IRE
No.Name
15Jordan Larmour, -
14Keith Earls, -
T
13Garry Ringrose, -
12Bundee Aki, -
11Jacob Stockdale, -
10Johnny Sexton, -
T
3
9Conor Murray, -
1Cian Healy, -
2Rory Best, -
T
3Tadhg Furlong, -
4Iain Henderson, -
5James Ryan, -
6Peter O'Mahony, -
7Josh van der Flier, -
8CJ Stander, -
Replacements
16Niall Scannell, -
17Dave Kilcoyne, -
18John Ryan, -
19Ultan Dillane, -
20Jack Conan, -
T
21John Cooney, -
22Jack Carty, -
23Andrew Conway, -

*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold

Game Info

Venue: Aviva Stadium
3:00 PM, March 10, 2019
All CommentaryKey Events

Match Commentary

81'26-12 Try - Camille Chat , France
81'+326-14 End of second half
81'+326-14 Conversion - Baptiste Serin , France
80'It's a limp ending for Ireland, though they essentially packed up and went home at the 60-minute mark. Serin strikes the conversion, it matters not a jot. Joe Schmidt signs off from competitive Ireland matches at home with a victory -- could they possibly usurp Wales and England and successfully defend their title next week? Follow all the action with ESPN throughout Super Saturday next week!
80'France pile over the line from the lineout -- did they manage to touch down? The on-field decision is a try, but it is going to the TMO. Have France themselves held that up over the line? There's four players piling forward, but no way of telling that they did or did not ground the ball. Because the on-field decision was a try, the try is going to be given! Well, that adds a element of farce to a very, very one-sided contest.
80'Last minute, penalty to France and Medard manages to find touch deep in Irish territory. Can they add some respectability to the scoreline? If they do, don't let it gloss over the fact that this was almost as one-sided a contest as England-Italy was yesterday, and that is a damning indictment on the French.
79'Player substituted - Demba Bamba , France
79'Substitute on - Louis Picamoles , France
78'And just like that... FRANCE SCORE! Ireland switch off defensively, and Yoann Huget bursts through from 20 metres after a nice backline move. A quick conversion and Ireland lose their clean sheet.
77'26-7 Conversion - Baptiste Serin , France
77'26-5 Try - Yoann Huget , France
76'Keith Earls goes off to a good ovation, he's been a constant threat for Ireland and scored the crucial fourth try to boot. Meanwhile, France have a sniff of the Ireland line, only to lose out at a lineout and probably see any chance of points in this match disappear with it.
76'Substitute on - Andrew Conway , Ireland
76'Player substituted - Keith Earls , Ireland
76'Substitute on - Anthony Belleau , France
76'Player substituted - Romain Ntamack , France
72'Brilliant dancing run from Jordan Larmour brings the Dublin crowd to its feet. Lovely step and go, and he has shown some electric touches when he's managed to get into space today. However, the chance itself is lost when he gets trapped on the wrong side and doesn't release the ball, handing possession to France.
72'Substitute on - Camille Chat , France
72'Player substituted - Guilhem Guirado , France
72'Player substituted - Antoine Dupont , France
72'Substitute on - Baptiste Serin , France
69'Good push from the Irish pack and this looks like it could be try No.5 -- nope, Ireland lose the ball and we come back for a penalty, which also brings the inevitable yellow card for Dorian Aldegheri. France are a mess, which is as dispiriting for fans of the Six Nations as a tournament as it is for any French followers. The championship loses some glitz and meaning when France are a bit-part waiting to be taken apart by better sides.
69'Substitute on - Demba Bamba , France
69'Player substituted - Louis Picamoles , France
68'Yellow card - Dorian Aldegheri , France
67'The game is limping towards a conclusion now, and France are losing what little discipline they have left. It's only a matter of time before someone is sent to the bin. Meanwhile, Ireland have a scrum 10 metres from the French line.
63'Lovely display of skill from Jack Carty, who nails a grubber inside the France five-metre line and into touch. It's exhibition stuff now from Ireland, and this is with almost the entirety of their bench now on the field. France have been utterly outclassed, and that victory over Scotland two weeks ago feels like yet another false dawn for Les Bleus.
63'Player substituted - Thomas Ramos , France
63'Substitute on - Maxime Médard , France
63'Substitute on - Paul Willemse , France
63'Player substituted - Felix Lambey , France
63'Player substituted - Demba Bamba , France
63'Substitute on - Dorian Aldegheri , France
61'Ireland are continuing to lay siege to the French 22, despite all the changes in personnel. France manage to win a penalty as Ireland go in at the side. It's welcome respite for the visitors.
