France vs Ireland LIVE: Six Nations rugby result and final score as Melvyn Jaminet seals thrilling victory

Follow live reaction as France defeated Ireland in a thrilling Six Nations match in Paris. Antoine Dupont scored the opening try within two minutes as the hosts made a dream start, before Mack Hansen stole the ball from a high kick as Ireland struck back.

Melvyn Jaminet kicked France into a commanding lead at half-time only for Ireland respond thanks to quickfire scores from Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Cyril Baille put France back in control and while Joey Carbery cut the lead to three points thanks to a late penalty, Jaminet sealed the win at the death to end Ireland’s unbeaten run and put the hosts in control of the Six Nations.

It leaves France at the top of the table and with the only unbeaten record after Wales defeated Scotland in Cardiff earlier in the day. England can join Ireland, Wales and Scotland on one win with a victory tomorrow in Rome.

Follow all the reaction from the Stade de France blow:

Six Nations: France vs Ireland

• TRY! Dupont gives France lead inside two minutes: 7-0

• TRY! Ireland hit back through Hansen in fast start: 10-7

• HT: Jaminet extends France’s lead from the tee: 19-7

• TRY! Van der Flier cuts France’s lead: 22-14

• TRY! Gibson-Park crosses for quickfire score: 22-21

• TRY! France hit back through Baille: 27-21

• FULL-TIME: France hold off Ireland fight back: 30-24

Until tomorrow...

19:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That just about does us for our LIVE coverage of an enthralling day of Six Nations action. Does this tournament ever fail to deliver?

We’ll have a load more reaction to Wales and France’s wins tonight and over the next few days, as well as how Scotland will look to bounce back having had their title hopes punctured.

Tomorrow’s business is the clash of the winless sides in Rome - Italy will be hoping to follow the lead of their Under-20s, who knocked off England’s best age-group players on Friday night. Can Eddie Jones’ side get their tournament up and running after the disappointment of Murrayfield? Do join us to find out, but until then, thank you for your company, and farewell!

Ireland see winning run ended as France triumph in thrilling Six Nations clash

How the table sits

19:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well that was a breathless day of Six Nations action, which leaves the table looking like this:

Andy Farrell reflects on a tight Ireland defeat

18:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Irish standouts

18:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’ll sting a little for Ireland - they were right amongst things in the second half and given the strength of the maul for their second score they may rue not looking for the corner when they narrowed the French lead to three inside the final ten minutes.

They are far from out of the tournament, of course, and Joey Carbery went very well in place of Johnny Sexton against some ferocious French linespeed. The pack stood up strongly in that second half - Tadhg Beirne had an excellent evening, and Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier as workrate warriors too.

A word for Dan Sheehan, as well. The 23-year-old was pressed into early action after Ronan Kelleher’s injury but was brilliant as a carrier and defender in 55 excellent minutes. He’s a player of outstanding potential.

France 30-24 Ireland

18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France had loaded up their bench to provide exactly that sort of physical impact in the final quarter. The French sides of old might have continued to slide after that Irish fightback but the injection on 55 minutes of a new tight five was crucial. Demba Bamba and Jean Baptiste-Gros, two young props who were driving forces of a very strong French side at Under-20 level, both made massive contributions, as did Romain Taofifenua and Thibaud Flament.

That was probably Melvyn Jaminet’s Six Nations coming out party. Brilliant from the tee, outstanding with the boot in open play and rock solid under the high ball. Antoine Dupont outstanding, too, obviously.

Gregory Alldritt hails the impact of the French bench

18:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“To have the stadium full like this, it is always a great moment. We knew we would need a lot of support to beat Ireland and we had a magnificent crowd today.

“Really physical game. Honestly, it was a win made with 23 players. All the guys coming off the bench were awesome today. It was the whole team today.

“This tournament is the best tournament in the world. Every weekend is a really tough game. We have a huge, huge game away in Scotland in two weeks so we will take it step-by-step and not think about a Grand Slam.”

F/T: France 30-24 Ireland

18:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An extraordinary contest played at incredible intensity throughout, and in the end it is France who keep their Grand Slam hopes alive. A courageous fightback from Ireland, who looked early in the second half to be ceding their winning run and crumbling to the French might, but were able to draw back within a point with two quick-fire scores.

The game really could have swung either way, but that is a huge win for this French side, who close out a massive, tight game and now look very much Six Nations favourites.

