Ireland 32 France 19 rugby LIVE RESULT: Andy Farrell’s men pick up HUGE Six Nations win over tough French side – latest
FRANCE coach Fabien Galthie had no complaints after seeing his team's 14-game unbeaten run ended emphatically by Ireland.
Les Bleus went down 32-19 in Dublin in a game where they struggled to get any sort of foothold.
France, the defending champions, had won their last three fixtures against the Irish but managed only a solitary Damien Penaud try.
Meanwhile the hosts, world ranked number one to France's two, scored four for a bonus-point victory.
France boss Galthie said; "We deserved the defeat, we were overwhelmed in important moments.
"We were close for a long time but could not bridge that gap and the Irish managed to keep us in our half.
"We have to admit that the best team won and this game will give us a lot to analyse and keep us ambitious. Today was a defeat and we'll have to analyse and learn from it.
"It's high-level sport. You have to be able to bounce back and get ready for Scotland in two weeks."
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who saved a certain try as he wrestled winger Mack Hansen backwards, added: "Physically and strategically, it was tough. Every little mistake gave our opponents chances to score. It was very intense throughout.
"It's very disappointing because they got a bonus point and we didn't. We played a big game but lacked precision and failed to score in our strong moments.
Most read in Rugby Union
"We'll have to recuperate and go on with this tournament. We're not giving up."
Lock Thibaud Flament said: "It was a tight game, we knew it would be hard, they're in good shape and world number one.
"We're frustrated but it was a great game. We put in a lot of heart and effort so there's nothing to be ashamed of. We just need to be a bit more precise in our half."
France's next match is at home to Scotland in two weeks but of greater interest might be a potential quarter-final rematch with the Irish at the Rugby World Cup later this year.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Here's how the action unfolded...
Ireland 7-3 France
13. France did so well to keep Ireland out in the initial drive but they switched off with the quick interplay by Andy Farrell's side.
You can see that try hurt the visitors.
This Irish side have a real tenacity to play flowing, attacking rugby.
Credit: PA Ireland 7-3 France
11. Fantastic hand off by Bealham to Keenan as he ghosts through the French defence to run in.
Johnny Sexton sends the conversion through the uprights.
That try has raised the roof in Dublin.
Try - Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Ireland 0-3 France
7. Ramos holds his nerve to edge Les Bleus ahead.
Ireland look to come straight back at the visitors from kick off.
Lowe's kick into the corner sees Ramos step on the touchline, giving the hosts a lineout within sight of the French line.
Credit: PA Penalty - Thomas Ramos (France)
Ireland 0-0 France
5. Both sides are flexing their physical muscle in these early stages.
France are awarded a penalty.
They opt to go for point on the board, a chance for the visitors to edge ahead.
Ireland 0-0 France
3. Unique drama for the fans to enjoy there.
Ireland get into French territory for the first time in the game.
Dupont lofts the ball in the air, with France gathering the ball on the halfway line.
Ireland 0-0 France
1. Well that is a first.
As Ireland transition the ball to Lowe to clear, his kick hits the overhead camera.
The referee awards a scrum to Ireland.
Kick-off: Ireland vs France
We are underway at the Aviva Stadium.
It is a full-house as you would expect.
France get the game started in this Six Nations epic.
Top-two take to the pitch
Andrew Porter and James Ryan lead Ireland out onto the pitch, marking their 50th caps in Dublin.
The atmosphere is building as the world's two highest ranked sides in the game go head-to-head.
This could be a game to remember.
Records are there to be broken
This will be the first time in Six Nations' history the two highest-ranked sides in the world meet in the competition.
France are on a 14-game winning streak. with Andy Farrell's side looking to end that record.
Shaun Edwards will be more than aware of what is required of the French if they want to make a statement today.
Credit: PA Ireland proved real party poopers
With Warren Gatland returning to his role as Wales' coach, Ireland could not afford to let their guard drop in the first round of fixtures.
Tries from Caelan Doris and James Ryan put Ireland 14-0 up with 10 minutes in the Welsh capital.
Farrell's side found themselves 27-3 up inside the first half an hour, something Les Bleus will need to be wary of today.
Aviva Stadium will be rocking
This is the standout fixture in the Guinness Six Nations such is the transformation of the competition.
When it comes so early in the schedule, it can change the fortunes of either side if they are on the end of a defeat.
The wall of green in Dublin today will be looking to act as the twelfth man to see their players over the line, quite literally.
Start may dictate game today
Against Wales, Ireland started like a team possessed and almost blew their hosts away in the opening 20 minutes.
Andy Farrell's side will be looking for more of the same today, but France will be ready for it.
The question will be, whether Les Bleus look to take the game to the Irish from the off, preventing them getting a foothold in the game like in Cardiff last time out.
Credit: Sportsfile Ice runs through his veins
One thing that was evident in the first round of fixtures, capitalising on penalties and conversions is still key in the game.
Johnny Sexton, is the 'iceman' of World Rugby, nothing seems to phase the Ireland number 10.
It does not matter where they are playing, his dependable kicking is such a huge advantage to Andy Farrell's side.
Tough challenge for visitors
France have only ever won back-to-back away games against Ireland once befor, in 2005 and 2007.
However, they have won away to Ireland in six of the previous nine Rugby World Cup years.
France have beaten Ireland in this fixture 59 times compared to Ireland's 35 victories.
Les Bleus haunting Irish minds
Last year's meeting between these two sides was billed as the decider for deciding the title, as it did, with France winning 30-24 in Paris.
It was their third successive win against Ireland, having won just one of their previous nine before that.
Their current run includes a 15-13 victory on their last trip to Dublin also, leaving Ireland winless in this fixture since 2019.
Pre-cursor for the World Cup
It doesn't get much better than this as the two best teams in world rugby go head to head.
Not many fans are looking passed these two when it comes to the upcoming World Cup and for good reason.
France will have a point to prove today after Italy found some chinks in their armour last weekend.
Credit: Sportsfile France replacements:
16. Gaetan Barlot, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. François Cros, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Baptiste Couilloud, 23. Matthieu Jalibert
France starting XV:
15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Ethan Dumortier, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c); 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Gregory Alldritt
Ireland replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tom O'Toole, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Bundee Aki
Ireland starting XV:
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (c), 9. Conor Murray; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
Welcome to Ireland vs France
Already labelled as the game of the tournament, Ireland take on defending Grand Slam champions France at the Aviva Stadium in a game that will go some way to deciding the championship.
Andy Farrell has one enforced change this afternoon after Dan Sheehan was injured in their opening game in Cardiff, he is replaced at hooker by Rob Herring, which allows Ronan Kelleher to come into the squad to take his place on the bench.
Two players will be marking their 50th caps for the men in green with James Ryan and Andrew Porter marking the occasion in the pack today, while Dave Kilcoyne will also reach that landmark if he comes from the bench against the French.
Jamison Gibson-Park, Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong all remain absent for Farrell’s side and will be sorely missed.
France, meanwhile, have named the same starting XV to the one which triumphed in Rome last weekend, with the only changes coming amongst the replacements.
Baptiste Couilloud and Francois Cros both return after injuries and replace Thomas Lavault and Nolann Le Garrec, both of whom were unused subs in Rome last weekend.
The reliable Antoine Dupont will captain the side again from scrum-half, while Ethan Dumortier will hope to build on his try scoring debut against Italy having scored 12 times in 13 games for club and country this season.