Thursday night is normally a time of hope when anticipation stirs as the final day of the traditional working week approaches. Plans taking shape for the weekend ahead gather apace.

In Paris, things are a little bit out of kilter this week as the 2026 Guinness Six Nations kicked off on a Thursday night in the French capital with France the trophy holders entertaining Ireland at the Stade de France.

There may be a few ‘sickies’ being registered this morning, both here and in the Emerald Isle. Productivity in both countries will more than likely take a dip apart of course from the coffee industry.

A post 9pm kick off is nothing new in these parts, but it is still a challenge for the players and also those spectators who have to sprint for the final midnight RER and metro trains back to the city centre post match.

It could be argued that both teams have recently performed below their best, but the result of this match would undoubtedly have a big say in who would end up as the 2026 Champions.

It poured in Paris but the rain didn’t dampen the atmosphere or the pre match light show that the French have taken to a new level.

As the rain fell France poured forward and totally dominated a first half in which they scored three tries whilst the Irish were unable to fire a single shot.

A 22-0 half time lead was no more than Les Bleus deserved.

France extended their lead early in the second half when Louis Bielle-Biarrey went over for his second try to give the home side a 29-0 lead.

With victory assured Ireland’s bench breathed new life into the game and two tries in the space of three minutes gave the men in green some hope.

But after taking their foot off the gas France pressed the accelerator pedal to finish in the ascendancy and Attissogbe’s 80th minute try converted by Ramos sealed a 36-14 bonus point victory.

Some of France’s handling in the wet was mesmeric and the improvement in their Aerial defence was massive.

As Thursday night reached over to Friday morning the Stade de France shutters and gates clanked and groaned shut, it had been a long day for everyone involved but the 2026 Guinness Six Nations was now well and truly underway. The French squad will sleep peacefully in their beds tonight…. Eventually.