Ireland team v France
Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.
FRANCE: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Meafou, Auradou, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.
Key Reads
- Matt Williams on France’s Captain Fantastic: Joyous genius Antoine Dupont is the antidote to grim-faced rugby
- Ireland v France head-to-head: Wing wizards all capable of casting spells on the pitch
- Ireland v France: What time is kick-off and what TV channel is it on?
Because we all enjoy seeing the provincial breakdown of the team:
And the bench: Leinster – Five, Munster – Two, Ulster – One.
This weekend’s fixture had looked like it could be the decider from the word go.
Ireland are unbeaten in the championship thus far, but France look primed to do their upmost to rain on our parade.
And Gerry Thornley believes France’s loss to England in the second round was less than ideal from an Irish perspective.
“By rights, France should be coming to Dublin with three handsome bonus-point wins to their credit, and then we, and the bookies, might be viewing next Saturday’s contest somewhat differently,” he writes.
“This powerful and potent French team will be more motivated and focused (this) Saturday than for any other game this season. Beating Ireland will also make them warm favourites to win just a second Six Nations title in 15 years. And make their season a success.”
[ Attention! France look to be in the mood to do damage to IrelandOpens in new window ]
Antoine Dupont as been in flying form so far this Six Nations, but when is he not.
Last time he was in town, the French captain put in this superhuman effort to deny Mack Hansen a try.
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby had this to say of his selection:
“Saturday presents another huge opportunity for the squad to play at home, in front of a packed Aviva Stadium. The team has worked hard again this week and the preparation has been positive for what we know will be a huge test against France.
“There’s great respect and rivalry between the two teams and it should be a cracking contest. This weekend gives the Irish public the chance to mark the final home international appearances for Peter, Cian and Conor – three stalwarts of Irish Rugby who help drive the highest standards in our camp. I would also like to congratulate Finlay, Jack and Caelan on reaching the 50-cap milestone. It’s a huge moment for them, their families and their team-mates and we will look to make it a day to remember for each of these players.”
Confirmation that Mack Hansen misses out due to a quad injury, while Rónan Kelleher is unavailable due to a neck injury.
And the game comes too soon for Tadhg Furlong, who is continuing his rehabilitation for a calf injury.
Hot off the press, Gerry Thornley has this for us:
As expected, Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Caelan Doris have all been restored to the Ireland starting XV for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations clash with France at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 2.15pm).
Mack Hansen has been ruled out and as a result Simon Easterby and his coaching staff have opted to move Jamie Osborne from his fullback slot in Ireland’s win over Wales a fortnight ago to the right wing. Osborne is picked ahead of Calvin Nash, who deputised for Hansen last season.
In a further positional switch, Robbie Henshaw shifts from inside to outside centre in the absence of the suspended Garry Ringrose. He renews his partnership with Bundee Aki, who made such a significant impact after Ringrose’s 20-minute red card in Cardiff.
Keenan has been restored after being rested for 27-18 win over Wales, Bealham is at tight-head after his experience was employed from the bench in the Principality Stadium while Doris returns to captain the side having recovered from the knee injury which ruled him out of the Cardiff game.
There are additional changes to the match-day squad where, not surprisingly, Easterby & Co have plumped for a 6-2 configuration, in both maximising their resources up front to accommodate James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan, and to counter France’s 7-1 split.
Cian Healy has been recalled to the replacements, as has Rob Herring for his first appearance of this season’s Six Nations, while Thomas Clarkson reverts to the bench after making his first start against Wales.
Conor Murray and Jack Crowley complete the match-day squad. Hence, with Peter O’Mahony starting, all three centurions are in line to feature in their final Ireland appearance on home soil. Furthermore, this momentous occasion will also see three players make their 50th appearance for Ireland, namely Bealham, Doris and Conan.
Here’s the Ireland team to face France on Saturday.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.
Fifteen minutes to the team announcement.
While we wait, how about a little tete-a-tete. How’s that for some Leaving Cert French.
Johnny Watterson has been comparing the star power of Ireland’s Dan Sheehan to France’s Peato Mauvaka.
We’re a little over half an hour out from the announcement now.
That means you’ve just enough time to listen to the latest episode of The Counter Ruck Podcast. The lads chat about player development pathways, and whether France’s efforts in that regard might just be better than Ireland’s. Sacré bleu!
Listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts as they say.
Are France better at developing young players than Ireland?
While there’s pressing business to be done, Saturday’s game at the Aviva will also begin the farewell to three ever-present greats of this Irish team.
Announced last week, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy will retire from international duty at the end of this Six Nations campaign.
Being away to Italy in the final round next weekend, Saturday’s game against France will be their last for Ireland in front of a home crowd.
“Calling an end to their years in a green shirt, the 371 caps, experiences, success and failures, things that have defined them for most of their lives, is not an easy thing of which to let go,” Johnny Watterson wrote of the news last week.
“But the decision’s solemnity that three of the pillars of Irish rugby would retire simultaneously was also a grand idea that brought an air of order and respect. Its collegiality was touching; three warhorses going out together, arms interlocked and taking the great leap as one. What better image of honouring the idea of team.”