FULL TIME: FRANCE 30-24 IRELAND

18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France 30-24 Ireland, 79 minutes

18:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland have the ball! They get up in the air and tap back the restart.

Jack Carty is on at fly-half, and has the ball. That’s ambitious at this juncture - a long, floated pass, and it drifts forward...and is knocked on too! France have it back with less than a minute to run.

Kicked down to Andrew Conway, who sends one for the heavens and chases after it. His prayer is not answered. France tap the ball back their way. That might be that...

PENALTY! FRANCE 30-24 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 78 minutes)

18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Six points. Two minutes. Down to the wire.

NO TRY! France 27-24 Ireland, 77 minutes

18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s no conclusive evidence that Jaminet has got it down! What a remarkable effort from Dan Sheehan to just about keep Irish hopes alive.

It will still be France’s penalty beneath the posts. Gael Fickou has taken over the captaincy and points at goal. The time will tick over the 78 minute mark as Melvyn Jaminet lines up his kick.

Try? France 27-24 Ireland, 77 minutes

18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Has Dan Sheehan held the full-back up? This would be a remarkable tackle from the young hooker. Jaminet seems a certainty to score as he escapes the clutches of Hugo Keenan but Sheehan somehow snares him, showing that oh-so-impressive turn of pace.

It looks like Sheehan’s digits but be beneath the ball as Jaminet slides over...

France 27-24 Ireland, 77 minutes

18:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to France! Caelan Doris is part of the ruck and off his feet and his hand should not be there...

Advantage coming, but can France kill the game more certainly? Melvyn Jaminet slithers out of a tackle...

France 27-24 Ireland, 76 minutes

18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Again Romain Ntamack goes to the boot, putting Ireland under pressure with his high bomb. France soon win the ball back.

Deft from Gael Fickou! A surprise, skilful chip that Thibaud Flament can collect. This could be the chance to seal it.

France 27-24 Ireland, 75 minutes

18:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And yet still France are prepared to play. Melvyn Jaminet throws a lineout to Romain Ntamack swiftly, and the fly-half kicks deep.

There’s an anguished cry from the Ireland bench as Mack Hansen slightly shanks his clearance. France lineout near the ten-metre line in opposition territory.

France 27-24 Ireland, 73 minutes

18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland’s starting props have finally run out of puff - Cian Healy and Finaly Bealham on; Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong off. Dylan Cretin and Maxime Lucu are on in the French back-row and at scrum-half respectively. There are plenty of fatigued bodies out there.

PENALTY! France 27-24 IRELAND (Joey Carbery penalty, 72 minutes)

18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joey Carbery steps up and sends the ball on a safe flight between the posts. It’s another Six Nations nail-biter.

France 27-21 Ireland, 71 minutes

18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Are France just starting to tire? The line speed seems to have dropped off slightly, though they continue to populate the ruck with bodies whenever they sniff an opportunity to counter-ruck.

Here they come. Thibaud Flament looses his footing and lands on the ball - off feet. Ireland penalty, and eminently kickable.

France 27-21 Ireland, 69 minutes

18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gregory Alldritt stands upright in the tackle and offloads to Francois Cros, who nearly fires Gabin Villiere for the line like an arrow, drawing back his bow but not quite finding the onrushing wing with his pass.

France 27-21 Ireland, 68 minutes

18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland back in possession and back on the attack. They have numbers on the left but France’s two defenders rush up to force a hurried pass, which hits the deck. Damian Penaud fly-hacks ahead. Ireland get bodies back to prevent him retreiving it.

France 27-21 Ireland, 67 minutes

18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is that a 50:22 from Tadhg Beirne? It is! What a kick from the lock, who is now stationed on the flank! France charge down the first kick from Ireland and it skews to Beirne, who pivots just inside his own half and thumps a left-footed kick in behind. He is such a skillful player, but that is a thing of territory-gaining beauty.

But Ireland’s lineout is stolen! France survive and clear.

France 27-21 Ireland, 66 minutes

18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The volume of the crowd at the Stade de France seems to have dropped just a little, readying themselves for the final fifteen minutes. Ireland force an error from Antoine Dupont at the base to win the ball back on halfway.

Six points in it at the Stade de France

18:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France 27-21 Ireland, 63 minutes

18:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France come in at the side of the maul. Penalty to Ireland.

Here come two more of the experienced Irish closers - Robbie Henshaw and Conor Murray replace Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park.

