Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

New Zealand are set to host France in a Test series in the summer of 2025

NZ surprised by France player exclusion for Test series

New Zealand's rugby union is seeking more information from global governing body World Rugby following France's unilateral decision to exclude some national squad players from next year's Test series against the All Blacks.

Rugby • 03 Oct 24

France and New Zealand clashed at the World Cup a year ago

France to omit Top 14 finalists for New Zealand tour

The French rugby union (FFR) has agreed with Top 14 organisers to exclude players from selection for July internationals in defiance of World Rugby regulations.

Rugby • 02 Oct 24

France's wing Kelly Arbey scores a try for the visitors

France earn victory against battling Scotland

Scotland went down fighting in a 15-5 Guinness Six Nations defeat in Edinburgh as France maintained their winning start to the tournament.

Rugby • 30 Mar 24

Antoine Frisch has been released back to Munster

Frisch released from France squad ahead of England tie

Munster centre Antoine Frisch will not be capped by France this weekend and so remains Ireland-qualified, until the summer at least.

Rugby • 13 Mar 24

Maxime Lucu (C) dives over the line to score France's fifth try

France muster second-half salvo to overwhelm Wales

Wales will face Italy in a wooden spoon decider after France claimed a 45-24 Guinness Six Nations victory at the Principality Stadium.

Rugby • 10 Mar 24

The French coach is expecting his side to be better soon

Expectations way below what Galthie expects from France

Fabien Galthie readily accepts that France "are not at the level we want to be" during what has proved to be a spluttering Guinness Six Nations campaign.

Rugby • 09 Mar 24

Antoine Dupont runs in his side's first try against Ireland

Dupont targeting Olympic gold as Kennedy hits milestone

Antoine Dupont believes France have what it takes to finally claim an Olympic medal, and possibly gold, in Rugby Sevens after Les Bleus won the Los Angeles men's title with a thrilling semi-final win over Ireland helping them on their way.

Rugby • 05 Mar 24

19-year-old Posolo Tuilagi makes his first start

Tuilagi starts for France while Italy change six

Posolo Tuilagi will make his first start for France in Sunday's Six Nations meeting with Italy in Lille, as Fabien Galthie makes two changes to his side following their win against Scotland.

Rugby • 23 Feb 24

Scotland denied at the death as France dig out win

Louis Bielle-Biarrey's late try proved pivotal as France dug out a dramatic 20-16 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield - but only after a controversial decision not to award the hosts a try in the last action of the match.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Louis Bielle-Biarrey scores a second-half French try at Murrayfield

Six Nations recap: Scotland 16-20 France

France squeeze past Scotland to get their Six Nations campaign back on track, where all the drama came in the final play of the game with TMO involvement to deny the Scots a match-winning try.

Rugby • 10 Feb 24

Shaun Edwards is backing his France team to improve

Edwards hits back at criticism of France's defence

Prickly Shaun Edwards bristled at suggestions France have become a soft touch after conceding nine tries in their last two matches.

Rugby • 09 Feb 24

Cameron Woki comes in as one of two changes for France

Two changes for France while Darge comes in for Scots

Fabien Galthie has resisted the urge to make sweeping changes to his side after last week's Guinness Six Nations defeat to Ireland.

Rugby • 08 Feb 24

The panel were impressed with Ireland's win over 14-man France

'Absolute domination' - RTÉ Rugby panel on Ireland win

The RTÉ Rugby panel analyse Ireland's 38-17 victory over France in the opening round of the 2024 Six Nations.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Josh van der Flier: 'We can't get ahead of ourselves'

Exciting start but Ireland won't board hype train

The Ireland players will talk it down but, in a similar fashion to last season, the Six Nations Grand Slam hype train has left the station.

Rugby • 06 Feb 24

Joe McCarthy takes a lineout against France

Smooth operator Sheehan happy with lineout return

Hooker Dan Sheehan said he was happy with Ireland's 100% lineout return against France in their Six Nations tie.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Joe McCarthy gives his Player of the Match award to his brother Andrew after full-time

'Big Joe' proves hype is real in France tour de force

There's been a lot of hype around Joe McCarthy in the last few months - or Big Joe McCarthy to use what is seemingly now his full name - but the 22-year-old's performance in Ireland's 38-17 win away to France showed that the hype is real.

Rugby • 03 Feb 24

Andy Farrell: 'We learned big things from the All Blacks defeat but it's not a hangover'

Sunday morning coming up - 'Hangovers are for tomorrow'

Andy Farrell scoffed at the inference that Ireland might suffer a World Cup hangover as they began their Six Nations defence with a comprehensive victory away to France.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Tadhg Beirne (r) was one of Ireland's best players

Ireland player ratings: McCarthy and Beirne outstanding

Here's our player ratings from Ireland's 38-17 win over France in the Six Nations.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24

Peter O'Mahony skippered Ireland to a famous win over France in Marseillle

O'Mahony hails youngsters after dream Six Nations start

Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony hailed the contribution of Andy Farrell's crop of youngsters in their opening Guinness Six Nations victory over France on Friday night.

Rugby • 03 Feb 24

Ireland scored five tries in the 38-17 win

Stunning Ireland dismantle France in Marseille

Ireland put their World Cup disappointment firmly behind them as they kicked off their Grand Slam defence in style with a 38-17 win against France in Marseille.

Rugby • 05 Feb 24