France see off Italy to keep Grand Slam dream alive

France edged closer to the Six Nations Grand Slam after a bonus-point 33-8 defeat of Italy under the closed roof at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. Italy were a match for France, who secured their third straight win, for long periods of the first half but found themselves 19-0 down after half an hour as the hosts ran in three tries. Wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey went over in the third minute, scoring for the eighth successive Six Nations match, and the Italian try line was breached again by second row Emmanuel Meafou before centre Emilien Gailleton’s superb break set up fly-half Thomas Ramos for the third try.

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Ireland demolish England in record victory at Twickenham

Ireland delivered a statement performance for the ages to stun England and claim a record Six Nations win at Twickenham. Andy Farrell’s under pressure team scored five tries as they completely out-played the hosts, who had won their last nine home games going back to 2024. Man of the match Jamison Gibson-Park, Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien all scored first-half tries with Jack Crowley’s kicks giving Ireland a 22-7 lead.

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Crowley to start against England as Prendergast omitted from squad

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has dropped Sam Prendergast for this weekend’s Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham. Jack Crowley starts at 10 for Ireland with Ciaran Frawley providing cover on the bench as Prendergast, who had started Ireland’s last four games and featured in all five Six Nations clashes last year, has been left out of the matchday squad altogether.

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Ireland labour to nervy victory over Italy

Ireland survived a major scare from Italy to claim their first win in this year’s Six Nations and deny the Azzurri a first championship victory in Dublin. Hurting from last week’s thumping defeat by France in Paris, Ireland took the lead through Jamie Osborne’s unconverted try after Italy wing Louis Lynagh’s yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. But momentum shifted in Italy’s favour, and after Paolo Garbisi’s penalty and Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey’s yellow card, hooker Giacomo Nicotera crashed over to give the Italians a deserved half-time lead.

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France maul Ireland to kick start Six Nations title defence

Ruthless France inflicted more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders opened their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France. Having crushed Ireland’s title hopes in emphatic fashion in Dublin last year, Les Bleus – with returning captain Antoine Dupont pulling the strings – roared into a 22-0 half-time lead following a one-sided first half. Ireland improved in the second but were well and truly outclassed by Les Belus.

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