Six Nations news: Ireland hammered by former captain as referee cracks up fans

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So it's now France in control of the destination of the Six Nations title.

England will go above Ireland and into second place if they beat Italy with a bonus point tomorrow. That would leave Les Blues needing to beat Scotland in Paris next Saturday to ensure the championship.

Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll thinks they were fortunate to only lose 42-27 to France in Dublin.

"Ireland were lucky to only lose by 15 points today," he told ITV. "That's how big a differential there was between these sides. We were questioning before the game the risk-reward nature to France's 7-1 bench split. But it worked so well in that second half.

"Just as Ireland started to tire, to bring on those fresh legs. Ireland just couldn't deal with it, there was an onslaught. The way they changed the point of contact the whole time, kept the ball alive, won the collision zone. Ireland were chasing shadows."

READ MORE HERE.

Prior to Antoine Dupont's injury, he did share a funny moment with the referee Angus Gardner.

The scrum half had a try disallowed after a clear knock on from Alain Penaud, with the infringement clear on the TMO replay. Gardner approached the player afterwards and said: "I thought you might have known, you looked up at me and smiled."

READ MORE HERE.

Fabien Galthie has said France have pursued action against two Ireland players after the injury to Antoine Dupont.

"We're suspecting something serious," Galthie said. "We named the players, Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter, who should appear before the disciplinary commission.

"We want explanations, so we've named two players. We have to protect our players. There are means, there are rules. There is some kind of anger."

READ MORE HERE.

What a finish! Wales get two bonus points as Max Llewellyn scores in injury time.

We'll have all the reaction shortly...

Not quite over yet at Murrayfield.

Ben Thomas and Teddy Williams both go over for Wales, and suddenly, the deficit has gone from 27 points to 13.

Can they?

The rout continues as Kinghorn strolls over for his second try. Russell converts and this one looks done and dusted.

It's raining tries at Murrayfield.

Blair Murray touches down for Wales but Scotland respond by sealing a bonus point through Darcy Graham and Jordan again.

What a start for Scotland. Duhan van der Merwe beats Ellis Mee and links with Huw Jones, who passes inside to Tom Jordan to score. Finn Russell converts.

A good start for Wales as Gareth Anscombe lands a penalty but Scotland hit straight back.

Winger Blair Kinghorn crashes over in the corner after 14 phases of play. Finn Russell converts from out wide - that should settle him.

Former Ireland second-row Donncha O'Callaghan thinks today's defeat could have a long-lasting effect on the hosts.

"Could this be a scarring loss for Ireland?" he said. "Have France exposed a bit of Kryptonite? They have shown how you beat Ireland.

"This French team, to go away from home, lose your best player Antoine Dupont to injury, and have all the answers, is quite something. Physically and in terms of skill, France brought it all out. The defensive performance was magnificent. There was a gulf between the teams.."

Another Irish try at the death with France already in the pub it seems.

Jack Conan goes over in the final act and Prendergast converts but make no mistake, the day belongs to the visitors. And come next weekend, the title could do as well. 

It's a formality from here. 

Thomas Ramos intercepts Sam Prendergast's pass on his own line before sending Penaud away to score.

At the other end, Cian Healy marks his last game for Ireland in Dublin with a try under the posts. Too little, too late though.

Wow, suddenly, it's France looking odds-on for the championship.

Replacement as Oscar Jegou rounds off a series of forward drives. Thomas Ramos converts again and it's now good night Vienna, isn't it?

Ireland's Grand Slam try is slipping away...

A superb finish from Bielle-Biarrey, speeding down the left before chipping ahead to score. Ramos adds the extras and it's the French fans who you can now hear singing.

What a response!

France hit straight back as Paul Boudehent crashes over after some great line-up play and Ramos converts. Calvin Nash is also sin-binned for a dangerous tackle.

The momentum shifts again.

It hasn't taken long for Ireland for hit the front in the second half.

Prendergast kicks a penalty into the corner and from the lineout drive, hooker Dan Sheehan touches down.

Prendergast expertly converts from out wide and for the first time today, Ireland lead.

And breathe.

After this Bielle-Biarrey try, Ireland are back in this with six points from the boot of Sam Prendergast, while Thomas Ramos has landed a penalty for France.

