Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Galthié hails a plan well executed against Ireland

There was much for France coach Fabien Galthié to enthuse about after putting Ireland to the sword in the opening game of this year's Six Nations, with the coach saying "it was one of our most precise attacking performances in a long time".

Rugby • 06 Feb

Antoine Dupont of France with the Six Nations trophy

Fit-again Dupont returns to lead France against Ireland

Antoine Dupont will return to captain defending champions France for Thursday evening's Guinness Six Nations curtain-raiser against Ireland 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

France's centre #13 Nicolas Depoortere (2nd L) celebrates with France's wing #11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey

France pile more misery on winless Australia

France beat Australia 48-33 in a see-saw match to end the Wallabies' first winless tour of Europe in 67 years, spoiling Joe Schmidt's farewell test as both teams closed their Autumn series at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Rugby • 23 Nov 25

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 19: Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty kick from Sakina Karchaoui of France, (not pictured), winning the penalty shootout for her team during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final mat

Germany survive early red to edge France on penalties

Ann-Katrin Berger pulled off a stunning final save as 10-woman Germany beat France 6-5 in a penalty shootout to set up a Euro 2025 semi-final showdown with world champions Spain after a bruising encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time.

Euro 2025 • 19 Jul 25

Brodie McAlister of New Zealand dives towards the try line to score against France - July 2019

New Zealand defeat France to complete series sweep

Replacement hooker Brodie McAlister scored a late try in a memorable test debut for New Zealand to seal a 29-19 win over France in Hamilton and complete a 3-0 series sweep.

Rugby • 19 Jul 25

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 13: Delphine Cascarino of France scores her team's fourth goal under pressure from Dominique Janssen of the Netherlands during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group D match between Netherlands and France at St. Jakob-Park on July 13,

Cascarino stars as France hammer the Netherlands

An electrifying second-half performance from Delphine Cascarino fired France to a 5-2 win over the Netherlands that secured victory in Group D at Euro 2025 and set up a quarter-final meeting with Germany in Basel on Saturday.

Soccer • 13 Jul 25

France’s midfielder #08 Grace Geyoro (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring her fourth goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League group A2 football match between France and Switzerland at the Marcel Picot stadium in Nancy, eastern France, on May

France outclass brave Wales at Euro 2025

Wales have been all-but eliminated from Euro 2025 after a 4-1 defeat to France in Group D.

Soccer • 09 Jul 25

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JULY 05: Marie-Antoinette Katoto of France celebrates scoring her team's first goal with teammates during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group D match between France and England at Stadion Letzigrund on July 05, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerla

France defeat defending champions England at Euro 2025

Defending champions England suffered a 2-1 loss to France in their Euro 2025 opener in Zurich.

Soccer • 06 Jul 25

Jordie Barrett of New Zealand scores a try during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France

All Blacks hold off depleted France in Dunedin

Jordie Barrett scored a try and Beauden Barrett kicked to perfection as the All Blacks overcame three cancelled tries to claim a nervous 31-27 win over France in the series-opener in Dunedin on Saturday.

Rugby • 05 Jul 25

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 8: Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 third place match between Germany and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 8, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Philipp Kresnik/

France defeat Germany, Italy sack manager Spalletti

Goals from captain Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise earned France a 2-0 victory over Germany in Stuttgart to claim third place in the UEFA Nations League.

Soccer • 08 Jun 25

Lamine Yamal scores Spain's fifth goal whilst under pressure from Clement Lenglet

Spain prevail in slugfest against France to reach final

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inspired his country to a thrilling 5-4 win over France to send the holders through to their third successive Nations League final where they will face neighbours Portugal.

Soccer • 05 Jun 25

Abby Dow (l) scored two of England's tries

England retain Grand Slam crown after France thriller

England claimed a seventh successive Guinness Women's Six Nations title but only after edging to a 43-42 victory over France.

Rugby • 26 Apr 25

Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries in Dublin to dash Ireland's Grand Slam hope

France's Bielle-Biarrey named player of Six Nations

France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been named 2025 Guinness men's Six Nations player of the championship.

Rugby • 01 Apr 25

Mikel Merino (R) wheels away in celebration

Nations League round-up: Merino denies Dutch at death

Arsenal's Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time equaliser as European champions Spain snatched a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their Nations League quarter-final first leg.

Soccer • 20 Mar 25

Yoram Moefana scores France's third and his second try

France shrug off scrappy Scotland to win Six Nations

France have been crowned Six Nations champions for 2025 after beating Scotland 35-16 in Paris.

Rugby • 15 Mar 25

Gregory Alldritt will captain France against Scotland

France focused on closing out Six Nations - Alldritt

Gregory Alldritt has urged France to make their mark on history by closing out Guinness Six Nations glory against Scotland in Paris on Saturday night.

Rugby • 14 Mar 25

Antoine Dupont lies stricken on the turf at Aviva Stadium

Dupont confirms cruciate ligament injury

France captain Antoine Dupont is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his cruciate ligaments during Saturday's Six Nations match against Ireland.

Rugby • 09 Mar 25

France scored 11 tries against Italy in Rome

Prendergast display and 7:1 split will be key - Lenihan

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan believes that France's 7:1 split and how successful they are in targetting Sam Prendergast could decide the day when Ireland host Les Blues at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.

Rugby • 07 Mar 25

French talisman Antoine Dupont left his imprint on the match

France warm up for Ireland trip by demolishing Italy

France warmed up for the Six Nations showdown with Ireland on 8 March by claiming a 73-24 victory over Italy in Rome.

Rugby • 23 Feb 25

England's Elliot Daly celebrates scoring his side's crucial fourth try

Daly strikes late as England stun wasteful France

England ended their painful losing run with a stunning 26-25 Six Nations victory over France at Twickenham on as Elliot Daly's last-gasp try punished the French for an extraordinary catalogue of handling errors.

Rugby • 08 Feb 25

Deschamps will step down after 14 years in charge

Deschamps confirms France exit after 2026 World Cup

France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that he will leave the national team after the 2026 World Cup, saying it was time to stop.

Soccer • 08 Jan 25

Kylian Mbappe has not been named in the latest France squad

Mbappe not in France squad for Israel and Italy games

France have left Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe out of their squad to face Israel and Italy in this month's two Nations League games, coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday as his captain's absence now stretches to four matches.

Soccer • 07 Nov 24

Paul Pogba won the last of his 91 caps for France in May 2022

'I am not a cheater' – Pogba sets sights on return

Paul Pogba has insisted he is not a cheater after his doping ban was reduced earlier this month and targeted a return to the French national team when his suspension expires in March.

Soccer • 16 Oct 24

Nations League wrap: Belgium battle back in Italy

Italy were held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium after Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off and they squandered a 2-0 lead but remained top of Nations League A Group 2.

Soccer • 10 Oct 24