France vs Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2024 Six Nations Championship
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THE FACTS
When is France vs Ireland on and what time does it start? France vs Ireland will take place on Friday 2nd February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is France vs Ireland taking place? France vs Ireland will take place at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France
Where can I get tickets for France vs Ireland? Ticket information for France vs Ireland can be found on each nation’s official website
What channel is France vs Ireland on in the UK? Television coverage is shared between BBC and ITV so it is worth checking their schedules for France vs Ireland
Where can I stream France vs Ireland in the UK? If televised live on BBC, France vs Ireland can be streamed live on iPlayer, while ITVX is the place to go if the match is on ITV
THE LOWDOWN
FRANCE
- France played their part in an exhilarating Rugby World Cup quarter-final but fell agonisingly short in their clash with South Africa as the year ended in huge disappointment for them.
- They lost their Six Nations crown in last year’s competition and know they will need to start well here if they are to regain it but they are without skipper Antoine Duport with the scrum-half sitting out to focus on playing at the Paris Olympics.
IRELAND
- Ireland enjoyed an incredible run as they landed the Grand Slam in last year’s Six Nations and they will take some stopping once again this time around.
- Their RWC campaign also ended in frustration as they fought valiantly but went down to New Zealand which saw them lose for the first time since July 2022. Jack Crowley will start at fly-half for the Irish in place of Johnny Sexton who has retired.
THE TEAM NEWS
FRANCE
Starting 15: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana, Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu, Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros, Paul Willemse, Paul Gabrillagues, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Posolo Tuilagi, Cameron Woki, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Louis Bielle-Biarrey
IRELAND
Starting 15: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley
THE PREDICTION
This is a humdinger to begin the 2024 Six Nations as France host defending champions Ireland. The French could not make it back-to-back successes as in terms of Championships as the Irish proved to be too good last year and they will be out to enact some revenge here. It is never easy to win in France but with no Antoine Dupont, the man who has won the Player of the Championship award in the past two years, the door is open for Ireland to get off to a strong start.
TIP: Ireland to win
