Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

5 February 2026; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland after the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Beirne: Performance 'was nowhere near where we expect'

Tadhg Beirne admits Ireland were totally outclassed as their Guinness Six Nations campaign got off to a sobering start in Paris.

Rugby • 06 Feb

5 February 2026; Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France celebrates as he runs in to score his side's first try during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland suffer Paris pummelling in Six Nations opener

Ireland's concerning form has now been upgraded to worrying, with their Guinness Six Nations campaign starting with a 36-14 thrashing at the hands of France in Paris.

Rugby • 06 Feb

4 February 2026; Jacob Stockdale makes his way onto the pitch before the Ireland rugby squad captain's run at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Stockdale's 6 Nations return, five years in the making

If you were to try sum up the rise and fall - and rise again - of Jacob Stockdale, this would be it: Only five of tonight's starting Ireland team to face France have more Test caps than him (40), and yet this will be his first Six Nations appearance in close to five years.

Rugby • 05 Feb

4 February 2026; The Ireland team huddle during the Ireland rugby squad captain's run at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland's Lions must lead the way for Farrell in Paris

Neil Treacy previews Ireland's opening game of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations championship, as Andy Farrell's side face a daunting challenge away to France in Paris.

Rugby • 05 Feb

3 February 2026; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell: Discipline must be 'a point of difference'

Andy Farrell says Bundee Aki has apologised for his conduct after picking up a four-game ban for "verbal abuse and disrespect" towards match officials, and insists Ireland will be striving to make their discipline "a point of difference" in this year's Six Nations championship.

Rugby • 04 Feb

8 March 2025; Antoine Dupont of France during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Gibson-Park: Dupont's return poses a 'serious threat'

Jamison Gibson-Park has spoken about the "serious threat" posed by France captain Antoine Dupont, ahead of Thursday's Guinness Six Nations meeting at Stade de France.

Rugby • 04 Feb

29 January 2026; Jacob Stockdale during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell backs 'delighted' Stockdale for 6N comeback

Andy Farrell is backing Jacob Stockdale to shine, after handing the Ulster wing his first Guinness Six Nations appearance in close to five years, for Thursday's championship opener against France in Paris.

Rugby • 03 Feb

22 November 2025; Cian Prendergast of Ireland after the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Prendergast and Stockdale start, Furlong misses out

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has sprung multiple surprises in his first matchday squad for the Guinness Six Nations, with Jacob Stockdale and Cian Prendergast handed rare starts for the opening round game against France in Paris on Thursday.

Rugby • 03 Feb

8 March 2025; Dan Sheehan of Ireland is tackled by Uini Atonio, 3, and François Cros of France during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Sheehan: Atonio retirement puts rugby into perspective

While the Irish rugby bubble was caught up in the news of Bundee Aki's citing and suspension last Wednesday, opponents France were dealing with something much bigger.

Rugby • 03 Feb

2 February 2026; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Jerseys up for grabs as Farrell weighs up options

It's just under two years since Andy Farrell picked a team for a Six Nations match, and when he does reveal his matchday squad for Ireland's opener against France in Paris tomorrow morning, it will be a much different side to his last in March 2024.

Rugby • 03 Feb