In the clash of the round, France host a Johnny Sexton-less Ireland as the two favourites for the championship go toe-to-toe in Paris on Saturday.
Six Nations
France v Ireland
18:45
Stade de France
To Win (80 mins)
France 6/10 | Draw 20/1 | Ireland 14/10
Handicap
France (-3.5) 9/10 | Ireland (+3.5) 9/10
The French overcame a slow start to eventually beat Italy 37-10 at the Stade de France last week, courtesy of a well-taken hat-trick by winger Gabin Villière. Having shaken off the rust, they’ll set their sights on knocking over the Irish to place themselves in pole position for the title.
Fabian Galthie has opted for a 6/2 bench split this weekend, with two changes to the team that played in round one. Bordeaux’s Yoram Moefana starts at 12, replacing the injured Jonathan Danty, while Gael Fickou makes the move to 13. Francois Cros is elevated to the run-on side while Thibaud Flament is named on the bench and Dylan Cretin drops out of the 23.
Andy Farrell was forced to make a massive change at 10 after Sexton picked up a hamstring injury in training on Wednesday. That means there’s a chance for talented Munsterman Joey Carbery in the pivot role, with Jack Carty named as his replacement and James Ryan set to captain the side.
Ireland were good value in their 29-7 win over a Wales outfit shorn of many of their stars in Dublin last week and will be confident of knocking over France, even without Sexton. That said, there’s no doubt that the loss of Ireland’s MVP is a hammer blow and may give France the advantage they need.
Verdict: France (-3.5) 9/10
Ireland are a different prospect without Sexton and the hosts should capitalise on that by claiming a win of at least five points.
Teams
France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Vilière, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Francois Cros, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Dylan Cretin, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Thomas Ramos
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan (c) 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Robbie Henshaw