France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes

18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It isn’t! There is no clear change of line from Beirne, who is turning to chase after the ball as he holds his ground. It’ll just be an Irish lineout.

France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes

18:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The game has begun to open up again. For the first time all day, really, Ireland’s set-piece strike move presents itself perfectly, and Mack Hansen nearly scythes through on the outside.

But France win the ball back, and play to the right. Antoine Dupont chips over the top of Tadhg Beirne and hits the deck after running into Beirne’s rump. Is that a block?

France 27-21 Ireland, 60 minutes

18:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Melvyn Jaminet thumps long and Ireland run the ball back, Garry Ringrose weaving, ducking, weaving some more, but unable to find space.

Andrew Porter is handled decisively, but France knock-on at the breakdown. What can Ireland do with advantage? Plenty! Ringrose skips out of a tackle and offloads to Iain Henderson, who in turn finds Jamison Gibson-Park.

The scrum-half is flattened as he toes ahead, but Josh van der Flier is after it. He pressures Antoine Dupont, but the scrum-half goes past the flanker with typical casual ease and elegance.

France 27-21 Ireland, 58 minutes

18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nearly for Ireland! France get themselves in a muddle and an errant pass falls to the Stade de France turf, but James Ryan’s greasy hands can’t grasp the ball cleanly.

Another change for Ireland, who have such experience at their disposal on the bench - Iain Henderson hasn’t played much of late but is now fully fit, and enters the fray ahead of the French scrum.

France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes

18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamison Gibson-Park tries another of those dummies but this time Francois Cros has him squarely in his sights, chopping a great lumberjack’s axe through his midriff to cut him down.

France again counter-ruck well, and Melvyn Jaminet launches a spiral kick. Hugo Keenan covers superbly and returns with good length.

France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes

18:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France have begun to ring the changes - Romain Taofifenua and Thibaud Flament form an all-new second row and were on before that score; in the immediate aftermath they are joined by forward colleagues Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Demba Bamba as Fabien Galthie goes to an all-new tight five.

“Allez Les Bleus” is the cry of the crowd as they pack down for their first scrum. Peter O’Mahony has replaced Jack Conan, with Caelan Doris shifting over to number eight for Ireland.

TRY! FRANCE 27-21 Ireland (Cyril Baille try, 54 minutes)

18:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A trademark French counter-ruck and the home side capitalise!

It’s a tactic that France have employed to such effect in the last year or so, piling bodies into the breakdown to jar the ball free, and pouncing as it does. Uini Atonio is the widest man on the French line and draws three defenders to him, smuggling the ball back.

Propping partner Cyril Baille is readied next, and as referee Angus Gardner goes tumbling away the French loosehead reaches a long arm out for the line.

France 22-21 Ireland, 53 minutes

17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Now it is France’s chance to show their skill in attack. Yoram Moefana’s shimmy is snazzy; Gabin Villiere’s carry off the offload punchy. Damian Penaud beats Hugo Keenan in a phone booth and only some scrambling Irish defence prevents a teammate collecting his infield pass and scoring.

France 22-21 Ireland, 52 minutes

17:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dan Sheehan has been really, really good off the bench so far. He’s such a talented carrier, a supreme athlete with real intelligence with his angles.

Jamison Gibson-Park slices his latest box kick more up than onwards, and Ireland knock-on. France scrum.

TRY! France 22-21 IRELAND (Jamison Gibson-Park try, 49 minutes)

17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The big lead is almost entirely wiped out! It’s a tale of two steps as Dan Sheehan first makes a half-break with a jiving jab off the left foot, before Jamison Gibson-Park follows his teammates lead, adding in the flourish of a dummy to further full the close-in French defenders.

A great gaping space opens alongside the upright and Gibson-Park hurries through it. Joey Carbery’s conversion is simpler this time, and Ireland trail by just one.

France 22-14 Ireland, 47 minutes

17:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That has energised Ireland. A typically deft display of handling at the line from Tadhg Furlong allows Hugo Keenan a canter in open pasture, and the full-back nearly releases Josh van der Flier for a clear run beneath the posts. Keenan can’t quite free the arms.

Gabin Villiere is pinged for going off his feet at the ruck. Ireland kick back into the French 22.

TRY! France 22-14 IRELAND (Josh van der Flier try, 45 minutes)

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Ireland score! They take the lineout and drive firmly, with Josh van der Flier emerging from the middle of it to cross.

