Ireland vs France LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from Six Nations title decider

With the team sheets packed with talent, there are set to be compelling individual head-to-head battles across the pitch. Caelan Doris versus Gregory Alldritt pits two of the game’s best number eights against each another, props Andrew Porter and Uini Atonio are braced for some engrossing scrum skirmishes, while Romain Ntamack’s timely return from suspension will see him face off with precocious Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast. Yet, understandably, most eyes will be drawn to the battle of the scrum-halves. France captain Antoine Dupont is widely regarded as the sport’s best player. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park is the frontrunner to wear nine for the British and Irish Lions this summer.

This fixture has developed an extra edge and ultimately decided the destination of the title in each of the previous three years. France defeated Ireland 30-24 in Paris en route to the 2022 Grand Slam. But since then Ireland have had the upper hand, winning 32-19 in Dublin in 2023 and 38-17 in Marseille last February. Victory for Les Bleus would blow open the title race going into round five and potentially leave the door ajar for England to sneak glory. A home win will put Ireland in pole position to wrap up an unprecedented third consecutive title – and second Grand Slam in three years – away to Italy.

If Scotland had forgotten about the expectation that surrounds the squad as they prepare to welcome Wales to Edinburgh this weekend, Adam Jones was keen to remind them.

“There’s no pressure on us, there’s pressure on Scotland,” said the Wales scrum coach. “This is probably one of the best sides they’ve ever had, if not the best side they’ve ever had. They’ll be expecting to beat us pretty comfortably at home, against a team that’s lost 15 times [in a row]. We haven’t put much of an underdog tag on us, but results probably dictate we are.”

Scotland talisman Finn Russell insisted he is unfazed by criticism from outside his inner circle as he bids to bounce back from his Calcutta Cup frustration.

The 32-year-old co-captain missed all three of his goal kicks in the agonising 16-15 defeat away to England, meaning he has landed just three of his eight attempts off the tee in this year’s championship.

Russell was cast as the fall guy for the England loss in some quarters and has had his credentials for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour called into question, but the stand-off is only paying attention to the opinions of those he trusts – such as his father, Keith.

It was the very start of an England career that, on Sunday afternoon, will reach a special milestone which underscores the value of patience and resilience to Jamie George. The front rower will raise his bat against Italy as he wins cap No 100, in doing so becoming the first male English hooker to compile a century as the heart and soul of his side.

It is a big weekend of Six Nations action, with two more highly intriguing matches to come after our doozy of an opener. For England, an encounter with Italy feels like a larger occasion than usual:

Connacht wing Hansen has committed to the end of the 2026-27 season, while the new deal for Leinster lock McCarthy runs until the conclusion of the 2027-28 campaign.

Today marks the Dublin farewell for three Irish greats, all of Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray bowing out of Test rugby after this campaign. What servants they have been…

Romain Ntamack returns after suspension at fly half in the France side to face Ireland as Fabien Galthie sticks with a fearsome bench formed of seven forwards and just a single back.