Ireland’s rugby players need to run better. And it’s never too late to learn
The Stade de France witnessed another display of French sprinting ability last week, leaving the Irish trailing in the Six Nations
France Rugby
Ireland’s social contract with fans was broken after defeat to France
The hope is that the character of this Irish team won’t fail again in this Six Nations
‘France’s strength in depth is scary’: Ronan O’Gara points to glaring Irish weakness
The La Rochelle coach didn’t give Ireland a pass for Paris humbling, but outlined a clear disadvantage
Owen Doyle: Paris referee got big calls right, leaving Ireland with no cause for complaint
Two decisions in particular led to some rumblings, but official Karl Dickson was spot on with both
Six Nations on road to perdition unless chastening Celtic wake-up call is heeded
Championship risks becoming a two-tier affair as Ireland, Wales and Scotland all lose openers
Ireland try-scoring debutant Michael Milne shines in gloomy defeat to France
First man from Birr RFC to play for country pays tribute to ‘great club and community' in Co Offaly
Ireland Under-20s pay a heavy price for indiscipline as France run in 50 points in Perpignan
Home side take full advantage as visitors concede 19 penalties and have two players sinbinned
Andy Farrell may give most of his Paris starters a chance to right the wrong
‘Italy are not the Italy of old,’ said Ireland head coach as he looked to immediately move on from France loss
Matt Williams: French flair is a myth, it was high-level rugby IQ that left Ireland for dead
Ireland’s humiliation on the opening night of the Six Nations was vast
Right now, Ireland’s game plan does not suit its players
Ireland do not yet look comfortable embracing a greater focus on kicking and transition attack
Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations verdict: Sobering night shows how far Ireland’s star has fallen
The Counter Ruck: The stats might have made for decent reading but France were superior in every facet of play at the Stade de France
Ireland Under-20s turn to ‘impressive young man’ Sami Bishti for inspiration in France
Former hammer thrower’s physical presence could prove pivotal in Six Nations opener
Five things we learned from Ireland’s opening-night horror show against France
Six Nations: After 36-14 nightmare defeat, are there more scares in store for Andy Farrell’s men?
Conor Murray: You can’t blame Sam Prendergast for Ireland’s complete systems failure
Andy Farrell’s men were beaten at the breakdown and all the other little scraps in sobering Paris loss
French Six Nations media reaction: ‘Ireland were non-existent for 20 minutes’
Victory against Ireland was perfect start to the France’s Six Nations campaign, L’Équipe says
Ireland ‘meek’, discussing a tough night for Prendergast and what now for this team?
The Counter Ruck Podcast
Ireland go back to the bad old days after night to forget in Paris
Sports Briefing: Andy Farrell concerned by his side’s lack of intent as France shed Irish game plan from the get-go
Ireland vs France analysis: A lesson for Ireland in the ways of modern Test rugby
Ireland gifted chaos to a French outfit that was already capable of finding it themselves
France’s four horsemen bring the apocalypse down on Ireland in Paris
The TV pundits were struggling to see positives, but everybody can put away those wooden spoons
Andy Farrell disappointed with Ireland’s ‘lack of intent’ in Six Nations opener
‘If you are lacking that you’re not going to win any international game, never mind one in Paris’
France v Ireland: Comfortable win for France despite spirited Irish second half – as it happened
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries as France got bonus point in Six Nations opener
Six Nations: Whirlwind France remind Ireland of the bad old days with punishing win
Passages of broken play suited the instinctiveness of the French backs as Ireland looked way off the pace
France 36 Ireland 14: Irish player ratings on night to forget for Andy Farrell’s men
Ireland ship heavy defeat in Six Nations opener at the Stade de France
Where did it go wrong for Ireland in their Six Nations opener against France?
