Six Nations Rugby | The world’s best put on a show – best of social from Ireland’s thrilling victory over France
This time it was Ireland, home and world number ones, who took the scalp, with Garry Ringrose’s late goal securing a 32-19 win at the Aviva Stadium – their 13thth Consecutive win in the Dublin Cauldron.
In the first-ever Guinness Six Nations match between the top two teams in Rugby World Ranking, the first half was one of the great halves in Championship history, with both sides scoring outrageous tries in a veritable ding-dong battle.
Fantastic Ireland defeats France in an epic battle
In the end, however, Ireland had just enough to top the table – with their biggest-ever win over France in the Championship.
One such game has garnered a lot of attention on social media, and here’s the best of the social analysis.
The atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium was great and there were many French fans in attendance.
Just the 40 charter flights coming into Dublin from France today… ✈️ #6nations #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/wkJ25DzpeM
— Sara Orchard (@Sara_Orchard) February 11, 2023
While Ireland’s Call’s first home performance in Dublin caused some serious goosebumps.
@sixnationsrugbyWow, an incredible rendition of “Ireland’s call” from the WHOLE stadium 💚🔥 #SixNationsRugby #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #IrelansCall #IrishRugby #RugbyIreland♬ Original sound – Guinness Six Nations
As soon as the first whistle blew chaos ensued, starting with a sensational try from Hugo Keenan after a wonderful pop pass from Finlay Bealham, sparking a certain love for the Ireland prop.
@sixnationsrugbyWhat a game we have here!! 🔥💚 #SixNationsRugby #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #IrishRugby #RugbyIreland #HugoKeenan #Keenan ♬ Original sound – Guinness Six Nations
My vacation friend @FinlayBealham with the help! Class pure! #IREvFRA
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 11, 2023
This pass from Bealham #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/lMvO69nlPC
— Andy Stevenson (@andyste123) February 11, 2023
It may also have looked familiar to some old-school viewers…
If you thought Hugo Keenan’s attempt looked familiar…
2012 Heineken Cup semi-finals, Leinster vs. Clermont 👀
Somewhere in New Zealand, Joe Schmidt watched with a big smile on his face. pic.twitter.com/gGvYLOT99g
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) February 11, 2023
It wasn’t long before France struck back with a remarkable result from Damian Penaud.
@sixnationsrugbyFrance responds with a try from scratch 😤👏 #SixNationsRugby #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #FranceRugby #France #Penaud #DamianPenaud ♬ This is a work of art (sketchy) – Dubskie
Incredible from @FranceRugby!
This game really lives up to the hype🔥#GuinnessSixNations #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/unLiNJUCpg
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 11, 2023
Damian Penwow
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) February 11, 2023
But then Ireland were back in and it was yet another impressive effort as James Lowe acrobatically vaulted into the left corner for a memorable result.
@sixnationsrugbyThis is special 🦸💚 #SixNationsRugby #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #rugbytackle #RugbyIreland #ireland #jameslowe #lowe #trytime ♬ The Hills x The Color Purple x Creepin – Darkvidez
One of the greatest finishes you will ever see ✨
Courtesy of @IrishRugbyis James Lowe.#IREvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/67lnUi1XOI
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 11, 2023
📸 | We can’t get enough angles from this finish. 🤸♂️🏉#IREvFRA #Thoroughly pic.twitter.com/za45VaItY5
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) February 11, 2023
It was a sensational 20 minutes to start, with three championship contenders in the opening quarter and some Guinness Six Nations legends couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
3 incredible finishes! Outrageous opening 20 minutes what a spectacle #IREvFRA
— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) February 11, 2023
More chaos would ensue as Andrew Porter scored Ireland’s third try of the afternoon, but it was a tackle from France captain Antoine Dupont that got people talking as the scrum half managed to somehow stop Mack Hansen against the odds to secure the bonus point at halftime -time.
💥 Source defense exceptionnelle de notre capitaine @Dupont9A ! Les Bleus resistant face aux numéros mondiaux 💪
🔴 Suivez le match en direct sur @francetvsport https://t.co/ZJxJdZIoHT#NeFaisonsXV #IRLFRA #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/HTx5vrQCyG
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 11, 2023
Truly one of the best try-saving tackles I’ve seen. Mental Strength by Dupont.
— Ugo Monye (@ugomonye) February 11, 2023
That Dupont tackle made Hansen look like one of those people on the news who get filmed leaning into a gale at an impossible angle.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) February 11, 2023
@sixnationsrugbyAlmost impossible? Breakfast for Antoine Dupont @AD #SixNationsRugby #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #FranceRugby #France #Dupont #AntoineDupont #Duponttacklesave #rugbytackle ♬ Son Original – Guinness Six Nations
And that led to the annual question of whether or not Dupont is human?
Are we sure Antoine Dupont wasn’t made in a factory by a man who wanted to create the greatest rugby player of all time? #IREvFRA
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) February 11, 2023
Ireland led 22-16 at the break in one of the most incredible halves in Guinness Six Nations history – many legends would agree.
One of the best rugby halves I’ve seen in a long time#IREvFRA
— Mike Ross (@MikeRoss03) February 11, 2023
Incredible rugby! Both teams live up to their positions. This is a real test game! Defense was relentless and attacking skills were another level. Brilliant first half. #IREvFRA
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) February 11, 2023
Could there be an all-European final later this year? Austin Healey thinks so
This game could well be the World Cup final #IREvFRA
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) February 11, 2023
It was an incredible rugby match to watch – but with so much quality it was also a very nervous performance for the fans.
My heart rate is so high that my FitBit thinks I’m exercising. #IREvFRA
— Ronzo Teilifís Éireann (@ronronzo) February 11, 2023
The second half might not have had the tries of the first but there were plenty of incredible moments nonetheless, including Ethan Dumortier’s sensational break.
@sixnationsrugbyDancing Dumortier 🕺 #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #rugbytackle #France #Francerugby #Dumortier ♬ Original sound – Guinness Six Nations
France intervened with an important drop goal from Thomas Ramos to reduce the deficit to six points.
@sixnationsrugbyRamos closes the gap 👀 #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #France #Francerugby #trytime #Dropgoal #ramos ♬ Original Sound – CAPCUT TEMPLATES – CAPCUT TEMPLATES
But then came Garry Ringrose’s killer shot, showing incredible power as he dived past three French players after a simply incredible throw from Caelan Doris.
@sixnationsrugbyThis is a joke 👀😍 #SixNations2023 #SixNations #ForYouRugby #IconicRugbyMoments #RugbySkills #Fyp #foryou #guinnesssixnations #irishrugby #ireland #caelandoris #doris #ringrose #garryringrose ♬ Aces by DKJ – Danny Johnson
Ireland were the winners and will now be favorites for the Grand Slam but ultimately it was a day where rugby was the real winner.
Splendid @IrishRugby Win one of the biggest test matches in recent times ☘️
This one will be remembered for a long time. #GuinnessSixNations | #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/mBuF3xamHz
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 11, 2023
Rugby is great
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 11, 2023
France’s winning streak has come to an end but Ireland’s incredible run in Dublin continues in a truly sensational affair.
A record 13th consecutive home win for Ireland to end France’s record streak of 14 wins.
A game for eternity.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) February 11, 2023
