Six Nations: South African red carded as Ireland thrash France

The last two winners of the Six Nations title met on opening night in front of a packed crowd, and tries from Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne, Calvin Nash and Dan Sheehan ensured that it was Ireland who came away with maximum points.

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France paid the price for their indiscipline, losing Paul Willemse to a red card for two yellows in the first half. But Ireland’s dominance was not simply by virtue of having an extra man, they were able to employ the game that had seen them reach the summit of the world standings last year and pick their moments against the French defence.

Les Bleus kept battling, even with 14, scoring tries through Damian Penaud and Paul Gabrillagues but they were forced into too many mistakes against a side who needed no second invitation to strike.

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It was fitting that Ireland, convincing winners, got the final score. As with Sheehan previously, their rolling maul allowed Ronan Kelleher to slot the fifth and final try that sealed a record win over Les Bleus in France. This game pitted the two sides who felt perhaps the greatest disappointment at the World Cup, both beaten in heart-breaking quarter-finals.

Ireland, without now retired captain Johnny Sexton, look to have digested that disappointment the better, with Les Bleus struggling for answers in the absence of their own captain, Antoine Dupont – who is on Sevens duty as he bids for an Olympic medal this summer.

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THE SIX NATIONS IS WELL AND TRULY UNDERWAY