France question the role of Caelan Doris in front of his back-row colleague, blocking as he is like an NFL offensive lineman, but the officials are content it is all part of the original maul and the try stands.

Joey Carbery converts. Quite the riposte from Ireland just as the game seemed to be slowly slipping out of reach.

France 22-7 Ireland, 44 minutes

17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another fine restart from Joey Carbery, with Ireland able to chase in good number, including Andrew Porter, who tackles and jackals, and wins a holding on penalty.

Ireland poke it into the corner.

PENALTY! FRANCE 22-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 43 minutes)

17:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

On the left, 45 metres out, but no trouble for Jaminet. What a find he has been in the last nine months or so - he was playing second-tier rugby until last July.

France 19-7 Ireland, 42 minutes

17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France’s line speed has been so impressive so far, and incredibly accurate. I don’t think they have yet been called to have strayed offside but they are consistently in Irish faces, limiting their ability to work those intricate interchanges.

Andrew Conway is offside, however, as Jamison Gibson-Park just delays his box kick slightly. Melvyn Jaminet will go for goal - this is his toughest so far but he’s been impeccable...

France 19-7 Ireland, 41 minutes

17:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jaunty start from Joey Carbery, eschewing a safer kick to produce a lovely crossfield loft that comes down in the hands of Andrew Conway. Gabin Villiere monitors him well and slides him into touch.

The players are back out there

17:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

40 minutes of a huge clash remain. Dan Sheehan is still out there, by the way - Ronan Kelleher’s evening was ended prematurely by injury.

H/T: France 19-7 Ireland

17:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France have really attacked the inside channels so far, bringing forward runners in from wider to try and challenge Joey Carbery and Bundee Aki particularly. A combined 17 tackles for the pair in that first half, but they have mostly stood up well to the heavy charges. Can they do more in an attacking sense? A little bit more lineout surety would be welcomed by both sides - we haven’t seen too much of Ireland’s impressive structures that have been the framework for this winning run.

Antoine Dupont’s fast start

17:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

H/T: France 19-7 Ireland

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well that first half certainly lived up to this fixture’s lofty billing. It started at a frantic, frightening pace, with France’s fast start answered by Mack Hansen’s opportunistic retort from the restart. The tempo has settled a little since then, but this has still been a game played at startling speed.

And France have started to just assert themselves. Their scrum looks strong, Antoine Dupont has been electric and all of their ball-carriers are hitting their line with both precision and intensity. Ireland’s defence has largely stood up to the test, but fatigue will surely play a role after such a frenzied opening.

HALF TIME: FRANCE 19-7 IRELAND

17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

PENALTY! FRANCE 19-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 40 minutes)

17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Five from five from the tee for Melvyn Jaminet. That’ll do us for the first half.

France 16-7 Ireland, 38 minutes

17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio each turn the screw on their Irish opposite at the scrum. Andrew Porter turns in under the strain - Atonio and Paul Willemse really is a ridiculous combination of burly blokes to pile the pressure on the loosehead.

Antoine Dupont twice threatens to turn a fissure into something more serious for Ireland, possessing such power in that compact frame, but a timely intervention from Bundee Aki means France will settle for three more points.

France 16-7 Ireland, 37 minutes

17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Antoine Dupont’s first attempt to box kick a clearance is blocked by Tadhg Beirne, but his second is cleared for takeoff and lands in the hands of Hugo Keenan. Keenan kicks powerfully back towards Dupont, clearing the scrum-half, but he’s over-cooked that - it tumbles beyond the dead ball line and France will have the scrum feed in the Ireland half.

PENALTY! FRANCE 16-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 36 minutes)

17:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Melvyn Jaminet extends the home side’s lead.

France 13-7 Ireland, 34 minutes

17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brilliant from France. Antoine Dupont throws an obscene pass from the base of a ruck to cut out three Ireland defenders and find Damian Penaud, a gorgeously lithe runner who strides beyond Jamison Gibson-Park. The winger’s blind offload out the side door if beautiful, and Yoram Moefana stays infield with a driven angle back against the grain.

A retreating Ireland are penalised.

France 13-7 Ireland, 32 minutes

17:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France’s attack isn’t quite clicking. Gael Fickou finds his options limited and so tries a chest-pass, which dips on Damian Penaud. The French winger hits it on the volley like Zinedine Zidane in the 2002 Champions League final to ensure Ireland will throw a pressure lineout inside their 22.

