Pavard piledriver punishes valiant Ireland

A second half piledriver from Benjamin Pavard was enough for France to scrape past a valiant Irish side that finished the game on top with a world class save from Mike Maignan denying Nathan Collins a equalising header moments from full time at the Aviva Stadium.

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Neymar to miss rest of season through ankle injury

Paris Saint Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with the Brazil international set to undergo surgery to repair ankle ligaments that will keep him out for at least three months, the Ligue 1 club said on Monday. He has missed the team’s last two games and his absence will concern the French giants.

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Ireland edge out France in epic contest

Ireland boosted their Six Nations title hopes and ended France’s run of 14 straight wins as they battled to a pulsating bonus-point win in Dublin. Ireland scored three first-half tries with Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Andrew Porter all crossing, Damian Penaud’s brilliant counter-attacking try and three Thomas Ramos penalties kept France in touch.

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Sheehan out as Ireland name team for clash with France

Ireland will be without hooker Dan Sheehan for Saturday’s blockbuster Guinness Six Nations clash with France but Conor Murray has been passed fit for the Aviva Stadium showdown. Andy Farrell has made just one enforced change to the starting line-up which dispatched Wales with Sheehan missing out to a hamstring injury.

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France survive major scare to edge past Italy

Defending champions France came from behind to avoid a shock defeat against Italy in a thrilling Six Nations game. The Azzurri led 24-22 before Matthieu Jalibert sniped over from close range as France claimed a bonus-point win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

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