France player ratings vs Ireland as the hosts issue statement with a dominant 36-14 win at a raucous Stade de France.
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A brace from speedster Louis Bielle-Biarrey was accompanied by scores from Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon guided ‘Les Bleus’ to an impressive opening triumph against an underwhelming Ireland.
This is despite replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne scoring late into the contest, but following a dominant opening 40 minutes, France held as the title defence got off to the best possible start.
Scroll down for France player ratings vs Ireland.
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France player ratings vs Ireland:
15. Thomas Ramos — 8.5
Kept his side’s scoreboard ticking over nicely. Utilised well in attack, with some great handling and magnificent footwork to break away from tacklers.
The main highlight, however, was his chip through to Bielle-Biarrey, who went on to claim his brace.
14. Théo Attissogbe — 7
Compared to his counterparts in the back three, it was a quiet evening on the wing for Attissogbe, despite crossing the whitewash with the clock in the red.
Still, his most noticeable contribution came prior to the hour mark after a marvellous offload to Hugo Auradou following an interception.
13. Nicolas Depoortere — 7
Good carrying to get his side over the gain line early in the contest. However, as France’s dominant display continued, he never really made much of an impact apart from the odd good offload.
12. Yoram Moefana — 7
Offered great strength in the midfield, with the odd big carry. However, his work was overshadowed by some excellent performances elsewhere in the French backline.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey — 9
Watching the winger, it always felt like a matter of time before he created something special, and as expected, it didn’t take long for him to make an impact.
He glided through Ireland’s defence, showcasing incredible footwork in the process. Under the high ball, particularly when his side were under pressure in the early exchanges, he was a complete nuisance.
10. Matthieu Jalibert — 8.5
Jalibert, who has been shining in the Top 14 on a consistent basis, carried that form into this meeting in the French capital.
He backed himself well with ball in hand, which was shown perfectly as he expertly broke through to score France’s second try of the contest.
9. Antoine Dupont (C) — 8
First and foremost, it was great to see Dupont back playing in the Six Nations. While it wasn’t a headline-seeking performance, it was a workmanlike showing from the French skipper.
He attacked well and combined excellently with Jalibert outside him. A dangerous pairing that sent a message to every other nation in the tournament.
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros — 7
Was the strongest performer in the front row. Scrummaged solidly and made some noticeable runs, with his ability to change his angle of attack so precisely before contact a real highlight.
He was eventually replaced before the 50-minute mark by Rodrigue Neti.
2. Julien Marchand — 6.5
When needed, was strong in defence, stopping Ireland from advancing on the odd occasion they had possession.
His arrows were firing at lineout time, and when used in attack his handling and ball-carrying ability were on point.
3. Dorian Aldegheri — 6
Scrums were not the main highlight of the game for the tight-head in Paris.
Worked well around the breakdown, and it was no real shock that, with the bonus point secured before 50 minutes, he was replaced.
4. Charles Ollivon — 8
The Toulon player was one of France’s standouts.
An incredible work rate, particularly when chasing kicks upfield, saw him as one of the first forwards to the breakdown.
The second row could have even scored with less than 120 seconds on the clock but was unable to regather possession metres from Ireland’s whitewash. It was an overall vintage performance from the 32-year-old.
5. Mickaël Guillard — 8.5
What an opening statement for his first appearance in the Six Nations. Very deserving of claiming Player of the Match.
Guillard was one of France’s main ball carriers, and it’s really no surprise with the 25-year-old standing at a daunting 6ft 6. He was great at providing his side with a platform to get them over the gain line.
It was maybe a shock to see him replaced at 50 minutes.
6. François Cros — 7.5
Compared to his teammates in the back row, most of the blindside’s work was down around the set-piece. He did so at times perfectly; nothing really eye-catching, but that’s what is expected of a blindside flanker.
Still, he made a clear impact.
7. Oscar Jegou — 8
Did a lot of the unseen work incredibly well. Strong around the breakdown, especially when it was needed for his side.
Slowed the game down smartly around the rucks with the visitors on the front foot. He was a complete annoyance when Ireland looked to attack, and frustrations from Andy Farrell’s side were clear to see.
8. Anthony Jelonch — 8
Playing at eight for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Namibia, it was an impressive showing from the 29-year-old.
Tackling relentlessly throughout the contest, he was so strong around the breakdown area, and seemingly every time he had ball in hand, he got through.
Replacements:
16. Peato Mauvaka- 6
17. Rodrigue Neti- 6
18. Régis Montagne- 6.5
19. Hugo Auradou- 7
20. Emmanuel Meafou- 7
21. Lenni Nouchi- 7
22. Baptiste Serin- 6.5
23. Kalvin Gourgues- N/A
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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