Or not. France close the gap and are free-kicked.

France 13-7 Ireland, 30 minutes

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland’s first attacking gambit is to send Bundee Aki up the middle, and Romain Ntamack’s attempt to go high is given particularly short shrift by the Connacht centre. But France’s line speed is strong, and Caelan Doris is unable to use his trademark footwork through contact to make metreage.

Anthony Jelonch appears to be leaning on the ruck, and thus not supporting his body weight, but Angus Gardner is happy with the legality of the French flanker’s jackal. Another penalty to the home side.

France 13-7 Ireland, 29 minutes

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The battle in the air at the lineout is intense. Both teams are throwing up defensive jumpers at every opportunity and forcing inaccurate or untidy set-piece ball. Julien Marchand’s latest dart drifts to hit treble one and is rightly ruled not straight.

France 13-7 Ireland, 28 minutes

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New hooker Dan Sheehan and his clutch of lineout lifters don’t quite get their timing right, with Tadhg Beirne not quite able to claw the ball back. But France knock on, and Joey Carbery kicks deep and long, and safely for touch.

France 13-7 Ireland, 27 minutes

17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joey Carbery tests Melvyn Jaminet’s head for heights with a high bomb of alpine amplitude. Jaminet claims the mark with limited fuss.

France 13-7 Ireland, 25 minutes

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ronan Kelleher receives some medical attention but is back amongst things for this French lineout, which will be thrown about 30 metres from the Ireland line.

France are properly charging into every contact, but Ireland stand firm. Tadhg Beirne jackals, and a clearing French player has come in from the side.

Kelleher won’t be continuing - I think this might be a Head Injury Assessment. Dan Sheehan is on, perhaps temporarily.

France 13-7 Ireland, 24 minutes

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Ireland again miss their interchange in midfield, knocking on for a third time in similar manner inside this first quarter and a bit. Melvyn Jaminet arrives like a locomotive, taken around the top of the chest by Bundee Aki, drawing questioning boos from the crowd who think it might have just strayed high. It looks ok.

France then stall slightly, but Romain Ntamack cannily drops the ball on to his right toe, turning Hugo Keenan and allowing the French shirts to envelop the Irish fly-half. Keenan is delivered over the touchline.

France 13-7 Ireland, 23 minutes

17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another lineout miscue from France allows Ronan Kelleher a chance to deliver some punishment to Romain Ntamack, who is biffed away having been second to the bouncing ball against a stodgier man.

Ireland play to the left after another bouncing ball tumbles favourably for the visitors. Mack Hansen is just about clung on to.

France 13-7 Ireland, 22 minutes

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

First point to France at scrum-time. Andrew Porter flicks back his hair and shakes his head as he is penalised for driving with an improper angle and going to floor under the rigours of Uini Atonio.

France 13-7 Ireland, 20 minutes

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Woki is some sight in full flight at the lineout, thrown high into the sky to contest Irish ball and nearly winning the ball back.

That is less pretty from the flanker-cum-lock. After Ireland knock-on, Woki hacks a horrible kick upwards that is so bad, and travels so little distance, that referee Angus Gardner does not deem there to have been any advantage gained. France scrum.

France 13-7 Ireland, 19 minutes

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Angus Gardner has had a good 20 minutes. He has been decisive and fair at the ruck, not permitting any tomfoolery but also allowing the game to flow. The latest French attempt to jackal is ruled illegal. Ireland penalty, and a lineout in French territory as a result.

France 13-7 Ireland, 18 minutes

17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tadhg Furlong runs into Uini Atonio, a collision that registers on the Richter scale and ends with Furlong on his back, Atonio, standing tall.

Ireland go to the air, and Andrew Conway’s hand makes contact with a catcher in the air. Penalty to France

PENALTY! FRANCE 13-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 17 minutes)

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

From the right, Jaminet’s conversion sneaks inside the left-hand post.

France 10-7 Ireland, 16 minutes

17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Paul Willemse then wins a holding on penalty at the breakdown. Melvyn Jaminet gestures for the tee again.

France 10-7 Ireland, 15 minutes

17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Variation! France throw a lineout googly, Julien Marchand showing sleight of hand to hit Antoine Dupont at the front, who returns the ball to his hooker in the five-metre channel.

Well covered by Ronan Kelleher. The Ireland hooker absolutely clatters against his opposite number, who is bumped over the touchline.