But....BUT.....Antoine Dupont has gone off injured. How big could that be?

Antoine Dupont is the second star player to be forced out of this match through injury.

The France star got the assist for the opening try but couldn't recover when Tadhg Beirne fell on his knee a few minutes later.

What a first 30 minutes in Dublin, with France ahead after this try from Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

But Antoine Dupont is currently off the field and receiving treatment. France hold its breath.....

We have confirmation that James Lowe has been replaced by Calvin Nash in the starting XV for Ireland.

That really is a big blow for Simon Easterby.

A potential huge blow for Ireland just 25 minutes before the kick-off against France.

Winger James Lowe has gone down in the warm-up and limped off the field. His place in the starting XV now looks in serious doubt.

FULL STORY HERE.

Joe McCarthy has hyped up Ireland's Six Nations clash with France as one of the biggest of the year. 

He told RTE: "Every week in the Six Nations is massive but some games feels extra special; France, how well they’ve been going, how strong a side they are, there’s that extra bit of big game feel about this, but we’ve prepared how we usually would.

"We’ve looked a lot at France’s strengths, because I feel you really have to respect them as a team. They’ve a lot of threats right across the board so we have to be all over that, especially early in the week – be all over what they do and the threats they bring and then probably into the latter half of the week focus more on ourselves because we’ve got a lot of world class talent in our team, so try and bring that in later on in the week." 

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward believes Steve Borthwick decided to drop Marcus Smith because of one key reason. 

On the real reason why he believes Smith has been dropped, Woodward added: "I’ve got one theory. I watched the second series of Six Nations: Full Contact on Netflix recently. I didn’t enjoy it and that’s being polite. Although filmed 12 months ago, something felt very strange about the England camp compared to the other teams.

"If I was England coach, I would have been far from happy with the way Marcus Smith and Steward were portrayed in the show. They came across awfully. It was the opposite of the winning culture that is a prerequisite of any team and I just would not accept it."

Ireland and France will go head-to-head once again this afternoon in a match that could decide the championship. 

Here's how things stack up between the two sides. 

Interim Wales boss Matt Sherratt spoke ahead of Wales' clash with Scotland on Saturday.

He said: "The following week [after Ireland] was difficult as we only had 13 or 14 lads in. But it’s just confirmed what I knew that this group is very coachable. We’re pleased with the performance but not the result. Can we build on that?

"I don’t really listen to the outside stuff. I know their coaches well. I think between the two camps, there’s a healthy respect. The Ospreys went up there and got a win in Glasgow, which maybe sharpened their senses as well."

Italy and England face off later this weekend, meaning it's a good time to revisit one of the strangest tries in Six Nations history. 

No chance they'd be able to recreate this if they tried! 

Antoine Dupont revealed the French side didn't speak about Thierry Henry's controversial handball in a World Cup play-off against Ireland when the former footballer paid the rugby team a visit. 

France need a victory against Ireland to keep their Championship hopes alive, with Henry popping into the team's training base earlier this week.

Speaking ahead of the match, Dupont said: “There is no link between his visit and the game, but yes most of the time we talk about high performance and high level and how can you deal with the pressure away especially during the important game.

“I think he has a long experience and I hope he has inspired us for this weekend but we didn’t talk a lot about the handball.”

1 - Ireland (14pts)

2 - France (11pts)

3 - England (10pts)

4 - Scotland (6pts)

5 - Wales (4pts)

Ireland star Joe McCarthy says there is a special feeling as his team gear up for a top-of-the-table clash with France this afternoon.

He said: "Every week in the Six Nations is massive but some games feel extra special.

"France, how well they’ve been going, how strong a side they are: there’s that extra bit of big game feel about this but we’ve prepared how we usually would."

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's coverage of the Six Nations this Saturday.

We have two great games to get tucked into today.

The big one is Ireland vs France at 2.15pm, and that is follwed by Scotland hosting Wales at 4.45pm.

Thank you for following our Six Nations coverage today.

We will be back tomorrow on a HUGE day for the tournament....

It's been a big night of action in the Under 20s Six Nations tonight with three matches being played. Under-20s results: Scotland 27-12 Wales; England 33-24 Italy; Ireland 12-22 France.

