France flourish to leave Ireland’s Grand Slam dream in tatters

Rampant France took control of the Six Nations title race as they scored 34 unanswered points to thrash Ireland in Dublin and end the home side’s Grand Slam hopes. Despite losing captain Antoine Dupont to a suspected “serious” knee injury after 30 minutes, France scored three second-half tries to move two points clear of Ireland at the top and avenge last year’s defeat in Marseille.

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Ireland flatten France in Six Nations opener

Ireland put their World Cup disappointment firmly behind them as kicked off their Grand Slam defence in style with a 38-17 win against France in Marseille. The defending Guinness Six Nations champions looked right back to their best as they pulled the French apart on home soil, with bonus-point win just Ireland’s fourth victory away to the French in 40 years.

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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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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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