France 10-7 Ireland, 14 minutes

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland are penalised for failing to get back onside from a kick. Melvyn Jaminet launches a comet towards the Ireland 22.

France 10-7 Ireland, 13 minutes

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland play the double pull-back off the base of the scrum and Jamison Gibson-Park, looping around, threads a grubber on the angle into the French 22. The ball trots out of play on its end before Andrew Conway can get to it.

France 10-7 Ireland, 12 minutes

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is properly fast and loose, a real romp. Paul Willemse and Julien Marchand make up a massive midfield duet hoping to bash through two Irish tacklers but Romain Ntamack’s pass asks Willemse to stoop, and he can’t gather cleanly. Ireland scrum.

France 10-7 Ireland, 11 minutes

16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ronan Kelleher puts a little too much mustard on his throw to the tail, and Ireland waste a good attacking platform. France clear to about the ten-metre, and a midfield fumble means the visitors again fail to gain momentum.

Mack Hansen stole in to allow Ireland to hit back after France’s blistering start

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France 10-7 Ireland, 9 minutes

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We are averaging about a point every half-a-minute so far, and Ireland show ambition after a French knock-on in the air, Garry Ringrose jiving, juking and jumping.

Gael Fickou rushes up to try and prevent Andrew Porter distributing at the lie, and the centre is rightly pinged for a deliberate knock-on after referee Angus Gardner spies a replay on the big screen.

TRY! France 10-7 IRELAND (Mack Hansen try, 7 minutes)

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bolt out of the blue - Mack Hansen takes the restart and is over!

My, oh my, what a start to this game! Joey Carbery’s kick hangs invitingly like a blown kiss in the Paris evening air, and Hansen extends his hand aloft to snatch it from between bemused would-be French catchers and score.

Joey Carbery converts superbly.

PENALTY! FRANCE 10-0 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 6 minutes)

16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A breathless start, but Melvyn Jaminet takes a moment to suck in some oxygen, composing himself before extending the French lead.

France 7-0 Ireland, 5 minutes

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland try to reset but their forwards are blowing having been forced to retreat some 70 metres at speed. Like so many ex-sevens players, Gabin Villiere is excellent over the ball, and the French wing jackals expertly to win his side a kickable penalty on the left.

France 7-0 Ireland, 4 minutes

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here come Ireland! They turn over French ball inside the 22 and can start to paint their first attacking pictures, Bundee Aki weaving and then stinging up the middle. Joey Carbery jumps past a tackler, but is eventually felled.

A loose pass, and the ball bounces from the hands of an Irish forward. Antoine Dupont has it and France kick long.

TRY! FRANCE 7-0 Ireland (Antoine Dupont try, 2 minutes)

16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a start for France! Little more than 60 seconds on the clock and Antoine Dupont races over!

It’s brilliant attacking play. Thee two props are at the heart of it, Cyril Baille pulling back a pass at the line for Romain Ntamack, who allows all 24 stones and change of Uini Atonio a chance to deliver some punishment on the carry from midfield.

Baille’s clearout ensures the ball is quick, and Dupont draws the close-in defence. Romain Ntamack fades to the outside on his scrum-half’s pass, swatting aside a tackler and getting his arms free to lift an offload back towards the French captain, and Dupont makes unimpeded passage over the try line.

Melvyn Jaminet converts, and that really is the perfect beginning for the hosts.

France 0-0 Ireland, 1 minute

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France in royal blue, Ireland in green, with white shorts, as you would expect.

Intent from France! Antoine Dupont throws a lineout quickly and Yoram Moefana then leaves a defender in a different postcode with a shimmy.

KICK OFF!

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Romain Ntamack hoists into the Paris evening and France against Ireland has begun!

Here we go!

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With the whistle this afternoon will be Angus Gardner of Australia; Wales’ Ben Whitehouse is the TMO.

France are going to kick things off. Ireland’s lifters and leapers ready themselves to receive.

The ball, as it was at the Stade de France last week, will be brought to Romain Ntamack by a little electric car:

La Marseillaise

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The soundtrack falls silent as the French crowd is afforded acapella arrangement of “La Marseillaise”. Lovely.

It may be hasty to term this a Six Nations decider so early in this tournament but the stakes are high, and kick-off is imminent.

