France got the defence of their Under-20 Six Nations title off to a winning start as they scored eight tries to Ireland’s three in an emphatic 50-21 win in Perpignan.
The bonus-point victory ensures that the champions end the opening weekend of the competition at the top of the table, ahead of Scotland on points difference.
Ruben Pergad had an early score disallowed at Stade Aime-Giral but soon after Bordeaux centre Adrien Drault dived over in the corner for the opening try after accepting an off-load from Melvyn Rates.
Ireland responded immediately when Josh Neill charged down an attempted French clearance, collected the ball and passed to Christopher Barrett, who ran in to score.
Having been denied earlier, front row Pergad powered across the Irish line from a French rolling maul for try number two for the home side.
Romeo Bonnard Martin barged his way through the Irish defence to touch down between the posts for his side’s third.
Another enterprising move from the hosts saw replacement Antoine Latrasse run in for the bonus-point try, before Neill rumbled over beside the posts after Ireland had gone through the phases.
On the stroke of half-time, France executed a rolling maul after a line-out and prop Matheo Frisach crossed, with Luka Keleteona adding his third conversion of the half to put 17 points between the sides at the interval.
Soon after the restart, Frisach was denied a second score when he was adjudged to have temporarily lost control of the ball and knocked forward as he surged over the line.
Barrett darted over for his second try to reduce the deficit and when Neill knocked over the conversion their side’s deficit was reduced to 10.
France replied with Rates’ converted try in the corner and the hosts extended their advantage when Lucas Andjisseramatchi crashed over to ground for his team’s seventh touchdown.
Baptiste Veschambre burrowed over the whitewash to complete the scoring and put the cap on an impressive performance.
Ireland U20s host Italy next Friday (19:45 GMT), while France are away to Wales on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