[ A joint final bow the most fitting end for Ireland trio who always put team firstOpens in new window ]
Sticking with France, head coach Fabien Galthié had this to say of outhalf Romain Ntamack’s return:
“(Ntamack) has been training with us throughout the tournament. He’s part of the team dynamic. Damian is back in the team because he has undeniable potential and he’s ready to play against Ireland.”
On the occasion at large, he added: “This match has special stakes, we know that and that’s what we want. What’s more, it’s a match against the best European nation in the last three or four years.
“They’re a very high-level team, one of the two best nations in the world, if not the best, and they’re playing at home. It’s true that the challenge is immense. And taking on a huge challenge is what we’re looking for.”
And commenting on the make-up of his bench, Galthié said: “The choice of a 7-1 bench is linked to the profiles of the most competitive players we currently have in the French team.
“Looking at the performances we’ve had for a while now, that’s what we think is the best way to perform.”
Here’s what John O’Sullivan has for us on the French selection:
The headlines from the France team announced by head coach Fabien Galthié is that Romain Ntamack returns after the suspension he incurred against Wales for a high shot on Ben Thomas to partner captain Antoine Dupont for a 29th time at halfback and a 23rd under the current coaching regime.
Thomas Ramos switches from outhalf to fullback, while Damian Penaud returns to the team after missing the Italian match. Fullback Leo Barré and wing Théo Attissogbé are the players to miss out from the last day as they fail to make the 23 for the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Number eight Gregory Alldritt has recovered from a slight groin issue. Despite playing a couple of club games, Gael Fickou hasn’t been promoted to the starting line-up, so Pierre-Louis Barassi continues in the centre, alongside Yoram Moefana. Emmanuel Meafou is named among the replacements having recovered from illness.
Galthié, as forecast, has opted for a 7-1 split on the bench with scrumhalf Maxime Lucu providing the backline cover. Although that’s not strictly true as flanker Paul Boudehent has played in the centre.
Prediction time – and by that I mean Gerry Thornley’s predictions.
He went 15/15 for the French starters (two off on the bench, but we’ll let that slide), so let’s see how his Irish selection pans out.
IRELAND (possible): Keenan; Osborne or Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; J McCarthy, Beirne; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Herring or G McCarthy, Healy, Clarkson or O’Toole, Ryan, Baird, Conan, Murray, Crowley.
[ Ireland v France: Doris, Bealham, Aki and Keenan set to make starting line-upOpens in new window ]
So Gerry foresees the return of captain Caelan Doris, who missed out on the game against Wales due to injury, but no such luck for Tadhg Furlong. And with Garry Ringrose suspended, Bundee Aki is a near certainty in the centre.
Just a reminder of how things stand heading into round four.
Ireland sitting pretty at the top on 14 points. Lovely stuff.
So Damien Penaud is indeed back in the fold. He comes in on the wing to partner Louis Bielle-Biarrey, while Romain Ntamack slots back in at outhalf having served a suspension following a red card against Wales in the opening round.
And they’ve opted for a 7-1 split on the bench.
Antoine Dupont again captains the side, Matt Williams imploring us to go out and witness the French magician in action.
“And when that genius creates something that only he could possibly see, soak in the pleasure of being privileged to witness a true great express his extraordinary abilities.”
[ Matt Williams: Joyous genius Antoine Dupont is the antidote to grim-faced rugbyOpens in new window ]
Any tickets going spare Matt?
John O’Sullivan will have some analysis of the French selection shortly.
And here’s the French team for Saturday.
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Meafou, Auradou, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.
We’re a few minutes out from Fabien Galthié naming his starters.
John O’Sullivan has been keeping an eye on things in the French camp, reporting over the weekend that a shake-up in the backline may be on the cards.
[ Damien Penaud in line to return for France against IrelandOpens in new window ]
Let’s get the formalities out of the way. How have we fared in recent outings against Les Bleus?
Of our last five meetings, France have a 3-2 upper hand. BUT, Ireland took the two most recent wins, including a 38-17 victory in Marseilles in the opening round of last year’s Six Nations.
2020: France 35 Ireland 27
2021: Ireland 13 France 15
2022: France 30 Ireland 24
2023: Ireland 32 France 19
2024: France 17 Ireland 38
Good morning everyone. Happy team announcement day.
Do we all feel thoroughly refreshed after our week off from the Six Nations drama?
This weekend gets under way with the big one – what Gerry Thornley has billed as ‘Le Nouveau Crunch’ – France’s visit to Dublin to meet Ireland, kicking off at 2.15pm on Saturday.
An odd start-time for such an important game, say you? Well, Gerry agrees. Have a read of his musings on the matter below.
In Saturday’s later game, Scotland host Wales at Murrayfield (kick-off 4.45pm) before England and Italy round out the weekend on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
We’re due an announcement from the French camp shortly, so let’s settle in.
Both Ireland and France will today name their starting teams for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations game in the Aviva Stadium.
Simon Easterby’s side come into the game unbeaten. A win would set them up for a third championship in a row and keep them on course for a Grand Slam ahead of their final round game away to Italy. A victory for the French, however, could blow the championship wide open following their ferocious display against Italy last time out.
The French team will be named around 10am while Ireland’s will follow at midday. We’ll have all the updates and reaction throughout the day here.