Ireland's Call

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

By the sounds of the healthy accompaniment for the Irish players as they sing “Ireland’s Call”, there are plenty of green shirts hidden amongst the French fans. It appears a fair few Ireland supporters have taken advantage of a Valentine’s weekend in Paris - there are certainly worse places to be, and worse games to watch.

The players assembled themslves in the tunnel

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The two sets of players line up alongside one another in the Stade de France tunnel. Antoine Dupont looks straight ahead, daring not glance across at James Ryan.

Paris looks a picture, lit in red, white and blue, with flags waving in the stands.

Shorn of Johnny Sexton, Ireland’s attacking orchestra face huge Six Nations test in France

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland orchestra face huge Six Nations test in France without their conductor

Player to Watch – Cyril Baille

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

I would suggest that Cyril Baille would have a fair shout at being just about the best loosehead prop in the world right now. Generally rock solid at the scrum, it is Baille’s silken touches that more often catch the eye, a lovely varied carrier and distributor at the line who does not mind open expanses or more crowded commutes.

Of course, he’s up against a man after his own heart, and a man more certain of his position atop the prop pecking order. Tadhg Furlong was again brilliant last weekend but there was perhaps some faint creaking from the Irish scrum – with the comically large couplet of Paul Willemse and Uini Atonio likely to attack partner Andrew Porter, Furlong will have to drop a strong anchor against Baille to emerge top of the props.

Player to Watch – James Ryan

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There has been plenty of focus on how Joey Carbery will go about replacing Johnny Sexton in Paris, but rather less spotlight on the fly-half’s replacement as Ireland skipper. Of course, James Ryan has done the job before, and rather well, with his level-headedness and ability to lead from the front making him a natural fit.

Looking forward, the point has been made so often that Sexton’s advancing years make full participation at the World Cup unlikely, so Ireland will wish to groom the right lieutenant. A strength of this Ireland side are the leaders who lie throughout the squad but Ryan would make a sensible deputy, even if the competition for second row places is immense with Iaian Henderson, another captaincy contender, fit again. After a couple of fallower years, if Ireland are to win against the odds then Ryan may have an integral role to play.

Player to Watch – Yoram Moefana

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There will be a fair few faces watching on eagerly in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna, with a couple of Les Bleus of Wallisian heritage in the matchday 23, incuding Romain Taofifenua. Moefana was born in the South Pacific and is yet another nascent French star who has been so impressive for Bordeaux-Begles this season and created plenty off the pine after relieving Jonathan Danty a week ago.

He is of a different archetype to Danty’s forthright stylings, but Moefana is not afraid to try things and the all-court game to get the watchers in Mata Utu out of their seats, keeping a player of Virimi Vakatawa’s class out of the matchday 23 all together. Moefana may have to go 80 minutes and, as Wales showed last week, dealing with the Ireland midfield is no easy task, so he will be grateful to have a player of the savvy and skill of Gael Fickou alongside him.

Player to Watch – Andrew Conway

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mack Hansen might have stolen his thunder a little on debut on the opposite wing last week but it was another fine outing for Andrew Conway in Irish green. Two more tries means the uber-reliable Munsterman now has 15 scores in 28 international appearances, an enviable strike-rate for a player whose work-rate, particularly off the ball, are more often discussed.

Conway revealed that he had actually been a little under the weather at the Aviva Stadium: "I’m grand, I’m fine," he said. "I just felt a bit ‘dodge’ on Friday night. But to be honest I didn’t even think I was feeling dodgy. When you’re preparing for Test match at times obviously there are nerves and it’s a big occasion, so I didn’t even realise until I started puking.

"I think what happens is you use your mind to not allow it in, you just convince yourself that you are feeling fine, you don’t say it to anyone, unless you’re really struggling.”

Conway has another difficult brief in Paris, likely to have to plenty of his usual haring after high bombs to do and also handling last week’s hat-trick scorer Gabin Villiere wiry wiles when France play wider.

Team News - Ireland

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Had Wednesday’s training session proceeded without incident then Ireland would have been unchanged, but Johnny Sexton’s tweaked hamstring leaves the visitors without their fly-half and skipper. Stepping up in his stead will be Joey Carbery to pull the strings and James Ryan to lead.

Otherwise, it is as you were from the start, though Andy Farrell is able to call upon a pair of punchy bench reinforcements. Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw are short of match fitness but add plenty to a bench that includes five players with more than 50 caps, veteran nous that may be useful come the pointy end of the Paris night.

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Hansen; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan (capt), Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, O’Mahony, Murray, Carty, Henshaw.