England captain Maro Itoje has hit out at critics of England's attacking play ahead of Sunday's clash with Italy.

"I don't think our attack is as bad as everyone is saying it is," he told reporters. "First game against Ireland, we scored three tries. Second game against France we scored four. We only scored one against Scotland, but that's not reflective of an attack that can't even start the engine.

"Don't get me wrong, we want to improve. But I don't think we're starting from a bad place. We want options at the line. We want to go to where the space is. We want 15 players to be fully engaged in that. And we want to be courageous and brave with that."

From the 2026 Six Nations onwards Ireland and France will contest a new cup, which is yet to be made or officially named.

The new trophy will sit alongside the likes of the Calcutta Cup, the Millennium Trophy, the Centenary Quaich, the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy, the Auld Alliance Trophy, and the Doddie Weir Cup.

Celine Place, Ambassador of France to Ireland, said: “Although we are rivals on the pitch, Franco-Irish relations have never been in a more friendly place. Rugby has long been a cornerstone of the links between our two nations. This trophy will pay tribute to our shared values and the spirit of camaraderie that defines our encounters."

Prop Nicky Smith has said the Wales pack will be targeting "dominance" over the Scotland scrum at Murrayfield.

Smith was part of a new-look front row for the game against Ireland, with Eliott Dee and Wil Griff John, that won three early scrum penalties against the Irish.

"We will look to build on that," said Smith. "It was a good start - well I say start - against a tough Ireland team. "We are looking for the same again and getting dominance in that area."

Ireland captain Caelan Dorris thinks a home crowd in Dublin will give Ireland the advantage in tomorrow’s clash with France.

"It’s definitely an added edge it gives us,” he said. "I think when there’s an awareness from the public that it’s going to be a big game, the atmosphere in here is always better. The crowd definitely buy into it a lot more. You saw that with England this year, you’ve seen it with France two years ago.

“Some of the bigger games where everything is on the line, the crowd really come in and play a big factor in it and give us the extra few percent that we need. Looking forward to seeing that tomorrow.”

Former England and Lions winger Anthony Watson believes winger Tommy Freeman has the potential to be a world star after his strong form in the 2025 Six Nations.

"Tommy Freeman is the one - I think he has the world at his feet to be honest with you," Watson told Genting Casino.

"He's making great decisions in defence and is a big guy as well, great in the air. He's less elusive than the other guys, but in my opinion he's a really smart rugby player."

A cliffhanger? More like a rout.

Thomas Ramos intercepts Sam Prendergast's pass on his own line, breaks clear and finds Penaud who does the rest. 

Another conversion follows, as does another dagger into Irish hearts.

At the other end, Cian Healey goes under the posts on his last appearance in Dublin but too little, too late.

Pixie Lott has surprised English rugby fans with an impromptu performance of the national anthem at IHG’s Holiday Inn in London.

Lott battled it out with Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker, who sang Flower of Scotland to rapturous applause.

Fans and guests lauded the performance, with Lott saying: “There’s something really special about singing the national anthem and the joy it brings fans. It was a delight to sing in front of such an intimate audience this morning and to share in fans passion and excitement for the tournament.”

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is reportedly one of the prominent rugby voices leading the charge against teams naming forward-heavy benches.

South Africa started deviating from the traditional make-up of five forwards and three backs by switching to six and two at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

That then became seven forwards and one back four years later - a tactic which France also adopted in their big win over Italy last month.

Prominent pundit Matt Williams has publicly stated that he thinks it is 'against the spirit of the game' and 'an abuse of safety laws'. And now Townsend agrees.

According to The Times, the Scotland boss voiced his concerns at the Shape Of The Game event in London. And there were several other high-profile rugby figures in attendance who share his view.

Wales legend Sam Warburton thinks France may have the beating of Ireland if they can match them physically this Saturday.

The Welsh put up a surprisingly good fight against Ireland last month by doing exactly that.

And Wartburton knows France are superior in that department.

"That is the one reservation I have about Ireland — that if teams can match them physically then, as Wales proved, it goes a long, long way towards being competitive in a match," he wrote for The Times.

