5 Six Nations CLASSICS between Ireland and France

Ireland and France – two of rugby union’s most famous and successful teams – reignite an old rivalry in Dublin this weekend. Join us in taking a look back at five Six Nations classics between the two countries.

Ireland will host France at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, this Saturday 11 February for the second round of the 2023 Six Nations Championship, with fans hoping for another classic.

Over their history, Ireland and France have played out a total of 101 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1909. France have a comfortable record against the Irish, having won 59 of these matches compared to Ireland’s 35 victories.

However, the stats belie what is often a close encounter. In this article we take a look back at five Six Nations classics between Ireland and France.

5. France 25-27 Ireland, 2000 – BOD announces himself on the big stage

France v Ireland in 2000 saw a young mop haired centre from Blackrock College Dublin break on to the scene. At the age of just 21, the little-known Brain O’Driscoll inspired Ireland to their first victory in Paris for 28 years with a hat-trick of tries in the inaugural Six Nations Championship.

Despite taking an early lead, the French fans were left disappointed as their side were carved apart on 3 separate occasions by a youthful and inspired Ireland side as the game finished 29-27 to the men in green.

4. Ireland 17-20 France, 2007 – a close match in a close tournament

As the 2007 Championship entered its final day, four teams had a chance to become champions. In the end, France emerged victorious due to a four-point advantage over Ireland’s total points finish.

This Round 2 match, which was the first Six Nations game played at Croke Park, was just as close as the final standings. Les Bleus secured a dramatic win in the last minute thanks to Vincent Clerc’s try.

The 2007 Championship started a remarkable string of successes for Clerc against the Irish. The Frenchman went on to score two more tries in the World Cup encounter later that year, followed by a hat-trick in the 2008 Championship in Paris.

France’s captain Raphael Ibanez got things started with a strong opening try before a try and three penalties from Ronan O’Gara put Ireland ahead by four points with only three minutes left.

Irish hearts were broken, however, when the French won the restart and within a minute, Clerc scored and Lionel Beauxis converted, securing the victory for France.

3. France 33-10 Ireland, 2010 – a Bastareaud of a defeat for Ireland

In the 2010 Grand Slam-winning year for France, they made a strong statement with their Round 2 win against the reigning champions, Ireland.

The match was highlighted by early tries from William Servat and Yannick Jauzion. Precise drop goals from Morgan Parra and Frédéric Michalak made for a spectacular display of French rugby.

The dominant French team were led by Mathieu Bastareaud, whose strength, skill, and leadership proved the difference.

Ireland managed to score a well-executed try, with David Wallace touching down following some impressive off-loads. Unfortunately, though, they were unable to match the eventual Six Nations champions.

2. France 20-22 Ireland, 2014 – O’Driscoll bows out a champion

14 years after his debut, O’Driscoll’s career came full-circle as he played his final game for his country in Paris. This was Ireland’s first win in Paris since that match in 2000 and it culminated in the Leinster centre winning his final Six Nations Championship.

France raced ahead, thanks to Maxime Machenaud, but Ireland quickly gained ground with two tries in quick succession. Brice Dulin scored for France before half-time, but Sexton’s try and penalty kick extended Ireland’s lead to 22-13.

Dimitri Szarzewski scored a try for France to narrow the gap to two points. But Ireland held on during a late rally in the final quarter to secure the win.

An important moment for Joe Schmidt in his career as Ireland’s head coach, this victory marked the first of three Championship wins during his six-year tenure.

1. France 13-15 Ireland, 2018 – singing in the rain

In the harsh Paris rain with a partisan French crowd against them, a Johnny Sexton-led Ireland, kicked their way to victory in what was a gritty Six Nations showdown.

Sexton’s performance that day was the start of a rich vein of form that later saw him named the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year.

After 41 phases with the clock stopped in the red and the weather conditions against him, the Leinster fly-half stepped up to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a brave drop goal attempt.

Joe Schmidt’s team picked up bonus-point victories against Italy, Wales, and Scotland. The icing on the cake however was a Grand Slam-sealing victory at Twickenham in the final round. This Irish victory was England’s first loss at home in the Championship in six years.