Ireland Defeats France 24-17 in Six Nations Classic to Stay Unbeaten in Championship

Ireland maintained their perfect start to the 2026 Six Nations Championship on Monday evening, defeating France 24-17 in a pulsating encounter at a sold-out Aviva Stadium in Dublin, keeping alive their hopes of successfully defending their Grand Slam crown from last year.

Captain Johnny Sexton was magnificent in what could be one of his final Six Nations appearances, kicking four penalties and converting both tries in a masterful display of game management that frustrated the French attack throughout the 80 minutes. The 33-year-old fly-half's tactical kicking and leadership under pressure proved decisive in the championship's most anticipated match.

"This team has incredible character," Sexton said after the match. "France brought everything they had today, and for us to respond the way we did shows the mentality we've built over the past few years. Every game in the Six Nations is a battle, and we're delighted to come through this one with the win."

Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki scored Ireland's tries, with Ringrose's second-half score coming after a brilliant break from Hugo Keenan that sliced through the French defensive line. France responded with tries from Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud, but their discipline let them down at crucial moments as they conceded 12 penalties throughout the contest.

The match was played at a ferocious pace befitting two teams with genuine aspirations of winning the championship. France's flair and attacking intent caused Ireland problems early on, with Dupont's try coming from a perfectly executed set-piece move that showcased Les Bleus' creativity and skill in the attacking third.

The victory moves Ireland to 2-0 in the tournament following their opening win over England, while France drops to 1-1 after their impressive victory against Italy. Ireland's next challenge comes against Scotland at Murrayfield, where they'll look to take another step toward consecutive Grand Slams. The defensive solidity and game management displayed against France suggests Andy Farrell's team has the experience and quality necessary to navigate the pressure of being defending champions.