The 2026 Six Nations Championship kicked off with a thrilling match in which France faced Ireland. This competition marks a significant event in European rugby, particularly with France being the defending champions. The game took place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where fans gathered in anticipation.
Match Details
The match began at 21:10 local time and was broadcast live on France 2. France entered the tournament with high hopes, showcasing their star player, Antoine Dupont, who returned to the lineup as captain.
Team Lineups
- France: Thomas Ramos, Théo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortère, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (captain), François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Oscar Jégou, Mickaël Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, Jean-Baptiste Gros.
- Substitutes: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Régis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Kalvin Gourgues.
- Head Coach: Fabien Galthié.
- Ireland: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain), Cian Prendergast, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan, Jeremy Loughman.
- Substitutes: Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.
- Head Coach: Andy Farrell.
Match Officials
The match was officiated by English referee Karl Dickson, who ensured a fair game as both teams battled for supremacy.
This encounter not only demonstrated the competitive spirit of rugby but also highlighted the intense rivalry between France and Ireland. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more exhilarating matches and performances from these top-tier teams.
