France v Ireland live: Les Bleus lay down Six Nations title marker with Paris thrashing

France 36-14 Ireland: Les Bleus were sublime, scoring five tries to blow away Andy Farrell’s visitors

Ugo Monye reveals his Six Nations predictions

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)

[5 February 2026 22:52 · Luke Baker]

Andy Farrell not impressed by Ireland performance

A 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.

"Reacting too late isn't the way we want to do things 👀

Andy Farrell reacts to Ireland's 36-14 defeat to France

@SixNationsRugbys pic.twitter.com/1iPne5RDyJ

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 5, 2026

[5 February 2026 22:24 · Luke Baker]

Shaun Edwards: 'Louis Bielle-Biarrey is just getting better'

France 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.”

(Adam Davy/PA Wire)

[5 February 2026 22:19 · Luke Baker]

Caelan Doris laments passivity in defence

Ireland 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.”

(Getty Images)

[5 February 2026 22:11 · Luke Baker]

WATCH: Best of France tries

An impressive performance form Les Bleus. Here’s the best of their tries

SOUND ON 🔊

France finish off Ireland in Paris 🇫🇷@SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/ggYLAigFQX

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 5, 2026

THAT ASSIST 🤯🇫🇷

France have the bonus point ➕ 1️⃣@SixNationsRugby | @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/JIr8uvTmgz

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 5, 2026

Louis Bielle-Biarrey is BOX OFFICE 💥@SixNationsRugby | @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/FUJ71emSIU

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 5, 2026

[5 February 2026 22:01 · Luke Baker]

France make Six Nations statement as Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert unlock new dimension

And 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:

[5 February 2026 21:59 · Luke Baker]

FULL-TIME! France 36-14 Ireland

It’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

(Getty Images)

[5 February 2026 21:58 · Luke Baker]

TRY! France 36-14 Ireland (Theo Attissogbe, 80 mins)

There’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.

[5 February 2026 21:54 · Luke Baker]

France 29-14 Ireland, 79 mins

Can 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.

(Getty Images)

[5 February 2026 21:52 · Luke Baker]

France 29-14 Ireland, 77 mins

Here 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

[5 February 2026 21:49 · Luke Baker]

France 29-14 Ireland, 74 mins

Brilliant 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.