France Dominates Ireland 36-14 in Six Nations Opener as Bielle-Biarrey Stars in Paris

France kicked off their 2026 Six Nations campaign with an emphatic 36-14 victory over Ireland at Stade de France in Paris on February 5, sending a powerful statement to the rest of the championship. The defending champions controlled the match from start to finish, racing to a 22-0 halftime lead that left Andy Farrell's Irish side scrambling for answers. Wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored twice and was the standout performer for Les Bleus, constantly threatening the Irish defense with his pace and agility on the flanks. The opening half was all France, with tries from Bielle-Biarrey, fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, and flanker Charles Ollivon giving the home side complete control. Antoine Dupont's return to international rugby after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics was celebrated by a raucous crowd, and the world-class scrum-half orchestrated France's attack with precision and creativity. Ireland struggled to gain any momentum, repeatedly turned over possession in dangerous areas, and found themselves unable to breach a well-organized French defensive line. Ireland showed more fight in the second half, with flanker Nick Timoney and prop Michael Milne both crossing the try line to reduce the deficit and give the traveling supporters something to cheer about. The Irish forwards gained better traction at the breakdown and began to assert more physical dominance, but the damage from the first 40 minutes proved too great to overcome. France's defense remained disciplined, absorbing the Irish pressure and limiting the visitors to just two tries despite their improved performance. Theo Attissogbe put the result beyond doubt late in the match with another French try, capping off a dominant team performance that showcased France's depth and attacking variety. Head coach Fabien Galthie will be delighted with how his side executed the game plan, particularly the clinical first-half display that set the tone for the entire contest. The victory puts France in an excellent position heading into their next fixture against Scotland. For Ireland, the loss raises questions about their ability to compete for the championship after disappointing campaigns in recent years. Coach Andy Farrell, who has faced scrutiny over Ireland's decline from their 2023 peak, will need to regroup his squad quickly before hosting Italy at the Aviva Stadium. The defeat exposed defensive frailties and a lack of creativity in attack that must be addressed if Ireland hopes to remain competitive in the tournament. The Six Nations continues this weekend with England facing Wales at Twickenham and Italy taking on Scotland in Rome. France's impressive opening statement has set the bar high for the rest of the competition, and all eyes will be on whether England or Scotland can match the intensity and quality displayed by Les Bleus in Paris.