The Six Nations got under way on Thursday night and the media were unimpressed by the Irish
France have blown the Six Nations wide open on night one – and if this is the standard, the rest may be playing for second.
Fabien Galthié’s side tore Ireland apart 36-14 in Paris, running riot in a first half that left Andy Farrell’s men 22-0 down and clinging on. From London to Dublin to Paris, the verdict was emphatic: France were irresistible, Ireland were overwhelmed.
Here’s how the media reacted.
Daily Mail – France deliver ‘iron fists wrapped in velvet gloves’
Nik Simon painted a picture of a French side out for revenge and brimming with swagger.
“Woe for Ireland. The sorry men in green looked like a team who felt the force of iron fists wrapped in velvet gloves from the Champs Elysees.”
France’s blend of brutality and brilliance left Ireland reeling, with Simon adding: “Ireland looked like a shadow of their former selves. Their confidence is tumbling and their team lacked gravitas, losing the physical battle in almost every area.”
On Antoine Dupont’s return, the tone was ominous for the rest of Europe: “If the French can master the science of the 80-minute performance then nobody in Europe will be able to stop them in this form.”
The Times – ‘Sliced and diced’ in a ‘merciless’ Parisian execution
Alex Lowe described it as a calculated killing.
“France killed off Ireland with a devastating display… sliced and diced by Les Bleus.
“They carved open Andy Farrell’s men with the precision of a surgeon’s knife. It was merciless.”
France’s skill level was hailed as “other-worldly” as they surged 29-0 ahead, denying Ireland “a foothold in the game”. By the time Ireland rallied, it was cosmetic.
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The Guardian – ‘Ravenous hosts’ serve up a treat
Robert Kitson suggested Irish fans might have preferred not to watch at all.
“Irish fans would probably have preferred a total 80-minute blackout… instead those back at home had to watch the visitors being repeatedly sliced and diced by seemingly ravenous hosts.”
He warned the championship: “It is going to take a seriously good team to beat France in Paris.”
France’s attacking play was labelled “sublime”, while Ireland were left with “bruised pride” despite a “gallant response”.
Midi Olympique – ‘A resounding no!’ to Irish revenge
In France, the tone was triumphant.
Pierre Sarniguet dismissed any notion of Irish payback:
“Would they be up to the task of defeating Dupont’s team? We now have the answer: no, and a resounding no!”
The first half was described as near-perfect: “Not a single penalty conceded, not a single missed tackle… incisive runs tore the Irish defence apart.”
The stats underlined the dominance – 860 metres gained, 19 line breaks, 41 defenders beaten – as Jalibert was hailed as “imperious”.
L’Equipe – Ireland ‘spin-dried by the French machine’
Karim Ben Ismail delivered perhaps the most brutal metaphor of the night.
“The Irish rugby players we saw… resembled those glasses that have lost their shine… Spin-dried by the French machine.”
He warned that Ireland’s struggles may run deeper: “Unable to reinvent themselves since the 2023 World Cup, the Irish team appears to have begun a worrying decline.”
For a nation that has set the benchmark in recent seasons, that is a stinging assessment.
The Telegraph – ‘Blitzkrieg’ brilliance ends the rivalry – for now
Gavin Mairs declared the rivalry on hold.
“France have laid down an intimidating, brilliant marker… such was the blitzkrieg manner in which they swept Ireland away.”
He suggested the balance of power has shifted decisively: “The days of the compelling French-Irish rivalry in the championship appear to be over for now.”
And from Shaun Edwards came the line that will echo across Europe: “When we are on it in attack, it is a joy to watch.”
Irish Independent – ‘Humiliating defeat’ narrowly avoided
Back home, Cian Tracey admitted Ireland were staring into the abyss.
“At 29-0 to the good, the French party was under way, and Ireland were staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat.”
While the fightback offered “positives in this Jekyll and Hyde performance”, the early damage was too severe.
Irish Examiner – ‘Irresistible French rugby’
Simon Lewis called it a “rugby masterclass”.
“At times the 2023 and 2024 champions could not compete with some irresistible French rugby.”
France were “simply too clinical” and left Ireland “chasing shadows”.