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Thursday night rugby, under the lights in Paris? Say less! As an Irish man, I am fearful. As a rugby connoisseur… I cannot wait for kickoff. This is, without doubt, the best opening night clash you could imagine.
France lead the head-to-head in recent years with 3 wins to Ireland’s 2, while they share two Six Nations titles each, all in the past four seasons, in the Galthié-Farrell eras.
But with Ireland’s poor record in Paris and France seeking back-to-back titles, will it deliver? Let’s hope so!
Irish Team News
Like always, Ireland’s ‘rotation’ has been dictated by injuries, meaning the Andy Farrell evolution has been forced rather than planned. Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Ryan Baird, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan are all sidelined; and are the main faces people will be asking for on Thursday night.
Cian Prendergast is a surprise inclusion, and starts alongside brother Sam for the first time. The Connacht captain is rewarded with the #6 shirt after an impressive Autumn cameo against the Boks, meaning there’s no place for fan favourites Edwin Edogbo or Cormac Izuchukwu.
Another welcome face in the starting fifteen is that of Jacob Stockdale. The 2018 Player of the Tournament hasn’t started a Six Nations game since March of 2021, but will be hoping to show his big left boot, aerial prowess and attacking physicality along the left-hand tramline.
The other major news is the fresh looking props as Jeremy Loughman and Tom Clarkson pack down either side of Dan Sheehan. With injuires to Porter as well as Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy, it will be a big ask for Loughman who himself has been on the periphery of Farrell’s plans in recent times.
Ireland have also opted for a 6/2 bench split for the third year in a row in this fixture. However, with Ryan Baird unavailable, they have elected for two pure back-rowers in Nick Timoney and Jack Conan, as opposed to adding in a half-lock like Izuchukwu.
Finally, the number 10 debate sees Sam Prendergast handed the keys to start the tournament. The Leinster fly-half will be keen to showcase his talents opposite the electric Matthieu Jalibert, and improve on a rough afternoon that he had in this game last season.
French Team News
As for Les Bleus, it is both as predicted and a bit of a changeup. The selection of generational flanker Charles Ollivon at lock, tells you a lot about how this game should unfold. Run, run, run.
Dorian Aldegheri gets the nod at tighthead prop, ahead of Regis Montagne, while there’s a dynamic backrow of Cros, Jegou and Jelonch named to start. Theo Attisogbé and Nicholas Depoortere each earn their third championship starts, outside of the swashbuckling Dupont and Jalibert.
The former scrum-half turned head coach Galthié has also preferred a 6/2 bench; although he must have been tempted to re-enact the 7/1 bomb squad that obliterated their green compadres in Dublin. Although with the gigantic Emmanuel Meafou and electric Kalvin Gourgues, as well as the reliable Mauvaka, Montagne, Auradou and Serin; this leaves plenty to combat in the final quarter.
Paths to Victory
If Ireland are to win, they will need to rise above the occasion, pressure and mighty opponents. Set-piece parity will be the first target. Ireland ranked 4th for lineout success, 5th for mauls won and 6th for scrum success in last year’s tournament, so coupled with a worrying continuance in November, this will need to improve greatly.
For contrast, France were 1st, 1st and 2nd in the same cateogories en route to a title charge in 2025.
Similarly, a defensively resolute showing will also be key for Ireland. France were best in class for 22 entries, % of entries leading to tries, tries originating in own half, and were second in tries from turnover and kick return.
That paints a picture that with Dupont the conductor and Attissogbé and Bielle-Biarrey on the wings; you cannot afford to feed them scraps from careless play.
Prediction:
France by 12
Team Sheets:
France Starting XV (1-15) Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri; Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard; Francois Cros, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch; Antoine Dupont (capt), Matthieu Jalibert; Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Nicholas Depoortere, Theo Attissogbé; Thomas Ramos.
France Replacements (16-23) Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Régis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Kalvin Gourgues.
Ireland Starting XV (1-15) Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt); Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast; Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Tommy O’Brien; Jamie Osborne.
Ireland Replacements (16-23) Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.
