Overview
- Les Bleus ran in five tries, including a Louis Bielle-Biarrey brace, building a 22-0 half-time cushion that stretched to 29-0 before Ireland responded.
- Thomas Ramos kicked four conversions and a penalty, with Theo Attissogbe adding a late fifth try after earlier scores by Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon.
- France’s Shaun Edwards called their control of possession and territory against Ireland “very, very unusual,” while head coach Fabien Galthié praised the attack’s accuracy.
- Andy Farrell questioned his side’s first‑half intent and physicality as Ireland logged a 67% tackle completion, with senior players admitting France dominated collisions and the aerial battle.
- Replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne scored consolation tries for Ireland; next up, Ireland host Italy on 14 February and France visit Wales the following day, while Scotland coach Gregor Townsend rejected Newcastle/Red Bull links as “pure speculation.”