Ireland vs France live: Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton combine to seal 19-9 victory over Les Bleus
Follow the latest from the Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Ireland secured back-to-back victories in this year's Six Nations after beating France 19-9 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, condemning France to their second loss of the championship and ending their title hopes in the process. Re-live the action here.
- Ireland beat France 19-9
- Conor Murray try ensures Ireland's Six Nations title hopes remain alive
- 14 points from Jonathan Sexton announces his return from injury in style
- France suffer second defeat in three matches to end their hopes
- Camille Lopez kicks three penalties for the French
- Teams:
- Ireland: R Kearney; K Earls, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, T Furlong, D Ryan, D Toner, CJ Stander, S O'Brien, J Healsip. Replacements: N Scannell, C Healy, J Ryan, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, K Marmion, P Jackson, A Trimble.
- France: S Spedding; Y Huget, R Lamerat, G Fickou, N Nakaitaci; C Lopez, B Serin; C Baille, G Guirado, R Slimani, S Vahaamahina, Y Maestri, B Le Roux, K Gourdon, L Picamoles. Replacements: C Tolofua, U Atonio, X Chiocci, J Le Devedec, C Ollivon, M Machenaud, H Chavancy, D Camara.
Follow the live action below...
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Preview...
Both Ireland and France lost their opening games of the championship as the Irish suffered a narrow 27-22 loss to Scotland, while France suffered an agonising 19-16 defeat by England at Twickenham. However they bounced back two weeks ago, with Ireland crushing Italy 63-10 in Rome and France beating Scotland 22-16 in Paris.
Today’s match is Ireland’s first home game in this year’s Six Nations, and they go into the game with renewed hopes of winning back the title given that England still need to cross the Irish Sea on the final weekend of the tournament.
What time does it start...
Ireland vs France kicks off at 16:50.
Where can I watch it...
The match will be shown live on ITV from 16:15. You can also follow it with The Independent’s live blog here.
It’s a big game for...
Jonathan Sexton: The fly-half missed the first two rounds of the championship through injury, but he’s been given the green light to return for the crunch match in Dublin. Given that Paddy Jackson had played very well in his absence, it’s a big call from Joe Schmidt, but Sexton can go a long way to proving why he is the choice No 10 for the British and Irish Lions this summer.
Player to look out for...
Gael Fickou: The inside centre has been one of the star players of the tournament so far, and after getting his name on the scoresheet against Scotland, he is quickly proving the player that he was billed to become when he broke onto the scene five years ago. He’ll give Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose plenty of problems in defence.
Past three meetings...
France 10 Ireland 9, Six Nations, February 2016.
Ireland 24 France 9, 2015 Rugby World Cup, October 2015.
Ireland 18 France 11, Six Nations, February 2015.
Form...
Ireland: WLWLWW
France: WLLLWW
Odds...
Ireland to win: 6/25
France to win: 29/10
Draw: 1/2 odds
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Hell and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Six Nations clash between Ireland and France, brought to you from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The players run out to a massive reception, with plenty of French fans making the journey over for the game.
Here's a reminder of hos the teams line up:
Ireland: R Kearney; K Earls, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, T Furlong, D Ryan, D Toner, CJ Stander, S O'Brien, J Healsip.
Replacements: N Scannell, C Healy, J Ryan, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, K Marmion, P Jackson, A Trimble.
France: S Spedding; Y Huget, R Lamerat, G Fickou, N Nakaitaci; C Lopez, B Serin; C Baille, G Guirado, R Slimani, S Vahaamahina, Y Maestri, B Le Roux, K Gourdon, L Picamoles.
Replacements: C Tolofua, U Atonio, X Chiocci, J Le Devedec, C Ollivon, M Machenaud, H Chavancy, D Camara.
Michael D Higgins arrives for the presidential salute and to meet the players, before we'll have the anthems and finally, kick-off.
3 mins: The first scrum is a steady one, though McGrath does go down to his knees with referee Nigel Owens allowing play to continue. Sexton has a run himself, before later on putting up the high ball. It's scrappy stuff so far as no one claims it, and it falls to Serin who kicks into touch.
8 mins: France are here to play running rugby, that much is obvious from the early exchanges, with Fickou launching a powerful attack down the left wing that produces a penalty. It comes to nothing though as Ireland seal the turnover, only for Sexton's long kick to droft across the pitch and straight into touch.
11 mins: Serin makes a lovely break that leaves Kerney grasping at air. From the ruck, Best hacks the ball out, but Heaslip is penalised for going off his feet and Camille Lopez will have his first shot at goal.
12 mins: Lopez's kick is a simple one and it sails through. France lead 0-3.
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