The French clearly beat the Irish on Thursday for their entry into the Six Nations Tournament. The French three-quarters shone on the pitch at the Stade de France, starting with fly-half Matthieu Jalibert who knew how to liven up his team's attacking play. With five tries scored, the Blues gained an offensive bonus.
Published on: 05/02/2026 - 23:30
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The French XV perfectly launched the defense of its title at the Six Nations Tournament on Thursday February 5 by winning at Stade France against Ireland (36-14) with the offensive bonus, despite a less successful second half.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey, author of a double, Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon and Théo Attissogbe scored the five French tries in a match played in the rain and exceptionally on a Thursday to avoid any competition with the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics on Friday. Nick Timoney and Michael Milne scored both Irish goals in the second half.
Read also Exciting Blues beat Ireland for their entry into the Tournament
With five points, the French team temporarily sits at the top of the standings before Saturday's two matches and will have to confirm, in ten days, during its trip to Wales.
More than two months after an autumn tour that was far from reassuring, France showed a completely different side in the first half before slowing down a little after the break.
In the momentum of his magnificent 2025 Tournament, where he was voted best player, Louis Bielle-Biarrey was once again essential against an Irish team deprived of many senior players. He scored a double, with a first try, of which he alone has the secret (13th), by erasing three Irish defenders in a pocket handkerchief to enhance a recovery ball perfectly negotiated by Thomas Ramos, Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana.
For his second try, that of the offensive bonus (47th), Louis Bielle-Biarrey once again showed his speed when receiving a kick from Thomas Ramos, who extended a first over the top from Antoine Dupont.
Meanwhile, Matthieu Jalibert, aligned for the first time with the Blues in almost a year in the absence of Romain Ntamack, scored the second try for the Tricolores on a serve from Antoine Dupont (22nd). The scrum half also returned to the French XV for the first time since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Ireland last March (42-27).
A less successful second half
Matthieu Jalibert was also involved in the third try by setting the Irish defense on fire. First by playing the touchline quickly, because France is never as strong as in disorganized play, then by a lobbed kick which resulted a few seconds later in Charles Ollivon's try (34th).
Well ahead in the score (29-0, 48th), the French team then fell asleep somewhat, letting the XV du Trèfle reduce the gap in the space of three minutes with tries from Nick Timoney (59th) and Michael Milne (62nd).
The fifth and final try scored in the corner by Théo Attissogbe after the siren (81st) gave new luster to the victory of the French XV, which also showed its progress in discipline (four penalties conceded) compared to last fall.
With Reuters
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