Ireland vs France: Kick-off time, how to watch, team news, lineups

The two highest-ranked sides in world rugby meet at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in a game that has been billed as a potential tournament decider.

These are two of the favourites for the World Cup later this year.

Ireland are bidding to set a national record of 13 successive home wins, while defending champions France are on a 14-game unbeaten run.

The French have an excellent recent record against the Irish and were the last team to win in Dublin in 2021.

But Ireland come into the game full of confidence after beating Wales 34-10 in Cardiff last weekend.

France conceded 18 penalties and needed a late try to secure a 29-24 win in Rome.

Here’s all you need to know about the game…

Ireland vs France date, kick-off time and venue

Ireland vs France gets the second weekend of the Six Nations up and running, taking place before Wales travel to face Scotland at Murrayfield later in the day.

The match is due to begin at 2:15pm GMT on, Saturday February 11, taking place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

How to watch Ireland vs France

TV channel: In the UK, Ireland vs France is being broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 1:25pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch all the action live online via the ITVX app or ITV website.

Ireland vs France 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 casualty list with a hamstring issue.

Star tighthead Furlong missed the win over Wales with a calf injury and that remains a problem, while influential scrum-half Gibson-Park and veteran prop Healy were both ruled out with hamstring injuries that forced their respective withdrawals on the day of the game.

Captain Johnny Sexton is crucially fit after passing a HIA in an unchanged back division, with Gibson-Park replacement Conor Murray also starting again after his own injury scare, backed up by Craig Casey.

Ulster’s Rob Herring deputises for Sheehan at hooker, with Ronan Kelleher named among the replacements.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is fit to face France after a head knock suffered in Cardiff

/ REUTERS

France remain without Jonathan Danty who will miss the entire Six Nations with a knee injury, along with forward Cameron Woki who suffered a hand fracture last month.

Matthieu Jalibert was the hero against Italy as his late try ensured France did not suffer a huge upset in Rome, but he is named among the replacements once again.

Head coach Fabien Galthie has kept faith in the same starting XV led by talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont. On the bench, Francois Cros and Baptiste Couilloud replace Thomas Lavault and Nolann Le Garrec.

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.

Replacements: 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.

Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.

Ireland vs France head to head (h2h) history and results

France have won the last three meetings between the sides, including a 15-13 victory in Dublin two years ago and a crucial triumph in Paris last year en route to that Grand Slam.

Before this current streak of wins, France were on a run of just one win in nine matches against Ireland.

Ireland wins: 35

France wins: 59

Draws: 7

Ireland vs France prediction

The two best sides in the world, according to the official rankings, look set to serve up a thrilling encounter on Saturday.

Ireland proved too good for New Zealand, South Africa and Australia last year, and any fears they might have peaked too soon look to be unfounded after a ruthless display in Cardiff last weekend.

France though are in a winning habit themselves, and they are the only nation to have won in Dublin since the 2019 World Cup. They were a long way from their best against Italy, but still found a way to get the job done.

France came out on top a year ago on their way to the Grand Slam

/ AFP via Getty Images

Ill-discipline was a huge problem for France in Rome, conceding 18 penalties in a performance that would have infuriated defence coach Shaun Edwards. Any repeat of that this weekend and they will certainly be punished.

They will have to be much-improved against Ireland, though even that might not be enough with Andy Farrell’s side well-placed to get revenge for their defeat in Paris 12 months ago.

Ireland to win, by six points.