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:
Potential Six Nations title decider? Ireland versus France talking points
The world’s top two nations collide on Saturday when Ireland host France in a blockbuster Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin.
Andy Farrell’s hosts launched their campaign with an emphatic 34-10 win in Wales, while Les Bleus were less convincing in scraping past Italy 29-24.
Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points ahead of a mouthwatering Aviva Stadium encounter.
Potential Six Nations title decider? Ireland versus France talking points
Andy Farrell’s hosts launched their campaign with an emphatic 34-10 win in Wales, while Les Bleus were less convincing in scraping past Italy 29-24.
World No1 Ireland face Six Nations champions France in a collision of rugby superpowers
Frank Sinatra’s first (and only) freelance photography assignment came at Madison Square Garden on 8 March 1971, writes Harry Latham-Coyle. It was the night of the first encounter between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali and, finding ringside tickets rather hard to come by, the singer sought commission from Life magazine to ensure the perfect view.
You somehow doubt Sinatra would have had quite so much difficulty finding a seat at the Aviva Stadium this weekend but Ireland vs France might just have tickled Sinatra’s fancy, were he still around. Rugby’s “Fight of the Century”? That would be overstating it, but the circumstances make this heavyweight clash an appropriate occasion for the sort of pomp this championship does best.
It is a long while since two of the Six Nations could attest to rule the men’s rugby realm but in Ireland and France the northern hemisphere has two pre-eminent powers entering this World Cup year. In the blue corner, the defending grand slam champions on a 14-match unbeaten run. In the green, the top-ranked team in the world hunting a significant step on their own title pursuit.
Read Harry’s full preview:
World No1 Ireland face champions France in a collision of rugby powers
The two pre-eminent teams come together in a potentially title-defining Six Nations encounter which will lay down a marker ahead of the Rugby World Cup
Ireland vs France - Six Nations
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Ireland vs France to kick off Round 2 of the 2023 Six Nations.
Ireland and France are going to head to head today in a potentially decisive Six Nations encounter as the world’s No 1 ranked side host the reigning champions in Dublin.
Both sides won their opening games as France edged Italy and Ireland thrashed Wales, and the match-up between Fabien Galthie’s 2022 Grand Slam winners and Andy Farrell’s in-form Irish is being touted as one that could dictate who clinches the 2023 Six Nations title.
The Aviva Stadium is sold out for the visit of Les Bleus as they attempt to end Ireland’s stunning record of 18 victories from their past 19 home Tests.
Stick with us as we bring you updates of the action from Dublin
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