58'Off come some of the Ireland luminaries such as Rory Best and Jonny Sexton. If ever there was an acknowledgement that the job has been done and thoughts are drifting to next Saturday's bumper match in Cardiff, this is it.
58'Substitute on - Ultan Dillane , Ireland
58'Player substituted - Iain Henderson , Ireland
58'Player substituted - Conor Murray , Ireland
58'Substitute on - John Cooney , Ireland
58'Substitute on - Niall Scannell , Ireland
58'Player substituted - Rory Best , Ireland
58'Substitute on - John Ryan , Ireland
58'Player substituted - Tadhg Furlong , Ireland
58'Player substituted - Johnny Sexton , Ireland
58'Substitute on - Jack Carty , Ireland
58'26-0 Conversion - Johnny Sexton , Ireland
56'Ntamack finds touch, which means Ireland will have a lineout on the edge of the France 22. And from there, Ireland grab the bonus point try! Keith Earls it is, scoring his 30th international try, from a really smart planned play off the lineout move. CJ Stander supplies the pass that sets Earls away, and this match is all but done as a contest.
56'24-0 Try - Keith Earls , Ireland
54'Ireland kick for the corner again from the penalty. They will not rest until this bonus point is secured. James Ryan takes a great catch from the lineout, but Peter O'Mahony knocks on and then there's a grappling of shirts and a mini fracas. Nothing too untoward, though, mainly people aggressively looking to avoid a fight. France scrum, deep in their own territory.
53'Jack Conan looks to burst through, for his second try of the game. He's stopped, but Ringrose takes up the charge. He's also stopped, and Ireland are still five metres out. Ireland knock on, but Basteraud is caught offside and the pressure will be kept on the French defence.
51'Ireland enjoy their best moment of the second half, as a smart move off a lineout around halfway allows Keith Earls to kick forward and Stockdale to lead the chase. Poor Dupont is all alone in covering and he's pinned down in his own in-goal area. Scrum Ireland, five metres out. This could be the bonus point try in the offing.
51'Player substituted - Cian Healy , Ireland
51'Substitute on - Dave Kilcoyne , Ireland
50'There is simply no fluidity to France's attack, and they get penalised for not releasing. It's disappointing stuff from Les Bleus, who should be a powerhouse of European rugby but have been powderpuff for much of this championship.
49'Just as France look to have some momentum from a lineout deep in Irish territory, Dupont lets the ball slip from his grasp and France lose the impetus. They still have the ball though.
48'Penalty for France just inside their own half as Ireland fail to release the ball in the ruck. Not a lot of chances so far in the second half.
47'Ireland knock on and with the advantage Dupont makes some ground and then Huget shows a nice sidestep to get some more. But the advantage is over just as Ireland turn the ball over, they punt the ball downfield, and the return kick into touch by France means that Ireland have averted any danger for the time being.
46'The rain is teeming down again at the Aviva Stadium. There's also not a lot of action going on on the field.
44'And 13 phases in, they are broken up and Ireland will have the put in at the scrum. Excellent work from Ringrose to pounce on Dupont as he tried to shift the ball from the base of the ruck.
43'France are working through phase ball, but not making much ground, dancing along the Irish 22 and back again. This is still more encouraging for the French than anything that has gone before in this match, however.
42'Ringrose is penalised for a high tackle and France can clear deep into Irish territory. This is literally the furthest upfield they've had possession in the entire match.
41'The teams are back on the field, and Jonny Sexton will get us under way. Second half, let's be 'aving you!
41'19-0 End of first half
40'Ireland made 192 metres to France's 27 in the first half, they had over 100 passes MORE than the French, and they had 89% territory. The only question is how this is "only" 19-0!
40'Ireland force a turnover out of France, who hold on to the ball on the ground. That happens just at the end of the 40 minutes, and that will take us to the break. Ireland completely in control and the only question mark is when they will get the fourth try needed for the bonus point.
40'19-0 Start of second half
39'Ireland are coming again from the restart, but Stockdale is bundled into touch. Can France get to the break without further damage?
38'Tough conversion for Sexton out on the right flank, with his right-footed kicking arc meaning the ball will drift across the face of the posts. And that's exactly what happens, he's unable to work it inside the left upright and the score remains 19-0. Which does not even begin to tell just how dominant Ireland have been in this match so far.
