Ireland take on France in the Six Nations opening fixture this evening at the Stade de France in Paris, with Andy Farrell’s side going in as the underdogs against the holders.
The game gets underway at 8.10pm, with the Irish side up against a tough challenge to start their tournament off, especially given recent form from the Boys in Green.
Losses to New Zealand and South Africa in the Autumn Nations series have meant that Ireland’s stock going into the tournament has lessened somewhat, with bet365 having them as 8/1 outsiders for the title, behind France (4/6) and England (12/5).
Ireland are missing James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong for the first game of the Championship anyway through injury, with Ireland’s senior players in the spotlight as the side’s discipline was called into question in the Autumn with a spattering of penalties conceded, including a third-minute red card against New Zealand for Tadhg Beirne.
France manager Fabien Galthié has selected a strong side to face Ireland, despite a few big names not named in the squad, such as record try-scorer Damian Penaud, Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou.
Whilst this comes as a shock, France have still got big names in every phase of the game, especially in the middle of the park with Antoine Dupont returning to the set-up and Matthieu Jalibert partnering him at the 10.
Ireland will need to be at their very elite best if they are to come out of Paris with a result, which would cause their stock in this tournament to summit, but France are on the warpath with England being the name on everyone’s lips, Les Bleus will want to make sure people know who holds the cards in this Six Nations.