The home side were sharper under the dropping ball, but Ireland kept using tactics that clearly weren’t working
ITV to screen ads during scrum breaks in Six Nations
Tonight’s Six Nations match between Ireland and France includes the option to air two split-screen adverts before a scrum is set
Garry Ringrose calls for Ireland to have ‘all-court’ defence to deal with France threat
Ringrose praises centre partner McCloskey for being 'brilliant with ball in hand'
‘A big threat, the heart of their attack’: Caelan Doris on France captain Antoine Dupont
Ireland star sees Six Nations opener in Paris as ‘exciting opportunity’ against tournament favourites
Sam and Cian Prendergast are part a proud list of brothers to play together for Ireland
Some 57 pairs of brothers have represented Ireland since the IRFU was established in 1879
Six Nations kicks off with heavyweights Ireland and France, yet Paris looks uninterested
If Ireland are to win, then most likely it will be a bare-knuckle ride
Is there really beef between France’s star pairing?
Talk of disharmony between Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert has been dismissed during Six Nations build-up
Apocalypse, why now? Gordon D’Arcy on the negativity surrounding Ireland’s Six Nations hopes
Sports Briefing: All the latest Six Nations build-up; Are Derry City the team to stop Shamrock Rovers from winning a sixth title in seven years?
Andy Farrell ignores the gloom and finds some positives ahead of Ireland’s daunting Paris test
Ireland head coach sends a weakened team into battle against the Six Nations holders and favourites
Gordon D’Arcy: Why has the narrative around Irish rugby turned apocalyptic so quickly?
We have reached point where not winning the Six Nations is framed as decline
Ireland v France teams: Antoine Dupont returns, Sam Prendergast starts at 10 for Six Nations opener
French captain starts at scrumhalf following recovery from ACL injury sustained in last season’s game in Dublin
Antoine Dupont heads bold, regenerated France for Ireland Six Nations clash
Fabien Galthié opts for youth with Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles players to the fore
Sam and Cian Prendergast to start for Ireland against France
Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson named in Irish frontrow
Dan Sheehan: ‘The French don’t wish you bad. They’re just looking for a good game’
Sheehan also pays tribute to career of France’s ‘top, top quality’ player Uini Atonio
Andy Farrell’s seventh Six Nations campaign looks like the most challenging yet
Still, Ireland are third favourites for this Six Nations - and for good reason
Six Nations: One statistic will define Ireland’s opener against France on Thursday, and the whole tournament
Two metrics reveal which Six Nations teams are built for modern rugby – and where Ireland must improve
Six Nations: Cian Prendergast in line to join brother Sam in Ireland side to play France
Connacht captain could start in backrow with Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy in secondrow
France are the Six Nations team to beat despite Uini Atonio setback
Enforced retirement of popular prop might serve as an emotional lightning rod
Sam Prendergast set to keep outhalf spot for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France
Tadhg Furlong in race to be fit for Paris match, with Michael Milne to play at loosehead
Philippe Saint-André: ‘Ireland are not as good as two years ago. You can see it in the Champions Cup’
Former French rugby star says his country are favourites for the Six Nations
Revitalised England squad pose major Six Nations title threat
Steve Borthwick’s side have a good scrum, a decent lineout, threats at the breakdown, power in the centre and pace on the edges
‘It took a while’: Tommy O’Brien hitting his stride after biding his time
Leinster winger has overcome multiple setbacks on his climb to the international ranks
This year almost feels like a French home Six Nations
Head coach Fabien Galthié is under pressure to deliver, after resting up many front-liners last summer
Matt Williams: Weakened Ireland will need help from the rugby gods to stop mighty France
With a canny manager, a formidable scrum and the ingenious Antoine Dupont, Les Bleus are red-hot favourites to win the opening game of the Six Nations
Conor Murray: Respect to Lomu and McCaw, but Antoine Dupont is the greatest of all time
Michael Milne took a risk that may be about to pay off
Test debut for Edwin Edogbo could bolster Ireland’s firepower
Physical Munster lock looks viable option if Andy Farrell opts for 6-2 split in Six Nations opener
Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman: ‘We’ve got to make sure we’re building belief’
Ahead of the Six Nations opening, the squad is focused on evolving its attacking and aerial game, and playing to space
Six Nations 2026: Six young players to watch in this year’s tournament
Who has the talent, strength, form and fitness to make an impact?
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