36'Ireland, naturally, have the ball in the France 22. That has been the way of this first half. Murray is looking to unpick the resilient French defence, and he has finally done it -- a pass to substitute Jack Conan and he barrels over from close range. It's no more than Ireland deserve, and you have to fear for France, who got hammered at Twickenham a few weeks ago and haven't won on the road in two years. They're not going to win here today either.
36'19-0 Try - Jack Conan , Ireland
34'Are Ireland in again? They might be, it certainly seems like it as Ringrose is set up by Sexton. It's being reviewed for a potential knock on. And ... well, that's probably a very unfortunate knock on against Ringrose. In fairness, it's a super tackle from Dupont to force it loose as Ringrose slid along the turf. France are clinging on by their fingernails but it feels only a matter of time before Ireland break this match wide open.
32'From the restart, there's a hefty collision with Tadhg Furlong battered by Damian Penaud under the high ball. Well, is that a yellow card? It's a penalty and nothing more, and thankfully Furlong is fit enough to continue.
31'Sexton converts. Ireland are in complete command.
31'14-0 Conversion - Johnny Sexton , Ireland
30'And finally, FINALLY, Ireland have scored the try! It's Sexton, who shows fabulous hands and a brilliant line of attack to wrap around Ringrose and get a return pass, leaving him with a simple sprint over the line. Huge roar from the Dublin faithful -- that try took fully 20 minutes to create!
30'12-0 Try - Johnny Sexton , Ireland
29'Another penalty for Ireland, and Conor Murray asks the referee: "Is that a yellow card?" He doesn't get a response at all! Ireland again kick for the corner.
28'Bundee Aki is almost over for the Irish from the lineout play. The French defence continues to reshape and reform and force Ireland sideways. Murray to Ringrose, no way through. Ball squirts out and France jump on the ball and clear deep. But Stockdale catches it on the full and moves it to Larmour quickly. Simply no let-up for the French defence!
27'Penalty advantage, so Sexton again looks for the crossfield kick, it's dealt with by Huget, and Ireland will again kick for the lineout. There's also a warning dished out to France captain Guilhem Guirado by the referee, who is taking objection to French hands coming in from the side illegally. Next time will bring a yellow card for the offender.
26'Ireland have stolen the ball deep in French territory as Dupont tried desperately to find a way out. Earls is nearly set free on the right, but Ireland are going to have to work through the phases. They've been camped in the French 22 for what seems like the entire match, but so far have only seven points to show for it.
25'One concern for Ireland is that Van der Flier is now receiving treatment for a leg injury. He's going off, and on comes Jack Conan.
24'Superb tackling by the French bundles Sexton into touch and brings roars from the visiting support. They finally see some momentum away from their line rather than towards it! It's been a tough opening quarter for the French.
24'Player substituted - Josh van der Flier , Ireland
24'Substitute on - Jack Conan , Ireland
23'It's cleared into touch by Dupont, but the France scrum half can only get it towards the edge of his own 22. The pressure simply isn't going to ease for the visitors.
22'This time Best misses the long throw, but it almost falls perfectly for Sexton -- but he can't quite take it in stride and knocks on. Scrum for France, five metres from their own line.
21'Rory Best with a terrific throw at the lineout, well grabbed by van der Flier, and Best is then the one forcing the issue in the maul as well. Penalty against France again, and they really are reeling at the moment. Sexton again kicks for the corner. Ireland can sense this is a try in the making.
20'Ireland are playing with good speed and precision, although Sexton -- of all people -- ruins the latest move with a dropped pass, though it did bounce backwards for Ireland to retain possession. They now have a penalty advantage, as France went in off feet. Sexton is going to kick for the corner, which on this occasion maybe says more about the windy conditions than Ireland's pursuit of a bonus point.
20'Substitute on - Demba Bamba , France
20'Player substituted - Dorian Aldegheri , France
18'France are really struggling in the scrum now, but Conor Murray is caught with a deliberate knock on as he tried to keep the pressure up on the French goalline. Penalty, and a lineout will follow for France, who are clinging on at the moment.
17'That looks like a try, as Cian Healy sneaks a hand through the ruck as France took an age to funnel it back. TMO adjudges that there is no downward pressure, and it is in fact a knock on against Healy. That was nearly brilliant from Healy, but the decision is the correct one.
17'Substitute on - Etienne Falgoux , France
17'Player substituted - Jefferson Poirot , France