Team News – France

16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adjustments were always likely to be minor to a settled French side that shook off the rust against Italy last week. Fabien Galthie, back amongst things after spending last weekend in isolation, makes two changes: Jonathan Danty’s injury sees Yoram Moefana promoted from the bench to start in the centres, a very different of player but one whose excellent Bordeaux form was evidenced by an enterprising cameo last Sunday.

The other alteration comes in the back row, where Francois Cros is preferred to Dylan Cretin – slightly less lineout spring, slightly more physicality and breakdown ability around the park. The bench is fully loaded, too, with six forwards ready to make their mark, including former Loughborough student and Wasps lock Thibaud Flament, once a fly-half.

France: Jaminet; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willense, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos

Wales 20-17 Scotland

16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A much-needed win for Wales, and another reminder of just how fine the margins are in this grand competition. Scotland edged out England last week but found themselves on the other end of a three-point difference today, and while Liam Williams and Wayne Pivac scoffed at their captain’s decision to take the three, Dan Biggar’s drop-goal decided things.

We’ll have plenty more reaction to and analysis of Wales’ win over the next couple of days, but the tight schedule means action is fast approaching in Paris - it’s time for a meeting of the Six Nations’ two remaining unbeaten sides...

Match-winner Dan Biggar is also called over for a chat with the BBC

16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“For me, this is one of my best victories in a Welsh shirt. [Dan Biggar pauses as the crowd lifts the volume]. I think the reaction of the crowd says it all. It has been a really difficult week, we have had to put up with a lot of flak, and rightly so. To roll our sleeves up and grind out a win, this is one of my best.

“I’m just so glad to have scored more points than them. We fronted up defensively, I am really pleased for the team, myself and Jonathan Davies winning 100.

“The forwards were immense. The rolling maul was huge for us today, got us out of trouble and allowed us to gain easy yards. This team if it is anything is resilient.

“My knee was just about manageable. I didn’t want to give in. I thought we’d be alright for the final 30 seconds!”

Ryan Elias reacts to Wales’ win

16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a difference a week makes. Wales hooker Ryan Elias has a chat to the BBC about the Welsh turnaround:

“It’s just huge. It’s hard to sum up really. We needed a big reaction, we just didn’t turn up last week physically.

“That spirit, never-say die attitude, to keep putting those shots in were key.

“We had a long hard look at ourselves in the week. We didn’t really fire any shots. It has paid dividends today and hopefully we can continue to build on this in the competition.”

FULL TIME: WALES 20-17 SCOTLAND

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 83 minutes

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Phase 19 - Scotland tackled. Wales stand off the ruck. Phase 20, to the right, flung away, Wales tackle strongly. In pile the red-shirted bodies! A counter-ruck! The ball is on the Welsh side. Nic Berry whistles...

PENALTY TO WALES! Victory will be theirs!

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 82 minutes

16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Grant Gilchrist makes three metres. Magnus Bradbury one more. Now Wales catch Scotland behind the gainline.

Jonathan Davies clings on to the midriff of Blair Kinghorn. Has Kinghorn held on? No, says referee Nic Berry. On Scotland go.

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 81 minutes minutes

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adventure from Scotland and suddenly they have 30 metres more! Cameron Redpath is on in midfield to add another distributor to a creative backline, and he and Finn Russell combine beautifully.

Wales push Scotland back to halfway. Rory Darge is stalled, but wriggles free to ensure momentum is not fully lost.

Penalty only! Wales 20-17 Scotland, 80 minutes

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The initial contact is on the arm and there is limited force, says Nic Berry as he delivers his verdict.

The referee says...penalty only. Scotland kick to about 30 metres from their own line, from where they will launch a last, improbable charge.

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 80 minutes

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The clock is two seconds short of 80 minutes. This will certainly be a penalty against Taine Basham inside the Scotland 22. Yellow? Red?

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 80 minutes

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Drama. The TMO wants to check a tackle from Taine Basham on Sam Skinner. It looks both high and short of the requisite wrapped arms.

Wales 20-17 Scotland, 79 minutes

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dewi Lake hits Adam Beard in the centre of the Welsh lineout. The maul will waste yet more crucial seconds. One minute to go.

Somehow, Scotland have it! Sam Skinner has stolen in like a thief in the night through the centre of the Welsh maul and they will have a last chance.

They will have to go 95 metres, though.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website