France-Ireland (17-38): the figures for the worrying defeat of the Blues at the opening of the Tournament. By losing by 21 points, the French suffered their heaviest defeat since the start of the Galthié era (January 2020) The French lineup, now led by Laurent Sempéré, lost four balls on its own throws (14 out of 18), when the Irish touch achieved 100% on his own throws.
Paul Willemse became the second player in the history of the French XV to be sent off in a second match of the tournament.