![Antoine Dupont et Matthieu Jalibert. [Bertrand GUAY / AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/100406648/21e0859883d67bb1e18ef4a0ab06dd8dd4cc65e7366d285c0271823b2f4bf9ed)
![Louis Bielle-Biarrey autour d'un doublé ce jeudi [David Rogers / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/100775056/154b3bbd6d5e47904fb850370bad155d3af578ee6315f3eaec48bc9ea583cafa)
![Antoine Dupont avec le XV de France [Victor Joly / DPPI via AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/100771541/fd952363a4a35665e70b730ab6cf89e38a4c5378d8df05c3dca58268f6a28280)
Overview
- France opened with a 36-14 victory in Saint-Denis, scoring five tries to two for the offensive bonus and denying Ireland a defensive bonus.
- Captain Antoine Dupont returned after a long knee layoff, led for 74 minutes, and helped steady a far more disciplined side that conceded its first penalty in the 45th minute.
- Matthieu Jalibert delivered a standout display with a try and key touches in multiple scores, his partnership with Dupont setting the tempo.
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed twice and Théo Attissogbe added a stoppage-time try, as France climbed to fourth in the world rankings.
- Fabien Galthié’s youth-first selections held as several veterans were left out, Dorian Aldegheri started after Uini Atonio’s cardiac-enforced retirement, the Thursday kickoff avoided the Winter Olympics ceremony on France 2, and Wales await on 15 February.