Les Bleus start and finish with a flourish as Farrell's abject Ireland chase shadows in Paris

A second-half comeback sparked by replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne gave Ireland brief hope but a 22-point defeat on opening night leaves Farrell rapidly in need of fixes

NIGHTMARE IN PARIS: Ireland players dejected at the final whistle after the Guinness Men's Six Nations match at the Stade de France, Paris. Picture date: Thursday February 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Guinness Six Nations: FRANCE 36 IRELAND 14 

Ireland’s 2026 Guinness Six Nations campaign got off to the worst possible start in Paris on Thursday night as defending champions France outclassed Andy Farrell’s team with a rugby masterclass.