Six Nations 2023 LIVE rugby: Ireland vs France score, result and reaction as Ireland win thriller in Dublin

Well, Warren Gatland – welcome back. A punchy second selection from the returning Wales coach, making sweeping changes to his forward pack with the axe wielded on a handful of his most experienced players. From the starting forwards a week ago, Gareth Thomas, Tomas Francis (who has a calf injury), Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau drop out.

Out with the old, in with the new, with uber-talented Exeter Chiefs pair Christ Tshiunza and Daffyd Jenkins taking up duties at six and in the second row respectively. Jac Morgan moves to number eight, with Tommy Reffell preferred on the openside. Ospreys second row Rhys Davies is set to make his debut from the bench.

Behind the scrum, the starters are safe (for now) and will hope to build on some promise showed last week. Rhys Patchell does make an appearance among the substitutes, with Owen Williams cut from the 23.

Wales XV: Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt.), Dillon Lewis; Daffyd Jenkins, Adam Beard; Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan; Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar; Rio Dyer, Joe Hawkins, George North, Josh Adams; Liam Williams.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau; Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert.

Just a single change for Scotland from the win over England, with Zander Fagerson back to full fitness and back in the starting side. That displaces WP Nel to the bench.

Hamish Watson is another back in contention in training this week but Gregor Townsend has resisted the urge to bring the openside back into the matchday squad, backing Luke Crosbie (quietly impressive in the Twickenham win) to start again and noting Jack Dempsey’s positive impact from the bench.

Scotland XV: Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Jamie Ritchie (capt.), Luke Crosbie, Matt Fagerson; Ben White, Finn Russell; Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Kyle Steyn, Stuart Hogg.

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Jonny Gray, Jack Dempsey; George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.

Right, we’ll have a load more reaction to a significant win for Ireland tonight and over the remainder of the weekend, but kick off is swiftly approaching at Murrayfield, where Scotland are hoping they can make their own statement and start this championship with back-to-back wins for the first time since 1996.

Let’s take a look at the two teams in depth…

Here’s the try that sealed it – given the circumstances, and given the fatigue he must have been feeling, this is a supreme moment of skill from Caelan Doris to free Garry Ringrose.

“It’s hard to sum it up. The French are an incredible side. We know how tough it was going to be today. We had to work for that whole 80 minutes to break them down and get the win.

“A fast start was key. Against French sides like this, if you give them a glimmer of hope the crowd is going to get behind them. The bench came on and had a real impact.

“It was a long time coming, we’ve had a few tough losses but learned from those. It was the one we were focussing on.”

Both sides are dealing with injuries, of course, but that should be a vital day in the development of some of those on the fringes for Ireland – I thought both Craig Casey and Ross Byrne were excellent in controlling roles off the bench, Casey adding a little dynamism to test a fatigued French defence and Byrne kicking intelligently.

France’s Grand Slam defence is over – Ireland take pole position in the championship and confirm their place at the top of the rugby world. For the first time under Andy Farrell, they have beaten the French, producing an outstanding performance to emerge victorious from a game that more than delivered.

The second half was tighter than the first, but Ireland always stayed in control, and produced a moment of real quality when it counted to push to a significant victory.

France go off the top. Into midfield, pulled back at the line, and then again…knocked on by Ethan Dumortier! Ireland have ended France’s unbeaten run!

The Aviva Stadium crowd roar their delight as the clock ticks beyond 80 minutes and the win is confirmed. France get another penalty from the lineout – Gaetan Barlot will throw again from 30 metres closer to the Ireland line.