Six Nations 2023 LIVE rugby: Ireland vs France score and latest updates as Ireland lead after thrilling first half

And then there’s this from James Lowe, given by Wayne Barnes after extensive consultation with the TMO, but without a review of what appeared to be a meaningful, coherent angle presented by broadcasters after the conversion was secure had been carried out. Lowe’s boot appeared very securely in touch before touchdown – but it’s a try in the goalscoring charts and Irish fans will argue that France got the friction of the green, with Uini Atonio shown yellow rather than red after his collision with Rob Herring became.

But France responded with an artwork of their own, completed by Damian Penaud and painted more abstractly.

phew Breathless, compassionate, brilliant – one of the most beautiful halves of the sport imaginable. To be honest, I was concerned that some of the preparations leading up to this competition might have veered towards hyperbolia. If anything, we undercut it.

After 40 minutes of non-stop action, where do you even begin? How about this beautifully sculpted Irish sheet music by Hugo Keenan?

Johnny Sexton hits between the posts and 30 exhausted men trot for a much needed break.

Murray is denied again! Ireland have penalty advantage and Murray spots a sniper room outside of Cyril Baille. The loosehead does very well to grab a handful of the Irish Nine’s jersey, allowing Antoine Dupont and Charles Ollivon to do their part and force a punch.

But Ireland will extend their lead from the tee…

Uini Atonio is back with us for the scrum but too leggy in his lineup. Ireland free kick. After a committee meeting, Johnny Sexton taps quickly, and the front row leads the initial attack…

But France almost tried, away from the alley! Anthony Jelonch doesn’t realize a pass is coming his way, he grabs it on the first try but loses it soon after as he prepares for contact.

Conor Murray picks up the scraps and is held over the line! Ireland’s scrum due to knocking.

A world-class defensive intervention by Antoine Dupont! Romain Ntamack overplays his hand with an offload that isn’t on, Mack Hansen grabs the apple from the tree while Ntamack scrambles to find a teammate. Hugo Keenan collects from his back three colleague.

Keenan steps past Thomas Ramos, who deftly kicks the full back out of step – just enough to prevent him from clearly chasing the ball. It still tumbles friendly for Ireland when Hansen collects with line in sight, but the wing is somehow, somehow, retrieved by Antoine Dupont, like a sailor pulling his ship ashore and clinging tight to the ropes.

Three phases later, Hansen has the ball again, but Peter O’Mahony misses a throw that harmlessly jumps into touch.

Atonio is allowed to return at the next break but France continue at 14 for now. They almost create a crack, Thomas Ramos provides pace in a wide channel after Romain Ntamack distributed the ball nicely.

Ireland, however, nod it and step into the French 22. But that’s an irresistible escape from Damian Penaud that allows France to clear.