36-14. Champion France gives Ireland no chance in the opening of the Six Nations

It was the opening match of the Six Nations Tournament 2026 and it was not just any meeting. Francecurrent champion, received in Saint Dennis Irelandthird last year, in a direct duel between two of the great candidates for the title. The Gauls have taken the first step in the attempt to reissue the trophy and have won by a resounding 36-14 to a rival whom they have surpassed with bonuses.

In a dedicated Stade de France, France has taken a key victory in a match that was only the premiere of the competition but that had the flavor of the final. Not in vain did the last two champions meet. The sensations have been unbeatable for the French team, absolute dominator in the first half and who has overcome a few moments of stress in the second with an Ireland dedicated to the need to get into the game. Of course, without success, France has ruled at the pace of Antoine Dupont to take the first five points of the tournament.

Dupont, precisely, suffered an injury in the last Six Nations that left his team very depleted. Despite this, the Gauls won the title and have recovered their star to face a 2026 tournament from the start in which they want to be great leaders once again. This is what they have made clear from the beginning.

They were the first Irish possessions, although not the ideas to try to overcome the well-established French defense. The Gauls tried to stretch little by little and it was in a start from behind after a foot touch from Prendergast that they gave the first blow to the match. A great movement of the oval ended with him in the power of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who scored the fifth goal to travel more than fifty meters, dribbled at everyone who got in front of him and scored the first try of the 2026 Six Nations. Thomas Ramos certified the 7-0 to the joy of the local fans.

The blow affected Ireland, which saw how Dupont and France took control of the matchwith no options for those with clubs to get closer to the goal of a tie. Thus, a scrum saw Dupont serve a pass to Matthieu Jalibertwho beat his defenders to defeat defenders to make it 12-0. Thomas Ramos did not score the transformation, but he did score a penalty minutes later against an Ireland with no ideas to stop their rival.

Prendergast tried to take control of the match, but without success. The French defense was extremely solid and Gros began the oval exit in which France swung from one side to the other. Charles Olivon completed French circulation with a third essaythis time completed by Ramos with the kick, for a resounding 22-0 at halftime.

Ireland tried to react after the break, but then the final blow came. A Dupont kick was hunted by Ramos, who gave Bielle-Biarrey the fourth French try in the meeting. Ramos celebrated the offensive bonus for the Gauls with the transformation, with that part of the work done despite the fact that there was more than half an hour left.

That’s why the carousel of changes began in both teams, with Predengast unable to take control. At least until he found Timoney to give him a great pass with which he woke up the Irish in the game with the first try of the night. The green star scored the kick in a few minutes of greater tranquility in France: so much so, that Milne took advantage of a divided oval won by his team to reduce the gap to 29-12to which was added the kick of his partner.

In just five minutes, Ireland threatened to get into the game and overturned the rival try line. Of course, without success. France maintained its solid defense to not let the green attack approach their surroundings. Without forcing more than necessary, the French controlled the match and even allowed themselves the luxury of giving Dupont a rest in the final minutes.

In them, with the Irish already aware that the game was going away, Théo Attisogbe put the finishing touch after a great French triangulation in attack for Ramos to score the final 36-14. This Saturday, Italy-Scotland (3:10 p.m.) and England-Wales (5:40 p.m.), but the warning has already been given: The champion starts setting the pace.