As it happened: France v Ireland, Six Nations minute-by-minute
Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, Ciaran Frawley, Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Not a bad start to the long weekend, and possibly more importantly, the Six Nations championship.
Thanks for your company throughout - we'll have reaction and analysis from Marseille on the site and in tomorrow's bumper Examiner Sports supplement.
What a victory.
It's a record-breaking winning margin in France for Ireland.
'How long before the next World Cup?' Shane Horgan asks.
Ronan Kelleher rounds out a memorable night with Ireland's fifth try.
It comes off a lineout and maul once again and the French have given up. Crowley makes no mistake once again with the conversion.
France 17 Ireland 31
Big Joe McCarthy picks up the man-of-the-match award
Conor Murray replaces Gibson-Park, who's been excellent.
France can't find a way through Ireland's stout defence before we have a prolonged break in play.
France 17 Ireland 31
Joe McCarthy heads off after an unbelievable night's work. James Ryan isn't a bad replacement
Dan Sheehan can't be stopped as he drives for the line after a great driving maul.
Crowley makes no mistake from a difficult conversion.
Ireland are back up to 15.
France 17 Ireland 24
Great stuff from Ireland and they're five metres out and almost got through.
Big carries from the likes of McCarthy, Doris and Sheehan.
We go back for an Ireland line out while Farrell prepares to send on the cavalry.
Well, well, well. Peter O'Mahony is yellow carded for collapsing the maul and after a long review France are adjudged to have touched down for a try.
The hosts are sending on four forwards and the numbers are levelled up. Game on.
France 10 Ireland 24
The Velodrome has again found its voice after a few minutes of near silence. France kick for the corner and are cranking up the pressure.
Calvin Nash dots down in the corner on his Six Nations debut. The first of many, you'd guess.
Crowley nails the tricky conversion and Ireland are flying.
Let off for Ireland as Ramos draws a penalty wide and right.
Matt Williams with a line worthy of Eddie O'Sullivan: a soufflé can't rise twice, France haven't risen at all.
There's just the one score in it though, thanks to this last action of the first period:
𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙙! 🇫🇷
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 2, 2024
France are right back in this now!#FRAvIRE | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ePYtVS81RY
Here we go for the second half.
Phew! That was hectic. After all that, the visitors are a score and a man up in Marseille.
Brilliant try. Mauvaka tapped a quick penalty, Jalibert put Penaud through and he dived over with the stadium rocking. Ramos adds the extras.
Huge pressure from France who put the ball through the hands and it's a miracle they couldn't find a way through in the end. Hugo Keenan is hurt "in a delicate area" after he puts in a big tackle. But he'll be alright to continue. France continue to turn the screw.
From Donal Lenihan's preview this morning: "Games as tight as this are often decided by a mistake or indiscipline leading to yellow or red cards".
The Irish in the Velodrome are giving the Fields it's first airing.
Paul Willemse is yellow carded for another high tackle. The France 5 will have to see if it's upgraded to a straight red but his night is over and that's huge with Ireland 14 ahead.
Tadhg Beirne trundles over down the middle after great work form Doris and a short, sharp pass inside from Crowley. Well deserved.
The Munster 10 adds the extras.
We're back to a one-score game then - that's a big swing after the first period.
Big McCarthy knocked on, the crowd found their voice and moments later Thomas Ramos gets up and running. Ominous.
Missed kick at goal from Crowley and that's disappointing after a spell of intense Ireland pressure.
And not to labour the point but here's that Willemse incident.
"He's in big trouble here!"
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 2, 2024
Paul Willemse shown a yellow card for a high challenge with head contact on Andrew Porter. There'll be a bunker review too. #FRAvIRE | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/M9eGyGIOEi
France 0 Ireland 10
Another big moment; Beirne blocks down and gathers Lucu's kick brilliantly. Later Danty knocks the ball away from Aki who would have been through. Alan Quinlan anticipates a penalty try but the ref is happy that it's just a knock on.
France 0 Ireland 10
Andrew Porter returns with Healy's cameo ending. And, importantly, the French 5 trots back on too.
Gibson-Park gets over and dives in. Aki sent him in with a beautiful offload after great work from Crowley and then Lowe.
France 0 Ireland 3
DECISION: The yellow card stands
The TMO decides that Andrew Porter dropped in height and Willemse will return. Surprising?
A big moment. Paul Willemse heads for the bin after a shoulder to Andrew Porter's head. It will be reviewed of course and the No 5 will be lucky to get back on the pitch.
Cian Healy is on as Porter faces a HIA.
Jack Crowley opens his account by converting his first kick at goal. A nice settler.
A hectic start to proceedings and Ireland have started well, winning their first three line-outs importantly.
Earlier, a dancing Jalibert evaded a couple of tackles, Fickou passes to Penaud but Hugo Keenan tackled him into touch.
We're up and running.
File under: there's always one...
We've had the anthems and that La Marseillaise rendition sounded like something else. Here we go.
Seems to be a full house of France predictions on Virgin - Rob Kearney, always with the quick feet -- danced around the question somewhat.
The lights are off in Marseille and it's almost entrance time.
Some last-minute cramming ahead of the French test?
Donal Lenihan -- who's high in the stands in Marseille at the moment -- lays it out all there.
Warming up now!! pic.twitter.com/fGA89WF0FN
— Donal Lenihan (@LenihanDonal) February 2, 2024
Not long now til kick-off. Here's a reminder of the Ireland team who are about to take to the field.
A reminder of our team for Round 1! ✊#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 2, 2024
Our own Tommy Martin is chatting to Andy Farrell pitch-side - the Ireland boss is typically relaxed and is looking forward the challenge.
'What an occasion, what a stadium, this is where you want to be isn't it?'
What's French for 'we go again'?
We're back in France, a few short months after the traditional World Cup quarter-final exit. That disappointment came against New Zealand and brought the curtain down on the career of captain Johnny Sexton.
Peter O'Mahony will lead the team out tonight in the first game of a new era.
We'll have minute-by minute coverage of the action from Marseille, as well as reaction from Simon Lewis in the stadium.
Let us know your thoughts and pre-game predictions: adrian.russell@examiner.ie
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