Ireland vs France LIVE! Six Nations 2023 match stream, latest score and rugby updates today
Les Blues at the top in recent years…
France have won the last three meetings between the sides, including a 15-13 win in Dublin two years ago and a crucial triumph in Paris last year en route to that Grand Slam.
However, prior to this current winning streak, France had only one win in nine games against Ireland.
Tough week for Murray
Conor Murray starts for Ireland at the scrum half-time with the 33-year-old reportedly in “good shape” despite his father currently being in hospital.
After a collision with a truck while cycling, Gerry suffered serious injuries and is still receiving treatment.
“He’s in good shape, he’s back in the group and looking forward to the game,” said Irish Scrum coach John Fogarty.
“We wish his father all the best from the squad and a speedy recovery.”
France is getting the job done… right now
Much less convincing last weekend from France.
They were behind Italy with 18 minutes to go when the hosts threatened a massive upset.
But France intervened when they had to, and Matthieu Jalibert crossed over to seal a bonus point win.
Perfect start for Ireland!
Under the Cardiff umbrella, with Warren Gatland back in charge of Wales… the opening weekend had the makings of a potentially tricky test for Ireland.
That was certainly not the case. They took an early lead and didn’t look back, delivering a 34-10 win to set an early milestone in the first game of the 2023 Six Nations.
Farrell: Everyone wants to be part of games like this
Andy Farrell rarely strikes a wistful figure, but the Ireland manager found himself longing for the fan experience this afternoon as Ireland hosted France – world No. 1 against world No. 2 – for the Six Nations clash .
The Test-match beast in head coach Farrell ultimately didn’t let himself be pulled out of Ireland’s coaching box, but just for a moment did the 47-year-old betray his fiercely competitive nature by wishing he could attend the game as a player.
“Everyone’s looking forward to it, I’ve been walking around Sandymount and everyone’s excited,” he said.
“You know, I wish I would go to the game with my buddies, or my family, or my kids, because that’s the kind of game everyone wants to be a part of.”
Standard sports prediction
According to the official ranking list, the two best teams in the world should deliver an exciting duel on Saturday.
Ireland proved too good for New Zealand, South Africa and Australia last year and any fears they may have peaked too soon seem unfounded after a reckless performance in Cardiff last weekend.
However, France have a winning habit of their own and are the only nation to have won since the 2019 World Cup in Dublin. They were far from their best performance against Italy but still found a way to get the job done.
France prevailed on their way to the Grand Slam a year ago
A lack of discipline was a major problem for France in Rome as they conceded 18 penalties in a performance that would have infuriated defense coach Shaun Edwards. Any repetition of that this weekend and they will surely be punished.
They need to be greatly improved against Ireland, although even that might not be enough as Andy Farrell’s side are well positioned to retaliate for their defeat in Paris 12 months ago.
Ireland wins by six points.
Ireland vs France lineups
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Sexton (c), Murray; Porter, Herring, Bealham; Beirne, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Substitute: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, Henderson, Conan, Casey, Byrne, Aki.
France XV: ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, DuPont (c); Baille, Marchand, Atonio; Flament, Willemse; Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Substitute: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.
French team news
France are without Jonathan Danty, who will miss the full Six Nations with a knee injury, and striker Cameron Woki, who fractured his hand last month.
Matthieu Jalibert was the hero against Italy as his late try ensured France didn’t suffer much upset in Rome but he is once again called up as a substitute.
Head Coach Fabien Galthie continues to rely on the same XV from the start, led by Antoine Dupont, the talismanic Scrum half. Francois Cros and Baptiste Couilloud replace Thomas Lavault and Nolann Le Garrec on the bench.
Irish team news
Ireland will again be without Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park and Cian Healy for France’s visit to Dublin, while dynamic hooker Dan Sheehan has also been added to the list with a hamstring problem.
Star tighthead Furlong missed the win over Wales with a calf injury and that remains an issue, while influential scrum-half Gibson-Park and veteran prop Healy were both ruled out with hamstring injuries that forced their respective game-day withdrawals.
Captain Johnny Sexton is extremely fit after passing an HIA in an unchanged back line and Gibson Park substitute Conor Murray is also back from his own injury scares, supported by Craig Casey.
Ulster’s Rob Herring is deputizing for Sheehan at Hooker, with Ronan Kelleher named as one of the substitutes.