France's rugby team overpowers Ireland in Six Nations title defence

France began its Six Nations title defence with five tries and a bonus point after a dominant 36-14 win against Ireland on Thursday.

France scored a tournament-record 30 tries last year and a rout looked on the cards at a rainy Stade de France. France led 29-0 thanks to prolific left winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey's second try, but Ireland rallied with two second-half tries.

Bielle-Biarrey scored the first try in the 12th minute and recalled fly-half Matthieu Jalibert got the second with just over 20 minutes played.

Watch more France claim impressive win over Ireland in Six Nations opener

A slick move worthy of France's backs – but orchestrated at speed by three of its forwards – led to a third scored by rampaging lock Charles Ollivon.

Although the opening exchanges were close enough, that was only until Bielle-Biarrey showed just why he was voted the tournament’s best player last year after scoring eight tries.

He broke two tackles down the left wing, including one that briefly dropped him onto his knees, before powering over.

Ramos converted that one but missed his next attempt after Jalibert had cut through a weak tackle from opposite number Sam Prendergast for his fourth international try, one year after a poor performance on his last appearance for France.

A Ramos penalty moved Les Tricolores 15-0 up, and the third try soon followed. Prop Jean-Baptiste Gros picked up a loose ball and passed to lock Mickaël Guillard, who offloaded to give Ollivon his 18th international try, converted by Ramos.

Ireland did not resist for long after the break.

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Ramos set up Bielle-Biarrey for his second try with a soccer-style flick with the