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 30-7 Wales, 77 minutes
“Who is the new captain?” Andrew Brace asks, and with the way the Welsh players look around, you wonder if they all actually know. Adam Beard is the man to step forward to take the referee’s admonishment after Tommy Reffell had gone off his feet trying to steal the ball.
Scotland 30-7 Wales, 75 minutes
Scotland are having some fun now, result in the bag. Chris Harris is out there and the recipient of a nifty, though nugatory, offload from Finn Russell.
A nasty pass from a stand-in scrum half forces Scotland to retreat, but Wales are penalised at the next breakdown anyway.
Scotland 30-7 Wales, 74 minutes
What can Wales take back with them? Another chance in the Scottish 22 and they go close, Taulupe Faletau carrying in and around the breakdown to ask different questions of the hosts’ defence.
Rhys Carre for the line...held up! Matt Fagerson nods his approval as Andrew Brace rewards his work. Wales have, once again, had their chances.
TRY! SCOTLAND 30-7 Wales (Blair Kinghorn try, 71 minutes)
A bonus point sealing beauty!
The broadest of smiles spreads across Blair Kinghorn’s face as he hurtles over, Scotland taken advantage of a tiring Welsh defence exquisitely.
Finn Russell lifts a little lob wedge for Duhan van der Merwe to steam on to. The wing’s stampede understandably draws three cover tacklers, leaving room on the inside for Kinghorn to collect and go in.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 69 minutes
A scrum penalty will allow Scotland a very straightforward exit.
Throw to the front, maul, earn another penalty - this is perfect for Scotland. Further up the right they go through Finn Russell’s boot as the crowd indulges in a cherry rendition of “Flower of Scotland”.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 67 minutes
Davies is immediately pressed into shunting duties as Wales drive the lineout. They maul in a muscular manner, making some 15 metres, but it eventually collapses under its own mass, and Scotland will have the scrum.
Liam Williams returns after his ten minutes in the bin.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 66 minutes
Nearly away! Rhys Carre’s eyes begin to illuminate as he picks a lovely line to the outside of Matt Fagerson, but the Scotland number eight inserts a timely hand to loosen the ball and send it spilling from Carre’s basket. Scotland survive - again!
A debut for Wales. Rhys Davies in to the second row.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 64 minutes
A raft of changes in the tight five: for Scotland, enter WP Nel, Jamie Bhatti and Richie Gray; exit Zander Fagerson, Pierre Schoeman and Grant Gilchrist. Wales swap in Scott Baldwin and Leon Brown for Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 64 minutes
Wales simply must score now to have a hope, you feel. Taulupe Faletau has added a degree of stability, setting the tone with a trio of carries, and Rhys Carre follows his fellow replacement’s lead.
Scottish hands steal the ball but Jamie Ritchie is penalised again - Andrew Brace believes that he was the second contesting Scottish player, and therefore cannot be rewarded for his jackal.
This is Wales’ ninth 22 entry, by the way; Scotland have had five. Again, red zone efficiency has been the key.
Scotland 25-7 Wales, 61 minutes
Murrayfield lifts in anticipation as Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe eat up metres with long strides up the left, but Kinghorn’s loop had taken him behind a block Jamie Ritchie, who is pinged for obstruction.
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