NEW Warrington Wolves signing Benjamin Jullien was in the starting line-up as France opened their European Championship campaign with a 31-14 win over Ireland in Albi.

He featured at left centre for Les Tricolours, whose next outing will be a friendly against England at Leigh Sorts Village next Saturday, kick off 2pm.

The French national team are led by Wolves' first-team coach Richard Agar, who was pleased with the performance.

He said: “It’s good to get to a win on the board to begin the competition, our combinations started to fire as the game went on. Full credit to Ireland, they just wouldn’t go away as is always the case with a Mark Aston coached side.

“We are building for the future, looking ahead to the next World Cup, but there is the core of a good group here and we are making progress.”

Former Wolves players James Mendeika and Danny Bridge started for Ireland.

France: Morgan Escare; Jordan Sigismeau, Tony Gigot, Benjamin Jullien, Damien Cardace; Theo Fages, Remy Marginet; Julian Bousquet, John Boudebza, Mikael Simon, Kevin Larroyer, Ugo Perez, Gadwin Springer. Subs: Stanislas Robin, Jean-Phillippe Baille, Antonia Maria, Clement Boyer.

Tries: Robin (24), Sigismeau (30), Gigot (44, 74), Fages (50), Larroyer (78). Goals: Marginet 3/6 Drop Goal: Boudebza

Ireland: Scott Grix; Brad Hargreaves, James Mendeika, Elliot Cosgrove, Casey Dunne; Ben Johnson, Liam Finn; Danny Bridge, Bob Beswick, Luke Ambler, Haydn Peacock, Will Hope, Oliver Roberts. Subs: Joe Keyes, Callum Mulkeen, Graham O'Keeffe, Matty Haddon.

Tries: Dunne (18), Hargreaves (5). Goals: Finn (18, 55).

In Wrexham, former Wolves winger Rhys Williams helped Wales break their record run of 12 games without a win when overhauling Scotland 18-12. Scotland included Wolves Academy player Richard Harris on their bench.

Wales: Elliot Kear; Rhys Williams, Michael Channing, Christiaan Roets, Dalton Grant; Ollie Olds, Courtney Davies; Anthony Walker, Steve Parry, Craig Kopczak, Rhodri Lloyd, Lewis Reece, Phil Joseph. Subs: Morgan Knowles, Joe Burke, Matty Barron, Jamie Murphy

Tries: Parry (9), Grant (37), Walker (64). Goals: Davies 3/5.

Scotland: Oscar Thomas; David Scott, Ben Hellewell, Harvey Burnett, Alex Walker; Danny Brough,  Danny Addy; Adam Walker, Liam Hood, Jonny Walker, Sonny Esslemont, Dale Ferguson, Ben Kavanagh. Subs: Joe McClean, Corbyn Kilday, Richard Harris, Scott Plumridge.

Tries: Ferguson (27), Thomas (78). Goals: Brough 2/2.