Ireland vs France LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations after extraordinary result in title decider
Ireland 27-42 France: A resounding, remarkable win for the visitors leaves them in control of their own destiny
France took charge of the Six Nations title race in sensational style as they produced an outstanding performance to dash Ireland’s grand slam dreams with a 42-27 thrashing.
The hosts’ hopes of an historic championship three-peat were left in tatters by a damaging defeat in Dublin, with Les Bleus surging clear in the second half despite losing star scrum half, and captain, Antoine Dupont to injury. The rapid Louis Bielle-Biarrey starred with a couple of scores while the impact of a bench full of behemoths proved decisive for Fabien Galthie’s side as they turned the screw in a remarkable victory.
It leaves the equation simple for the French entering the final weekend. Beat Scotland with a bonus point in Paris in the final fixture of Super Saturday and the title will be theirs. Ireland, hoping to become the first team to win three successive tournament crowns, know their fate is now out of their hands, with England also potentially in the title mix if they beat Italy on Sunday.
Re-live all of the action from a remarkable result in Dublin in our live blog below:
Ireland 13-35 France, 69 minutes
Conor Murray and Cian Healy come on for their final home appearances for Ireland.
Rob Herring also comes onto the field.
Penalty! Ireland 13-35 France, 66 minutes
France are still in control. Thomas Clarkson gives away a penalty for not rolling away.
Ramos takes a successful conversion and extends their lead.
Ireland 13-32 France, 62 minutes
France have a scrum in the centre of the field, but Ireland manage to hold them up.
It’s Ireland's turn for the scrum.
Ireland have a lack of fire power to hold the French defence.
TRY! Ireland 13-32 France, 58 minutes
First international try for Oscar Jegou. Ireland are physically spent.
That’s a bonus-point try for the French. Ramos converts.
Ireland’s hopes of a Grand Slam seem slim now.
Ireland 13-25 France, 55 minutes
Ireland win the lineout, but France manage to steal. The ball is quickly passed out, and the forwards continue to drive it forward.
Penaud makes a run, followed by Ramos breaking through. France are awarded a penalty as they fail to gain an advantage.
They decide to go for the three points and Ramos secures the points again.
Jack Crowley has come on for Bundee Aki.
TRY! Ireland 13-20 France, 50 minutes
Pure pace from Bielle Barrey as he secures his second try for France. Ramos easily secures the conversion.
The winger kicked into gear and broke off, his pace un-matched.
France are lethal when the game opens up.
Ireland 13-15 France, 49 minutes
Ireland make a double substitution with Conan and Baird coming on.
Nash’s yellow card will stand, as there was some mitigating factors involved.
TRY! Ireland 13-15 France, 46 minutes
What a response from France, two out the back off-loads and they get a try.
Calvin Nash is in the sin-bin after a tackle on Pierre-Louis Barrass.
The try is under review and the referee sticks with his on-field decision and the try stays. Ramos secures the conversion.
How will Ireland look to respond now France don’t have any backs to bring on?
TRY! Ireland 13-8 France, 43 minutes
Ireland are back and returning to what we usually see.
They’re accurate as Dan Sheehan breaks off the back of the maul. Ireland secure the line-out, and the maul powers forward toward the try line. Sheehan breaks free from the back and gets the try.
Prendergast secures the conversion. What a cracking start to the second half!
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