Ireland face one of the most difficult periods of soul-searching under Andy Farrell after falling to a vastly superior France in Thursday's Six Nations opener.

If a talented Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-changed Ireland with umpteen tricky questions to answer

Injury-hit Ireland face the unenviable task of trying to stop returning captain Antoine Dupont and France in Thursday's Six Nations opener in Paris.

Ruthless France inflict more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders open their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France.

Ireland rallied in the second half but a dazzling French performance before the interval proved decisive for Les Bleus in a 36-14 win in the Six Nations opener

Ireland's heavy defeat by France to open the Six Nations will only further press questions raised by a lacklustre autumn.

Ireland face one of the most difficult periods of soul-searching under Andy Farrell after falling to a vastly superior France in Thursday's Six Nations opener.

Andy Farrell has insisted Ireland can keep pace with rugby’s top sides after 36-14 defeat by France in Paris