France v Ireland live updates: Comfortable win for France despite spirited Irish second half
Andy Farrell’s men face a tough first game against the defending champions
France Rugby
Ireland left kicking themselves after losing aerial battle to France
The home side were sharper under the dropping ball, but Ireland kept using tactics that clearly weren’t working
ITV to screen ads during scrum breaks in Six Nations
Tonight’s Six Nations match between Ireland and France includes the option to air two split-screen adverts before a scrum is set
Garry Ringrose calls for Ireland to have ‘all-court’ defence to deal with France threat
Ringrose praises centre partner McCloskey for being 'brilliant with ball in hand'
‘A big threat, the heart of their attack’: Caelan Doris on France captain Antoine Dupont
Ireland star sees Six Nations opener in Paris as ‘exciting opportunity’ against tournament favourites
Sam and Cian Prendergast are part a proud list of brothers to play together for Ireland
Some 57 pairs of brothers have represented Ireland since the IRFU was established in 1879
Six Nations kicks off with heavyweights Ireland and France, yet Paris looks uninterested
If Ireland are to win, then most likely it will be a bare-knuckle ride
Is there really beef between France’s star pairing?
Talk of disharmony between Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert has been dismissed during Six Nations build-up
Apocalypse, why now? Gordon D’Arcy on the negativity surrounding Ireland’s Six Nations hopes
Sports Briefing: All the latest Six Nations build-up; Are Derry City the team to stop Shamrock Rovers from winning a sixth title in seven years?
Andy Farrell ignores the gloom and finds some positives ahead of Ireland’s daunting Paris test
Ireland head coach sends a weakened team into battle against the Six Nations holders and favourites
Gordon D’Arcy: Why has the narrative around Irish rugby turned apocalyptic so quickly?
We have reached point where not winning the Six Nations is framed as decline
Ireland v France teams: Antoine Dupont returns, Sam Prendergast starts at 10 for Six Nations opener
French captain starts at scrumhalf following recovery from ACL injury sustained in last season’s game in Dublin
Antoine Dupont heads bold, regenerated France for Ireland Six Nations clash
Fabien Galthié opts for youth with Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles players to the fore
Sam and Cian Prendergast to start for Ireland against France
Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson named in Irish frontrow
Andy Farrell’s seventh Six Nations campaign looks like the most challenging yet
Still, Ireland are third favourites for this Six Nations - and for good reason
Dan Sheehan: ‘The French don’t wish you bad. They’re just looking for a good game’
Sheehan also pays tribute to career of France’s ‘top, top quality’ player Uini Atonio
Six Nations: One statistic will define Ireland’s opener against France on Thursday, and the whole tournament
Two metrics reveal which Six Nations teams are built for modern rugby – and where Ireland must improve
Six Nations: Cian Prendergast in line to join brother Sam in Ireland side to play France
Connacht captain could start in backrow with Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy in secondrow
France are the Six Nations team to beat despite Uini Atonio setback
Enforced retirement of popular prop might serve as an emotional lightning rod
Sam Prendergast set to keep outhalf spot for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France
Tadhg Furlong in race to be fit for Paris match, with Michael Milne to play at loosehead
Philippe Saint-André: ‘Ireland are not as good as two years ago. You can see it in the Champions Cup’
Former French rugby star says his country are favourites for the Six Nations
Revitalised England squad pose major Six Nations title threat
Steve Borthwick’s side have a good scrum, a decent lineout, threats at the breakdown, power in the centre and pace on the edges
‘It took a while’: Tommy O’Brien hitting his stride after biding his time
Leinster winger has overcome multiple setbacks on his climb to the international ranks
This year almost feels like a French home Six Nations
Head coach Fabien Galthié is under pressure to deliver, after resting up many front-liners last summer
Matt Williams: Weakened Ireland will need help from the rugby gods to stop mighty France
With a canny manager, a formidable scrum and the ingenious Antoine Dupont, Les Bleus are red-hot favourites to win the opening game of the Six Nations
Conor Murray: Respect to Lomu and McCaw, but Antoine Dupont is the greatest of all time
Michael Milne took a risk that may be about to pay off
Test debut for Edwin Edogbo could bolster Ireland’s firepower
Physical Munster lock looks viable option if Andy Farrell opts for 6-2 split in Six Nations opener
Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman: ‘We’ve got to make sure we’re building belief’
Ahead of the Six Nations opening, the squad is focused on evolving its attacking and aerial game, and playing to space
Six Nations 2026: Six young players to watch in this year’s tournament
Who has the talent, strength, form and fitness to make an impact?
The buck stops with Caelan Doris as he says Ireland must improve discipline in Six Nations
Captain praises uncapped young forward Edwin Edogbo as team tunes up in Portugal
France prop Uini Atonio forced to retire from rugby after suffering heart attack
Atonio (35) was admitted to hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday and is a stable condition, his club says
Andy Farrell on his Six Nations ambitions: ‘We’re hunting again. We were being hunted for a while’
The Ireland coach and captain Caelan Doris are unfazed by the squad’s injury profile and painful lessons from November Tests
‘Just an accident’: Antoine Dupont bears no ill will towards Ireland pair over knee injury
France captain tore his ACL when the sides met in last year’s Six Nations
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
The GlossOpens in new window
Read the digital edition of The Gloss magazine now
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices