The two best teams in the world go head-to-head this Saturday at the sold-out Aviva stadium
By Ellen Cornelius
Following a 34-10 victory in their opening fixture of the Six Nations, Ireland will now face the formidable France this Saturday, February 11th at 2:15 pm in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
While Andy Farrell’s Irish squad is highly favoured to win the Six Nations, the Aviva meeting is set to be a tense one with France having beaten Ireland in matches in the previous three Six Nations competitions.
Last year’s 30-24 win for Les Bleus led to France winning the Six Nations Championship while Ireland had to settle for second place.
With France looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2007, Fabien Galthié’s French side are expected to be the team to stop this year.
France is currently ranked second in the rugby world rankings and, while a second-half comeback by Italy in their opening fixture of the championship will undoubtedly have rattled France, the team remains unchanged going into the Aviva meeting.
Ireland’s team also remains largely unchanged with the exception of Dan Sheehan who is reported to be suffering from hamstring injuries.
James Ryan, Andrew Porter and Dave Kilcoyne will earn their fiftieth caps for the Irish national side as a result of their involvement.
France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (C); Antonio, Marchand, Baille; Willemse, Flament; Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch.
Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.
Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Sexton (C), Murray; Porter, Herring, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; O’Mahony, van der Flier.
Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, Henderson, Conan, Casey, Byrne, Aki.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the Six Nations on Limerick Voice.
