Bielle-Biarrey’s Double Ignites France’s Six Nations Title Defense

PARIS (Azat TV) – Defending champions France kicked off their 2026 Six Nations Championship campaign with a commanding 36-14 bonus-point victory over Ireland at the Stade de France on February 5, 2026, with wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey delivering a standout performance by scoring two crucial tries. The emphatic win established a strong early statement as Les Bleus began their quest to retain the title.

The match, played in wet conditions in Paris, saw France dominate from the outset, establishing a formidable 22-0 lead by halftime. Bielle-Biarrey’s first try came in the 13th minute, where he ruthlessly skipped through tackles from Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast to cross the line. This early score set the tone for France’s attacking prowess, which saw further first-half tries from fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and lock Charles Ollivon, complemented by conversions and a penalty from full-back Thomas Ramos, as reported by Sky Sports.

Bielle-Biarrey’s Early Impact and Sustained Dominance

France’s dominance continued into the second half, with Bielle-Biarrey securing his second try in the 47th minute. This score followed clever chip kicks from captain Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos, allowing the winger to sprint clear and extend France’s lead further. His ability to capitalize on attacking opportunities and his relentless pursuit of the ball highlighted his critical role in the French offense.

The home side, known for their flair and power, executed a sensational passage of play throughout the match. France’s defence coach, Shaun Edwards, lauded Bielle-Biarrey’s performance, telling ITV, ‘He is getting better. Do you know why? He wants to get better. His attitude is fantastic, he’s got all the talent in the world. He’s a world-class superstar.’ This praise underscores the young winger’s growing reputation and his importance to the French squad.

Ireland’s Challenge and Second-Half Response

Ireland struggled significantly in the opening 50 minutes, failing to gain possession and facing an unrelenting French attack. Head coach Andy Farrell acknowledged the challenge, stating, ‘France were outstanding at times, with the athletes and power they have. Their offloading ability in these conditions is hard to live with – it looked like they were playing a different game at stages.’ Ireland’s captain, Caelan Doris, also admitted, ‘We left ourselves with too tall a mountain to climb. We were passive defensively – 19 missed tackles – which allowed their attacking game to flourish. We couldn’t find our feet in the first 30 minutes,’ as per Sky Sports.

Despite falling 29-0 behind, Ireland showed resilience in the latter stages, scoring two tries through replacements Nick Timoney in the 59th minute and Michael Milne in the 62nd minute. Sam Prendergast successfully converted both. However, this late surge was not enough to overcome France’s substantial lead, which was cemented by a final try from Theo Attissogbe in the dying moments of the game, converted by Ramos to seal the 36-14 victory.

France’s Six Nations Title Hopes Strengthened

The comprehensive win, particularly the dominant first-half display, sends a clear message about France’s intentions for the 2026 Six Nations Championship. The team showcased exceptional handling, strategic kicking, and robust scrummaging, particularly against an Irish side that had previously suffered at the hands of strong forward packs. The performance of key players like Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, and Dupont, who returned to the squad with ‘truly delicious flashes’ according to Planet Rugby, demonstrated the depth and quality of the French team.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s exceptional two-try performance in the opening match not only secured a vital bonus-point victory for France but also affirmed his status as a pivotal attacking force, signaling a formidable challenge for any team aiming to unseat Les Bleus from their Six Nations throne.