France 13-15 Ireland: Johnny Sexton wins game for Ireland
Johnny Sexton's stunning last-gasp drop goal secured a hard-fought victory for Ireland at a heaving Stade de France.
Teddy Thomas's stunning late solo-try seven minutes from time looked to have sealed a French win but Ireland fought back valiantly and, after an exhaustive 41-phase attack, Sexton rifled the winning kick over from 40 metres.
Ireland have triumphed just three times in the French capital since 1952, but this victory will live long in the memory.
Ireland's Johnny Sexton celebrates scoring the winning drop goal in the 83rd minute to give Joe Schmidt's side victory
The visitors went through 41 phases to put Sexton in a position to win the game from 40 metres out at the Stade de France
The Ireland fly-half is mobbed by team-mates including Bundee Aki and Conor Murray after securing the last-gasp victory
Jacques Brunel's France side were left shell-shocked after surrendering victory in the dying moments of Saturday's clash
Teddy Thomas's try looked to have won the game for France seven minutes from time but Sexton's drop goal stole the win
Ireland's Sexton kicks a penalty against France in their 15-13 win in the Six Nations opener in Paris on Saturday evening
The first half in Paris was a polar opposite to the free-flowing scenes in Cardiff earlier in the day. This was a dogged, hard-fought contest.
Space was very much at a premium but a slick backline move, sparked by Bundee Aki in midfield, had France in all kinds of trouble. Referee Nigel Owens duly penalised the home side as Johnny Sexton fired Ireland into a 3-0 lead.
Aki, Connacht's wrecking-ball Kiwi centre, was having quite the opening half on his Six Nations debut. The powerhouse midfielder looked threatening in the wide channels with one bone-rattling hit on France centre Henry Chavancy catching the eye.
Murray feeds into the scrum during the hard-fought victory for Ireland, who led for most of the clash in the French capital
France's Virimi Vakatawa (right) tries to break a tackle from Ireland's Josh van der Flier (left) in Saturday's Six Nations clash
Ireland centre Aki (centre right) is tackled by France's Guilhem Guirado (centre left) during Ireland's win over France
France's Thomas (centre) scored a brilliant individual try in the final 10 minutes but France failed to hold on for victory
MATCH FACTS AND TEAMS FROM STADE DE FRANCE France: Palis 6; Thomas 8, Lamerat 7, Chavancy 6, Vakatawa 7; Jalibert 6 (Belleau 29, 7), Machenaud 6 (Dupont 66, 6); Poirot 7 (Priso 54), Guirado (c) 8 (Pelissie 73), Slimani 6 (Gomes Sa 54); Iturria 8, Vahaamahina 6; Lauret 6 (Tauleigne 66), Camara 6, Gourdon 8 Replacements not used: Gabrillagues, Fall Tries: Thomas Conversions: Belleau Penalties: Machenaud (2) Ireland: Kearney 7; Earls 7, Henshaw 6, Aki 8,Stockdale 7 (McFadden 74); Sexton 9, Murray 6; Healy 7 (McGrath 60, ) Best (c) 6 (Cronin 67, 7), Furlong 6 (J Ryan 69); Henderson 6, Ryan 9 (Toner 67); O'Mahony 6, Van der Flier 6 (Leavy 36), Stander 7 Replacements not used: McGrath, Carbery Penalties: Sexton (4) Drop-goals: Sexton Referee: Nigel Owens 7
Like a prize fighter, Ireland were taking everything France could throw at them and replying on the counter punch. Sexton making it 6-0 when France once again infringed at the breakdown.
All eyes were on France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, the 19-year-old rookie, entrusted by new head coach Jacques Brunel to run the show. Unfortunately, a promising debut was brought to an end by Aki, who steamrolled the French starlet. Anthony Belleau entering the fray as Jalibert hobbled off in the 30th minute.
France finally got some points on the board six minutes later thanks to a Maxime Machenaud penalty. In this attritional contest, every point was earned.
Nineteen-year-old fly-half Matthieu Jalibert (right), who made his debut for France, leaves the pitch after picking up an injury
Thomas (centre left) is tackled as he tries to power his way through for France during their opening Six Nations match
Ireland flanker Von der Flier leaves the field after suffering an injury but Ireland secured a dramatic victory over France
That hard work was undone by a moment of stupidity by Sebastian Vahaamahina who charged into scrum-half Conor Murray at the ruck allowing Sexton to make it 9-3 before the break.
Ireland were beginning to tighten their stranglehold on this inexperienced French outfit with Sexton's fourth penalty of the contest stretching lead out to 12-3.
They should have been looking to kick on after that but indiscipline and errors allowed Les Blues back into the contest as Machenaud kept then in the hunt with a 54th minute penalty strike.
Ireland scrum-half Murray kicks through as Ireland looked to dominate territory against France in Paris on Saturday night
France's Maxime Machenaud scored two penalties as France narrowly lost out to Ireland in Brunel's first match in charge
France's Kevin Gourdon, left, is tackled by Ireland's James Ryan in what was a tight game at the Stade de France
One highlight of this cagey encounter was the performance of Leinster lock James Ryan, who was also making his championship bow. Big things are expected of the 21-year-old and he delivered an energetic and aggressive display.
It was all getting a bit close for comfort with Sexton hooking a penalty on the hour mark, which would have given his side some much-needed breathing space.
A six-point lead always seemed too close for comfort and that duly proved to be the case as Thomas scythed his way through the Irish defence with seven minutes remaining. Belleau's conversion giving France the lead for the first time.
But there was was time for one more twist as Sexton's drop goal secured a stunning last-gasp win.
Schmidt's Ireland won their Six Nations opener in dramatic fashion, courtesy of a Sexton drop-goal in the 83rd minute
Ireland fans cheer on their side as they picked up only their third win in the French capital since 1952 on Saturday