The game of the Six Nations of course comes from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin where Ireland host France and ahead of the clash we have picked our Combined XV.
Both sides have announced their teams for this Saturday’s blockbuster fixture and there’s talent aplenty on the field with every jersey in our line-up hotly contested.
Without further ado, here’s who we settled on for our Combined XV.
Ireland v France Combined XV
15 Thomas Ramos (France): We told you it would be tough. Hugo Keenan is top drawer of that there’s no doubt but in terms of just how much Ramos offers, whether that is at full-back or fly-half, he is sensational. His running, distribution and accuracy off the kicking tee makes him a coach’s dream for club and country.
14 Damian Penaud (France): He’s back! There was shock when Penaud was axed for Théo Attissogbe last time out, but even the France stalwart would have agreed he wasn’t up to his usual towering standards against England. Expect a bounce-back performance from Penaud in Dublin as he gets in over Jamie Osborne.
13 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland): Comes in for his Leinster and Ireland team-mate Garry Ringrose who is suspended and gets the nod here over Pierre-Louis Barassi. Henshaw provides such a solid presence whether at 12 or 13 and can really press hard for a spot on the Lions tour with a powerful performance at the Aviva.
12 Bundee Aki (Ireland): The image of Aki‘s face covered in ink and bloody nosed against Wales was iconic and his impact on the game off the bench was such that he featured in our Team of the Week. Despite closing in on his 35th birthday, Aki appears locked on for a Lions place and edges out Yoram Moefana here.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France): This was another difficult decision as both 11s are in excellent form at the moment. James Lowe has been rock solid for Ireland on both sides of the ball but for the X-factor and try-scoring threat that Bielle-Biarrey offers, we’ve opted for the electric French finisher as our left wing.
10 Romain Ntamack (France): Another Les Bleus star returning to action, this time from suspension, fly-half Ntamack possesses such a complete game in the 10 jersey. While Sam Prendergast is growing into the international game, several have doubts over his defence which is why Ntamack takes our fly-half position.
9 Antoine Dupont (France): Dupont and Jamison Gibson-Park are outstanding in their own right and while the Ireland stalwart would walk into many an international outfit, Dupont is just that level up. There has yet to be a weakness found in the France star’s game and it is Ireland’s job to be the first side to do so.
The pack
8 Caelan Doris (Ireland): Another hotly contested jersey as Gregory Alldritt is once again set to lock horns with regular rival in both the club and international arena, Doris. The tireless Ireland skipper has been the more consistent player in recent months and his return to the fold is massive for Simon Easterby’s men.
7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland): Once again this was close as Francois Cros is a special player for Les Bleus, but Van der Flier looks to be returning to the form that saw him named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2022. His link play with the Ireland backline and work up front both with and without the ball is incredible.
6 Paul Boudehent (France): He might wear seven for France but is effectively a blindside and has been outstanding for his team this Six Nations and in the autumn. The rapid back-row is such a force with ball in hand and is very much at the peak of his powers right now at 25. He is selected ahead of Peter O’Mahony.
5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): Has slipped back into the second-row this Six Nations after his fine spell on the blindside but wherever Beirne plays he is such a nuisance to opposing teams. Has the engine to go the 80 minutes and his work at the breakdown is superb, which results in him getting in here over Mickaël Guillard.
4 Thibaud Flament (France): This was another difficult call but we felt that with Joe McCarthy only just returning and not being at peak form at the moment that Flament has the edge. The France forward is a supremely talented player with ball in hand and his pace, power and agility means he has every tool in his box.
3 Uini Atonio (France): Still no Tadhg Furlong for Ireland and while Finlay Bealham has filled in admirably we opted for France veteran Atonio as our tighthead. Such a formidable presence in the scrum and still a carrying monster at the age of 34, the extension of Atonio’s Test career has been a huge plus for Les Bleus.
2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland): Expect Sheehan to go deep into the fixture again and boy will he have his hands full with both Peato Mauvaka and Julien Marchand forming a destructive double act for Les Bleus. Sheehan’s form since returning from serious injury has been nothing short of astounding and he is our number two.
1 Andrew Porter (Ireland): Much like Sheehan, the engine Porter has is a feature of his game and something he is proud of. While he had a bad day at the office at scrum time last time out v Wales, his work around the field sees him edge this battle. Jean-Baptise Gros came close but Porter’s all-round game gets him in.