Ireland host France in Dublin this weekend in the most-anticipated fixture of this year's Guinness Six Nations championship. Both sides, ranked number one and number two in the world respectively, got off to winning ways in the opening round.
Les Bleus are seeking to defend their title and Ireland are attempting to snatch it ahead of this year's World Cup.
Ireland ran rampant in Cardiff as they kicked off the championship against Wales, with early tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe and a second-half score from Josh van der Flier helping them to a comfortable 34-10 victory. France, however, were pushed much harder by a determined Italy in Rome, with only a late Mathieu Jalibert try sealing a 29-24 bonus point win to deny the hosts a famous victory.
This weekend's visitors have come out on top in their last three meetings with Ireland, winning a bruising encounter in last year's championship 30-24 on their way to the Grand Slam. However, they have only won once in their last five visits to the Aviva Stadium as they secured a narrow 15-13 win in 2021.
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Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's long-awaited match:
What time is Ireland v France kick-off in Six Nations?
Ireland v France kicks off at 2.15pm on Saturday, February 11, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
What TV channel is Ireland v France on? What about live streaming?
Ireland v France is being broadcast live on ITV1 with coverage beginning at 1.25pm. You will also be able to live stream the game via ITVX.
What's the Ireland v France team news?
Andy Farrell has made just one change for Saturday's clash with France, with Rob Herring replacing the injured Dan Sheehan at hooker.
Conor Murray is selected in the starting XV again after filling in for Jamison Gibson-Park at the 11th hour in Cardiff last weekend, lining up alongside Johnny Sexton in the-half backs. Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continue their partnership in midfield while the back three of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe is unchanged from the opening round.
In the forwards, Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham will pack down either side of Herring, while Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan are again selected in the second row and Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony form an unchanged back row. With Sheehan, who has picked up a hamstring injury, out of the matchday squad, Ronan Kelleher is named on the bench.
As for France, Fabien Galthié has been similarly consistent with his squad selection, naming an unchanged starting XV with only two changes made to the matchday 23. On the bench, François Cros has recovered from a knee injury to replace Thomas Lavault while Baptiste Couilloud has also returned to fitness and replaces Nolann Le Garrec.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (capt), 9. Conor Murray, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tom O’Toole, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Bundee Aki.
France: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Ethan Dumortier, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (capt), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Grégory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16. Gaëtan Barlot, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. François Cros, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Baptiste Couilloud, 23. Matthieu Jalibert.
Who is the Ireland v France referee?
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (RFU) and Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
What have the coaches said?
Ireland coach Andy Farrell: "The team is pretty similar, which is a good thing, it means we’re healthy enough. So a bit of continuity in being together for 12 days before the first game and then a few sore bodies after the game, like always with the first game up in the Six Nations - but that bit of continuity gives us a nice balance to it to go forward this week.
"It’s not nice for Dan [Sheehan]. Obviously he’s a fantastic player at the top of his form. So anyone would miss a player in that type of form.
"But at the same time, I sound like a broken record but it’s great in the sense that this is exactly what’s going to happen down the track in the World Cup. Internationally rugby is only going to get bigger and better, so therefore it’s always going to be about the squad. When you get to the World Cup, you’ve a smaller squad.
"There’s a 12-day turnaround there as far as concussion is concerned, HIAs etc, so you’re always going to be numbers down and you’ve got to be able to roll with the punches as far as that’s concerned. We’re happy with how our squad is developing, pushing each other and competing against each other."
France coach Fabian Galthie: "Ireland are one of the best adversaries we have played but that will not prevent us being ambitious on Saturday, Today Ireland is the best team in the world since last summer after their second win over the All Blacks. Andy Farrell replaced Joe Schmidt who had already transformed Ireland into one of the great powers in world rugby, and Farrell knew how to build on that and their strengths, that is an offensive game, which is the signature of Leinster, of their captain Johnny Sexton.
"When you watch Ireland play you are watching Leinster - there's this attacking style of rugby which is recognised as being remarkable in the rugby world and they have other qualities - wonderful players, talented and above all a deep well of talent that they refresh regularly. It is a remarkable achievement by the Irish federation, of the four provinces, of their academies, one cannot but congratulate them.
"We have gone with the same personnel due to the performance firstly, the victory with a bonus, therefore they achieved their target. Coherence too as it is three weeks that we have worked with this group, and finally confidence because we have confidence in our players who for three years have progressed together, that's why there are no surprises in the starting XV nor in the replacements."
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