15'Ireland are taking advantage of those enforced changes for France, and are deep into the French 22. They're five metres out, Sexton is causing havoc with his playmaking, and Ringrose is almost through, but France have battled well to gain possession at the breakdown and should now get it clear, if they can create enough space on their own line for a kick. Well. What happened there? The ball seemed to roll on to the try line and an Irish hand landed on it. It's going to the TMO. This could be a sneaky try for the Irish.
14'Inauspicious start for Aldegheri, who gets warned for disrupting the scrum on his first attempt, then gets penalised for the same thing on the second. As the referee says to him, the scrums have been clean up until he came on, so Ireland have leaned well on the new guy there.
13'Looks like there's going to need to be a blood replacement for France, with Demba Bamba sustaining a cut above the eye, and Dorian Aldegheri coming on in his place.
13'Player substituted - Demba Bamba , France
13'Substitute on - Dorian Aldegheri , France
12'Once play restarts, Sexton gets the crowd excited with a gorgeous no-look pass inside to Earls, but when Garry Ringrose tries something similar, Basteraud disrupts the play with sheer physicality and it all breaks down very quickly.
11'A brief timeout while French flanker Wenceslas Lauret receives treatment for a leg knock. He's going to have to go off, and Gregory Alldritt comes on, much earlier than he might have expected. He only had 11 minutes against Scotland but scored twice -- this time, he's on after 11 minutes...
11'Player substituted - Wenceslas Lauret , France
11'Substitute on - Gregory Alldritt , France
9'Finally, Ireland manufacture a chance for Jacob Stockdale on the left wing, but his kick ahead has far too much depth on it and the chance evaporates quickly.
8'Ireland have possession in their own half, with Conor Murray pulling the strings. But the French defence is holding very tough, and they're not giving up much ground at all.
6'Ireland disrupt the scrum but France get it out and they look to have scored a try! It seems as though there was a knock on from the crossfield kick, but France have touched down and this is going to go to the TMO. Yeah, Damian Penaud knocked on when challenging for the high ball with Jordan Larmour, so Thomas Ramos' touchdown will not count. Back we go for an Ireland scrum.
5'There's nearly a breakaway for Ireland again for the restart, as Keith Earls comes within a whisker of gathering a clever kick wide from Sexton. It's a knock on though, and France will get the chance to regain a foothold after a blistering five minutes from Ireland.
4'Sexton nails the conversion. That's a beaut from out on the left flank, on a blustery day. Super move for that try, quick switch at the lineout back to Best who barged over low with a welter of support from his pack.
4'7-0 Conversion - Johnny Sexton , Ireland
3'And they're in! Rory Best bundles in from the lineout! A try within three minutes and Ireland -- who do need a bonus point to boost their hopes of retaining the title -- are very up for this!
3'5-0 Try - Rory Best , Ireland
2'Ireland immediately get a penalty advantage so Sexton looks to kick high to the corner. It's well covered by the French defence, though. Interestingly, Ireland kick for the corner when points were a certainty. An early signal of intent.
1'Early fumble from Jonny Sexton as he tried to catch a long kick, but it went backwards and Jordan Larmour then launches a terrific kick into the French 22, which earns the Irish a lineout deep in French territory. Quite the contribution for someone getting their first start in the Six Nations.
1'France to kick off, and away we go!
1'The anthems are done, and we're moments away from kick-off. Remember, France have not won in Dublin since 2011, so the odds are firmly stacked in the home side's favour, but the look on skipper Rory Best's face during the Irish anthem was one of supreme focus and a hint of nerves.
1'The sun is shining as the teams walk out for a handshake with the match dignitaries, followed by the anthems.
1'Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of Ireland against France in Dublin.

We've seen four seasons in one day already at the Aviva Stadium, with blazing sunshine either side of wild sleet storms. It's going to be testing conditions for both sides, especially if the clouds break again during the match itself.

Ireland's task is simple. Win today and in Cardiff next weekend, and they stand a chance of retaining the Six Nations title. Lose to France today, and their only remaining role will be as spoilers of a Wales Grand Slam party next weekend.

France, meanwhile, are looking to build on a solid victory over Scotland in Paris two weeks ago, where a much-changed side finally hit their stride. This time around, there are no changes -- is their long-sought stability emerging for Les Bleus?
1'0-0 Start of first half

Six Nations 2019 News