Ruthless France inflicted more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders opened their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France.
Having crushed Ireland’s title hopes in emphatic fashion in Dublin last year, Les Bleus – with returning captain Antoine Dupont pulling the strings – roared into a 22-0 half-time lead following a one-sided first half that was not without controversy.
France’s first try was scored by the electric Louis Bielle-Biarrey, but only after what appeared to be a forward pass in the build-up.
Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon also crossed in the first half before 2025 top try-scorer Bielle-Biarrey’s second secured France’s bonus point seven minutes after the interval.
At that point, France looked poised to surpass the 42 points they managed in Dublin last year, but Ireland refused to give in and narrowed the deficit with tries from replacement forwards Nick Timoney and Michael Milne.
The hosts, however, had the final word when Theo Attissogbe capped a thoroughly satisfying evening for the tournament favourites.
The Irish leave the French capital bruised and empty-handed and must regroup in time to face Italy in Dublin on 14 February, with France travelling to Wales the following day.