Here’s our Ireland Vs France preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Saturday’s huge Six Nations title decider in Dublin.
Ireland Vs France Preview
Ireland host France in the Six Nations on Saturday, with the winner being almost certain to lift the title on the final weekend.
The Irish have won three from three after beating England, Scotland and Wales to secure the Triple Crown.
If they win against France this weekend, they will just need to beat Italy on Super Saturday to clinch a record third straight championship and the Grand Slam.
France thumped Wales 43-0 on the opening weekend, before losing to England by a single point in round two.
They bounced back with a record-breaking win against Italy, but know anything but a convincing victory against Ireland will almost certainly end their title hopes.
Ahead of the match, the best UK rugby betting sites have this one as almost too close to call.
Ireland are ever-so-slightly favoured, with home advantage putting them at 6/7 while France are at 6/5.
For a detailed look at the head-to-head record and historical data from this fixture from over the years, check out our Ireland Vs France stats article here.
Ireland Vs France Team News
Ireland:
Our team to face France in Dublin! 💪#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 6, 2025
Irish skipper Caelan Doris returns to the side to win his 50th cap after missing the Wales game with a knee injury.
Winger Mack Hansen has been ruled out with a quad issue, with Jamie Osborne moving to the wing and Hugo Keenan back in at fullback.
Dan Sheehan starts at hooker with Ronan Kelleher (neck) out, so Rob Herring comes onto the bench.
With Gary Ringrose suspended, Bundee Aki slots back in alongside Robbie Henshaw in midfield.
Tadhg Furlong is still unavailable, so Finlay Bealham starts at tighthead, with Thomas Clarkson dropping to the bench.
France:
☘️ 🇫🇷 Vos Bleus qui défieront l’Irlande, samedi 15h15, à Dublin 💪#IRLFRA #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/Xc9SxrTmAX
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 6, 2025
France have recalled fly-half Romain Ntamack and winger Damian Penaud for Saturday’s huge Six Nations clash.
Ntamack returns from suspension after his red card against Wales, with Thomas Ramos shifting back to fullback.
Leo Barre and Theo Attissogbe drop out of the side.
In a repeat of ‘Le Bomb Squad’ which was used to great effect against Italy, French coach Fabien Galthie has opted for a 7-1 split of forwards to backs on the bench.
Second rows Emmanuel Meafou and Hugo Auradou come onto the bench for Romain Taofifenua and Alexandre Roumat.
Maxime Lucu is the only back on the bench, providing scrum-half cover.
Ireland Vs France Confirmed Lineups
Ireland:
Starting XV: Keenan; Osborne, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; McCarthy, Beirne; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Clarkson, Ryan, Conan, Baird, Murray, Crowley.
France:
Starting XV: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.
Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Meafou, Auradou, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu.
Ireland Vs France Prediction
This one is incredibly hard to call. Both sided have shown flashes of incredible rugby as well as a few moments of fragility.
Home advantage could be huge for Ireland, and might just get them over the line.
On a dry day we can see France pulling off the win, but a greasy ball plays into Ireland’s hands.
With showers predicted over Dublin on Saturday, the conditions could play a major role in deciding the outcome.
Prediction: Ireland 31-29 France
