Ireland 27-42 France LIVE RESULT: French STUN Men In Green as Les Bleus move into pole position to win Six Nations
FRANCE have stunned Ireland on their own patch to beat the Men In Green 42-27.
Les Bleus are now in pole position to win the Six Nations after their triumph in Dublin has moved the French two points clear of the Irish, with a massive points advantage.
The rampant victory for France did have one blemish, with starman Antoine Dupont withdrawn from the action in the first half with a knee injury,
- Match result: Ireland 27-42 France
- Ireland XV: Keenan, Osborne, Lowe, Henshaw, Aki, Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham, McCarthy, Beirne, O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris
- France XV: Ramos, Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey, Ntamack, Dupont; Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio, Flament, Guillard, Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt
FT: Ireland 27-42 France
So France go into the final round of the Six Nations knowing that a bonus point win against Scotland will earn them the Sis Nations championship.
England face Italy tomorrow and can't be ruled out of the title race yet. They will need a bonus point victory at a minimum to take it to the final weekend.
Ireland travel to Italy next weekend for their final match of the competition.
Now Scotland v Wales is just about to get started so follow all the action on our live blog.
FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Here's more from Caelan Doris on ITV: "We always back our fitness, but they added something (off their bench).
"From our side we are disappointed with some of the contacts. That was a big point during the week that we wanted to get right but we didn't.
"It's disappointing."
On the retiring players: "Three legends of Irish rugby and it was extra motivation for us.
"We wanted them to finish their careers on a high here. We have to go and put it right next week with a big performance.
"That's the plan now."
FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Ireland captain Caelan Doris, speaking to ITV: "I think we didn't control it well enough in the middle section of the second half.
"There was some discipline with some back-to-back penalties, we gave them entry but they played their power game. They got a bit of momentum and when we got tight defensively, they can spread it wide to score.
"That hurt us, big time."
FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Soft hand, powerful carriers, audacious offload and solid driving mauls - this French win had a bit of everything.
Their 27 unanswered points in a second-half blitz was just sensational, and Ireland's Grand Slam hopes are over
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 08: James Ryan of Ireland and teammates look dejected following the team's defeat during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium on March 08, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Louis Bielle-Biarrey for a couple of electric tries, as well as a try saving tackle to prevent Calvin Nash in the first half. What a player he is.
But notable sotouts need to go to flanker Oscar Jegou for playing out of position as a centre. He crashed over for a score of his own and made some huge tackles in midfield.
Maxime Lucu also had a brilliant game. After replacement talisman Antoine Dupont, and being forced to play the majority of the game, he pulled the strings in attack and set up some brilliant French tries.
DUBLIN, IRELAND: MARCH 8: Louis Bielle Biarrey #11 of France scores his second try for France assisted by Maxime Lucu #23 of France during the Ireland V France, Six Nations rugby union match at Aviva Stadium on March 8th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) FT: Ireland 27-42 France
France lay down a huge marker in a massive game.
They go two points clear of Ireland at the top of the table, with a huge points difference advantage.
A win against Scotland next week will crown them the Six Nations champions.
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 08: Mickael Guillard, Anthony Jelonch, Francois Cros and Julien Marchand of France celebrate following the team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium on March 08, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Sam Prendergast takes the quick tap and passes it to his left.
The ball is worked through the hand until it reaches Jack Conan who jogs over the line to dot down and give Ireland the last laugh.
It seemed like half the France team just switched off for the final 10 minutes. They knew the victory was theirs and just slacked off.
Sam Prendergast adds the extras and the referee blows his whistle for the end of the game.
FT: Ireland 27-42 France
Conversion! (Ramos) Ireland 27-42 France
TRY! (Conan) Ireland 25-42 France
Ireland 20-42 France
Hugo Keenan gets a brillaint 50-22 kick.
Ireland work the phases in the France 22 and earn a penalty 10 metres out.
Ireland 20-42 France
There won't be a more popular try scorer today!
Cian Healy scores a try on his final Ireland appearance in Dublin!
Finally something for the Irish crowd to cheer about!
Conor Murray pops it off to his old mate, who shows good strength to score.
Sam Prendergast converts.
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 08: Cian Healy of Ireland scores his team's second try during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium on March 08, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Conversion! (Prendergast) Ireland 20-42 France
TRY (Healy) Ireland 18-42 France
Ireland 13-42 France
An absolute dagger in the heart of Ireland.
Thomas Ramos reads Sam Prendergast's pass on his own line. He grabs it and sprints clear, but doesn't think he has the gas to get to the line
He unselfishly pops it to Damian Penaud, who has more than enough to score.
Coast to coast!
Thomas Ramos converts the try to bring up France's biggest score against the men in green in Ireland.
DUBLIN, IRELAND: MARCH 8: Damian Penaud #14 of France dives over for a try during the Ireland V France, Six Nations rugby union match at Aviva Stadium on March 8th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Conversion! (Ramos) Ireland 13-42 France
TRY! (Penaud) Ireland 13-40 France
Yellow card (Flament)
Ireland 13-35 France
Sam Prendergast tries to dink the ball through but Yoram Moefana holds off Rob Herring to touch the ball down in the in-goal area.
Play is brought back, and Ireland go back into the corner.
Ireland 13-35 France
Ireland kick to the corner from the penalty and set up a driving maul for the line.
A mass of bodies crash over the line, but the referee says the ball is held up.
Ireland are definitely stringing together some better passages of play but the scoreboard shows they are still way off the French at the moment.
Time is running out for them to save their Grand Slam dream.
Ireland 13-35 France
Angus Gardner has a look at a potential yellow card offence for a deliberate knock on by Paul Boudehent.
The referee says that there is sufficient cover and it ill stay as a penalty.
Ireland 13-35 France
Conor Murray and Cian Healy are given a great ovation after coming on for their final appearance at the Aviva Stadium.
The pair are joined by Rob Herring and replace Jamieson Gibson-Park, Finlay Bealham and Dan Sheehan.
PENALTY! (Ramos) Ireland 13-35 France
Ireland 13-32 France
France earn another penalty in front of the posts as Ireland are seen to not show a clear release before an attempted jackel.
Having earned their try bonus point, they opt for a shot at goal and more scoreboard pressure.
Ireland 13-32 France
France's flanker-turned-outside centre Oscar Jégou has had a blinder since coming on.
He makes a brilliant tackle on Sam Pendergast, who thinks he has made a line break just outside of his 22.