Paris, Feb 15: France beat Ireland 35-17 in Six Nations opener. France got the Six Nations championship under way on Saturday (February 14) with a 35-17 win over Ireland which, though not as one-sided as their 43-21 World Cup quarter-final thrashing, was nevertheless comfortable enough. The first half was a low-key affair with France 11-3 ahead at the break after a Vincent Clerc try and two Frederic Michalak penalties. But Ireland drew to within a point three minutes after Ronan O'Hara chipped, caught the ball and passed to number 8 Anthony Foley for the try. That merely stung the French into action as they took control with two well-made tries in three minutes, the best through debutant lock Pascal Pape. Powerful centre Yannick Jauzion got the next. Ireland, missing the cutting edge of injured centre Brian O'Driscoll and the motivational presence of retired captain Keith Wood, got back within range with a try by winger Tyrone Howe.


But scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde capped off a satisfying day for the hosts -- and his own family -- with their fourth try.


The score particularly delighted Elissalde's father, Jean-Pierre, who played for France, as did his maternal grandfather, Guillaume Bidart.


Standings P W D L F A Pts France 1 1 0 0 35 17 2 Wales 1 1 0 0 23 10 2 Italy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 England 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scotland 1 0 0 1 10 23 0 Ireland 1 0 0 1 17 35 0


Bureau Report