France vs. Ireland: French XV Dominate as Irish Fight Back Live
The highly anticipated clash between France and Ireland marked the opening of the 2026 Six Nations tournament. The French rugby team, known for its fierce competitiveness, faced off against Ireland, its most significant rival in recent years. This match took place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Overview of the Match
The kick-off for this exciting encounter was scheduled for 21:10 local time. France entered the tournament as the defending champions, aiming for a Grand Slam this season. The team, led by captain Antoine Dupont, showcased their ambitions to retain the title.
Team Line-ups
Both teams fielded strong line-ups, ready to deliver a thrilling match:
France’s Starting Line-up
- Thomas Ramos
- Théo Attissogbe
- Nicolas Depoortère
- Yoram Moefana
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- (o) Matthieu Jalibert
- (m) Antoine Dupont (captain)
- François Cros
- Anthony Jelonch
- Oscar Jégou
- Mickaël Guillard
- Charles Ollivon
- Dorian Aldegheri
- Julien Marchand
- Jean-Baptiste Gros
France’s Substitutes
- Peato Mauvaka
- Rodrigue Neti
- Régis Montagne
- Hugo Auradou
- Emmanuel Meafou
- Lenni Nouchi
- Baptiste Serin
- Kalvin Gourgues
Head Coach: Fabien Galthié
Ireland’s Starting Line-up
- Jamie Osborne
- Tommy O’Brien
- Garry Ringrose
- Stuart McCloskey
- Jacob Stockdale
- (o) Sam Prendergast
- (m) Jamison Gibson-Park
- Josh van der Flier
- Caelan Doris (captain)
- Cian Prendergast
- Tadhg Beirne
- Joe McCarthy
- Thomas Clarkson
- Dan Sheehan
- Jeremy Loughman
Ireland’s Substitutes
- Ronan Kelleher
- Michael Milne
- Finlay Bealham
- James Ryan
- Jack Conan
- Nick Timoney
- Craig Casey
- Jack Crowley
Head Coach: Andy Farrell
Match Officials
The match was officiated by English referee Karl Dickson, known for his experience in managing high-stakes rugby encounters.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more exciting matches as teams contend for supremacy. France, having strong aspirations, will strive to maintain its winning momentum throughout the Six Nations.
