to miss Six Nations opener due to fertility treatment
18:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlso absent for France is lock Thibaud Flament - the Toulouse forward is with his wife as she undergoes fertility treatment.
France star to miss Six Nations opener due to fertility treatment
France prop Uini Atonio retires after suffering heart attack
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother senior figure not involved for France is Uini Atonio, although that is for a rather more sad reason. We send our best wishes to the prop, who is recovering in hospital after a heart attack.
France prop Uini Atonio retires after suffering heart attack
The Fabien Galthie gambles that put pressure on France’s Six Nations title defence
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe naming of France’s squad prompted a few raised eyebrows, particularly around the omissions of Damian Penaud and Gregory Alldritt. Have Fabien Galthie’s gambles put pressure on his side?
The Fabien Galthie gambles that put pressure on France’s Six Nations title defence
Caelan Doris wary of returning Antoine Dupont
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland captain Caelan Doris is wary of the threat returning France skipper Antoine Dupont will pose to him and his side’s Six Nations hopes ahead of Thursday evening’s curtain-raiser in Paris.
Dupont has not made an international appearance in 11 months after rupturing his ACL in France’s 42-27 win in Dublin in March last year, but will make his comeback against the same opposition in a huge boost for Les Bleus.
Doris, who will hope to cause something of an upset against the reigning Six Nations champions and strong favourites, is under no illusions what damage Dupont, widely-regarded as the world's best player, can cause.
Doris wary of returning Dupont despite forgiveness over Dublin injury
Sam Prendergast gets fly half nod and James Lowe left out as Ireland reveal team for Six Nations opener
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Prendergast has got the nod at fly half for Ireland’s Six Nations opener with France in Paris, with head coach Andy Farrell naming a new-look backline.
Prendergast is preferred to Leinster teammate Harry Byrne and Munster’s Jack Crowley at No 10, with elder brother Cian also included as the starting blindside flanker.
James Lowe is left out with Jacob Stockdale installed on the left wing as part of a back three that also includes Tommy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne with Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan absent through injury.
Stuart McCloskey partners Garry Ringrose in midfield after Bundee Aki’s suspension, but there is no Tadhg Furlong, with Thomas Clarkson and Jeremy Loughman the starting props amid significant injury issues for Farrell in the front row.
Six forwards are named among the replacements as Ireland look to match France’s bench strength, including Test British and Irish Lions in Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Jack Conan.
Sam Prendergast gets fly half nod as Ireland reveal team for Six Nations opener
ITV confirms major new international rugby deal ahead of Six Nations
17:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleITV has become the home of international rugby union in the United Kingdom, with the broadcaster striking a deal to show every game from the new Nations Championship. Here’s everything you need to know about the competition:
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
ITV’s Six Nations coverage to feature in-play ad breaks for first time
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis year marks the first of a new TV deal in the United Kingdom, with ITV and the BBC renewing their agreement to show the competition. ITV’s coverage will look a little different, though, with the introduction of one advert per half while a scrum is being set up - a way of generating extra revenue that I am told was vital to the channel’s investment both in this and the new Nations Championship.
ITV’s Six Nations coverage to feature in-play ad breaks for first time
Why is the Six Nations starting on a Thursday?
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou may be wondering why this year’s tournament is starting on a Thursday. Well, it’s due to the Winter Olympics and French TV rights - here’s the full story:
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Six Nations returns with rugby’s annual spring spectacular set to provide the usual thrills and spills.
France begin as defending champions and will hope for more success, but are likely to face tough opposition from England, who arrive on an 11-match winning run, and Ireland, who meet Les Bleus on the opening night in Paris.
Scotland also have a squad capable of challenging as they bid to bounce back from a disappointing autumn; Italy will hope to overcome injuries to maintain their upward curve; and Wales will look to banish off-field noise and take steps forward in their first Six Nations under Steve Tandy.
It is a slightly condensed campaign this year, with the removal of a rest weekend likely to put increased pressure on each squad. Could that have a bearing on the outcome of the competition?
Find out who The Independent’s writers are tipping for success in our annual predictions:
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
The minor Six Nations change that could have a major impact on this year’s champions
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe 2026 edition of this tournament is condensed slightly, with the removal of one fallow week perhaps making squad depth all the more important. Who could it suit?
The minor Six Nations change that could have a major impact on this year’s champions
France vs Ireland live
10:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Six Nations returns in style tonight as two title hopefuls collide in Paris. France open the defence of their title with a meeting with an injury-hit Ireland in a first Thursday night fixture in the competition since 1948.
Kick off at the Stade de France is at 8.10pm GMT.