"Given France are obviously more physical than Wales, that will be an area to target; as will be the scrum, because the French will be licking their lips about how well Wales did there in Cardiff."

Former Welsh international fly-half Dan Biggar has taken aim at Scotland ahead of the two teams meeting on Saturday.

Biggar has suggested that a group of Scotland players often praised by the media have underachieved, as they head towards a mid-table Six Nations finish.

"Scotland have great players and they play great rugby," he wrote for The Daily Mail. "But, as I said two years ago, they have a golden generation of players that has won absolutely nothing. This Six Nations has been the same old story for Scotland.

"There was a lot expected of them, as has seemed to be the case for the last few years. But now it looks like they’ll finish in midtable once again. Maybe that’s where Scotland have to accept they are. After all, they’ve never won the Six Nations."

Wales's trip to Scotland has the potential to throw up serious Six Nations fireworks, according to Gwyn Jones.

The former Welsh international is pleased that the shackles are off now that Warren Gatland has been replaced by interim head coach Matt Sherratt.

Jones still makes Scotland the favourites, "but I am not pessimistic about what Wales will do," he told Wales Online.

"There will be two teams that take the field on Saturday determined to throw the ball around and play with pace. It could be nuts! I am sure it will be entertaining, and I hope that Wales embrace opportunity to express their skills again.

"That is not something I could ever have said under Gatland, but it suits this team so much better and who knows, a win is not inconceivable."

Three tasty Six Nations fixtures await this weekend.

Make a note of these in your diary...

Saturday 14:15 (GMT): Ireland vs France

Saturday 16:45 (GMT): Scotland vs Wales

Sunday 15:00 (GMT): England vs Italy

Scotland still have 'a lot to play for' at the Six Nations, according to head coach Gregor Townsend, despite last month's England defeat effectively ending their title chances.

"Well, we’ve got two games to go," he said ahead of Saturday's meeting with Wales. "We don’t know where that’s going to leave us at the end of the competition if we did manage to get two wins, but there’s a lot to play for.

"There’s a higher-up place on the table, but also our own performances, how we worked during the week to produce a performance that we’re proud of, that makes our supporters proud, but also to earn that winning feeling.

"We were close at Twickenham, and that fuels the motivation to do better next game."

Ireland head coach Simon Easterby believes that Sam Prendergast will squash any doubts about his defensive ability this weekend.

That side of the 22-year-old's game has been questioned by Irish fans, and France will certainly put it to the test on Saturday.

"He's fully aware of the need for him to step up in that area," said Easterby. "I'm sure we'll see a physical side to Sam at the weekend that will maybe put a few of the question marks to bed."

Former Welsh international Sam Davies admits it is 'disheartening' to be asked by his club team-mates why he is not competing in the Six Nations.

Despite playing for French club Grenoble, Davies thinks he is still eligible to play because he did not receive a fair offer from a Welsh side.

The 31-year-old worked with Wales caretaker boss Matt Sherratt at Ospreys. And despite congratulating him about landing the job, he has so far been blanked over the issue of a call-up.

"I text him after he got the job and he kind of thanked me and said it wasn't for a long time," Davies told The Rosbifs Rugby Podcast.

"No, he hasn't been on the blower asking me to come back. I think he took his Cardiff boys Jarrod [Evans] and [Gareth] Anscombe back, didn't he."

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has decided not to take Finn Russell off kicking duties despite last month's horror show against England.

The Scots outscored their neighbours by three tries to one but still came out on the wrong side of a 16-15 defeat due to issues with kicking.

But Townsend does not believe there are grounds to make a change.

"Finn is an excellent kicker," he said. "Last year he was the best kicker in the championship. And I’m sure by the end of the Six Nations his stats will be back up there with what he normally produces and delivers for Scotland over a number of years."

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Updates to follow...

The BBC left viewers shocked during the Scotland v Wales clash as Blair Kinghorn was shown vomiting on the field.

The full back delivered a player of the match display in his side's 35-29 win at Murrayfield, scoring twice as the hosts ran in five tries.

But midway through the second half, he was receiving treatment for a knock when he knelt down before being sick on the pitch. Unaware of what was coming, the Beeb showed the incident live.

READ MORE HERE.