France get airport Bleus

THE France rugby team had to tackle an unwanted delay when they touched down in Dublin yesterday.

Les Bleus landed safe and sound at a snowbound Dublin Airport, but then faced a frustrating wait as they were unable to leave their aircraft.

The side, which plays Ireland today in the Six Nations opener at Croke Park, arrived on schedule at 11am on the Air France Boeing 777 from Paris.

But they were stuck on the plane, unable to disembark as none of the gates were free as heavy snowfall paralysed traffic on the ground at the airport.

Eventually, at 1.10pm — over two hours after arriving in the capital — they were able to leave and make their way to the team hotel.